Session 1: AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML) is an excellent technique to extend the function of web based applications beyond the traditional methods. Without AJAX dynamic content is delivered to the browser by either displaying a new page or re-rendering the whole existing page. This approach has several limitations that are solved by using AJAX. For example, as new content becomes available for the page, portions of the screen can be changed without completely refreshing the browser. Advanced AJAX techniques are currently in use to create online applications that behave almost exactly like locally installed software. Google Spreadsheets are a good example of this. Google Spreadsheets work in a very similar fashion to Excel and allow importing and exporting in XLS or CSV format. Thus an online application can have the advantage of access on any computer with internet access and still behave like traditional, locally installed software.

There are hundreds of AJAX resources and tutorials available online as well as books. Here’s a list of some of the more popular online resources available:
JQuery
MooTools
ajaxwith.com
The AJAX Revolution
Round-up of 30 AJAX Tutorials
Getting Started with AJAX in jQuery

Session 2: Steal This Film is a documentation of events during the Spring of 2006 regarding actions taken by the MPAA against the Swedish Bittorrent tracker site The Pirate Bay. The film highlights the futility of action by the MPAA and RIAA against file sharing, and also provides an insight into how the application Bittorrent works as well as torrent tracking database and search site tools. The film can be downloaded (without violation of any copyright laws) from stealthisfilm.com.