Knittingfactory: An infrastructure for distributedweb applications

While Java and applets have created a new perspective for Web applications, some problems are still unsolved. Among these are the question of how Java applets can find other members of the collaboration session, how to deal with the restrictions imposed by the Java security model, and how to overcome the inability of applets to communi-cate directly, even if they belong to the same distributed application. KnittingFactory addresses the problem of finding other members of a collaboration session by providing a distributed registry system where the search is performed within a Web browser with-out violating its security model; the problem of arbitrary placement of applications by providing the core functionality for downloading applets from an arbitrary node; and finally the problem of direct applet-applet communication by using the Java Remote Method Invocation mechanisms to give applets information on how their fellow ap-plets can be reached. Two example applications validate this concept and demonstrate the ease of use of KnittingFactory. 1 Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information