I have a strange feeling that many people will be asking quick little questions about what AJAX is. Let's nip this one in the bud.
From
http://www.wwwcoder.com/main/parentid/81/site/6044/68/default.aspx What Does AJAX Stand For?
"AJAX means 'Asynchronous Javascript and XML'. Adaptive Path came up with the term in this essay:
http://www.adaptivepath.com/publications/essays/archives/000385.php. However, the
word is really a bit of a misnomer: AJAX doesn't really rely on XML at all, but rather on a Javascript function that happens to be named XMLHttpRequest."
Bottom line, google.com with its fancy maps and other technologies brought AJAX into the limelight.
Javascript can fetch content from the server and act more interactive.
BTW, I think AJAX may get supplemented with XUL or XUAL from Microsoft in the future. Check out MS Vista windows.
Take care all.