Map users demand rich and responsive user interfaces. Most browser based mapping applications today are built upon a suite of technology consisting of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and AJAX libraries. There are several substantial map libraries that facilitate the development of applications but it can still be a difficult task. The primary challenge of building applications in this paradigm is the technological differences, or lack of, found in browser implementations.
Another paradigm that has been gaining steam is exemplified by Adobe Flex and Flash player, or Microsoft Silverlight. Rich Tuttle's research project is to explore the availability of mapping libraries, and the general feasibility of developing applications with Adobe Flex. Flex provides a rich and consistent container for application functionality across major operating systems and browsers. Presumably the behavior will be the same everywhere and result in saving significant development effort.