Javascript / DHTML / JQuery MDI / Desktop / Windowed environment

Question

I would like to develop a UI that includes draggable windows, a task bar showing open windows etc.

The main requirement beside the above is to have it in a contained area, a div or an iframe

I've found two great candidates, but they both failed, is there anything answering the above?

http://widget-env.sourceforge.net/index.php?page=demo Is nice, but simply not there yet
http://desktop.sonspring.com/ seems amazing, but only seems to work in full screen

I'm sure there are millions of free solutions, but I'm willing to consider a commercial one as well

In what way does the jQuery Desktop you linked "only work in full screen?" Do you mean that it only works by taking up the entire browser window? — Matt Ball, Mar 24 '11 at 03:05
As far as I can see, yes, I tried to embed it in an IFrame and it redirected to the actual content, e.g. like an anty frameset protection or something. also putting it in a DIV and limiting the size renders a broken UI. But I'll be glad to hear I'm wrong — Eran Medan, Mar 26 '11 at 01:41

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:05

To start, there's this question, which is sort of old, but basically asks the same question you're asking: Javascript library for building desktop-like web application: ExtJS, jQuery, YahooUI, Mocha, SproutCore, Cappuccino, others?

Some other jQuery-based choices (I haven't tried implementing any of these myself):

jQuery Desktop
jDesktop (seems kind of slow)
http://desktop.udjamaflip.com/ (seems rough around the edges)

If you don't mind a non-jQuery option, I recommend taking a look at YUI. It's is a top-notch library with many features & widgets, solid documentation, and a ridiculously high level of customizability. YUI 2 is the current stable version; YUI 3 is still in beta. It'll take a bit of custom CSS to make a YUI-based page look as slick as http://desktop.sonspring.com/, but you can definitely use the Layout Manager to build non-full-screen layouts.

For an OS-like feel, check out some of the menu demos:

YUI plays perfectly well with jQuery, too.

Thanks!, I'll check all the above and report – Eran Medan Mar 26 '11 at 04:29 — Eran Medan, Mar 26 '11 at 04:29

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 26 '11 at 05:14

1

I think ExtJS has emerged as a poweful desktop like UI javascript library.

answered Mar 26 '11 at 05:14

sushil bharwani

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I meant a desktop environment as in windows (maximize, minimize) and taskbar (all minimized / open windows) – Eran Medan Mar 26 '11 at 16:28

Javascript / DHTML / JQuery MDI / Desktop / Windowed environment

2 Answers2