Zoli talks about “Pre-AJAX” AJAX Applications and refer to 24SevenOffice as an innovator. True, we have used Ajax functionality for about 1,5 years but as many others (mainly critics of the Ajax buzz / marketing hype by Adaptive Path) have pointed out; Ajax is nothing new. Ajax functionality has been around since MSIE4 (when the MSXML objects were included) and was originally made for the MS Outlook team to create a web based version of Outlook (Outlook Web Access - OWA).
I think the buzz around Ajax is great - it shows users that web applications can be useful, user friendly and fast. A serious alternative to desktop applications. I would argue the clearly best alternative when looking at costs and benefits such as workplace freedom and collaboration.