Javascript / DHTML / JQuery MDI / Desktop / Windowed environment [closed]

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

Answer 1

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:

• OS-style programs menu example
• Application menubar example

YUI plays perfectly well with jQuery, too.