Tim Starling wrote: <snip>
We have several JS/AJAX features, and I have attempted to encourage the development of more. See
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikitech-l/2006-August/025991.html http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikitech-l/2006-September/026387.html
I badly need to learn AJAX, so that might be a good start :)
The answer to your question is that we have far fewer developers (in full-time equivalent terms) than Facebook, Flickr or any of the other major AJAX-based sites. We will work towards improved client-side functionality, but it could take years to reach the level of functionality you're talking about.
What about hiring more developers ? Maybe the foundation should looks for the needed skills. The MediaWiki code is well wrote and can be learned easily. With Brion and you as mentors, I am sure they will get effective very fast.
It might be good to get some people to handle the servers too, that will mean less system administration for you and more development.
cheers,