I am looking to set up a company which will sell products on the
internet.  I will be employing a company to build the internet site
for me but have a question about technology before I go too much
further.

The 'icon' customisation technology used on the Dell website is one
which I would like to imitate, for example on the following link which
will hopefully work -

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D093C7&rbc=D093C7&s=dhs&sbc=ukdhsrsdimen_3100c_1

I notice that the price changes as different options are added or
subtracted and you can flick between tabs without the page reloading -
I assume due to the technology used, although I do not think this is
Flash technology.

After that rather long-winded introduction my questions are -

1.  What is this technology?
2.  How compatible is it with most computers or will it restrict my sales market?
3.  Is this technology any more expensive to use in the building of a website?

Many thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 25 Sep 2006 16:46 PDT

jones...

Off the cuff...

It looks to be a mix of javascript (which updates the prices as the
selections are made) and flash (the menu tabs are flash-based, and
load mini flash movies).

Both types of coding are fairly ubiquitous at this point, so almost
all users will have access, however that page has an html backup
page which loads if flash is not detected.

The coding for both the flash and the javascript is sophisticated,
so it will cost you more to hire a coder with this type of expertise
to customize your site, and it will take them longer to create.

Once it's up, it should run without much maintenance, however most
sites which have this degree of sophistication have a coder on call
(contract) in case of problems that might arise.

Let me know where this takes you...

sublime1-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 28 Sep 2006 21:30 PDT

jones...

That page no longer loads for me, so I can't get to the source
code anymore, but I did see flash content in the form of files
with the .swf extension. 

As for payment, that takes place when an authorized researcher
(whose names appear in blue, hyperlinked text) posts a formal
answer in a box available only to them.

I will do so if you feel you've learned what you came for, and
that I contributed sufficiently to that process. I can also
elaborate a bit if you can post another working link and point
to the elements you still have questions about.

If you felt that the commentors, whose names are in black text,
were more helpful to your query, you can simply close the 
question, as comments are given freely. If you'd like to pay
me something for my efforts, but not the full question price,
you can also change the price of the question in your options.

sublime1-ga

no that page has absolutely no flash in it.
Its looks purely javascript + css
most recent developers with enough javascript and css knowledge can
build one just like that for you without a problem.
if you find a ajax developer than he/she will probably build one even
better looking then that

Thanks both for your answers. I have a good idea now what to ask for
when I go to web developers.

I am new to this whole answers thing - can you give me some advice as
to payment -  you have both been helpful (although I am not sure which
of you is right!).

it doesn't matter if there is flash in that site. the thing that you
asked is javascript + css.

and as minhur-ga said, the ajax could be a even better choice
depending on what person you can find for development.

good luck