AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is the latest buzzword in the web community these days, although the technology has been around for a while.  I haven't done much with it myself, but I know it can certainly yield some very impressive results.  Josh is currently investigating it at work to create a lookup similar to Google Suggest that matches results as you type.

So, what do you think about AJAX?  Have you come up with some "out of the box" ideas for improving Web usability using AJAX?

If you have some thoughts on the subject, my friend Tim Haines would love to hear about it.  So much so that he's offering up $150 (US) in the form of an Amazon.com gift certificate to the blog with the most lively discussion on the subject.  Check out his HandyShop demo and then post your suggestions here on how you might improve an e-commerce site using AJAX.

Here's my spin on it: if my blog wins, then I'll donate the $150 to charity, and I'll let my blog readers decide where it should go. 

Help the developer community realize the full potential of AJAX and contribute to a good cause at the same time!