Flickr and Picnik - RIAs continue to go mainstream

The partnership between Picnik and Flickr finally rolled out today in an arrangement that shows how much traction rich Internet applications continue to gain among Web 2.0 and the general consumer space. Picnik has always been in a class of its own. It was one of the first really great Flex applications out there and it was one of the first that focused very heavily on a customized design. As a result it was an RIA that people were drawn to very early on. Their growth continues to be strong and they were one of the very first applications on the Facebook platform.

The partnership with Flickr is a great move for both the company and RIAs in general. Clearly the largest photosharing site on the web saw Picnik, and by extension RIAs, as something that adds value to their users. I know a lot of people that use Flickr who aren't in tune to Web 2.0 or rich Internet applications. My hope is that this new edit feature will open their eyes to the kinds of experiences that are now possible on the web (in the browser or desktop). As consumers start to demand/expect those experiences we will continue to see a rise in the number of them. That in turn will help increase quality and put even more of an emphasis on user experience. I hope this partnership is a catalyst for RIAs all over.