Seeking input for whether to go with Ext JS or Ext GWT

[steverc]

I will be attending conference next month and hope to then begin using ExtJS on my site. Looking at the agenda it looks like I need to decide whether I want to go the "GWT" track or the JS track. Since I've not yet chosen which of these two implementations to go with I am seeking others' recommendations.

Our site is currently home-grown HTML/JSP with backend Java beans for business logic and DAO. We use Eclipse almost exclusively for development (some Dreamweaver CS3, but less and less to help move to one platform and save those annual upgrade fees for multiple tools)

I want to head to FL witha game plan so I don't end up picking the wrong presentation track...

Thoughts? advice?

Thanks,
Steve

[Animal]

Well I'm no expert on GWT, and it may be just prejudice speaking. But I think there's a problem with writing Java, and having some very complex middleware translate that into obfuscated, unmodifiable, uncustomizable javascript code.

IMHO, you'd be better off writing your own clean, structured UI in good OO Javascript, and coding it to interact with your back end through Ext.Direct.

You are then in complete control of the UI.

[watrboy00]

I would agree with Nige on this one. IMO it extends not only to GWT but also to others like M$ Ajax Extensions. Not being able to truly control what JavaScript is rendered to the browser is the main reason I haven't spent much time exploring those other realms. I personally like the control over building the front-end UI and with the new Ext.Direct classes in 3.0 it should be even easier than before.

[annoos]

thank.........yoooo