Dynamic pages - any other way besides using frames?

I need to update my web page dynamically. The page is a typical three column
setup. When someone clicks a button on the middle column the right column should
update. Again wen someone clicks another button left column should update.
All the columns have a lot of stuff and repainting everything is not an option.
Currently I having frames which can be updated dynamically.

Is there any other solution? having the user install some software is not an
option.

In article <raqnu31upastpmvdkf3bg931du1rccgm4l (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>,
John <John.Smith (AT) invalid (DOT) com> wrote:

I need to update my web page dynamically. The page is a typical three column
setup. When someone clicks a button on the middle column the right column
should
update. Again wen someone clicks another button left column should update.
All the columns have a lot of stuff and repainting everything is not an
option.
Currently I having frames which can be updated dynamically.

Is there any other solution? having the user install some software is not an
option.

Is there a button whose *only* function is to update the left or right
col? If so, why? If not, what other things does the button do? How about
a url and some proper context?

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dorayme