Is there a way to force the client's browser to refresh the screen?

What I'm looking to do is that every time an application variable is changed/updated, everyone viewing a corresponding page will be updated with the new information.

Not with normal ASPX pages (or any other standard Server Side technology).

Basically, the client requests a page, the server serves it, and then completely forgets about the client. So, as soon as a page has finished loading, there is no way you can get back at the client to refresh the page.

Usually in these scenario's, you can choose between (at least) two options:

1. Client Refresh
Add a <meta> tag or some JavaScript that refreshes the page from within the client. This means it will be "polling-driven" and not event driven.

2. Use Java / Flash / Active X
Using these programming environments, you could create a way to communicate directly with the client. If you're programming an Intranet app, this might work, but you'll get into big troubles if you need this for an Inter net application.

Cheers,

Imar
---------------------------------------
Imar Spaanjaars
Everyone is unique, except for me.
While typing this post, I was listening to: The Beautiful Ones by Prince and the Revolution (Track 3 from the album: Purple Rain) What's This?

Okay, but then how do apps like MSN and AOL Instant Messenger work? They're constantly streaming data and keeping both windows updated. Granted, it's not a browser but I would think they would be similar in theory.

On the contrary. They are completely different from a browser / Web application.

These kind of applications are "connected" applications, in that they have (or can have) a continuous connection with another client or server. This connection often uses a specific port number (hence the troubles getting these kind of applications to work through firewalls etc). Over this connection, the communication takes place.

Bottom line is: these type of programs are connected, and a browser is disconnected.
For the application you want, you need to build a connected solution. You can do this outside the browser with most programming languages, or you need to use one of the technologies I mentioned (or others) if you want this to take place in the browser.

Cheers,

Imar
---------------------------------------
Imar Spaanjaars
Everyone is unique, except for me.
While typing this post, I was listening to: Optigan 1 by Blur (Track 13 from the album: 13) What's This?