title: How can you push data to a web page client?
body: <p>I just learned about the AJAX Push Engine but it runs on Linux/Apache which is not an option for me.</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.ape-project.org/" rel="noreferrer">http://www.ape-project.org/</a></p>
  
  <p>Currently with AJAX to keep a page current I have to poll the server frequently which is not great for a high traffic site. The option to push data to the client only when necessary is a great option, but natively JavaScript does not support sockets, AFAIK. One trick I read about, but the site is now gone, is to use a Flash module to handle socket communications and relay message to JavaScript.</p>
  
  <p>The trouble with researching this approach is that "JavaScript push" as keywords come up with the push function for arrays instead of the context I want.</p>
  
  <p>How could establish a persistent connection with the server to do push communications in the browser? Do I need Flash/ActionScript or is there another option that would work with all of the currently active browsers? (IE6/7/8, FF3, Safari, Chrome) </p>
  
  <p>When it comes to the server I also need to work out the complications due to Origin policy as well as port security. I appreciate anything you can point out that will explain the available options.</p>