Framework Similar to ASP.Net AjaxPro

Question

Currently, I'm using AjaxPro Framework (http://www.ajaxpro.info/) to call any methods in my web application from the client side.
But users have some serious problems using it. (e.g success callbacks don't work in Chrome. More info about the problems could be found at: AjaxPro is working locally, but on server I am getting .ashx errors)
I'd like to replace it with a framework that can:

1. Call any method in my code behind. Even if it's defined in a class library. In AjaxPro I could define a method anywhere and add [AjaxPro.AjaxMethod] attribute to it. Now the method could be called in any client-side js code, even if they were in two different classes.
2. Doen's depend on web forms. I could replace AjaxPro with ASP.Net Ajax by using ScriptManager and Add [WebMethod] attribute to my methods and call any other method in my solution from that page method. But I'm using .ascx files and Page methods cannot be defined in .ascx files (They have to be defined in .aspx web forms).
3. Preferably free. (I'd like to use it in YetAnotherForum project development). But if only a paid framework is available, I'll be glad to pay for it.

Is there any other Ajax framework which has the AjaxPro functionality?

Answer 1

I believe you have a fair choice.

Look at http://ajaxpatterns.org/DotNet_Ajax_Frameworks#Lists

At my new job we're using ajaxpro, however I also have come across issues and am currently researching alternatives.

Answer 2

I would recommend using jQuery. It is becoming the client javascript API to use. Even Microsoft seems to be inclining towards it in favor of their AJAX client side APIs. You can call any method in a page using the .ajax method, sample here. I have never tried it inside a UserControl, but as long as the method is decorated with a WebMethod attribute, I don't see why it wouldn't work.