A big dilemma - ASP.NET and jQuery
<p>I have a wizard style interface where I need to collect data from users. I've been asked by my managers that the information is to be collected in a step by step type process.</p>

<p>I've decided to have a page.aspx with each step of the process as a separate user control. step1.ascx step2.ascx etc...</p>

<p>The way it works now, is that when the initial GET request comes in, I render the entire page (which sits inside of a master page) and step1.ascx. When then next POST request comes in for step 2 (using query string step=2), I render only step2.ascx to the browser by overriding the Render(HtmlTextWriter) method and use jQuery html() method to replace the contents of a div. </p>

<p>The problem with this whole approach, besides being hacky (in my opinion) is that it's impossible to update viewstate as this is usually handled server side.</p>

<p>My workaround is to store the contents of step1.ascx into temporary session storage so if the user decides to click the Back button to go back one step, I can spit out the values that were stored for it previously.</p>

<p>I feel I'm putting on my techy hat on here in wanting to try the latest Javascript craze as jQuery with .NET has taken a lot of hack like approaches and reverse engineering to get right. Would it be easier to simply use an updatepanel and be done with it or is there a site with a comprehensive resource of using jQuery to do everything in ASP.NET?</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read this.</p>
