.NET AJAX Advice

Question

Hi

I have an ASP.NET website of which contains a Gallery page.

Currently the images are loaded via HTML and CSS but are taking too long to load.

What I am planning is a Solution to use .NET AJAX in particular "Update Panel" within the Page Load method in the code behind of the Gallery page in order to load the images behind the scenes without disturbing the currect UI thread.

Would this be adequate for my requirements?

Regards