title: How does the Apple iTunes web site launch the iTunes application on my computer when I click the blue "Launch iTunes" button?
body: <p>This is new to me as a desktop developer.</p>
  
  <p>If I could figure out how this is accomplished, it may be relevant to some research I'm doing, specifically how to migrate thick desktop apps to a web implementation.</p>
  
  <p>The more forms-oriented and lightweight graphics I can figure out, but heavyweight 3D graphics still requires some form of non-browser application.</p>
  
  <p>As nearly as I can determine, iTunes installs some form of new protocol handler on my machine, corresponding to "itms", in place of "http".</p>
  
  <p>This is cool and mysterious to me, almost magical. Any help or suggestions for additional reading materials and/or resources would be very welcome.</p>