The Web 2006
Once again another great article by Roger Johansson about the 6 things that suck in the web for 2006. Its a short article. but the debate in the comments is what makes it a great read. The main debate is the overuse of Javascript Libraries and the use of them by people who don’t know Javascript thoroughly.
Of course its Jeff Croft leading the debate like always. I seem to see him debating a lot in peoples blogs and though I don’t always agree with his point of view he sure makes any blog article a well rounded conversation between its users.
I do think the use of Libraries are getting to much the norm and people aren’t spending the time to learn Javascript thoroughly, including myself. Even though they say in the comments that it does take some knowledge of Javascript to pull it off I think these plugins that are out there make it pretty simple, its customizing them which takes more knowledge. I agree a lot with what Jeff posts about it being great for developers who know what their doing.
I also agree with the use of AJAX and the use of saying AJAX! People talk of it as if its the end all be all. Yeah its great, but talk about over saturation and the fact that 70% of the small websites out there that people like me develop won’t really have the need for it. Sure if your creating a web application its a must. Lets slow down before every client we come across says their site needs AJAX like Flash.
December 21st, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I think a lot of the javascript library problems stem from the MASSIVE small brochure website sector. Many of these companies want a competitive website to promote themselves and establish a worthy web presence - but don’t want to foot the bill of 100% custom solutions.
They would rather save the several hundred dollars and throw a library in vs having a more compact and clean solution coded. To them it is pretty much all the same, by the first time they have cached the page in their browser loading time is hardly a sub thought.
AJAX is very cool, but seldom the right answer. Unfortunately like flash, many companies want “cool” over “the best fit.”
It becomes our jobs to communicate the ROI of a user centric website vs an egocentric website.
December 21st, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Thanks Ross for such good input on the matter. I think your absolutely correct about both subjects.
Most companies could care less about the under workings of their website as long as the end result works and they spent as least amount of a budget they could to get a professional looking product, that matched or topped their competitors, then their happy.