The Wonderful Awful Browser

http://database-programmer.blogspot.com/2008/07/wonderful-awful-browser.html

by sanj • 18 years ago

26 15 18 years ago

database-programmer.blogspot.com

This isn't a bad article, even if it is rather obvious. One thing I would like to see though is an understanding that the application programmer understands that he is in a different environment, and therefore is the one that needs to adapt.

In many parts I got the feeling that the thesis was: It was like this on the desktop, so the web should change to be more like the desktop because that way I don't have to change.

That's the kind of thinking that gives us craptastic IE only business apps, and has actually stalled IE improvements over the last couple of years.

jimbokun• 18 years ago

"It was like this on the desktop, so the web should change to be more like the desktop because that way I don't have to change."

Or "It was like this on the desktop, so my users demand that it be just that way on the web version, too, so they don't have to change."

run4yourlives5• 18 years ago

That's a valid point. But it begs the question: Why are you not writing a desktop app then?

fauigerzigerk3• 18 years ago

I think he makes the point pretty clearly that heads down data entry simply comes with different requirements than web surfing. Try to order not one but 200 books a day from amazon and then let's talk UIs afterwards ;-)

run4yourlives5• 18 years ago

I didn't take him to task for that. In fact I would agree. Point being, if that is such a requirement, and the web is so bad at it, why the heck are you trying to build a web app in the first place?

Either you learn how to make it work in the environment, or you change the environment.

swivelmaster• 18 years ago

Ironic that the very attributes that allowed the web to be popular (HTML, easy navigation) have turned it into a nightmare for developing actual applications.

Hexstream• 18 years ago

Well, the web was originally designed for documents, not applications. So I'm not sure where the irony lies.

kleevr• 18 years ago

This guy should look into XUL Runner:

http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/The_Joy_of_XUL

kendowns3• 18 years ago

Actually I have, it is extremely cool. For my own case I don't know where it will fit in yet, as I currently do fine without it, but its one of those things I follow.

The Wonderful Awful Browser

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