Ted

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20 Apr 2005Technology

Remember when the Web was fun?

It is interesting to follow developments like the merger of Adobe and Macromedia iin the era of blogs, which essentially make GUI Web design tools irrelevant, IMHO (long live BBEdit!).

Then there’s the article

in BusinessWeek, So Long To Clunky Web E-Mail. It is not the issue of Web E-mail that is interesting, but the public backlash around Web applications.

Remember when it was cool to be able to put in your name and get a Mad Lib or two out of a Web site. Then you could check your e-mail on the Web - wow! Now all the coolness is gone, because the Web simply can’t live up to the standard that a good client-server application can. So, we’re back to desktop software as a staple.

Wildstrom’s article alludes to an interest by Microsoft in not promoting Web apps so that they can sell more software. Well, Apple isn’t investing a ton in good Web apps either (although theirs are always more stylish and functional…).

Blogging is bringing the old days back - you don’t have to hurt yourself to pull down a complicated Web site anymore with these, and they are raw, real, and fun. Yes they are.

Now, Apple, buy Movable Type, and make it a .Mac service, okay?

Popularity: 3%
Matt - 20 Apr - 7:46 pm,

I agree. Web apps just aren’t good enough largely due to the very clunky model when trying to write a cool client app. Also it’s next to impossible to use real compiled code with a web app. Clearly, it’s not impossible, but close enough.

If I have have a super powerful machine why do I want to run all my programs in some interpreted language platform? I doubt anyone will be doing ray tracing in javascrip anytime soon (and if they are who really cares?)

The fact that elements have one set of properties and CSS provides a completely different set of names for the same properties is just bizarre.

However, I disagree that Apple makes prettier and more functional web apps. Have you seen Outlook Web Access? It’s awesome, functional, and is almost a complete replacement for Outlook itself.

Of course, Avalon will wipe the floor with the web application model. Keep in mind, it’s not a replacement for the web itself, but anyone who cares about customers using Windows will write an Avalon application for them and a web application “for the rest.”

Ted - 20 Apr - 9:31 pm,

If only I had a dime for every time Microsoft came out with a technology that was going to wipe a floor clean. Wouldn’t we all be downloading music from Windows Media into our plays for sure devices by now?

Brett - 23 Apr - 10:20 am,

Are you guys forgetting about gmail? google maps? I agree that many web applications have failed to deliver on their promises, but I think google has given them new lives. Both of the apps I just mentioned are snappy, look really good, and are very functional.

Just my two bits :)

Ted - 23 Apr - 11:52 am,

No, not forgetting about google. Those are little applets - and yes, sure they help you get to a friend’s party. But I am talking about enterprise level applications that let you do hard core work. Whenever you see someone and say, “use that app on the Web” nowadays you get, “Um..how do I get access to the real version on my computer?”

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