Comments on: Worthy of your attention in 2008

By: Pirkka Rannikko

Pirkka Rannikko — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:48:54 +0000

I can’t remember if there has been a discussion about AIR in the podcast but you should definetely have one. Summon an AIR expert as a guest in to the show and go though some basics:
- What is AIR?
- Pros and cons of the different technologies that can be used to build AIR applications.
- Accessibility in AIR applications.
- Why should we use air? Few examples of the comon/typical applications of AIR.
- What are the competing technologies of AIR if there are any?
- What is the future for AIR?
Thanks!

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:26:16 +0000

Very good list - thanks very much. Found my self agreeing with every one

By: Aaron Mills

Aaron Mills — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:23:45 +0000

When you talk about widgets on the desktop its almost scary. Pretty soon there is not going to be a distinction between applications development and web applications development.
Its all merging with the faster data rates and increasingly faster computers.
Makes me ponder what the world will be like when I am 70.

By: J Whittaker

J Whittaker — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:34:43 +0000

Paul very good write up. I for one hope that the discipline of Interface development is more understood by employers and clients.
Its now becoming a specialism in its own right, an Interface developer should be able to pick the correct front end technology and do a damn good job with it. Key XHTML, CSS and JavaScript are all must haves as they are the cornerstone of what us developers do. It seems that employers are still looking for someone who covers everything from HTML to SQL, C++, python .NET etc etc.
Hopefully 2008 will see the rise and importance of the interface as it goes even more interactive with the likes of AIR, Silverlight, Flex and Javascript and onto more mobile devices.
Exciting times.

By: bert

bert — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:58:19 +0000

DOM Scripting by Jeremy Keith that is. (I guess that should be "nuff")

By: Bert

Bert — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 05:14:52 +0000

DOM Scripting. Nuff Said

By: Alexis Brion

Alexis Brion — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:52:45 +0000

I agree with most points but to the line “The decline of web 2.0″ I would add “and the consolidation of other web2.0″.
Don’t forget that web2.0 is bringing many good and successful services too.
Nice article!

By: Josh Knight

Josh Knight — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:29:23 +0000

Thanks again Paul. I’ve been messing around with a some of this stuff wondering if I was trying to do too much – sounds like I should keep at it.
I’m hoping someone can help me out with something – and I apologize ahead of time if I sound like an idiot. But, every time I hear the term “web 2.0,” I quietly cringe. I’ve always felt like it was a term invented by people who got tired of calling it the web – like the media. To me, the web is just a constant evolution of new techniques and technologies.
But, it seems like you guys are talking about some pretty specific web 2.0 companies. What makes them web 2.0? Are they using AJAX? Or, is everything all reflective and plastic looking? And what are they doing or selling?
If anyone has a couple links to Web 2.0 companies – and why they get that title, I would love to see them. Until now, I’ve just thought it was a made-up term.
Thanks,
Josh

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:25:52 +0000

Finally! someone has pointed out the Emporer in his birthday suit. I can agree with so much here.
1. Web 2.0 cannot continue, despite being hyped by all within ‘groovy’ web design and the media. What is weird is that these guys are working there arses off to make castles in the sky, while there is still loads of, admittedly less groovy, work out there.
2. We use a framework (Codeignighter) to produce simple to use accessible, web standard sites with simple and easy to use management systems, at sensible prices and guess what? we’re busy!
3. Javascript is great, I’m a developer and I find it an inspiring language. Equally exciting is actionscript and Flex. Actionscript is very close to the ECMA Script and has all the bits that javascript misses (Classes, etc)
4. Air is very exciting, works well with a number of web techniques, gives access to the file system and most importantly will install on visitors PCs quickly, easily and safely, and unlike Java won’t ask you to download an update every other day.
5. Mobiles are the future, but not the iPhone, Apples greed has killed it, but it has opened the market to iPhone-a-likes, plus with the rise of WiFi, don’t forget the iPod Touch.
Great peice Paul, happy new year to both you and Marcus, who help to keep me sane on my daily commute, cheers.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:46:54 +0000

Paul, thx for sharing your thoughts on the coming year. The need to break from the confines of basic web design skills (html/css) and keep pace with the technologies the Web 2.0 bubble has created rings loud and clear in 08. I'd agree that the bubble will deflate, but in it's wake it has left a whole new array of user expectations of what the web should and shouldn't be. Keep up the good work!