Crossing the line between pages and applications
Shelley Powers
has an interesting point about the fact that the more we become
enamored with technologies like AJAX - the more we require of end-users
browsers to view the Web. That is requiring things like Javascript and
cookies and what-not.
In my mind I think this is something of a moot point. While it is
considerate to think of others -- the fact is that AJAX takes
advantages of capabilities available in the vast majority of browsers.
I'd argue that the numbers of users whose browsers don't support AJAX
capabalities is statistically insigifigant. This last point has more to
do with why AJAX rose in popularity when it did - even though the
technological requirements were there many years before.
I'd also point out that AJAX is most likely to be used in
"applications" vs most types of content. And another point I would have
is that we know that the Web is about a two-way street. And if Web 2.0
really means anything it means "improved customer-driven interactivity"
and AJAX has proven to be the key component to that.
Finally - I'd say that this type of "upgrade your equipment"
requirement is a common component in our lives. And consumers will
obtain the proper capabilities if they see compelling content that they
are missing out on(even if Web 2.0 is changing what the word "content"
from totally passive to something more interactive).
My analogy on this is HDTV. I watch TV - alot of TV. But I had really
thought HDTV was kind of pointless - but I had a moment of "gotta get
one of these" after watching a Monday Night Football game at a friends
house on HDTV. After seeing the clarity and wider-view - which is about
as close as being at the real thing -- I decided I needed to make sure
the next TV has HDTV capabilities.
In closing - I would say - know what you're audience is and what works
best for that audience. Powers site is about her writing content - so
she is correct in doing things properly to make it as accessible to a
reading audience. If you're writing a new email application like Zimbra
- then you're going to need a different set of technological
requirements.
