As all we can see, HTML, CSS, Javascript... are developing according to the needs rather than to somoene's will.
And one of the major needs is to make web content accessible to various users and devices. Web is no longer accessed by desktop computers running a known number of graphical browsers that you can account for. Current trend of separation of content from presentation from "bells and whistles" is based on that need. You can not expect your web site to look the same and have all the same functionality when accessed by a cell phone, or latest graphical browser running on 1600x1200 monitor, or by aural browser, or by SE bot or other data harversting program. If you want your site to have maximum exposure, you build it in layers that can be used (or not) by browsers depending on their capability and user needs (I doubt someone accessing a site by cell phone will appreciate 600x400 background image send thier way). If all you care about are graphical desktop browsers, you are the one stuck in the past.
We all need more dynamics, more style. We sould rather try to seek the lack of security and try to improve Javascript than to give up and build intricate ultra-cross-javascript/nonjavascript codes. I respect your puritan way, but i feel that future development of web design will follow the dynamic perameter instead of static and "keep_the_old_solid" way...
Once again, accessibility does not go against the dynamics and style.You do not need to create "intricate ultra-cross-javascript/nonjavascript codes" if you use "layered" approach to your design. I think I demonstrated it with my slideshow script:
- You start with the content (HTML), that is the foundation of your site.
- You add presentation (CSS)
- You add functionality (Scripting)
If a higher functionality layer is not available on the client, the page falls back to more basic presentation/functionality.
Technology does not limit you in making web sites that are both accessible and dynamic - your mindset and development methods do
I base my arguments about current state and future trends of web development of facts and observations, not "my feelings", and despite your impression I do not advocate minimalistic approach (if that is what you mean by "puritan ways").
If you talk about educate people... We should educate them to use new achievements, not to stuck them in the fear of new ways of doing something
New achievements open new ways of approaching tasks and solving problems. The modern approach to scripting requires taking accessibility of content into account.
Here is another example for you (random image script).
Old way:
<script language="Javascript">
images=new Array('image1.jpg','image2.jpg','image3.jpg');
document.write('<img src="' + images[Math.floor(Math.random()*images.length)] + '">');
</script>
New way
<script type="text/Javascript">
function setImage()
{ var images=new Array('image1.jpg','image2.jpg','image3.jpg');
document.getElementById('randomImage').src = images[Math.floor(Math.random()*images.length)];
}
</script>
...
<body onload="setImage()">
...
<img id="randomImage" src="image1.jpg" />
Not that hard, once you drop the luddite attitude, is it?
:thumbsup: