[VIPStephan]

I thought someone like you would know better, Philip.

Originally Posted by Philip M

I would say that enabling (or not disabling) Javascript in the browser is essential for modern user experiences.

That’s your personal opinion. But the essential reason for a regular website to exist is still the same as 15 years ago: To provide information for users. Why would you deliberately detain information from your visitors if you can easily avoid it? (I’m thinking about things like home page sliders etc. that are not crucial for the function of a website but still often hold relevant information.)

Originally Posted by Philip M

It was also used more to apply ornament and decoratation (often inappropriately) than for utility. Those days are long gone - as obsolete as document.write().

So, is it? Let’s use the content slider example again. I think JS is used just as inappropriately today as it used to be years ago. Just the technology and browser support have advanced.

Originally Posted by Philip M

There are many features of web-sites which can only be achieved with Javascript.

Yeah, decorational features like dynamically fading sliders and asynchronously loading content etc. Nothing, however, that would be crucial for the functioning of a website. You could create a site like Facebook that would work entirely without JS – just as an e-commerce site/shopping cart. Not in exactly the same way, of course, but generally nothing would have to be missing.

Originally Posted by Philip M

If Javascript was not almost essential it would not exist.

Why can we still disable it then? Browser vendors could just remove that feature.

Originally Posted by Philip M

The implication that many or most web sites will work just as well without Javascript is absurd. How can AJAX or jQuery function if Javascript is disabled?

You are asking the wrong questions. Of course AJAX and jQuery wouldn’t work if JS is disabled. The question you should ask is: How can my site function if JS is disabled. Most web developers are adding JS way too early in the development process.

Originally Posted by Philip M

And WTF would anyone want to disable Javascript in his browser anyway nowadays? What benefits does he imagine will arise?

I can tell you why: Because they are sick of Google, Facebook, and what not spying on their browsing behavior (by using cookies, for example) and showing them allegedly “relevant” information. Because they are sick of advertising and/or other malware being secretly planted on them. Because they are sick of script ridden websites that are slow and bulky to use.

We could argue forever but saying that JS is crucial for a website to function is just wrong. And even the big airlines and hotel chains could prvide websites that would work perfectly without JS – if their designers and developers weren’t too lazy or incompetent to provide such a solution.