Its never going to work like that for the web, because web browser/client producers aren't interested in parcelling out pieces of the pie - its an all-or-nothin

Its never going to work like that for the web, because web browser/client producers aren't interested in parcelling out pieces of the pie - its an all-or-nothing approach in the client wars, and we, 2nd-tier programmers hoping to profit on top of the platform, simply have no control. So, its kind of cannibalistic in my opinion - as soon as an approach rises to the level of adoption, it becomes cannibalised by the very providers of the resources required to sustain itself - the web client vendors. I, also, look for the same things you do. I don't think its going to happen with the web - we're lock-stepped into fooling ourselves that 'one standard will fit all' when really its 'one standard will deplete your budget, and then you will be left to fund the other standards if you want to ship - otherwise, gtfo and die'... The only hope is that a model of software development emerges that is not dependent on the client software wars producing a clear winner. Perhaps the more people build their own custom clients, the more we're likely to gain the "component-izable ideal" you postulate. One can hope ..