4 ms·

The best way to have a faster web is to get rid of Google Analytics, DoubleClick, AMP, "web assembly", WebDRM, ECMAScript (and all derivatives), and go back to

by Endy 7y ago

The best way to have a faster web is to get rid of Google Analytics, DoubleClick, AMP, "web assembly", WebDRM, ECMAScript (and all derivatives), and go back to only loading text and images from a blind server to a user-agent entirely defined by the wishes of the specific user. But all the stuff that makes the Web slow and pointless to use is how Alphabet makes money. So as long as you drink the Google-Aid, you're doomed to a slow web of garbage.

shantly 7y ago
Bingo. We patted ourselves on the back for killing the worst annoyances of the web (pop-ups, terrible Flash menus that were always some different, cute thing for every site, big, slow, Applets—god, those would feel responsive and light compared to even a "lean" modern "Web App") but kept a scripting language with enough power to re-create all of that, and worse. The fix is getting rid of it. We won't. Web UX is gonna generally be trash until we get rid of or reign in (esp. remove ability to make requests without user interaction, and remove ability to listen for most events) Javascript. Which, again, won't happen. So Web UX—in practice, as seen in the wild, not what a developer may make to demo light web development or what certain niche sites may do—is doomed to be terrible.
roca 7y ago
A fine way to make sure that users need Windows, iOS or Android to run most applications, and that desktop Linux is completely useless.
jamesgeck0 7y ago
Webmail was terrible back when every single click required a fetching a new page load. Even on a reasonably fast DSL connection, JavaScript Gmail is noticeably more snappy than HTML Gmail. Pre-ajax online maps? Almost unusable. I certainly wouldn't want to return to those days.
- Endy 7y ago
  Yes, because you're asking a client for text and images downloaded from a server to do things it was never intended to. When you start employing torturous misuse, you're going to find the tool unsuited to the job. You can use a pipe wrench as a makeshift hammer, but a sledgehammer can't tighten a nut (more than once). Use an email and newsreader for email. Use a full mapping suite to download specialized map data. Don't force a web browser to shim into those niche jobs. Old adage I learned with computers: Do One Thing, Well. That's what each program should be. One thing.

by Endy 7y ago

shantly 7y ago

Bingo. We patted ourselves on the back for killing the worst annoyances of the web (pop-ups, terrible Flash menus that were always some different, cute thing for every site, big, slow, Applets—god, those would feel responsive and light compared to even a "lean" modern "Web App") but kept a scripting language with enough power to re-create all of that, and worse. The fix is getting rid of it. We won't. Web UX is gonna generally be trash until we get rid of or reign in (esp. remove ability to make requests without user interaction, and remove ability to listen for most events) Javascript. Which, again, won't happen. So Web UX—in practice, as seen in the wild, not what a developer may make to demo light web development or what certain niche sites may do—is doomed to be terrible.

roca 7y ago

A fine way to make sure that users need Windows, iOS or Android to run most applications, and that desktop Linux is completely useless.

jamesgeck0 7y ago

Webmail was terrible back when every single click required a fetching a new page load. Even on a reasonably fast DSL connection, JavaScript Gmail is noticeably more snappy than HTML Gmail. Pre-ajax online maps? Almost unusable. I certainly wouldn't want to return to those days.

Endy 7y ago
Yes, because you're asking a client for text and images downloaded from a server to do things it was never intended to. When you start employing torturous misuse, you're going to find the tool unsuited to the job. You can use a pipe wrench as a makeshift hammer, but a sledgehammer can't tighten a nut (more than once). Use an email and newsreader for email. Use a full mapping suite to download specialized map data. Don't force a web browser to shim into those niche jobs. Old adage I learned with computers: Do One Thing, Well. That's what each program should be. One thing.