4 ms·

Regarding 1. When you say "no longer trivial", I would point out that if it isn't now, then it surely never was? Not using a framework (by which I assume you m

Regarding 1. When you say "no longer trivial", I would point out that if it isn't now, then it surely never was? Not using a framework (by which I assume you mean the likes of wordpress or squarespace) is still as much possible today as it ever was. And, the knowledge on how to do so is ever more accessible. I can see your point that when provided with easy ways to do things, you are limited to design decisions and choices of those frameworks. However, I think the progress of open source has lowered the bar significantly for creating a completely custom platform.

TheOtherHobbes 5y ago
I had a friend with zero programming experience who put up a simple webpage for her small business in 1995 with just a text editor and some photos. Yes, it was much simpler. And it was encouraged, because most ISPs offered free web page hosting - including a free URL, and email - with an access account. Wordpress is a nightmare in comparison. And a fully engineered blog stack is far beyond the reach of most users. You could argue that the modern equivalent is a Facebook page, but of course web pages were fully public. You were in a public space, under your own name, limited only by your willingness to learn some very basic HTML. It's a completely different experience to being in a privatised space with its own content management tools, which you only have very limited user level access to.
- okamiueru 5y ago
  Isn't the anecdote only valid if your friend would somehow be unable to do the same if it were today? I do get the sentiment that is expressed, but I also think it is wrong. The possibility to create, and the resources with which to do so is astronomically better than it was growing up. Imagine having access to YouTube and the thousands of excellent tutors. Just because convenience can lead to mediocrity, doesn't excuse it.

TheOtherHobbes 5y ago

I had a friend with zero programming experience who put up a simple webpage for her small business in 1995 with just a text editor and some photos. Yes, it was much simpler. And it was encouraged, because most ISPs offered free web page hosting - including a free URL, and email - with an access account. Wordpress is a nightmare in comparison. And a fully engineered blog stack is far beyond the reach of most users. You could argue that the modern equivalent is a Facebook page, but of course web pages were fully public. You were in a public space, under your own name, limited only by your willingness to learn some very basic HTML. It's a completely different experience to being in a privatised space with its own content management tools, which you only have very limited user level access to.

okamiueru 5y ago
Isn't the anecdote only valid if your friend would somehow be unable to do the same if it were today? I do get the sentiment that is expressed, but I also think it is wrong. The possibility to create, and the resources with which to do so is astronomically better than it was growing up. Imagine having access to YouTube and the thousands of excellent tutors. Just because convenience can lead to mediocrity, doesn't excuse it.