Archive of UserLand's first discussion group, started October 5, 1998.

Re: DHTML, Java or something else?

Author:Pete Jansson
Posted:1/6/2000; 1:37:55 PM
Topic:HTML Renderer in the MacOS
Msg #:14140 (In response to 14120)
Prev/Next:14139 / 14141

The Linux folk don't perceive the need for DHTML because they feel that applications that require more interactivity than you can get with HTML should be done natively.

It's possible that Apple isn't prioritizing DHTML for the same reason.

What got everyone all excited about Java back in the late 1900's (it's fun to be able to write that!) was that it offered a chance to provide more interactivity than HTML, and to provide it on a variety of platforms. (Delivery of the promise is another thing.)

I think most reasonable people would agree that, while you can build a nice page with HTML, you can do much better with DHTML, and better still with a native application -- Dave has complained about using the Web as an email environment for exactly this reason. A native application can push pixels better than any cross-platform abstraction, so it always feels better.

So, it depends on the race of network effects -- will the network effects of cool DHTML applications win out over the competing native applications?

(Apple's definitely going for an evil lock-in, though, and it's a shame!)

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