Got Web Ideas? Fishing for the Answers?
Think Outside The Code First!
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Facts, Thoughts, and Opinions About Web Development and Business Strategy
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I recently wrote this article for OTC about AJAX programming.
As I wrote it, I could not stop from hearing my own voice inside of my head, over and over again,
telling me:
- Straight-forward is always best
- Websites should always be built to benefit end users
- How much I hate the phrase "the cutting edge of technology"
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I also kept envisioning private Web developers who are embracing things like AJAX as a strategy of Web 2.0 who
are probably going to get themselves in to hot water for doing so. This happens when they get a
new client and make the mistake of implementing what is deemed to be the "cutting edge of technology"
when it was not asked for nor is there any reason for doing so other than just because you can.
Technically, it is an experience issue - lack of that is.
Then the Website is delievered to the client and the client hates it, or it doesn't work right, or it confuses
the hell out of people, which I covered in Part III of the article.
The client just received a Website built with "cutting edge technology", yet it may not be perceived that way by
end users including the client. What happened to awe? Dare I say it is back-awesward?
There have been a few cases throughout the history of the Internet where Web developers have jumped the
gun on a new technique or flat out overstated the effectiveness of it. One thing I always used to hear
developers say was, "Use JavaScript to validate forms. It takes heat off the server." When I think back
to 1997, this was a common philosophy that lost wait in rapid fashion. Why? Keep reading.
At that time, JavaScript was relatively new. Validating Web forms with pop-up windows was a new, cool,
and slick way of doing form validation - a great toy for developers but nothing that truly benefited end users.
In fact, it came with many burdens. JavaScript could be turned off in a users browser, there were not many
formatting options for the pop-up window, some people hated that DING! that sounded off each time the box opened,
and it wasn't guaranteed to work across browser platforms. It was nothing more than a fad that is in little use today.
Now we start talking about AJAX. We can't without mentioning the exact same issues stated above since
AJAX relies heavily on JavaScript. Although, AJAX is more powerful and does have some wonderful end
user benefits in certain situations. The trade-off is worth it at times.
The key phrase in all of this is "end user". Yet, the end user often gets dished off to the side.
Many developers
think a Website with awe inspiring functionality is somehow more important than the Website completing a
specific task (or sets of tasks) as quickly, simply, and efficiently as possbile. Good lord, if this was the
case then things like Java Applets and animated JavaScript would have had a shelf
life of more than a couple days. All were toted as revolutionizing the Internet. None came close. Why?
They did nothing for the end user.
I want to note that there is a difference between corporate development and development for small businesses.
Corporations have more flex for senselessly adding senseless features to their Websites because the user
base may be restricted or they are just so damn big that they do not care. In addition, they have lots
of moeny for programmers. If something does not go over well then they can spend a few hundred bucks to
change or remove it. Small businesses may not have this luxury.
Those with small businesses want to keep their Web development straight-forward from both a financial and end user persepctive.
Not doing so may be risky business. Never lose sight on the end user and always take the end user from Point A
to Point B as quickly as you can with the least amount of distractions. End users want the end product. They
do not care about nor do they understand the "cutting edge of technology".
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| More |
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• AJAX and the Back Button
Friday, July 25, 2008
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• Heavily Data-Driven Classic ASP Websites - Should You Still Upgrade?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
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• Web Design - Let Your Content Take You There
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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• The Best FREE Textbox Editor on the Market
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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• Mixed Bag Development
Friday, June 20, 2008
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• Why Most Web Development is Done Backwards
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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• Web 2.0 = Internet Users 2.0
Monday, March 17, 2008
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• Design Width: Fixed Width or Play the Percentages?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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• Don't Plan On Going Overboard With Design
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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