Jake Archibald and Surma discuss browser politics, user base importance, the need for a declarative approach, tools for gathering developer insights, Google's investment in CSS, and limitations of the web platform. Tune in to learn more!
Browsers operate like political parties, with user numbers translating to power and influence in the technology market.
The extensible web manifesto aimed to enable innovation through low-level functionality but faced challenges and missed opportunities in implementation.
Deep dives
The dynamic of the podcast and the introduction of the guests
In this podcast episode, the hosts Brian Cardell and Eric Meyer introduce themselves and their two special guests, Soma and Jake Archwald. They share anecdotes about their experience working together and how they have transitioned to different roles throughout their careers. They also discuss their previous podcast, HTTP 203, and the launch of their new podcast, 'Off the Main Thread.' The hosts express their passion for podcasting, which they consider to be a fun and enjoyable activity.
The concept of browsers as political parties and users as voters
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast is the comparison between browsers and political parties, and users as voters. The hosts explain how the number of users a browser has translates into power and influence. They discuss the different strategies browsers use to attract and retain users, such as promoting their own browser on search engines or operating systems. They also touch on the ethical implications of browser advocacy and the potential for manipulation in gaining user support. Overall, they explore the dynamics of the browser market from a political perspective.
The extensible web manifesto and the ideology of browsers
The hosts delve into the extensible web manifesto and its impact on the evolution of browsers. They discuss the initial focus on low-level functionality and the push for more tools and APIs that would enable developers to create innovative solutions. They reminisce about the early days of introducing new features to the web platform, such as Canvas and the extensibility of CSS. However, they also acknowledge some challenges and missed opportunities in fully utilizing the extensible web manifesto. They reflect on the balance between low-level and high-level features and how different browsers have approached the implementation of these concepts.
The current priorities and future aspirations for the web platform
The podcast concludes with the hosts sharing their thoughts on the current priorities and desired future developments for the web platform. They express a desire for more platform-level functionality that can be easily accessed and utilized by developers. They highlight the importance of achieving platform interoperability, simplifying complex features, and improving developer communication. Their aspirations include better support for physics-based interactions, modular browser engines, and increased modularity and flexibility in building web applications. They emphasize the need for continuous innovation and improvement in the web platform to empower developers and enhance user experiences.