news.volyx.in

Only 90s web developers remember this (2014) (zachholman.com)

628 points by Fiveplus · 1764 days ago · 345 comments on HN

Article summary

The article reminisces about the early days of web development in the 1990s, highlighting the use of HTML tags like <blink> and <marquee>, as well as the 1x1.gif trick for positioning elements. It also mentions the introduction of CSS and JavaScript, and how they were initially used for simple tasks like removing underlines from links. The article pokes fun at the primitive state of web development at the time, but also expresses nostalgia for the simplicity and creativity of the era. The author also touches on the use of DHTML, pixel fonts, and other outdated web development techniques.

Main themes

  • retro web development
  • HTML and CSS
  • JavaScript and DHTML
  • web design nostalgia
  • deprecated HTML features
  • modern web development complexity
  • Flash vs HTML5
  • amateur web development
  • developer experience
  • browser detection and compatibility

What commenters say

  • The use of spacer gifs and other outdated techniques is still present in some modern websites, including Hacker News.
  • Some commenters fondly remember the use of frames and other deprecated HTML features, while others are happy to have moved on from them.
  • The introduction of CSS and JavaScript led to a proliferation of poorly designed websites, but also enabled more creative and interactive web development.
  • The shift from Flash to HTML5 and JavaScript has led to a change in the types of content being created, with more focus on mobile devices and in-app purchases.
  • The complexity of modern web development has made it more difficult for amateur developers to create content, leading to a decline in grassroots web development.
  • Some commenters argue that the developer experience has not improved with the advent of new technologies, and that older tools like Flash were more suitable for rapid prototyping and development.
  • The use of user agent sniffing and other techniques to detect and adapt to different browsers and devices is still a topic of debate among web developers.
  • The article's nostalgic tone is seen as humorous and ironic by some, while others appreciate the retro look back at the early days of web development.