FOWA – London 2008
Following Future of Web Apps I felt inspired to start blogging properly. By properly, I’m not gonna start writing novels, or even short stories. Just short notes, about things that interest me. Starting with things that interested me from FOWA London 2008.
Where we are today with Web Apps.
Right now we are at a point where we all regularly use web applications, not just for novelty, but as a system we rely on. While Google docs doesn’t even come close to Microsoft Office, and Splashup ain’t no Photoshop, the way these site are built are like applications, not websites. 280Slides is a classic example of a web app that looks and behaves like a desktop app, and with newer browsers running javascript faster and following more CSS rules, exciting times are ahead.
What was really interesting was a comparison between Combo VCR / DVD recorders and Silverlight / Adobe AIR. Adobe AIR takes the web app to the desktop, so web designers can build websites that run like desktop apps, is this bridging the gap between your desktop and the web? It’s kind of a backward step to help bring people forward, if that makes sense. If everyone was always online, and web apps shared and co-operated better, we wouldn’t have such a need for a desktop. Eventually. There is a lot of buzz about ‘Web only operating systems’ and most of this is naive or rubbish, but people are slowly changing their perspective. We just need to build the tools.
Good times / Bad times
At the moment, there is much talk of the crunch. Tim Bray made some interesting comments about surviving, most memorable for me was being flexible. If you’re a Ruby developer, learn PHP. If you’re already a multi-talented developer, learn CSS, or photoshop. If people have to be let go, the 1-trick-ponies will be the first. It never hurts to learn a new skill.
The importance of an online presence was also heavily stated, first thing many prospective employers do is Google your name. If you have a blog, twitter, or contribute to open source projects etc. you will appear more interested in the web and a stronger candidate. This is partly why I’m blogging (interest in the web, not because I’m looking for a job!!)
The importance of networking
I was genuinely surprised by how many people had heard of Headscape, the company I work for. Paul Boag has been busy. As a result, Craig & did meet a number of interesting people, and had an awesome time. Networking is vital in an industry as competitive as web design / development.
Tags: Conferences, FOWA
