[Mod-pubsub-developer] All the browser needs is to expand its range.

[Adam R. <Ad...@Kn...>]

I really like the way he thinks...


http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/wlg/2572

A Safari of Net Effects Part 2.
by Timothy Appnel
Jan. 9, 2003

In the continuing the review and discussion of Safari, Jason Kottke asks =
the intriguing question why are Safari and Sherlock two different =
applications? Jason argues that there is little distinction between web =
browsing and using specialized interfaces for structured data. He =
provides screen mockups of Safari to illustrate his point. An active =
discussion in the comment boards follows.

Back in September I wrote as the Internet continues to evolve into an =
'Internet operating system'--programmable interfaces, ubiquitous access, =
and distributed computing resources--the document-centric browser is an =
awkward solution to a growing number of emerging needs. The browser is =
not dying by any means; it just needs a mate.

Reading about Remote Application Development with Mozilla, the =
mod_pubsub open source project KnowNow kicked off and discussions like =
the one Jason is leading have me reconsidering my view. Does the browser =
really need a mate in as much as it needs to expand its range?

Could browsers like Mozilla and Safari/Konqueror be the basis of simple =
lightweight structured interfaces for accessing network resources and =
microcontent? What if these browser brought bookmarklets and remote XUL =
to the forefront as equal partners to viewing webpages?

More intriguing questions and experiments lie ahead.

Timothy Appnel is an independent consultant and writer specializing in =
emerging technologies and trends.=20