Nope, that would be disaster. If each Web-aware format (HTML, =
VRML, etc.) is going to insist on coming up with its own =
idiosyncratic means of interactivity, then the Web is doomed to =
remain mired in its current state of unfulfilled promise. =
Conversely, synergy between formats can be powerful. Consider =
that right now, we're going through a remarkable phase of Web =
assimilation, in which many formats are being made networkable =
(and even networkable with each other), based on the exploitation =
of a common model of URL links.
In the big picture, unfortunately, URL links are just a small step =
toward evolving the Web into a true networked hypermedia system. =
If we're ever going to get there, we will have to leverage far =
more sophisticated commonalities. I think we're already beginning =
to see one of the next stages of Web assimilation emerging: many =
formats will be acquiring interactivity through generic object =
interfaces and links to external scripts. The resulting =
orthogonality between document formats and scripting languages =
will harness the energy of the "language wars" for a constructive =
purpose.
Effort spent on format-specific embedded scripting languages, or =
limited "engines" will produce far lower returns for the future. =
True, the dedicated scripting language model is tempting because =
of the low entry cost. And the combination of OOGL and Gcl shows =
how much it's possible to do with a dedicated scripting language, =
even one as minimal as Gcl. But because of the structural factors =
cited above, this would be an expensive way to advance the Web in =
the long run.
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Paul Burchard <[email protected]>
``I'm still learning how to count backwards from infinity...''
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