[thelist] what is JavaScript?

let's say it all together now: "depends on your audience"

you said for an average user - whatdya mean?  when i think of an average
user, I think of my mom and dad - can get around, they know some sites,
maybe a few purchases, but don't have a clue as to how any of it works.
magic computers that draw pretty pictures on the screen.  in my experience -
most people (aka an average user), think that most of what anyone in the
computer industry does is rocket science - most people don't realize it's
not that difficult.

so with that in mind, I'd say benjamin's lowdown is a bit much (sorry!).  i
would leave out any mention of the DOM, cause that opens too big a can of
worms.  maybe phrase it something like, "javascript is a programming
language" (to them, it's a programming language) "that gives Web Developers
the ability to manipulate objects in the web browser window, such as images,
text fields, checkboxes, etc. Examples of this in action include images that
change as you pass the mouse over them, popup windows, and dialog boxes
alerting you to missed fields in a form."

again, I'd say keep it simple, no big words, nothing specific.  gotta keep
some of our secrets.  ;)

aaron



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Arthur Noel [mailto:arthur@arthurnoel.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 7:04 AM
> To: thelist@lists.evolt.org
> Subject: [thelist] what is JavaScript?
> 
> 
> Anyone have thoughts on useful similes to explain JavaScript; what it
> is/does etc? I'm trying to write a short guide for the 
> average user and am
> running into trouble - I'm not sure how much to dumb down.
> 
> Also, what do you guys think about the security issues involved -
> scare-mongering or something people should be educated about?
> 
> Any other thoughts on what might go in a general guide would 
> be very much
> appreciated.
> 
> Thanks,
> Arthur
> 
> 
> Tel +44 (0)7973 534 171
> Fax +44 (0)7970 601 958
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> http://arthurnoel.com/
> 
> 
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