[thelist] Looking for simple way to get JS statistics from my visitors.

Christian Heilmann codepo8 at gmail.com
Fri May 20 14:45:27 CDT 2005


> > Right, and "users with Javascript-capable browsers" makes no sense as a
> > target audience.
> 
> Why not? It's no different than building software that requires a
> certain level of hardware or a particular operating system.

But you decide to install a software, while you surf to a web site. 
A JavaScript dependent web site is like a TV programme requiring a
16x9 widescreen and a subscription, but one that doesn't mention it
until it started.
You do  not need JavaScript to create a web site, a  web application,
maybe, but you can let the visitors decide.
 
> > This runs completely counter to the entire reason the Web exists to
> > begin with. The idea is, one means of accessing information
> > electronically, regardless of computer type, operating system, client
> > program (browser), etc. That is why Tim Berners-Lee created the Web,
> > because this didn't exist.
> 
> I think the web is a lot more now than it was then. You're basically
> saying there should be *no* requirements to view a web page but there
> always are *some* requirements, e.g. a computer, an internet connection,
> etc. Who are we to judge what requirements someone else may or may not
> have on their web site?

Why make them requirements and not "best case scenarios"? 
Especially JavaScript allows us to enhance an experience after
checking if it is possible.

> As the OP said, if he loses out because of it, it's his fault and his
> loss. I think making people aware of the dangers of using JavaScript is
> a Good Thing, but this kind of "preaching" is taking it a bit too far.

First and foremost it is the loss of the audience, not his, provided
there was a good service  or content on the site. I published a lot of
articles on a banner riddled web zine with bad browser support, and
the amount of good feedback trippled when I created cleaner local
copies.
The other dangerous thing is that obtrusive practises can become quasi
standards. Many times I sat down with clients who had  to adhere to
government accessibility standards and had to explain just because
others do it doesn't make it a viable option.

Again, there is no need to rely on JavaScript, as its very design
allows you to apply it as an  enhancement rather than a given. Years
of budget and time constraint development, plain lazyness or
technology fever made us do it wrong though.
You don't see many new web sites riddled with tables and font tags any
longer. We successfully started using HTML more maturely, why not do
the same with JavaScript?


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