Coming from the Flash world, where the community has a voice and there’s a name & address assigned for every complaint – existing state of things with HTML5 as an Open Standard just doesn’t make much sense.
True, Flash wasn’t that visible – but, they (MM/Adobe) still made sure to listen and improve upon the community’s demand, keep a system.
Flash is truly cross-platform “write once deploy all” solution that just works, there are great solutions for designers as well as developers (latter can be improved).
Many would see my point of view as an anti-HTML5 pro-Flash developer. Let me correct this:
While today Flash provides the only available cross-platform-device solution for online media, HTML5+JS+CSS3 answers to the lack of visibility and openness as well as a true native browser technology that Flash lacks. As developers we are commuted to provide the best solution to the client requirements regardless of what technology is being used.
Open Source is my native choice, not because of it being at the price of 0 (usually) nor because of its “underground aura” – But because of its visibility, openness and ability to generate global consensus due to having all facts revealed.
HTML5 is being controlled and lead by a consortium of major companies & organizations – not by a community.
HTML5 promises is to be open and agreed-upon, however the reality is the opposite: no agreement, no single implementation that will just work the same everywhere and no single place that provides visibility on the process. Just half-results published on the W3C site when things are finally ironed out, and implementation on the browser side is not even being discussed, so using the same HTML5+JS+CSS script will not necessarily provide the same result across all browsers/devices.
Until the browser creators and many member organizations on the W3C will agree on things like codecs & implementations we will not have a true cross-platform-device Open Standard, and we as web developers will still have to rely on weird hacks to solve cross-platform issues.
As web developers, we should make the noise and send the message to the standard creators and browser makers: This time work together! We want to write HTML+JS+CSS once, and no dirty hacks!
HTML5 rocks! Please do it right this time.
Now on the technical side.
In order for HTML5 to truly replace Flash in the kingdom of multimedia, there must be solutions for all 3 below:
- Cross-Platform-Device (‘nuogh said).
- Hardware accelerated optimized run-time – Games & RIA’s must be responsive. This is not 1990, we want to use vector graphics, great filters & display-list architecture that allows easy to understand and manage z-ordering.
- Authoring Environment – The fact that SVG can be used to create kick-ass vector illustrations and some animation is not enough, designers usually don’t write code. Major part of the success Flash has is attributed to the great designer and designer-developer workflow tools that MM/Adobe created. For HTML5 to provide a true alternative, solutions like the Flash IDE will need to be created (or the Flash IDE will start exporting to HTML5+SVG).
OSCON Interview:
The Prezi from OSCON Future of HTML5 Multimedia (Flash Developer Part):
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by papyromancer
24 Jul 2010 at 03:48
I think we are seeing the beginning of a new era for html; I've even heard rumor that it's no longer to be called html5, but just html from here on out.
by Zohar Babin
24 Jul 2010 at 11:22
you'd thought that adding the 5 at the end will finally make 'em work together and create solid technology…
by papyromancer
24 Jul 2010 at 17:51
I just look forward to dropping the 5 from the end and moving to a continuous integration model of development of the html specs that accelerates the adoption of new technologies such as <device>, as browser developers can build out those specs in competition for speed while maintaining open apis. This turns w3c into a clearing house for open standards that is driven by the major browser developers. Allow me to snip from Alex Kessinger's excellent article on using html5 to create web apps.
“An interesting side note here is that we might see an “HTML6,” but it sounds like they just want to drop the number idea, and instead, evolve the specs slowly over time. This will take a large reeducation, but makes sense.”
—-http://sixrevisions.com/html/the-state-of-html5-apps/
Look at the html5 doctype: <!DOCTYPE html> <!– that's beautiful
I think html is finally recovering from the Netscape/IE wars of the late 90s. And if we're not doing it right this time, we're at least doing it a little better.
by Zohar Babin
24 Jul 2010 at 22:53
With the standard not being open as it promises to be – the outside community is not given a chance to vote or influence the spec or the way it will be implemented, and so we're left with an open-closed technology.
For corporations like Microsoft that don't do much sense, instead of making a large effort in developing HTML spec & improving JS to be a real language (why on earth would you decline ECMA4) – they pursue SilverLight, a technology that should be replaced by the promise of HTML5…
This time, when the war was already announced on the existing thrown holder, Flash – HTML must be implemented right. The whole internet eco-system must not fallback to useless hacks because of corporations that behave like 2 yearolds.
by Danny
04 Aug 2010 at 21:46
As a long time Linux user I for one look forward to a replacement for flash. I have never cared for Adobe products and avoid them whenever possible. Adobe products are slow and bloated for MS Windows and are hard to get to work with Linux. I like video and use it on my sites but stay away from Adobe Flash as best as I can. Adobe still does not support AMD 64 and Linux (last time I checked anyway) so getting flash sites to work on my home computer is still sometimes spotty. I say come on HTML5 Video!
by Zohar Babin
05 Aug 2010 at 09:03
Hi Danny,
I fully understand how feel about the lack of support Adobe has for Linux (and somewhat Mac).
I have been a windows as well as Linux user for a long time now, being a windows user is great – everything just works, including Adobe products (which do not have any real good open source replacement yet).
Open Source is a great way to free things and provide an opportunity for all, however, it's main disadvantage is where things tend to take a too bazaar like manner where no one has real responsibility and nothing ever works the same.
We don't want to end up writing bad hacks to make HTML+JS+CSS work on all platform/devices, we want this standard to be fully implemented the same way across all – this is where Flash is strong, and this is why no real replacement is offered still.
Should browsers will drop the needless wars, work together and provide a truly standard compliant implementation (not excluding innovations on new features) – then this triplet of HTML+JS+CSS will form a true alternative to Flash.
Unfortunately, it seems to be a wishful thinking and no more.
by ajaxmac
31 Aug 2010 at 02:35
I was going to write a long reply – but gave up. However you should really spell check before posting…