Stories with Tag 2010s

• A decade later, a decade lost (2024)

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  Posted: 2025-02-14 23:10:36

  Verbose tl;dr

  Eric Meyer reflects on the ten years since the release of his book, "Designing for Performance," lamenting the lack of significant progress in web performance. While browsers have gotten faster, web page bloat has outpaced these improvements, resulting in a net loss for users. He points to ever-increasing JavaScript execution times and the prevalence of third-party scripts as primary culprits. This stagnation is particularly frustrating given the heightened importance of performance for accessibility, affordability, and the environment. Meyer concludes with a call to action, urging developers to prioritize performance and break the cycle of accepting ever-growing page weights as inevitable.

  Eric Meyer, in his June 7, 2024 blog post entitled "A decade later, a decade lost (2024)," reflects with a palpable sense of disappointment on the state of web development a decade after his original post in 2014 lamenting the stagnation of the field. He posits that the intervening ten years have not witnessed the advancements he had hoped for, specifically in the realm of layout tools. While acknowledging some marginal improvements, such as the wider adoption of Flexbox and Grid, he argues these developments have not fundamentally altered the landscape or resolved the core issues that plagued web design in 2014. He expresses particular frustration with the enduring prevalence of single-column layouts and the lack of substantial innovation in layout modules beyond Flexbox and Grid.

  Meyer details his earlier optimism for advancements inspired by the print design world, such as regions and exclusions, which have failed to materialize in any meaningful way. He laments the lack of development in areas like multi-column layout handling overflow, fragmentation, and spanning, emphasizing the limitations of existing tools when dealing with these complex scenarios. Furthermore, he notes the continued dominance of JavaScript frameworks and libraries, which he views as adding complexity and overhead while often failing to deliver truly novel or efficient layout solutions. He suggests these frameworks, while providing some structure, often obscure or even hinder access to the underlying CSS layout capabilities that could be leveraged for more elegant and performant design.

  His disappointment extends to the perceived lack of focus within the web standards community on pushing the boundaries of layout technology. He contrasts the relative stagnation in this area with the significant advancements made in other aspects of web development, such as the proliferation of new JavaScript frameworks. This, he suggests, implies a misdirection of effort and a lack of appreciation for the fundamental importance of robust and flexible layout tools. He concludes with a renewed plea for the development community to revisit and prioritize innovation in layout, arguing that the current state of affairs represents a significant missed opportunity and a detriment to the evolution of the web. He underscores the ongoing need for more advanced layout tools to unlock the true potential of the web platform and facilitate the creation of richer, more dynamic, and ultimately more user-friendly web experiences.

  • Web Development
  • Web Standards
  • browser compatibility
  • internet explorer
  • Progress
  • stagnation
  • Web Design
  • Front-End Development
  • past decade
  • 2010s
  • 2020s
  • lost decade

  Summary of Comments ( 127 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43054069

  Verbose tl;dr

  Commenters on Hacker News largely agree with Eric Meyer's sentiment that the past decade of web development has been stagnant, focusing on JavaScript frameworks and single-page apps (SPAs) to the detriment of the core web platform. Many express frustration with the complexity and performance issues of modern web development, echoing Meyer's points about the dominance of JavaScript and the lack of focus on fundamental improvements. Some commenters discuss the potential of Web Components and the resurgence of server-side rendering as signs of positive change, though others are more pessimistic about the future, citing the influence of large tech companies and the inherent inertia of the current ecosystem. A few dissenting voices argue that SPAs offer legitimate benefits and that the web has evolved naturally, but they are in the minority. The overall tone is one of disappointment with the current state of web development and a desire for a return to simpler, more performant approaches.

  The Hacker News post "A decade later, a decade lost (2024)" linking to Eric Meyer's blog post has generated a significant number of comments discussing the stagnation and perceived decline in web development over the past ten years.

  Several commenters echo Meyer's sentiment, expressing frustration with the increasing complexity and bloat of modern web development. They point to the prevalence of JavaScript frameworks and libraries, which, while offering powerful tools, often lead to over-engineered solutions and performance issues. Some argue that the focus has shifted away from core web technologies like HTML and CSS in favor of these JavaScript-heavy approaches. This, they believe, has created a barrier to entry for newcomers and contributed to the decline in accessibility and overall user experience.

  The dominance of large tech companies like Google, Facebook (now Meta), and Apple is also a recurring theme. Commenters suggest that these companies' pursuit of their own interests, often at the expense of open web standards, has stifled innovation and led to a fragmented web ecosystem. The increasing use of proprietary technologies and the influence of advertising models are cited as contributing factors to this fragmentation.

  Some commenters express a sense of nostalgia for the "simpler" web of the past, where websites were built with leaner codebases and focused on delivering content efficiently. They lament the loss of this perceived simplicity and the increasing difficulty in building and maintaining performant websites.

  However, not all comments share this pessimistic view. Some argue that the web has undeniably evolved and improved in many ways, pointing to advancements in mobile responsiveness, rich media integration, and interactive experiences. They acknowledge the complexities of modern web development but contend that these complexities are often necessary to address the increasing demands of users and the ever-evolving landscape of the internet.

  The discussion also touches upon the challenges of web standardization and the slow pace of browser adoption for new features. Some commenters express disappointment with the lack of interoperability between browsers and the difficulties in implementing consistent user experiences across different platforms. They suggest that this lack of standardization further contributes to the complexity and fragmentation of the web.

  Overall, the comments reflect a mix of frustration, nostalgia, and cautious optimism about the future of web development. While many lament the perceived decline in simplicity and accessibility, others acknowledge the advancements made and express hope for a more collaborative and standards-driven approach to web development in the years to come. The conversation highlights the ongoing tension between innovation and standardization, and the challenges of balancing the needs of users, developers, and the powerful tech companies that shape the web landscape.

• Newsstands, 2012-2019

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  Posted: 2025-01-28 21:08:17

  Verbose tl;dr

  Trevor Traynor's photo series "Newsstands, 2012-2019" documents the disappearing presence of New York City newsstands over seven years. The photos capture the diverse and often cluttered character of these small businesses, showcasing their role as a microcosm of city life. The project subtly highlights the changing urban landscape and the decline of print media as many of the featured stands eventually vanish, leaving behind empty sidewalks. The series serves as a visual elegy for a fading piece of New York's cultural fabric.

  Between the years 2012 and 2019, photographer Trevor Traynor embarked on a comprehensive photographic documentation of New York City's dwindling newsstand population. His resulting project, poignantly titled "Newsstands, 2012-2019," offers a richly detailed visual chronicle of these iconic urban fixtures, capturing their diverse architectural styles, vibrant displays of periodicals and sundries, and their integral role within the city's bustling street life. Traynor's photographs meticulously showcase the unique character of each newsstand, from the classic green-painted kiosks to more idiosyncratic structures, highlighting the individualized nature of these small businesses.

  The project implicitly underscores the gradual disappearance of these newsstands from New York City's streetscape over the documented period. While the photographs themselves do not explicitly depict demolition or removal, the very act of capturing these structures in their varied forms serves as a form of preservation against their increasing scarcity. The images subtly hint at the changing media landscape and the forces of urban development that contribute to the decline of this traditional form of print media distribution.

  Through his lens, Traynor captures not only the physical structures but also the human element associated with newsstands. Glimpses of vendors interacting with customers, pedestrians navigating around the kiosks, and the general urban hustle and bustle surrounding these locations provide a sense of the newsstand's embeddedness within the urban fabric. The photographs invite viewers to reflect on the newsstand’s function as a social hub, a point of connection between people and information, and a familiar landmark within the ever-evolving city landscape. The project evokes a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of print media prominence and serves as a testament to the changing face of urban life. The comprehensive nature of the collection, encompassing a multitude of newsstands across the city, further amplifies the sense of loss and transformation that the project conveys.

  • newsstands
  • photography
  • Street Photography
  • urban
  • Cityscapes
  • Documentary Photography
  • vernacular photography
  • New York City
  • NYC
  • 2010s
  • archival
  • film photography
  • analog photography
  • 35mm
  • kodak
  • small business
  • retail
  • decline of print media
  • Nostalgia

  Summary of Comments ( 0 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42858029

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised the photography and nostalgic feel of the "Newsstands" project. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with newsstands, highlighting their role as community hubs and lamenting their decline. Some discussed the changing media landscape and the impact of digital news on print publications, which contributed to the disappearance of these businesses. A few users pointed out technical aspects of the photographs, like the consistent framing and lighting, while others appreciated the project's focus on a specific, vanishing piece of urban life. A couple of New Yorkers offered insights into the continued existence (albeit diminished) of newsstands in the city, noting their evolution towards selling snacks and beverages.

  The Hacker News post titled "Newsstands, 2012-2019" (linking to an article showcasing photos of newsstands) sparked a diverse and engaging discussion in the comments section.

  Several users reminisced about the role of newsstands in their lives and the changing media landscape. One commenter recounted their experience working at a newsstand in the 1980s, highlighting the social aspect and the variety of publications available. This sparked further discussion about the community aspect of newsstands, with another user lamenting the loss of these local hubs of information and connection.

  The decline of print media and the rise of digital alternatives were recurring themes. Commenters discussed the impact of the internet and smartphones on news consumption habits. One user pointed out the irony of viewing photographs of physical newsstands on a digital platform. Another suggested that the nostalgia surrounding newsstands might stem from a simpler time before the constant influx of information from the internet.

  Several comments focused on the aesthetic appeal of the photographs, praising the photographer's composition and the nostalgic atmosphere captured in the images. One user specifically complimented the photographer's ability to capture the "texture" of the city.

  Some commenters also touched upon the practical challenges faced by newsstand owners, such as increasing rent and declining sales. One comment pointed out the shift in inventory from primarily newspapers and magazines to snacks and drinks as a means of survival.

  A couple of commenters shared personal anecdotes related to newsstands, adding a human touch to the discussion. One user shared a story about their grandfather owning a newsstand.

  Overall, the comments section reflected a blend of nostalgia, appreciation for the photography, and recognition of the societal changes that have led to the decline of newsstands. The discussion remained grounded in the subject matter and offered diverse perspectives without veering into unrelated topics.