Web and the Desktop

I just read this article about 'neo-desktopism' vs 'browserism'. New technologies like Adobe's AIR allow developers to bring web content directly to .exe's on your computer. For example, I use an app called Netflix Freak that lets me admin my netflix queue and search for movies via my desktop. This article suggests that there are 3 schools of thought when it comes to the future of RIA's (rich internet applications). So far as I see it there are only two (I can't understand the 3rd one):

1) Browserism - Web applications should and will continue to live inside the web browser.
2) New-desktopism - Web applications should and will start becoming standalone apps on your computer.

The author seems to think people who believe in the first are fools, but I think think browserism will win out really. Naturally, there is a balance here. Intensive, private, or huge applications would make a lot of sense in exe format. TruCast for example, could probably run a lot more efficiently if it was an exe, and this would be especially true of a web visualization tool. However, 99% of applications have no need for or benefits from those features. Now I COULD have my gmail run out of an exe, and I could watch Digg out of an exe, but what is the purpose? This takes away lots of benefits of the web.

I've noticed a pattern over the last year that I am actually reducing the apps on my computer. This is partially dictated by technology changes, and partially by my own motivation. Word processing/email/calendar/address book have all been replaced by google, ftp by firefox, and so forth. There are huge benefits to reducing eveyrhting to one application for both users and developers - this should be obvious. Instead, on their future desktop I would have 20 applications doing what 1 could do before.

Having to download software like this gets rid of the primary benefits of RIAs; this is ironic. RIAs (like Gmail) are great, because: a) You can access this from ANY computer immediately, and b) the developer can continually update and refine the application. Both of these are lost with new-desktopism and the technology is regressing really.

Don't get me wrong; I'm sure a few great niche products can come out of the AIR technology, but on the whole I think the hyped movement towards desktop web apps could be a big mistake and a step backwards. The reason I write about this is usability. Developers need to realize (before investing time and their souls in neo-desktop apps) that these applications must have a NEED to be independent, or we will see steps backwards for usability and simplification of software.

Much happening

Good news! We've finally launched the Fixture Pro website. Go take a look! In addition, Ratio is now officially moved into the new office space. Our new office is located at:

311½ Occidental Ave S, Suite 350
Seattle, WA 98104

We have half of the top floor (3rd floor) of The Occidental Building, a beautiful 100 year old red brick building on the pedestrian avenue. This puts us directly across the way from our favorite coffeehouse, Caffe Umbria. We spent 3 weeks doing all the design and construction of our office by ourselves, and though it is far from complete, we're off to a great start. Keep your eyes out for photos or an invitiation an opening party, and in the meantime feast your eyes upon our updated website. There are two background photos that show up featuring scenes from our new space.

The Tension Between Designers and Programmers

There is a long-standing tension between designers and programmers, not unlike the relationship between architects and builders. Programmers, it has been said, are concerned with making things work, designers with making them workable. Put another way, programmers labor in the realm between pure science and applied technology, designers between technology and its meaning to people. From the view of traditional programmers, designers are decorative artists with little grasp of what it takes to build a website or application and make it work. To the designers, programmers are technicians so lost in the parts and pieces they are blind to the expressive power of the fully integrated whole. Each side introduces trouble for the other.

Away from work, most programmers are as moved by the sensuous and aesthetic dimensions of a website or application as anyone else. At work, however, the overwhelmingly analytical, coolly objective nature of their approach tends to splinter apart and suppress this response. The website or application becomes a conglomeration of discrete elements whose build, and performance are the programmers heavy burden. Without intent the designer favors form above function.

Ratio is a partnership of design and programming to its fullest extent. We make what works beautiful and what's beautiful work.

(A summation from The Creative Priority, by Jerry Hirshberg, pages 69-70)