The only benefits of HTML are that it's supported by all vendors. But that's where it's advantages end. HTML and CSS are just a joke, and were never meant and designed to be used for application development. Javascript is a shit language, not geared towards writing performant code and projects like V8 try to workaround it, but that's just a workaround. Of course you can use hacks to achieve performance in JS too, but that wouldn't be idiomatic javascript. So, sad but true, there is lots of hype going on about crap technologies lately and it seems like we are going to deal with them in the foreseeable future, if even so experienced guys like Microsoft had to surrender and start using it.
Okay, so if HTML and CSS are so horrible then how do you propose we create websites? We're talking about the web, man! You've got to use HTML if you're going to work on the web no matter what. I see nothing bad about HTML or CSS. Every language has its shortcomings but that's because it can't be all things to all people.
The really awesome and a,axing thing about HTML and CSS is that we as web developers are innovating the way things are done online so much that the specs can barely keep up! I think it's great that we're outgrowing each new version of the spec so quickly. That means things are getting better, faster, more powerful.
We've taken these tools and bent the rules to create things that the languages weren't intended for. The languages haven't failed because they were never meant to do things that people have found a way to make them do. And now that these possibilities are out there it only means that the languages will evolve to accommodate the things we're doing with them just like html5 and css3 which I think are amazing leaps forward!
JavaScript isn't perfect but it works and it can get better. I don't get what your problem really is with these things. You say JavaScript is bad and slow but the rest just sounds like uninformed hating.
What's your solution? Replacement languages for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript so that not only do we all have to start from scratch with new languages but then wait even longer for browser support? You certainly do have balls barging in here like a troll with a half assed argument that states the obvious but misses the entire point of the new technology. These things are awesome for the same reason you say they suck.
I'm not a troll, I'm familiar with these tools. I've even written a prototype of a web application(IDE). And I know very well how much it is pain in the ass to develop using web technologies, compared to proper frameworks(.NET, Qt, Cocoa, you name it). Web technologies are the least common denominator, something that is more or less supported by everyone, but sucks compared to good tools. Of course if you really try - you can build something great with it(Google Docs, GMail, Cloud9 and many other amazing apps). But it requires 10 times more effort compared to good tools.
The advantages of the web are not the technologies it's implemented with, but very founding things like URL, instant delivery of content and applications. All of that is completely unrelated to the current technology stack. Google is a good example for you. They are probably the most experienced people out there in creating complex web applications. And yet they are the ones who try to bring technologies to replace them - Native Client, Dart programming language.
And you not even contradicting me, by saying "What's your solution? Replacement languages for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript so that not only do we all have to start from scratch with new languages but then wait even longer for browser support?" Yes, web stack is the current state of affairs. And it will take some strong man with balls to get rid of it and build a better new world. And yes, there are better technologies than that - a good example is QML for example. And I am by far not the only one who isn't satisfied.
It takes balls to say anything bad about Javascript, CSS and "web apps", especially to an audience full of web designers. If I could upvote you I would. But my browser does not support Javascript and I don't think upvoting is REST-friendly.
Please tell me that was sarcasm, man. It's one thing to support someone having the balls to come out and courageously support an unpopular but just position. Unfortunately his comment was just flame bait and not even close to courageous.
