Aesthetics are always considered highly important on nearly all web projects I participate in or see from other developers. I have myself always set out a list of important factors that should be considered before even contemplating building a web presence; simply put CONTENT IS KING. Unfortunately there are many examples of websites that overlook this very factor and go for a more eye pleasing alternative.

So are there any good examples of highly successful websites that rely solely on Content and not just looks, well yes there is. Just point your browser to www.craigslist.org and drawl over the classic 1990’s look to the site and then take this into consideration, this is at the time of writing the 36^th most visited site on the internet. This site receives more than 9 billion page request each month and has a higher visitor number than Amazon.com.

Thankfully as you take a peek at the homepage I think it’s safe to say CONTENT IS KING here, although a little aesthetic improvement here and there would be nice.

It’s been on the cards for some time now but it seems Youtube’s decision to drop IE6 from its supported browsers has seen a significant shift in popularity for the aging browser. Statistics compiled by w3schools show IE6’s popularity dropping month by month since the start of the year; although this has been the case for a couple of years now it has never been as substantial as the current decline. This is a relief as this aging piece of software technology seems to have finally seen its day. When users considers the security risks and the amount of high profile sites that have disregarded any form of support for the browser; it now seems user sensible to upgrade or change browser.

Firefox now clearly dominates the race and seems to continue to attract new users offering a wealth of additional add-ons and plug-ins to complement nearly any conceivable internet experience. The Internet Explorer (IE) team (headed by Amy Barzdukas) have not been completely oblivious to these changes, introducing add-ons similar to Firefox; allowing the browser to be extended beyond the normal functionality expected from an internet browser.

Unfortunately for Microsoft this may be a case of too little too late, what should have been a hard fought war between the two internet browser manufactures has become a bit of a one horse race. If the decline in users continues we may one day see Microsoft pulling the plug altogether on browser development; although that may be some time away.

Chrome from Google continues to attract new users as one of the newer arrivals; this may yet become more popular depending on how Google’s Operating System of the same name performs. One other browser to watch for is Opera. Opera has been around since 1996 to the public and has grown from a trialware browser to a free piece of software. The only drawback for Opera is that it is entirely funded by Google who have a contracted agreement requiring Opera to use Google’s search facility by default.

Screen shot of Apples Safari History panel

Finally if none of the above mentioned browsers take you fancy then Safari may have the feel you’ve craved for. To a Window’s users the interface looks as you would expect from an Apple product, like a Mac piece of software. There is however one addition to the browsers arsenal that appeals to myself, and that’s its history panel. Although dangerous to state for fear of being inundated with facts, the others browsers just don’t seem to a approach this area with the same style and elegance.

The increase in support for Firefox does elevate the pressure slightly on companies insisting on IE6 support. It’s won’t be until the browser is completely eradicated that complete ignorance can be given to the age old piece of software. I’m sure however the problems and stories attached to this incarnation of the Internet Explorer will become stuff of legends amongst web designers and internet historians.

This week New Time Media has been delving into the most hyped product in years Google Wave. After watching the introduction video that explains the logic and thinking behind the product, I myself like many others have been itching to try the new piece of kit. Although at the time of writing Google Wave is only available by invitation there is already a bucket load of plug-ins and advise floating around on the internet; just type Google Wave WordPress in a Twitter search and you’ll see what I mean. After a few trial runs and option scanning the first thought where positive, however as with all new concepts cautions is always taken; am I looking at something I’ve already got, only served differently?
By far the most exciting aspect of Google Wave for me was the integration into blogs; a concept that I’m sure will open new avenues for social networking ideas. Searching WordPress.org I stumbled across this rather useful plug-in from Lucas Caro which allows WordPress to use the Google Wave Embed API. As Waves is still in Beta format, so is this plug-in, so caution should be applied. Once Google Wave has been fully released in a stable format a more serious attempt can be made at creating simple integration for WordPress, until then I’m sure this plug-in will do just fine for those looking into this exciting product.

Well after much deliberation as to what the source of income for the popular Twitter would be, it has been announced today that Twitter will allow advertising on its website. Discussed in an earlier post it seems that the followers of this technology will have to now consider the consequences of advertising.

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