Part of the ‘revised’ web (web 2.0, ajax etc.) has seen a focus on Javascript like never before. For years developers created great libraries and expanded their knowledge of this scripting language and the browsers it lived in. Proliferation of concepts such unobtrusive javascript and progressive enhancement combined with the demands of web 2.0 properties wanting light boxes, edit in place and other partial page updates has seen collaborative development and examination of Javascript at unprecedented levels.

I can’t get enough of it. But this makes me question why this is. I know that the achievements and constant improvements of simple mechanisms which are enabling the web of tomorrow are motivating. I can also see that there is much work to be done so the opportunity to break new ground (like it was when I first got into web work) is there to be taken. But even that doesn’t quite get to the root of it.

The differences between the popular (and not so popular) browsers and the general paucity of documentation describing them means there is much trial and error involved. The rewards are randomly spaced apart. Sounds like a variable interval schedule of reinforcement. Maybe we will see pokies with JS parsers installed for the web 2.0 generation - fix the backbutton under Safari and you win big!