This is unbelievably cool:
But perhaps more interesting than that is the possibility of mixing SVG graphic elements directly into the markup of regular XHTML pages, freeing vector graphics from the small rectangle of a browser plugin and opening up a host of exciting new possibilities for web developers. This is enabled by the integration of SVG directly into the Gecko rendering engine, instead of as a browser plugin.
Combine this with Ajax techniques and you get asynchronous, interactive, data-driven web applications without the need for plugins or other proprietary technologies. Applets have been dead for a while, but this, considered in the context of Macromedia’s acquisition by Adobe, could also mark the beginning of the end for Flash’s dominance as far as dynamic graphical content is concerned.
Just think how fast, responsive and accurate Google Maps could be if it used vector SVG data instead of raster images. Think zooming in and out with almost infinite precision without reloading a full set of tiles.
I’m one day late with this, but I’ll blame it on the time zone difference. Anyway, here are my Best Wishes for your big fifty, Dave!
Dave Winer: “If you want to wish me a happy birthday, first, let me say, thank you, mazel tov, a blessing back at ya, namaste and let’s have fun. I have one request, which I get to make because it’ll be my birthday tomorrow, and I’m getting in practice for one day of pure selfishness. Instead of sending an email, if you have a blog, how about posting your wishes on your blog with a link to mine? I could always use some more flow, and I’d love to climb a few notches on the Technorati list, truth be told.”
Even though I rarely agree with what you write, especially your endless whining about how Google et. al. are perverting your RSS brainchild ;), I must say that I’ll be glad if, when I’m turning 50 eight years from now, I’ll be able to turn back and see that I’ve accomplished one tenth of what you’ve done.
Published by ugo on May 2, 2005
in fun.
Grant Robinson: “After creating Montage-a-google, several people wrote to me suggesting I make a game based on the same technology. Montage-a-google is a simple web app that uses Google’s image search to generate a large gridded montage of images based on keywords (search terms) entered by the user. Guess-the-google reverses this process by picking the keywords for you, the player must then guess what keyword made up the image - it’s surprisingly addictive.”
Nice game, but after having played it three times, a fair number of already seen montages start to come up again, making the game a little too easy. Anyway, my best score so far is 287.
(Via Ben Hyde.)
