As the Web comes closer to 30 years (a generation) as a person who wrote #HTML prior to the W3C's formation, I made all the terrible mistakes and spread some beliefs repeated so often many folks and I correlated to truths but weren't. Despair, self-blame, blame? Recently quashed.
1
1
8
The reason is because we all come to Web from such diverse skills, interests, educational and professional pursuits. That we scaled to anywhere infrastructure and access to Web exists to meet needs in a global pandemic is our triumph! Early evolution always moves fast and varied.
1
8
The early days of the web were indeed a triumph. I created my first website in 1993 and the next few years were magic. And the work by you and others in those early years was instrumental.
1
1
It's been an incredible journey for us all, and a feat of such collaboration across the world. I had to step out, then I was so disillusioned I sought other routes and find myself now coming back with deeper insights and awareness. I was so darned fortunate. Also, relentless ;-)
1
Web by Design was one of the most informative and influential books I ever read. Keep fighting the good fight.
1
1
Wow, that book. Sybex Publishing. Rodnay Zaks is a hero for so many reasons. He apologized to me a year after it was written at the Waterside Conference (now gone, comp/tech book agency) as he felt it could have been marketed much better. It was one of my best.
1
And thank you. It's difficult for me, and many, to take compliments, but for that book I'll take it. :)
1
You're welcome. Never underestimate the role you played for many of us in the early days.
1
1
Replying to @markgr
I'm now 32 years in Internet tech, 35 total if we include BBSs. My first paid work with Internet Protocols was with Gopher and Veronica! Not many young'uns remember or know of Archie, Jughead etc. Well, outside the comics :)

Apr 25, 2021 · 10:43 PM UTC

1
Replying to @mholzschlag
I remember all of those well! I got my start working for DEC back in the early 1980's. I was fascinated by ARPANET. Started at the University at Buffalo in 1987. I remember lynx as my first web browser followed quickly by mosiac. I hope the history of the early days isn't lost!
1
1
To not have a cohesive history as foundation for learning increases the pre-existing human loop of recreating the wheel. When professionals don't distinguish Internet from Web and vice-versa we pass on the idea they are the same thing. Sadly, loops seems a fixed human condition.
1