Is HTML the new Typing?

I’m back on my soapbox about the need for new technology to either be so simple that anyone can learn to do it, or so essential that everyone must learn to do it. For instance, texting on a mobile phone is simple enough for anyone to learn, but one could get by in life without ever texting. Typing, however, has become so essential that everyone must learn to do it (even if it’s just “hunt and peck”.) I’m starting to wonder where HTML fits into the picture.

Sure, the average person does not need to know HTML to go about their daily life – yet. But consider the following popular sites that require a very basic knowledge of HTML:

• To set up a blog on Google’s free blog site Blogger, you need a basic understanding of HTML. Otherwise, your blog will end up with “Edit me” where user-selected links should be. (Click on the picture to the right for an example.)

• If you want anything other than a bog standard MySpace page, you need to know a bit of HTML. In fact, take a look at these notes in their help menu:

Adding color, graphics, and sound to your profile page is easy and requires only a basic knowledge of HTML (the programming language used to create web pages on the Internet). Simply go to "Edit Profile" and enter the desired HTML coding where appropriate. If you do not know HTML, you can reach out and make a new friend by asking someone who has color, graphics, and/or sound on their Profile page how they did it. People on MySpace are friendly and always willing to help, so just ask! This is a great way to meet new people! 

Appalling customer service, but that’s another topic.

• If you want to add any flare to your craigslist ad, like bolding or adding a line space, you have to know some simple HTML code.

Perhaps because these are free sites, a fully WYSIWG application is too much to expect. But then, look at how many MySpace, Blogger and craigslist users have figured it out. Will more sites and more applications assume a basic knowledge of HTML? In the future, will HTML be so essential that everyone must learn to do it?

Comments

[Devon Dudgeon]

Read comments about this post here: http://virtualeconomics.typepad.com/virtualeconomics/2007/02/html_is_the_new.html

[michael hazzard]

if you have firefox you can download the "xinha here" extension and it will turn any input area into a wysiwyg editor so you dont need to type html. I am a web developer (php , js etc) and i use it not b/c i have to but its just faster and easier for quick edits

[DevonInspiration Ltd.]

Great tip - thanks!

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