[Thoughts] Internet of Today.

[X.]

Just a random thought about not a dense subject like where the Internet is heading, but specifically about how websites are beginning to look.

I remember the late 90s when simple HTML, embossed buttons on fire and revolving icons ruled the day. Then came the 2000s and things began to look more messy, until the period 2002-2005 when websites began to favor a clean and simple and intuitive look. This is what I call the Google/Apple phenomenon.

But recently I've noticed a turn for the worse: there was Facebook (like it or not, the look *was* very clean) and, more recently, some minor ugly modifications (mostly to do with ad revenue) over at IMDb.

What the fuck just happened?

P.S. I also remember how much I loved the way Rotten Tomatoes had looked, before it became its current version. I started going there less and less because of the overhaul. This is a fact.

Check out Archive.org to see how your favorite website looked like all those years ago.

[ozzylogic]

Thanks to Web 2.0, most websites have a dynamic 'look', but also take longer to load.

[kaytee]

Cant access any website from Archive.org. Etisalat has blocked it.

[fizz]

Works fine on the "other side" of town.

Perhaps EtiSLUT is worried and embarassed at how piss poor their site looked in 2002? Not only are their services bad and expensive, they have shit for brains when it comes to creativity.

[X.]

Agu-luck!!!!!!!!! Wain enta?

[madali]

when javascript was introduced, websites became so shitty. Exploding fireworks at random on websites

[ozzylogic]

Agu-luck!!!!!!!!! Wain enta?

More like, my wife not care, you come, and bring your sister or friend too...Salamat!

[ozzylogic]

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=180748535580&h=VOJqu&u=hUgcI

Facebook has been blocked in Iran!

[fizz]

Facebook should just be blocked worldwide.

[animatedude]

over here many websites like hi5.com and such have been blocked,except facebook,i don't know what's the difference.

i finally made a new account of my real name a few weeks ago but i didn't add anyone.a cousin of mine found my name the other day and added me,the thing is,i thought she is still 5 years old,she is 17 now! and what's more funny is,i added her and i found all my cousins who i think are still 5 years old are 17 and 18 years old now and they all are facebook freaks.

i feel sorry for this new generation Z and i'm so proud to be one of Generation Y because i actually lived through this transition period of suddenly having an internet connection.

[madali]

I bet the generation Z score so easily though.

[X.]

The reason most autocratic governments are not actively blocking Facebook is because it has the popular support of the people. It sounds silly, but if Facebook is blocked in, say, a certain liberal Middle Eastern country, there will be so much outcry that it will be back online in a matter of days. On the other hand, if Médecins Sans Frontières is blocked, there will not be enough pressure. It helps that Facebook knows of its worldwide influence and thus has built in filters so users/ISPs can control certain sections of the website.

The internet is a really powerful thing, and with the growing influence of social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook, the dynamics of available information and opinion are changing. That terrifies some countries.

[ozzylogic]

Facebook should just be blocked worldwide.

Shush you. It keeps me awake. And amused.

[sulphurhead]

MSF have enough shit to deal with, as it is - especially in Dubai.

The Great firewall of China is actually the prime example of what you're talking about AK. They are still fighting hard against the consistent waves of journalists fighting for freedom to spread their word. As the article on Wikipedia states, China now has the largest number of imprisoned journalists. Unlike countries in the middle east who're lenient on some sites depending on the people's following, China is being ruthless.

[ozzylogic]

MSF have enough shit to deal with, as it is - especially in Dubai.

The Great firewall of China is actually the prime example of what you're talking about AK. They are still fighting hard against the consistent waves of journalists fighting for freedom to spread their word. As the article on Wikipedia states, China now has the largest number of imprisoned journalists. Unlike countries in the middle east who're lenient on some sites depending on the people's following, China is being ruthless.

And I thought Iran and Saudi were bad.