Firefox 3.5 and the future of the web
Firefox 3.5 will be a significant milestone for the open source browser - props to everyone who has contributed, props and thanks.
This browser, and others that follow similar paths, will bring about a new era for the web. It's not just that the JavaScript engine, TraceMonkey (parts of which were donated by Adobe, and though it's not yet completely Tamarin are still very impressive), is faster; or that multi-threading is possible with web workers, or that new CSS and DOM features will make it better for developers and users; or that HTML 5 support brings new capabilities including audio, video, and offline - rather it's the combination of all of this capability on the web that may change the way people think about overall application development.
Combine speed, multi threading, native audio and video support, native drag n drop, offline storage, and so on, into a stack that includes instant access to applications via URLs (no installation or update process), sharing with bookmarks, the back button (the stack of apps), and other familiar web concepts, and you have an exciting new platform that may not only push out plugins, but also other application development approaches.
I for one welcome the next level of SkyNet capability, and our new overlords.
