A Blog Not Limited

It's mid-May. That is about two months after I returned home from this year's SXSWi. So I guess it is about time I posted a follow up, no?

But, unlike previous years, I won't be doing an exhaustive recap of the amazing people I spent time with (you know who you are) or the awesome times that were had (that I actually remember). I simply just don't have the time.

What I do have time for is a quick recap of my first SXSW panel experience.

HTML5? The Web's Dead, Baby

For our HTML5? The Web's Dead, Baby panel, I was joined by Branden Hall, Rick Barraza and Erik Klimczak, with Microsoft's HTML5 evangelist Thomas Lewis moderating.

It was a lively discussion. More theoretical than practical, but I feel it was fairly solid. Listen and judge for yourself.

Personal Impressions

First of all, I was honored to be invited to participate on the panel. As I've mentioned, speaking at SXSW was a personal goal of mine. It was also a privilege to be in such good company.

Aside from the excitement of being on a panel with smart and talented professionals, the experience was a bit of a mixed-bag for me.

I, personally, felt that the discussion was too theoretical. Granted, the inspiration for the topic — Wired's The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet — was theoretical, but I was hoping for a more practically-focused discussion on the realities of developing with HTML5 today.

I also had hoped that the discussion would include more on front-end development for sites, rather than a focus on applications. But as the only front-end developer amongst app developers, the discussion was definitely more app-heavy.

I'm not opposed to app development. HTML5 is an exciting new world for native application development, and must be discussed. However, the realities of cross-browser support, accessibility and usability for that part of the HTML5 spec means that discussions of those ideas and topics tends toward more experimental and pedantic.

HTML5's new structural elements and semantic changes/redefinitions, on the other hand, are relevant now. In fact, I've stated several times, I have used HTML5 exclusively for all of my front-end development over the past year (maybe a few months more). And I would've enjoyed an opportunity to discuss that more.

All in all, though, it was a great experience. I really admire the talent and knowledge of my fellow panelists and Tommy Lewis is gracious, kind and whip-smart.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.