An Ode to the Return of Wysiwyg
4 months ago
- #AI
- #web-development
- #creativity
- The author recalls a childhood moment in the late 90s when they realized the web was editable, sparking their interest in technology.
- WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) tools like Frontpage and Macromedia Flash democratized web creativity in the 90s/2000s, enabling non-coders to build websites.
- The early web was characterized by personal expression, with GeoCities, Newgrounds, and MySpace allowing users to customize their pages extensively.
- Facebook's uniform design marked the decline of personal expression on the web, prioritizing algorithmic feeds and time-on-site optimization.
- Modern web development has become complex, with tools like React, TypeScript, and CI/CD raising the barrier to entry for personal projects.
- AI tools like Claude Code are reviving the WYSIWYG spirit by allowing users to create websites through natural language, lowering the barrier to entry again.
- The author is excited about the potential for a new wave of creativity as AI tools enable more people to build and express themselves online.