> For 75% of its development, HTML has been taregeted at
> greater things than hyperlinked text.
Where did you get this kind of nonsense and numbers? Before Web Applications 1.0 which evolved into HTML5 were was little considerations for web apps.
> If you use HTML5, you're (eventually) dealing with standards that you
> can rely on so that you know your app will still work years down the
> road.
Oh my, where do I start… I rather not. You know, I've been making websites since 1996, I happen to know a thing or two about web standards and web browsers and I happen to be on HTML5 mailing list since before it was known as HTML5, so let me just say: you cannot rely on anything.
> The "standard" is defined as "whatever the documentation currently says".
As opposed to what? You do know that no browser implements HTML 4? You do know, that versions of HTML are basically meaningless?
> Apple or Google released a new OS version, and now your native app doesn't work? They phased out a feature
> without deprecating it first?
Except that did not happen. Your web app won't run on pure spec. It needs browsers. Guess who develops browsers. Guess who picks up which features to implement.
> Sorry, that's not a bug. Your software is outdated, and you need to fix it yourself.
I guess your up to date web app has better luck with broken Android browser of the previous versions.
> And that's to say nothing of the power that you lose when you write native apps in today's world of walled
> garden app stores.
I lose no power. Some people are scared by walled gardens because… well, because they are supposed to get scared.
> Did Apple decide that your app "contains duplicate functionality" or "is very blue, and I don't like
> blue today"?
Oh, those scary stories of the days past. There is a name for them: FUD.
> Well I guess you could always sell your app on ... oh that's right, there's no viable way to sell
> your iOS app outside of the App Store, and it won't run on any other platform.
As opposed to many many ways to sell your web app. Good luck with that.
>Where did you get this kind of nonsense and numbers?
HTML first showed up in 1990. It started its evolution away from "hyperlinked text" with the introduction of elements like forms in 1995. It has been around for 22 years, and for 17 of those it has been for far more than hyperlinked text.
> Oh, those scary stories of the days past. There is a name for them: FUD.
I'm glad to hear that you haven't yet been bitten by placing your eggs in a basket held by a single company. Please do some research before assuming that your experience can be relied upon.
Personally, I've been bitten repeatedly. Forgive me if your screams of "FUD!" elicit a chuckle.
