JavaScript libraries like MooTools, jQuery, Dojo and Prototype have proven very popular with developers recently, perhaps too popular!?
Over the last year there’s been a major recognition boost for these libraries, especially those featuring animations/effects and Ajax capabilities. Blinking/fading/sliding text was in fashion back in the nineties but it seems, following the hype of Web 2.0, these effects have made a massive comeback!
To be honest I think it’s great; what better way to expand the imagination of the average developer than to give him/her some brand new toy to play with? Web developers are now thinking of innovative ways to utilise these new-found JavaScript enhancements and designers are pushing boundaries with their designs, integrating these enhancements into their mockups!
This is all wonderful, but unfortunately I fear the overuse of JavaScript libraries such as jQuery has had a detrimental effect on usability. Obviously we had issues before these libraries and we will surely continue to rave about it afterwards but I cannot help but notice what is happening right now; people are turning a blind eye to usability and focusing all their attention on making their websites as smooth and swish as possible!
