Hello.

Following on from my list of the things that I am [excited about on the web in 2017](/2017-exciting-times/) here are three predictions of things that I think will happen in 2017 based off reading tea-leaves and random musings of things that I have 0 direct knowledge of but I might do if I was 'them'.

Web Components, specifically Custom Elements, offer exciting possibilities for web development. However, the current ecosystem is still evolving and has potential downsides. The practice of namespacing custom elements (e.g., <amp-*>, <iron-*>) creates "walled gardens" that can lock developers into specific frameworks. While understandable in the early stages, this approach hinders interoperability and leads to duplicated functionality. Ideally, we should move towards a shared vocabulary of elements (like <aspect-image>) where developers choose the implementation, not the vendor-specific element name. This requires a standardized process for defining element names, interfaces, and functionality. Imagine a world where component creators define the contract (e.g., class ShareButton extends HTMLElement { ... }) and users choose their preferred implementation. This model puts developers in control and fosters a more open and interoperable web. Furthermore, meta platforms (like Facebook or WeChat) could play a role by intercepting customElements.define calls and replacing JavaScript elements with native implementations when possible. This approach requires careful consideration, but it could lead to a more streamlined and integrated user experience.

Do we need a browser in the future?

Web Developers. It's a long road ahead

The web is changing, we need to adapt