Some time ago Sebastian Nohn started removing some JavaScript dependencies in Serendipity 0.8. This in itself is a welcomed action and I totally support it as long as it does not lower the functionality of the product.

I myself have been doing a lot of work on the 0.8 administration, changing its overall design and functionality. So when I noticed that we, in some places, used these new fake buttons (as I call them) and in some places did not, I – from a graphical point of view – became very frustrated. I think it sends a wrong and bad signal to the end users. I’d personally think the developers was complete morons if they used fake buttons 4 out of 20 places, and thought they could fool me into thinking they were normal input buttons. It would come off as cheap.

Nohn seems to be rather mad at me for openly questioning his changes (his blog is in German, so I’m just guessing). My problem is that while removing JavaScript dependencies in itself is good for usability, the method in which it was done, only decreases it.

My questions are… why not:
1) Do it everywhere. Removing JavaScript dependencies 2 out of 10 places doesn’t really do much for the overall usability.
2) Do it with thought. Why not try to come up with a solution that also serves the design aspect, rather than trying to fool the user with fake CSS buttons?

So Sebastian, my problem is not with your idea of removing JavaScript dependencies, just the method used to achieve it.

PS. Sebastian also comments on other things in his article, but I don’t read German – I’ll be happy to comment if someone translates it.