Glen has provided six handy tips on how small businesses can think big and grow exponentially in his blog, Start small but think big.
As an IT guy, I particularly relate to his last tip on keeping up with technology. Technology is evolving at an increasing pace and requires an approach of constant learning to keep up to date.
Enter HTML5!
We’ve recently been introduced to HTML5, a groundbreaking upgrade to the prominent web presentation specification. It’s likely to become a game-changer in web application development; one that might even drive plug-in-based Rich Internet Application (RIA) technologies such as Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, and Sun JavaFX into obsolescence.
The big plus is that all major Internet browsers support HTML5 and there are only very minor differences in the way websites display in different browsers. As a result many developers are now picking HTML5 as their preferred choice for web development – especially after the release of IE9 with support for HTML5. The hardware-accelerated text, video and graphics have improved speed and performance allowing websites perform like programs installed on your computer – creating a “native experience*”.
There’s no guarantee that HTML5 will become the leading web development technology of choice, but the trend is certainly there. Companies that use Flash or Sliverlight in their products and applications should seriously consider transferring to HTML5 now, before they lose the chance to use this technology as a competitive advantage.
The transition itself is subject to the usual learning curves and will take time… but given our rapidly evolving business needs and Internet technologies, there are competitive advantages to be gained by anticipating and preparing for the future.
* Ed’s note: A native experience is geek speak for a comfortable and natural experience – accepted with the comfort of a native in their home country or town.
