To delve deeper into the dynamics of internet usage in my community and professional sphere, I conducted interviews with three individuals spanning various age groups in my hometown. I additionally reached out to experts in my field to provide a well-rounded understanding of how web technology is employed professionally.
My grandfather, at 80, represents the older generation. He recalled that the internet became a household name in the early 2000s, but he only engaged with it around ten years ago. Her primary activities are browsing news websites (for example, he is very interested in Chinese purple clay pots). He doesn't care much about the web design itself, but mainly about getting the content he wants .
My parents, in their 50s, have a more dynamic relationship with the internet. They use a cable connection and rely heavily on the internet for work-from-home activities, online shopping, and entertainment like streaming movies. Their first internet experience was in the late 1990s, which involved dial-up connections and the iconic sound accompanying them.
The youngest, my cousin at 16, has a very different landscape. He benefits from a fiber-optic service, crucial for his online gaming, high-definition streaming, and even virtual classrooms. The internet is almost like a utility to him, as essential as electricity.
I spoke with a senior web developer who has been in the field for over a decade. They explained the necessity of a high-speed fiber-optic internet connection for tasks like file sharing, code repository syncs, and video conferencing. Their job revolves around web design that is optimized for mobile devices and compatible with various browsers. Front-end engineers design networks to attract more people and create business value.
In my discussion with him, I gathered insights into the core technologies that are indispensable in the field. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the building blocks of web design.
The developer emphasized that a high-speed internet connection is almost mandatory, given the need for real-time collaboration, frequent updates, and downloading dependencies. Web design trends indicate a leaning toward interactive, high-bandwidth sites, suggesting an assumption that end-users will generally have robust internet capabilities.