There was a web prior to JavaScript.

This comment was made with javascript disabled

No. Every time we try, the universe resets itself and then spawns twelve more JS frameworks. A few universes ago, npm didn't even exist. Now look at us.

Yes, in fact the vast majority of internet protocols do not use Javascript at all.

Have a look at the Gemini protocol. Has nothing to do with Google's AI, it's a protocol mainly for text. No JavaScript, no CSS, just Gemtext.

I run NoScript. I only allow the javascript a site needs to function.

Most sites run well enough without it enabled, at least for viewing the content. Lemmy lets you read without JS enabled.

Google sites demand JS enabled to show you anything.

Yes

Yes, of course.

Totally.

You can even do a lot of the fancy stuff. HTML forms have been there since the beginning and don't require JS at all. You can do logins, logouts, forms, basically anything as long as it doesn't involve changing the contents of a page without a page load (aside from animations which you can do in CSS).

You could even make a Lemmy type thing that didn't use JS at all, just submitted a form when you hit post, and then the server would take care of the rest! (I'm a little surprised to see Lemmy does seem to require JS for posting, actually.)

-- Frost

There was a website that showcased pure HTML with carousals, navigation and responsive design. I think it was called "you don't need js" or something

Yes. Absolutely. And I for one would like to see it. But as an entirely different system with all-new DNSs.

I would propose a system like HTMX (yes this uses JavaScript, but not if it was part of the browser itself) for interactive and partial support.

Would it be faster? Ehhh, with proper backend. But it wouldn’t eat your processor or be all janky.

But, in favor or JavaScript: you can’t make a simple calculator without JavaScript. (Please don’t link me to the crazy css hacks!!)

The internet has run for literally decades without JS.

Yeah? It wouldn't be as flashy looking but it would be far more secure and far less system-heavy.

Would also be great if our browsers didn't report every little detail about our PC too...

Time to go back to BBSing.

Define “possible”

• yes,we had an internet before JavaScript, and most of what they claim needs JavaScript doesn’t. Many things would be better for users without JavaScript
• no, when I turn off scripting, at least half the www doesn’t work. Arguably you need it for overly clever paywalls and ads, not that any consumers want those. It’s not practical to wish that away

Yes, but it's harder. JS is easy mode in web development, all the things just kinda work with it.

Yes. It was glorious.

On the flipside, there was a lot of broken CGI (as in, "common gateway interface")

Sure!

It's just either app-walled (AOL and IE could do things without JavaScript), essentially static (turn off JavaScript and browse around. Many pages won't work anymore, but many will be seamless) or functionally equivalent (modern browsers support web Assembly, meaning the stuff that JavaScript is used for would instead be in C or java or something.)

Use Ublock Origin. Go to settings and check "Disable Javascript".

Some sites may not work, so you might need to re-enable for those ones.

Other sites have Cloudflare CAPTCHAs, and you need to enable JS to get past them, but once you get through, you can turn on the JS blocker again.