This is something I've seen pretty often with the RIA XML based languages, (Flex, XAML, XUL). People have gotten so used to HTML, that they've decided it's the standard to judge other languages against.
The truth is, even with CSS, HTML is terrible. I know, it has a bright past, and it will have a bright future, but compared to what can be done with other markup languages, HTML isn't even in the same ballpark.
I'm not saying that HTML is at fault. If anything, HTML has done pretty well with the hand it's been dealt. Most languages probably would have thrown themselves in front of a train if they had to deal with what HTML has dealt with.
- Originally created to display just text
- Used by millions, has to accept a very wide range of user inputs, and attempt to fix errors, caused by past specifications, or user mistakes
- Due to the errors, different companies are able on some items to set their own rules, seperate from the others
- Has to be lightweight enough to be sent quickly over the internet, to all sorts of connections, but readable enough for anyone to learn
RIA languages don't have these problems (except for in certain instances the last one). Take for example Flex.
- Built to display new media. Video, Vectors, Audo. Someday it will likely not fit what people want, but it's probably a long ways off
- XML has a strict set of rules that are pretty well known by anyone who will be creating a project in one of these languages, they no longer have to account for user error, or worry about code written 10 years ago
- Only one company is developing it, there won't be multiple implementations, except for versioning, and because developers don't need to upgrade, new versions don't require as much backwards compatibility.
- Virtual Machines can contain a lot of the items for you, and with Apollo users don't need to repeatedly download the images or code
HTML and CSS are very useful for the web, and will probably have a place for a long time. But, when it comes to rich applications, they can no longer compare. I understand the desire to have something work the way you're familiar with, but trust me, the future is bright.
