The non-browser browser

Consider the number of websites that use a shit ton of styles, images, advertising, javashit, whatever. All that is shitty cruft that you don't want to have to wade through to get to the important part: data.

Fortunately, many major Web 3.0 Bullshyte websites have RESTful APIs too (mostly JSON), allowing you to gain access to structured information in a consistent way.

Enter stage left: A scriptable, customisable program that, given an interface description for a particular website or data source, will show you the data you want in the format you want.
A true separation of interface from implementation.

However, there are drawbacks. Each data source will need its own interface design (but enough people who care coupled with a few public databases, that will not be a problem). Websites will lose ad revenue. The WWW as we use it will change.

So, /anus/ - is it worth it? Is there a need for such a program? Are there more, more serious drawbacks I haven't thought of? Am I just overreacting to Youtube's fiftieth redesign in the past three months?

>>37
One thing that really pisses me off (and if it weren't for this FF3 would be my main browser on Windows) is how sluggish it is to load the browser. Compared to something like IE6 it just feels so damn heavy.

(Sites keep nagging me to upgrade. Fuck them. I'm not interested in your fancy JS shit. Compare e.g. ImagesHack with JS on and off and you'll see what I mean.)