Web Development according to Grok is all about libraries…

Cleaning out some old boxes trying to find an old work contract I came across a sticker sheet I got back when HTML5 became a standard that has all the icons on there the W3C defined as part of the “web reboot”:

I posted it around on social media to see who can remember them all and to indulge a bit in nostalgia. As these are official icons ratified by a standards body, they should be pretty known, right? Personally, I also forgot about a lot of them, but here is the info:

The first column is all the HTML5 logo – that one is pretty known.

Top row: Star, Multimedia, Semantics
Middle row: Offline Storage, Device Access, 3D Effects
Bottom row: Performance, Styling, Connectivity

The star is a bit of a weird one, but it is listed as a “supporting element” on the official logo site.

Now, bad enough that we forgot, but what does AI think? So I asked Grok what these icons mean and here is the hilariously wrong hallucinated answer:

Question: “Explain the meaning of the icons on this photo”

Searched for “HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript icons sticker sheet”

Overview:

This photo shows a sheet of glossy, die-cut stickers featuring minimalist geometric icons commonly associated with web development technologies. These are likely from a developer sticker pack (such as those sold on sites like Redbubble, Etsy, or CSS Weekly), designed for laptops, water bottles, or notebooks to represent programming languages, frameworks, and tools. The icons are arranged in a 3×3 grid (with the top-left being the prominent HTML5 logo), and they follow standard visual identities for these technologies. Below, I’ll describe each icon’s position, appearance, and meaning, reading left-to-right and top-to-bottom for clarity.

Position	Icon Description	Meaning
Top-Left	Red/orange shield-like shape with “5” inside (HTML5 logo)	HTML5: The foundational markup language for structuring web content, including elements like audio, video, and semantic tags. This is the official W3C logo for HTML5.
Top-Middle	Black circle with a white five-pointed star inside	jQuery: A popular JavaScript library for simplifying DOM manipulation, event handling, and animations. The starburst design is its official logo.
Top-Right	Black rectangle with a smaller white rectangle inset on the top-right corner (like a code editor tab)	Sublime Text: A widely used code editor known for its speed, syntax highlighting, and plugin ecosystem. The tab-like icon mimics its interface.
Middle-Left	Smaller red/orange HTML5 shield (variant or duplicate)	HTML5 (variant): Same as top-left; possibly a size variation or emphasis in the sticker set.
Middle-Middle	Black circle with a right-pointing arrow emerging from the right side (Ethernet-like)	Node.js: A JavaScript runtime for building server-side applications using an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model. The arrow evokes network connections.
Middle-Right	Black shape resembling Japanese katakana “mu” (ム) or a sideways “W”	Vue.js: A progressive JavaScript framework for building user interfaces and single-page applications. This stylized “V” is its official logo.
Bottom-Left	Even smaller red/orange HTML5 shield (another variant)	HTML5 (variant): Repeated for emphasis or multiple sizes in the pack.
Bottom-Middle	Black six-pointed cogwheel or gear (hexagon with rounded teeth)	npm: Node Package Manager, the default package manager for Node.js, used for installing and managing JavaScript dependencies. The gear symbolizes tools and configuration.
Bottom-Right	Black shape like a stylized “R” in a diamond or a slanted bracket with a line	React: A JavaScript library for building dynamic user interfaces, developed by Facebook. The “R” in a hexagon/diamond is its official logo.

Then again, Grok inside X was closer:

These are stickers of the HTML5 logo and its feature badges from W3C, representing web tech aspects:

• Red shield with 5: HTML5 (semantics/structure)
• Circle with star: Offline & Storage (local data, app cache)
• Clapperboard: Multimedia (audio/video)
• Upward arrows: Performance & Integration (web workers, etc.)
• Power symbol: Connectivity (WebSockets)
• Wave symbol: Device Access (geolocation, camera)
• Hexagon arrow: Geolocation
• Flower gear: Styling (CSS3)
• Shield with 3: CSS3
• Abstract arrow: 3D Graphics & Effects (canvas, SVG)

ChatGPT didn’t fare much better:

This photo shows a set of stickers with various tech and developer-related icons, primarily centered around HTML5 and associated technologies or communities.

Here’s a breakdown of the icons from left to right, top to bottom:

---

Left Column (Orange Shield Icons)

These three icons are HTML5 logos in various sizes. The HTML5 logo, introduced by the W3C, represents:

• HTML5 specification.

• A broader family of open web technologies including CSS, JavaScript APIs, etc.

---

Middle Column

These are less universal, but they are often associated with web development or design systems. Here’s what they most likely represent:

1. Star Icon – Could represent a “favorite” or “featured” element. Often used in design or rating systems.

2. Power Button / G Symbol – This resembles a power button and is sometimes stylized to look like a “G”, possibly referencing Gadget, Game, or Grid.

3. Flower-like Icon – This may symbolize a framework, modular system, or settings/gear-like function.

   • It resembles some older logos from Mozilla or lesser-known JS frameworks.

4. Curved Bracket + Slash () Icon – Resembles the CSS3 logo in a stylized form, indicating stylesheets or front-end design.

---

Right Column

These icons resemble stylized badges or logos for web-related APIs, technologies, or conceptual tools:

1. Chevron Up Arrows – Often represents “ranking up” or progress, could be symbolic of increasing levels or navigation.

2. Broken Television/Display – May represent video, media, or an error state (e.g., “no signal”).

3. 3D Hexagon – May represent WebGL, 3D rendering, or a JavaScript 3D library like Three.js.

4. Chain Links / Detach Icon – Looks like a “disconnect” or “unlink” symbol, possibly referring to APIs, modules, or external linking.

---

Summary

• The most recognizable symbol is the HTML5 logo (left column).

• The rest are likely conceptual or stylized representations of web development components, maybe from a sticker pack made for developers.

• Some might come from Mozilla or open web campaigns from around the early 2010s.

Microsoft Copilot at least got the styling right, but was very chipper about it:

Absolutely! This sticker sheet is a fun mix of tech-related symbols, many of which are tied to web development, software engineering, or digital design. Here’s a breakdown of what each icon likely represents:
—-

### Top Row
1. HTML5 Logo (Red & White) – Represents HTML5, the fifth version of the HyperText Markup Language used to structure content on the web.

2. White Star in Black Circle – Could symbolize a “favorite” or “featured” item, often used in UI design or rating systems.

3. Clapperboard Icon – Typically associated with video or media content—might represent a video editor, media player, or production tool.
—-

### ⚙️ Second Row
4. Three Upward Chevrons – Often used to indicate “upload,” “expand,” or “elevate.” Could also be a stylized logo for a tech brand.

5. HTML5 Logo (Again) – Repetition suggests emphasis on web development themes.

6. Power Symbol in Black Circle – Universally recognized as the “power” button—used to turn devices on/off.
—-

### Third Row
7. Broken TV Screen Icon – Might represent a glitch, error, or retro tech aesthetic. Could be symbolic of debugging or outdated tech.

8. 3D Hexagon Outline – Hexagons are popular in design and often used in blockchain or engineering contexts. The 3D effect suggests depth or complexity.

9. HTML5 Logo (Third Time) – Clearly a central theme—HTML5 is foundational to modern web development.
—-

### Bottom Row
10. Gear with Star Center – Gears represent settings or engineering. The star could imply a featured tool or premium functionality.

11. Stylized “E” (CSS3-like) – Likely a nod to CSS3, the style sheet language used to design and format web pages.

12. Angular Symbol with Overlapping Shapes – This resembles the Angular framework logo, used for building dynamic web applications.
—-

### Overall Theme
The sheet seems to celebrate web technologies, UI/UX design, and digital creativity. It’s the kind of thing a developer might slap on their laptop to show off their tech stack or aesthetic.

Want help identifying any specific frameworks or tools these might be linked to?

I suppose we still have a long way to go to a standardised web – or we just forgot to enforce it…