Bram
@bram.smulders.social
Freelance front-end UI developer | Accessibility consultant | Music producer
bram.is
bram.is
Reposted by Bram
my best code is written in a two-step process:
1. kludge a working prototype together, don’t worry about the code AT ALL. the point is understanding how the requirements function in reality
2. destroy the prototype completely. build the app for real using my better mental model
1. kludge a working prototype together, don’t worry about the code AT ALL. the point is understanding how the requirements function in reality
2. destroy the prototype completely. build the app for real using my better mental model
November 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
my best code is written in a two-step process:
1. kludge a working prototype together, don’t worry about the code AT ALL. the point is understanding how the requirements function in reality
2. destroy the prototype completely. build the app for real using my better mental model
1. kludge a working prototype together, don’t worry about the code AT ALL. the point is understanding how the requirements function in reality
2. destroy the prototype completely. build the app for real using my better mental model
Reposted by Bram
Can we quickly appreciate how powerful CSS has become and what a beautiful snippet this is? 👏
una.im/range-style-...
una.im/range-style-...
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Can we quickly appreciate how powerful CSS has become and what a beautiful snippet this is? 👏
una.im/range-style-...
una.im/range-style-...
Reposted by Bram
Reposted by Bram
I often see the word 'kerning' used incorrectly by CSS heads when the term they're actually looking for to describe letter spacing is 'tracking'. Let me explain using CSS terminology!
Tracking is the same as gap in flex layouts; consistent spacing applied across the entire text.
But what if... 🧵
Tracking is the same as gap in flex layouts; consistent spacing applied across the entire text.
But what if... 🧵
October 16, 2025 at 10:12 AM
I often see the word 'kerning' used incorrectly by CSS heads when the term they're actually looking for to describe letter spacing is 'tracking'. Let me explain using CSS terminology!
Tracking is the same as gap in flex layouts; consistent spacing applied across the entire text.
But what if... 🧵
Tracking is the same as gap in flex layouts; consistent spacing applied across the entire text.
But what if... 🧵
Reposted by Bram
It's here. JavaScript for Everyone is now available to…everyone!
The amount of effort and experience packed into this course is unbelievable and we know you're going to love it.
Get yours for £189, down from £249, for 2 weeks and super-charge your career prospects
piccalilli.link/js4e-launch-...
The amount of effort and experience packed into this course is unbelievable and we know you're going to love it.
Get yours for £189, down from £249, for 2 weeks and super-charge your career prospects
piccalilli.link/js4e-launch-...
JavaScript for Everyone
A high quality, expansive written course that will elevate your JavaScript skills to a level you never thought was achievable.
piccalilli.link
October 14, 2025 at 8:21 AM
It's here. JavaScript for Everyone is now available to…everyone!
The amount of effort and experience packed into this course is unbelievable and we know you're going to love it.
Get yours for £189, down from £249, for 2 weeks and super-charge your career prospects
piccalilli.link/js4e-launch-...
The amount of effort and experience packed into this course is unbelievable and we know you're going to love it.
Get yours for £189, down from £249, for 2 weeks and super-charge your career prospects
piccalilli.link/js4e-launch-...
Reposted by Bram
AT #smashingconf, @tkadlec.bsky.social is reminding us that betting on the browser (rather than JavaScript abstractions) is our best chance of long-term success.
October 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
AT #smashingconf, @tkadlec.bsky.social is reminding us that betting on the browser (rather than JavaScript abstractions) is our best chance of long-term success.
Reposted by Bram
Even setting politics aside: I honestly can't name a single reason to use NextJS in 2025, aside from "because everyone else is." It has literally no unique benefit or unbeatable feature.
Apparently our moms misjudged us; it turns out a lot of us *would* jump off a cliff if all our friends did.
Apparently our moms misjudged us; it turns out a lot of us *would* jump off a cliff if all our friends did.
September 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Even setting politics aside: I honestly can't name a single reason to use NextJS in 2025, aside from "because everyone else is." It has literally no unique benefit or unbeatable feature.
Apparently our moms misjudged us; it turns out a lot of us *would* jump off a cliff if all our friends did.
Apparently our moms misjudged us; it turns out a lot of us *would* jump off a cliff if all our friends did.
Reposted by Bram
❌ mobile first
✅ container first
✅ container first
September 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
❌ mobile first
✅ container first
✅ container first
Build for the web, Build on the web, Build with the web.
An excellent take from @csswizardry.com on progressive enhancement, SPA frameworks and staying as close to the platform as possible.
csswizardry.com/2025/01/buil...
An excellent take from @csswizardry.com on progressive enhancement, SPA frameworks and staying as close to the platform as possible.
csswizardry.com/2025/01/buil...
Build for the Web, Build on the Web, Build with the Web – CSS Wizardry
What is the real, long-term cost of adopting a JavaScript framework?
csswizardry.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Build for the web, Build on the web, Build with the web.
An excellent take from @csswizardry.com on progressive enhancement, SPA frameworks and staying as close to the platform as possible.
csswizardry.com/2025/01/buil...
An excellent take from @csswizardry.com on progressive enhancement, SPA frameworks and staying as close to the platform as possible.
csswizardry.com/2025/01/buil...
Reposted by Bram
I wrote a short article about the :heading pseudo-class and function.
alvaromontoro.com/tutorial/hea...
It includes a little interactive section where you can play with the values and see how the affect the headings on the side.
#css #webdev
alvaromontoro.com/tutorial/hea...
It includes a little interactive section where you can play with the values and see how the affect the headings on the side.
#css #webdev
September 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I wrote a short article about the :heading pseudo-class and function.
alvaromontoro.com/tutorial/hea...
It includes a little interactive section where you can play with the values and see how the affect the headings on the side.
#css #webdev
alvaromontoro.com/tutorial/hea...
It includes a little interactive section where you can play with the values and see how the affect the headings on the side.
#css #webdev
Ran my first half marathon today 🥵
September 14, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Ran my first half marathon today 🥵
Reposted by Bram
CSS `field-sizing` on a `<textarea>` is obviously awesome.
But the horizontal growth using it on an `<input>` is less clearly useful to me. But check out this design pattern I cooked up. I don't hate it. Keeps the name area compact until you need to see more. Just a bit of flexbox wrapping.
But the horizontal growth using it on an `<input>` is less clearly useful to me. But check out this design pattern I cooked up. I don't hate it. Keeps the name area compact until you need to see more. Just a bit of flexbox wrapping.
September 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
CSS `field-sizing` on a `<textarea>` is obviously awesome.
But the horizontal growth using it on an `<input>` is less clearly useful to me. But check out this design pattern I cooked up. I don't hate it. Keeps the name area compact until you need to see more. Just a bit of flexbox wrapping.
But the horizontal growth using it on an `<input>` is less clearly useful to me. But check out this design pattern I cooked up. I don't hate it. Keeps the name area compact until you need to see more. Just a bit of flexbox wrapping.
Reposted by Bram
This why I started moving all my repos to @Codeberg@social.anoxinon.de
Currently I’m also pushing to GitHub as a mirror. Contemplating if I just should move off completely.
Original post: front-end.social/@hdv/1150111...
Currently I’m also pushing to GitHub as a mirror. Contemplating if I just should move off completely.
Original post: front-end.social/@hdv/1150111...
August 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This why I started moving all my repos to @Codeberg@social.anoxinon.de
Currently I’m also pushing to GitHub as a mirror. Contemplating if I just should move off completely.
Original post: front-end.social/@hdv/1150111...
Currently I’m also pushing to GitHub as a mirror. Contemplating if I just should move off completely.
Original post: front-end.social/@hdv/1150111...
Reposted by Bram
🔎 Digitale toegankelijkheid onderzoeken? Leer het van Jules Ernst (22+ jaar ervaring)!
Hands-on workshop: WCAG, tools, praktijkcases en ruimte voor vragen.
Vrijdag 29 aug, Utrecht – vanaf €150 👉 ti.to/fronteers/in...
#toegankelijkheid #a11y
Hands-on workshop: WCAG, tools, praktijkcases en ruimte voor vragen.
Vrijdag 29 aug, Utrecht – vanaf €150 👉 ti.to/fronteers/in...
#toegankelijkheid #a11y
August 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🔎 Digitale toegankelijkheid onderzoeken? Leer het van Jules Ernst (22+ jaar ervaring)!
Hands-on workshop: WCAG, tools, praktijkcases en ruimte voor vragen.
Vrijdag 29 aug, Utrecht – vanaf €150 👉 ti.to/fronteers/in...
#toegankelijkheid #a11y
Hands-on workshop: WCAG, tools, praktijkcases en ruimte voor vragen.
Vrijdag 29 aug, Utrecht – vanaf €150 👉 ti.to/fronteers/in...
#toegankelijkheid #a11y
I got a 445 points knowledge score on this year's
#StateOfHTML survey! I have used 28 features, and knew 33 more, placing me in the top 100% of all respondents. Can you beat my score?
survey.devographics.com/survey/state...
#StateOfHTML survey! I have used 28 features, and knew 33 more, placing me in the top 100% of all respondents. Can you beat my score?
survey.devographics.com/survey/state...
July 20, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I got a 445 points knowledge score on this year's
#StateOfHTML survey! I have used 28 features, and knew 33 more, placing me in the top 100% of all respondents. Can you beat my score?
survey.devographics.com/survey/state...
#StateOfHTML survey! I have used 28 features, and knew 33 more, placing me in the top 100% of all respondents. Can you beat my score?
survey.devographics.com/survey/state...
Reposted by Bram
Heydon Pickering takes a fresh look the Every Layout Sidebar layout, 6 years on, to see if modern CSS selectors can improve it.
piccalil.li/blog/a-revis...
piccalil.li/blog/a-revis...
A revisit of the Every Layout sidebar with :has() and selector performance
Heydon Pickering takes a fresh look the Every Layout Sidebar layout, 6 years on, to see if modern CSS selectors can improve it.
piccalil.li
July 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Heydon Pickering takes a fresh look the Every Layout Sidebar layout, 6 years on, to see if modern CSS selectors can improve it.
piccalil.li/blog/a-revis...
piccalil.li/blog/a-revis...
Reposted by Bram
Onze workshops zijn terug! 🎉 Boost je JavaScript-skills in één middag 🧠💻 met destructuring, async/await, functioneel programmeren en debugging. Online van 13–17 uur, vanaf €69.
👉 Inschrijven: ti.to/fronteers/ja...
👉 Inschrijven: ti.to/fronteers/ja...
June 26, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Onze workshops zijn terug! 🎉 Boost je JavaScript-skills in één middag 🧠💻 met destructuring, async/await, functioneel programmeren en debugging. Online van 13–17 uur, vanaf €69.
👉 Inschrijven: ti.to/fronteers/ja...
👉 Inschrijven: ti.to/fronteers/ja...
Reposted by Bram
Happy "European Accessibility Act goes into effect" week to all who celebrate
June 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Happy "European Accessibility Act goes into effect" week to all who celebrate
Reposted by Bram
TFW you build a site with @getkirby.com and web platform standards (== semantic HTML, modern CSS, a little bit of JavaScript, and a dash of ARIA) and you look at Lighthouse for the first time …
Looks like industry best practices actually work. (Sorry for using my platform to ruin anyone’s day. 🥰) 🍋
Looks like industry best practices actually work. (Sorry for using my platform to ruin anyone’s day. 🥰) 🍋
June 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
TFW you build a site with @getkirby.com and web platform standards (== semantic HTML, modern CSS, a little bit of JavaScript, and a dash of ARIA) and you look at Lighthouse for the first time …
Looks like industry best practices actually work. (Sorry for using my platform to ruin anyone’s day. 🥰) 🍋
Looks like industry best practices actually work. (Sorry for using my platform to ruin anyone’s day. 🥰) 🍋
Reposted by Bram
We used to build websites.
Now we build pipelines, frameworks, and hydration strategies - just to publish text.
This isn’t progress.
It’s complexity, by design.
We need to escape the JavaScript framework trap.
www.jonoalderson.com/conjecture/j...
Now we build pipelines, frameworks, and hydration strategies - just to publish text.
This isn’t progress.
It’s complexity, by design.
We need to escape the JavaScript framework trap.
www.jonoalderson.com/conjecture/j...
JavaScript broke the web (and called it progress)
We replaced simple websites with complex apps nobody asked for. Now it takes a complex build pipeline just to change a headline.
www.jonoalderson.com
June 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
We used to build websites.
Now we build pipelines, frameworks, and hydration strategies - just to publish text.
This isn’t progress.
It’s complexity, by design.
We need to escape the JavaScript framework trap.
www.jonoalderson.com/conjecture/j...
Now we build pipelines, frameworks, and hydration strategies - just to publish text.
This isn’t progress.
It’s complexity, by design.
We need to escape the JavaScript framework trap.
www.jonoalderson.com/conjecture/j...
Long time goal of mine to get all these arrows up at the same time 💪🏼
June 18, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Long time goal of mine to get all these arrows up at the same time 💪🏼
Reposted by Bram
Nine out of ten times, ‘$browser is slow’ is code for ‘my own website is a massive memory hog and I’m not about to admit that’.
Browser engines do a ton of work to mitigate that, but we keep coming out with worse performing websites.
Browser engines do a ton of work to mitigate that, but we keep coming out with worse performing websites.
Crazy how Chrome was known as slow and a memory hog, and how that's shifted to Firefox now.
It was my favorite browser for a very long time, sucks to see it slowly becoming worse...
www.theregister.com/2025/06/17/o...
It was my favorite browser for a very long time, sucks to see it slowly becoming worse...
www.theregister.com/2025/06/17/o...
Firefox is dead to me
Opinion: Parent company Mozilla's not my fave either
www.theregister.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Nine out of ten times, ‘$browser is slow’ is code for ‘my own website is a massive memory hog and I’m not about to admit that’.
Browser engines do a ton of work to mitigate that, but we keep coming out with worse performing websites.
Browser engines do a ton of work to mitigate that, but we keep coming out with worse performing websites.
Reposted by Bram
Strong words by Alex Russell at JSNation today.
June 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Strong words by Alex Russell at JSNation today.