Chris Smith

The personal blog of Chris Smith, front end web developer from the UK

Visit Website →
  1. A script replacement loading patternTue, 09 Dec 2025 16:30:00 +0000
  2. The web has gone greyMon, 20 Oct 2025 12:35:00 +0000
  3. Tips for working with emojiTue, 14 Oct 2025 10:30:00 +0000
  4. Using a GitHub Copilot instructions fileSun, 21 Sep 2025 12:45:00 +0000
  5. Structuring web components to preserve semantics and browser featuresThu, 18 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0000
  6. The evolution of software developmentMon, 09 Jun 2025 22:20:00 +0000
  7. Introducing RandoRacer.comSun, 08 Jun 2025 21:30:00 +0000
  8. Static sandwichesSat, 07 Jun 2025 10:55:00 +0000
  9. Bulk deleting tweetsTue, 19 Nov 2024 17:00:00 +0000
  10. Simplifying dates in JavaScriptWed, 04 Sep 2024 16:15:00 +0000
  11. Replacing jQuery UI datepicker with HTML date inputWed, 31 Jul 2024 15:45:00 +0000
  12. Code formatting and style guidesThu, 25 Jul 2024 14:15:00 +0000
  13. A dedicated pull request channelThu, 25 Jul 2024 14:10:00 +0000
  14. Converting jQuery to vanilla JavaScript with an AI assistantFri, 19 Jul 2024 13:40:00 +0000
  15. Positioning popover elements (pseudo-anchoring)Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:55:00 +0000
  16. The connection between communication languages and programming languagesWed, 19 Jun 2024 11:45:00 +0000
  17. Making a selected value readable when the text is longThu, 06 Jun 2024 16:15:00 +0000
  18. When should we use components and when should we just use HTML?Wed, 22 May 2024 16:30:00 +0000
  19. The development burden of user choiceTue, 02 Apr 2024 11:30:00 +0000
  20. Not enough or too much dataThu, 21 Mar 2024 16:30:00 +0000
  21. Please stop using flags to represent languagesTue, 05 Mar 2024 16:05:00 +0000
  22. Why should we care about Web Accessibility?Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:45:00 +0000
  23. Learning TypeScriptSat, 20 Jan 2024 11:05:00 +0000
  24. Rebranding Tips - Part 4 - TypographyMon, 08 Jan 2024 16:33:00 +0000
  25. Rebranding Tips - Part 3 - ColoursMon, 08 Jan 2024 16:32:00 +0000
  26. Rebranding Tips - Part 2 - Brand NamesMon, 08 Jan 2024 16:31:00 +0000
  27. Rebranding Tips - Part 1 - LogosMon, 08 Jan 2024 16:30:00 +0000
  28. What to Validate on a FormFri, 27 Oct 2023 14:30:00 +0000
  29. Pronunciation of Terms in Web DevelopmentWed, 18 Oct 2023 17:10:00 +0000
  30. How Widespread is Ad Blocking?Mon, 09 Oct 2023 17:10:00 +0000
  31. Practical Tips to Reduce your Carbon FootprintWed, 13 Sep 2023 17:40:00 +0000
  32. WordPress to Eleventy - Part 2, The HowSun, 18 Jun 2023 14:00:01 +0000
  33. WordPress to Eleventy - Part 1, The WhySun, 18 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0000
  34. Who'd be a front end developer?Thu, 15 Jun 2023 08:00:00 +0000
  35. Prototyping in CodePenFri, 09 Jun 2023 16:55:00 +0000
  36. UI Performance - Critical Rendering Path OptimisationSun, 30 Apr 2023 16:30:00 +0000
  37. CARPET - A Front End ChecklistFri, 08 Jul 2022 08:28:07 +0000
  38. How I'd Learn Front End Web Development NowFri, 27 May 2022 16:30:00 +0000
  39. Emmet - Write HTML and CSS FasterFri, 10 Dec 2021 17:15:00 +0000
  40. Progress IndicatorsSun, 23 May 2021 20:05:25 +0000
  41. New Image Formats - WebP and AVIFWed, 27 Jan 2021 17:30:00 +0000
  42. Transitioning to Modern JavaScriptTue, 05 Jan 2021 17:00:00 +0000
  43. Learning to Write Code that is Good EnoughMon, 03 Aug 2020 17:27:12 +0000
  44. Reasons for Developers to Have a BlogSun, 26 Jul 2020 16:01:11 +0000
  45. The Dangers of Logic in CSSThu, 26 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +0000
  46. Clicking Off Things to Close ThemWed, 25 Mar 2020 18:00:53 +0000
  47. Tips for Working from HomeSun, 15 Mar 2020 08:31:56 +0000
  48. Print CSS TipsFri, 17 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0000
  49. Switching APIsThu, 17 Oct 2019 18:00:59 +0000
  50. Safer PasswordsFri, 11 Oct 2019 13:30:48 +0000
  51. Edging Out of IE SupportSun, 04 Aug 2019 10:00:51 +0000
  52. Performance Perception Trick: Processing Lists FasterSat, 03 Aug 2019 08:00:23 +0000
  53. Should Designers Be Able to Code?Fri, 02 Aug 2019 18:00:05 +0000
  54. What Techies TweetFri, 03 May 2019 18:00:36 +0000
  55. When to Reach for a Framework (and When Not To)Sat, 13 Apr 2019 08:58:13 +0000
  56. Hiding UI ElementsFri, 29 Mar 2019 18:00:17 +0000
  57. What I Learned in 2018Thu, 27 Dec 2018 19:00:57 +0000
  58. The DOM Diet and Year PickersThu, 15 Nov 2018 16:43:21 +0000
  59. Why Are We Making Web Development So Hard?Wed, 24 Oct 2018 17:47:09 +0000
  60. Learning Experiences as a FreelancerSat, 06 Oct 2018 18:01:30 +0000
  61. Super Fast Tree View in JavaScriptFri, 05 Oct 2018 16:25:04 +0000
  62. Stop Linking to NowhereWed, 01 Aug 2018 17:26:36 +0000
  63. Google Analytics - Why You Should Replace IDs in URLsWed, 01 Aug 2018 16:53:19 +0000
  64. Experiment: Font Size vs Colour ContrastFri, 13 Jul 2018 19:13:37 +0000
  65. Making Icons AccessibleWed, 16 May 2018 17:42:34 +0000
  66. A New Found Appreciation for Images on the WebWed, 09 May 2018 17:17:46 +0000
  67. How to Be a Good DesignerFri, 13 Apr 2018 18:32:26 +0000
  68. Lightning Fast Filtering in JavaScriptThu, 01 Feb 2018 17:26:27 +0000
  69. Accessible Colour ContrastWed, 10 Jan 2018 19:00:40 +0000
  70. What I Learned in 2017Wed, 10 Jan 2018 17:17:09 +0000
  71. Native Browser Controls RuleFri, 10 Nov 2017 18:00:46 +0000
  72. Do IT Qualifications Hold Value?Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:30:16 +0000
  73. Shared User AccountsSun, 22 Oct 2017 14:00:47 +0000
  74. Setting Performance TargetsFri, 20 Oct 2017 17:30:27 +0000
  75. To DOM or Not to DOM?Sun, 15 Oct 2017 12:00:11 +0000
  76. Speed, Usability and SpeedSat, 14 Oct 2017 11:22:28 +0000
  77. Component WorldSat, 09 Sep 2017 18:08:39 +0000
  78. Different Conditional Syntaxes in JavaScriptThu, 22 Jun 2017 18:00:19 +0000
  79. Hacking BordersWed, 21 Jun 2017 18:00:52 +0000
  80. Take a TourWed, 24 May 2017 18:00:48 +0000
  81. Why It's Still Worth Learning BootstrapFri, 19 May 2017 18:00:29 +0000
  82. Presenting Multiple LayoutsFri, 05 May 2017 18:00:02 +0000
  83. Measuring Front End PerformanceWed, 03 May 2017 18:00:53 +0000
  84. Front End Performance EnhancementsMon, 01 May 2017 13:00:40 +0000
  85. Precision Level in CSSFri, 28 Apr 2017 18:00:52 +0000
  86. The Welsh Language ConundrumFri, 07 Apr 2017 17:21:41 +0000
  87. Pet Hate: Click HereSun, 19 Mar 2017 18:38:49 +0000
  88. HTML Semantics - Header or Sidebar?Thu, 09 Mar 2017 19:10:24 +0000
  89. Reorganising Data Client SideWed, 08 Mar 2017 17:50:17 +0000
  90. Measuring ReadershipSun, 05 Mar 2017 11:15:12 +0000
  91. Talking to MachinesFri, 10 Feb 2017 18:00:39 +0000
  92. Learning the Right ThingsThu, 09 Feb 2017 18:30:00 +0000
  93. International box-sizing Awareness DayWed, 01 Feb 2017 08:00:41 +0000
  94. iOS vs Android vs Windows in 2017Sun, 29 Jan 2017 15:00:57 +0000
  95. Opera Neon - First ImpressionsSat, 28 Jan 2017 10:00:33 +0000
  96. Snark OverflowFri, 27 Jan 2017 18:20:49 +0000
  97. Blogging NostalgiaWed, 18 Jan 2017 18:00:37 +0000
  98. The End of the EU Cookie LawSun, 15 Jan 2017 13:11:14 +0000
  99. Cut the Crap!Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:21:58 +0000
  100. What I Learned in 2016 (Part 3)Sun, 08 Jan 2017 13:00:27 +0000
  101. What I Learned in 2016 (Part 2)Sat, 07 Jan 2017 13:00:16 +0000
  102. What I Learned in 2016 (Part 1)Fri, 06 Jan 2017 20:00:13 +0000
  103. Code Neat FreakFri, 16 Dec 2016 17:06:42 +0000
  104. Is UX Design Really a Thing?Wed, 30 Nov 2016 18:30:58 +0000
  105. Displaying Options in a UIWed, 23 Nov 2016 18:30:26 +0000
  106. Emotional ResponseTue, 22 Nov 2016 18:52:52 +0000
  107. Let Off the IE9 LeashFri, 18 Nov 2016 18:03:38 +0000
  108. A/A TestingThu, 17 Nov 2016 18:00:22 +0000
  109. Click FearWed, 16 Nov 2016 18:00:45 +0000
  110. Bad Web DevFri, 04 Nov 2016 08:55:06 +0000
  111. When to Hide and When to DisableFri, 30 Sep 2016 08:24:39 +0000
  112. Getting Feedback on Codepen DemosSat, 28 May 2016 09:00:45 +0000
  113. Beautifying Native Form ElementsFri, 27 May 2016 17:20:20 +0000
  114. Star Wars Mini Projects in CodepenWed, 18 May 2016 18:47:28 +0000
  115. Web Animation TipsMon, 25 Apr 2016 17:54:22 +0000
  116. Mother Nature in Web DesignSat, 23 Apr 2016 10:16:16 +0000
  117. Lazy HTML :(Thu, 21 Apr 2016 19:15:08 +0000
  118. Ordering CSS Properties A-ZWed, 20 Apr 2016 21:32:39 +0000
  119. What to Look For in a Web Designer or Design AgencyWed, 06 Apr 2016 17:45:23 +0000
  120. Can I Track It?Fri, 11 Mar 2016 20:19:26 +0000
  121. Google Maps - The Bits They Don't Tell YouWed, 09 Mar 2016 18:06:04 +0000
  122. Tools of the TradeSun, 06 Mar 2016 12:52:30 +0000
  123. Learning FlexboxFri, 04 Mar 2016 21:28:10 +0000
  124. Loading More ItemsThu, 03 Mar 2016 18:03:38 +0000
  125. Boosting Web PerformanceWed, 10 Feb 2016 17:40:42 +0000
  126. Bilingual Equality with a Splash PageMon, 18 Jan 2016 23:14:08 +0000
  127. Website Redesign - chrissmith.xyzWed, 13 Jan 2016 18:00:29 +0000
  128. Setting Default Styling for Custom UI ComponentsSun, 10 Jan 2016 22:24:32 +0000
  129. What I Learned in 2015Sat, 02 Jan 2016 12:09:59 +0000
  130. Easier Colours in Web DesignThu, 24 Dec 2015 16:30:21 +0000
  131. Developing in CodepenSun, 13 Dec 2015 22:09:41 +0000
  132. Questioning the UX of an App I've Never SeenThu, 26 Nov 2015 23:16:38 +0000
  133. Forgotten PasswordsFri, 10 Apr 2015 16:18:48 +0000
  134. What I Learned in 2014: Part 3 - The Best of the RestWed, 31 Dec 2014 16:14:31 +0000
  135. What I Learned in 2014: Part 2 - Javascript and Google MapsTue, 30 Dec 2014 16:08:26 +0000
  136. What I Learned in 2014: Part 1 - HTML, CSS, Fonts and ImagesMon, 29 Dec 2014 16:05:41 +0000
  137. If Facebook had a Yawn ButtonSun, 28 Sep 2014 15:57:25 +0000
  138. My New WebsiteSun, 07 Sep 2014 07:34:05 +0000
  139. How to choose the right web hostWed, 19 Jan 2011 17:32:31 +0000
  140. How to pick the right domain nameTue, 22 Jun 2010 16:30:45 +0000
  141. Static Website or Content Management System?Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:52:29 +0000
  142. Good web design – following conventionsWed, 16 Sep 2009 14:25:03 +0000
  143. Fighting SpamMon, 14 Sep 2009 12:36:03 +0000
  144. Twitter explained simplyFri, 03 Jul 2009 11:37:27 +0000
  145. Web traffic through quality linksSun, 21 Jun 2009 22:41:53 +0000
  146. Introducing... Dinowebs.netSun, 21 Jun 2009 22:21:47 +0000
  147. My website is 5 today!Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:42:36 +0000
  148. Monitoring your Marketing with Unique URLsTue, 09 Jun 2009 12:17:25 +0000
  149. Don't put all your eggs in Google's basketFri, 05 Jun 2009 16:03:12 +0000
  150. Hits schmits! What do Web Statistics really mean?Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:50:45 +0000
  151. Need a website? Confused about what you need? Read this.Tue, 12 May 2009 12:31:43 +0000
  152. My Firefox Add-onsFri, 01 May 2009 11:28:35 +0000
  153. Online ways to launch a websiteMon, 30 Mar 2009 14:27:49 +0000
  154. Web Development - it's not like building a shedMon, 23 Feb 2009 17:24:19 +0000
  155. The new language of Social MediaWed, 18 Feb 2009 13:59:35 +0000
  156. Marketing through Facebook, for freeMon, 26 Jan 2009 15:08:46 +0000
  157. My Software PreferencesTue, 13 Jan 2009 14:43:24 +0000
  158. Moving from Print to Web in StagesFri, 09 Jan 2009 17:23:16 +0000
  159. Amazon - design a 4 year old can useThu, 08 Jan 2009 11:17:17 +0000
  160. Google's Personalised SearchTue, 06 Jan 2009 11:42:21 +0000
  161. I want an ecommerce site. Maybe you don't?Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:07:34 +0000
  162. eMarketing Award Distinction :)Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:37:23 +0000
  163. The Cheap Web Design MarketTue, 28 Oct 2008 15:39:38 +0000
  164. The Information Hungry Search BoxMon, 27 Oct 2008 13:04:32 +0000
  165. Website Design - the Finishing TouchesWed, 15 Oct 2008 13:37:40 +0000
  166. Basic Website IntegrationTue, 14 Oct 2008 13:16:38 +0000
  167. Web Design for the non-designerTue, 14 Oct 2008 12:53:48 +0000
  168. Beat the Credit Crunch - Move OnlineTue, 14 Oct 2008 11:27:52 +0000
  169. Content Management Systems explainedTue, 07 Oct 2008 14:02:52 +0000
  170. Web Design for Different Screen SizesTue, 30 Sep 2008 15:01:48 +0000
  171. Links, link exchanges and strategiesMon, 29 Sep 2008 13:45:46 +0000
  172. What is a website visitor worth?Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:29:26 +0000
  173. Google Chrome - first impressionsMon, 15 Sep 2008 12:43:31 +0000
  174. The Web 2.0 concept - the basicsMon, 11 Aug 2008 12:14:30 +0000
  175. The CIM eMarketing AwardThu, 07 Aug 2008 11:30:29 +0000