This week brings a refreshingly candid look at mobile-first frameworks, a cheat sheet on async loops, and the file conversion tool VERT, which are worth a look. For the retro crowd, there's a 15-year lookback comparing React apps to Backbone, along with all the details from the launches of Vitest 4 and Next.js 16. In CSS and HTML, Josh must read an explainer on the linear() function and post about hidden HTML tags, header roles, Masonry, and the inherit() property.
This is not your usual - here are 10 frameworks, and this is the metrics post. In short, whatever you choose for your next project, don't choose Next.js.
https://www.lorenstew.art/blog/10-kanban-boards
Superb deep dive into RSC and performance between CSR (Client Side Rendering), SSR (Server Side Rendering) and RCS (React Server Components).
https://www.developerway.com/posts/react-server-components-performance
1 | |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | |
https://allthingssmitty.com/2025/10/20/rethinking-async-loops-in-javascript/
VERT will convert 250+ audio, video, documents and in-between files, and the best part is that it will do it on your machine. That means no waiting, no adverts, and no information will be shared.
https://github.com/VERT-sh/VERT/tree/main
Overview of JSON module imports.
https://jakearchibald.com/2025/importing-vs-fetching-json/
Overview of 15 years of progress.
https://backbonenotbad.hyperclay.com/
https://vitest.dev/blog/vitest-4
https://nextjs.org/blog/next-16
Fantastic examples of how, with a few lines of CSS, you can make truly responsive section layouts.
https://ishadeed.com/article/modern-css-section-layout/
The biggest confusion is sorted right at the start of the fantastic Josh Comeau post.
The linear != linear() and that is super important!
https://www.joshwcomeau.com/animation/linear-timing-function/
https://denodell.com/blog/html-best-kept-secret-output-tag
Observations on how new features get their way into the browser. Some features are implemented quickly, but Masonry really takes its time, and it's still unclear when we'll be able to use it.
https://css-tricks.com/masonry-watching-a-css-feature-evolve/
Another property to be aware of, which also lacks significant support at this time. inherit() can help make your component context-aware.
https://www.alwaystwisted.com/articles/making-context-aware-components
This post is good: it tells the story of two buttons and tries to guess which one is in the Active State.
https://frontendmasters.com/blog/the-two-button-problem/
https://www.tpgi.com/what-state-aria-in/
You know something is terrible when you have to write a post on how to use it. Glass design is great as an idea and as an exercise, and it's probably usable in some specific case; however, I find it annoying.
https://medienbaecker.com/articles/the-web-behind-glass
https://jakearchibald.com/2025/present-and-future-of-progressive-image-rendering/
In summary, don’t put h1 inside the header .
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/page-headings-dont-belong-in-the-header
Don’t be scared off by the Database. It is a really great interactive post.
Perfect Friday's post to lighten the day.
https://tedium.co/2025/10/25/web-dead-predictions-george-colony/