Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
Trying to make a web that works for everyone.
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Pinned
Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
· Oct 27
Platform Strategy and Its Discontents - Infrequently Noted
Alex Russell on browsers, standards, and the process of progress.
infrequently.org
Platforms are competitions, and the web is losing. We can do simple, straightforward things to combat that decline...but contemporary frontend isn't doing those things.
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Reposted by Alex Russell
Witkoff advised the Russians on how to pitch their Ukraine plan to Trump www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Witkoff advised the Russians on how to pitch their Ukraine plan to Trump www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Alex Russell
This is the best advertisement for the mobile Web ever!
www.instagram.com/reel/DRZAR8e...
This will bring a tear to the eye of @infrequently.org, and @brucelawson.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy
www.instagram.com/reel/DRZAR8e...
This will bring a tear to the eye of @infrequently.org, and @brucelawson.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy
Fairbairn Films on Instagram: "When you have to download a new app
Follow us @lachlanfairbairn and @jaxonfairbairn"
In this entertaining and relatable video, two brothers experience the frustrations of downloading new apps and the consequences of not having them. They discuss the convenience and usability of apps, ...
www.instagram.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:40 PM
This is the best advertisement for the mobile Web ever!
www.instagram.com/reel/DRZAR8e...
This will bring a tear to the eye of @infrequently.org, and @brucelawson.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy
www.instagram.com/reel/DRZAR8e...
This will bring a tear to the eye of @infrequently.org, and @brucelawson.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy
Frontend is failing. 75% of devices with browsers are smartphones, but not even half of sites pass Core Web Vitals on them. Why not? Too much JavaScript, added to indulge SPA fantasies the data is falsifying in real time:
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
The Performance Inequality Gap, 2026 - Infrequently Noted
Embedded in this year's network and device estimates is hopeful news about the trajectory of devices and networks. It has never been easier to deliver pages quickly, but we are not collectively…
infrequently.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Frontend is failing. 75% of devices with browsers are smartphones, but not even half of sites pass Core Web Vitals on them. Why not? Too much JavaScript, added to indulge SPA fantasies the data is falsifying in real time:
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
Reposted by Alex Russell
About 90,000 people living near larger chemical plants face an unacceptable risk of developing cancer, the EPA says.
New rules adopted last year could’ve cut that number to 3,000 residents — a drop of 97%.
But Trump has halted those efforts.
New rules adopted last year could’ve cut that number to 3,000 residents — a drop of 97%.
But Trump has halted those efforts.
Air Pollution From Industrial Facilities Is Far Worse Than Estimated
The Trump administration has put a stop to EPA rules that would have required more than 130 industrial facilities to install air monitors to measure pollution. Millions of people living near these pla...
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM
About 90,000 people living near larger chemical plants face an unacceptable risk of developing cancer, the EPA says.
New rules adopted last year could’ve cut that number to 3,000 residents — a drop of 97%.
But Trump has halted those efforts.
New rules adopted last year could’ve cut that number to 3,000 residents — a drop of 97%.
But Trump has halted those efforts.
Reposted by Alex Russell
In summary and in conclusion: every Vercel is a market failure.
November 25, 2025 at 12:46 AM
In summary and in conclusion: every Vercel is a market failure.
Reposted by Alex Russell
You already know that Kevin knows CSS, but he really does know CSS. This is your chance to learn from a true master of their craft.
You wouldn't pass up a painting lesson from Michelangelo, would you?
You wouldn't pass up a painting lesson from Michelangelo, would you?
I've started the sale a little early to make sure everything is working correctly before my emails start going out tomorrow... and it seems like it's all working, so you can jump on my biggest sale ever right now 😁
✅ www.beyondcss.dev?utm_source=b...
✅ cssdemystified.com?utm_source=b...
✅ www.beyondcss.dev?utm_source=b...
✅ cssdemystified.com?utm_source=b...
So I'm jumping on the Black Friday train for the first time.
Starting tomorrow, I'm offering 40% off both CSS Demystified and Beyond CSS.
Going to have an extra little sweetener in there too. More details coming once it goes live 😊
Starting tomorrow, I'm offering 40% off both CSS Demystified and Beyond CSS.
Going to have an extra little sweetener in there too. More details coming once it goes live 😊
November 25, 2025 at 12:31 AM
You already know that Kevin knows CSS, but he really does know CSS. This is your chance to learn from a true master of their craft.
You wouldn't pass up a painting lesson from Michelangelo, would you?
You wouldn't pass up a painting lesson from Michelangelo, would you?
Reposted by Alex Russell
If you haven’t had the distinct pleasure of hearing @infrequently.org, do yourself a favor and check out the latest episode of @redmonk.com's MonkCast. We discuss web standards, JavaScript performance, PWAs, and Apple (iOS) & Google (Android). redmonk.com/blog/2025/11... youtube.com/shorts/5N_fm...
Alex Russell on web standards #developer #webdevelopment
YouTube video by RedMonk
youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:55 AM
If you haven’t had the distinct pleasure of hearing @infrequently.org, do yourself a favor and check out the latest episode of @redmonk.com's MonkCast. We discuss web standards, JavaScript performance, PWAs, and Apple (iOS) & Google (Android). redmonk.com/blog/2025/11... youtube.com/shorts/5N_fm...
Inspired by perfnow.nl, I've dusted off drafts of my network and device situation analysis. Good news/bad news: devices and networks are improving, but pages are swelling. The web is usable for the wealthy, but less so for everyone else.
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
The Performance Inequality Gap, 2026 - Infrequently Noted
Embedded in this year's network and device estimates is hopeful news about the trajectory of devices and networks. It has never been easier to deliver pages quickly, but we are not collectively…
infrequently.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Inspired by perfnow.nl, I've dusted off drafts of my network and device situation analysis. Good news/bad news: devices and networks are improving, but pages are swelling. The web is usable for the wealthy, but less so for everyone else.
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
infrequently.org/2025/11/perf...
Reposted by Alex Russell
If your immediate response is to suggest data pipes are fatter, video is to blame, images must be the highest resolution possible, font files are doing this, etc., then you might not understand who you’re actually serving and why this is a concern.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
How broken is today's frontend culture?
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
HTTP Archive: Page Weight
This report tracks the size and quantity of many popular web page resources. Sizes represent the number of bytes sent over the network, which may be compressed.
httparchive.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
If your immediate response is to suggest data pipes are fatter, video is to blame, images must be the highest resolution possible, font files are doing this, etc., then you might not understand who you’re actually serving and why this is a concern.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Alex Russell
Let’s see if one single pundit who said there was some great realignment of American sentiment with this last election, based on what they saw on the Nazi-owned platform overrun by foreign actors, offers any retractions or corrections for their gullibility.
It’s hilarious and revelatory that a bunch of giant MAGA/America First X accounts are actually based in Eastern Europe and Nigeria.
Top MAGA Influencers Accidentally Unmasked as Foreign Actors
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X has given deeper insight into the online “America First” movement.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Let’s see if one single pundit who said there was some great realignment of American sentiment with this last election, based on what they saw on the Nazi-owned platform overrun by foreign actors, offers any retractions or corrections for their gullibility.
Reposted by Alex Russell
DOGE did not fail in any way to accomplish its goals.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter reut.rs/4abeTdx
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed to have slashed tens of billions of dollars in expenditures, but it was impossible for outside financial experts to verify that because the unit did not provide detailed public accounting of its work.
reut.rs
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
DOGE did not fail in any way to accomplish its goals.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
How broken is today's frontend culture?
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
HTTP Archive: Page Weight
This report tracks the size and quantity of many popular web page resources. Sizes represent the number of bytes sent over the network, which may be compressed.
httparchive.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
How broken is today's frontend culture?
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
Reposted by Alex Russell
It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own
Reposted by Alex Russell
Do I understand correctly that there is now a dispute within the administration about whether this "peace plan" was written by Russians or Americans?
November 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Do I understand correctly that there is now a dispute within the administration about whether this "peace plan" was written by Russians or Americans?
Reposted by Alex Russell
We will need tribunals and Democrats need to start talking about that
A video from inside a Border Patrol vehicle shows agents chasing a US citizen for filming them. The citizen refused to get out when they illegally ordered him to stop. The agents say: "This is great." "This is fun." "He's going to get shot."
November 22, 2025 at 10:08 PM
We will need tribunals and Democrats need to start talking about that
Reposted by Alex Russell
Unclear where this war profiteering plan came from or why it emerged right now, but clear that it is in every way disastrous
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Unclear where this war profiteering plan came from or why it emerged right now, but clear that it is in every way disastrous
How's the mobile CPU landscape evolving? Thanks to process node improvements, a mid-range Android from 2025 is (finally!) as fast as 2017's iPhone 8, but a low-end (~$100) smartphone isn't yet as speedy as a decade-old iPhone 6s.
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
How's the mobile CPU landscape evolving? Thanks to process node improvements, a mid-range Android from 2025 is (finally!) as fast as 2017's iPhone 8, but a low-end (~$100) smartphone isn't yet as speedy as a decade-old iPhone 6s.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Reposted by Alex Russell
Just saw an extended version
November 20, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Just saw an extended version
Reposted by Alex Russell
THREAD: Judge Ellis is the first federal judge to review extensive body cam video of DHS's actions in Chicago. She finds that DHS *repeatedly* misled the public and made claims that were disproven by agents' own videos.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
![II. Credibility
The Court next addresses the credibility of the parties’ evidence and witnesses. After reviewing all the evidence submitted to the Court and listening to the testimony elicited at the preliminary injunction hearing, during depositions, and in other court proceedings, the Court finds Defendants’ evidence simply not credible. [FN 6]
Plaintiffs submitted a mountain of evidence, providing the Court with over eighty declarations, numerous videos and articles, and other evidence. Defendants did not rebut anything that Plaintiffs set forth in their declarations or testimony, even with BWC footage.
[FN 6] In another case considering some of the same evidence presented to this Court, another court in this district also found that the perceptions of certain of Defendants’ declarants, such as Hott and Parra, were not reliable. See Illinois v. Trump, No. 25-cv-12174, 2025 WL 2886645, at *5 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 10, 2025) (noting a “troubling trend of Defendants’ declarants equating protests with riots and a lack of appreciation for the wide spectrum that exists between citizens who are observing, questioning, and criticizing their government, and those who are obstructing, assaulting, or doing violence”), motion to stay denied in part, 155 F.4th 929 (7th Cir. 2025).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreifpyry2il5toxbr3iejgrsxs6kmnwve75qwnhebfp44ieyjrfpsdu@jpeg)
November 20, 2025 at 11:04 PM
THREAD: Judge Ellis is the first federal judge to review extensive body cam video of DHS's actions in Chicago. She finds that DHS *repeatedly* misled the public and made claims that were disproven by agents' own videos.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
Reposted by Alex Russell
We have a US administration trying to bully Ukrainians into accepting Russia’s proposal that their sovereignty be undone. Aside from the naked injustice of this, there are five basic practical reasons why it would make the world far more dangerous.
(video)
snyder.substack.com/p/the-putin-...
(video)
snyder.substack.com/p/the-putin-...
The Putin-Witkoff Plan Worsens the War
Five Reasons the US should not help Russia subjugate Ukraine
snyder.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:02 PM
We have a US administration trying to bully Ukrainians into accepting Russia’s proposal that their sovereignty be undone. Aside from the naked injustice of this, there are five basic practical reasons why it would make the world far more dangerous.
(video)
snyder.substack.com/p/the-putin-...
(video)
snyder.substack.com/p/the-putin-...
Reposted by Alex Russell
Ellis repeatedly accuses multiple CBP and ICE officials of lying (under oath) and says their "widespread misrepresentations call into question everything" they "say they are doing in their characterization of what is happening." She broadly discredits their testimony as objectively false.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis just handed down the written opinion version of her preliminary injunction order, regarding use of force by federal agents in Chicago.
It's the one already put on hold by the 7th Circuit.
It's 233 pages.
Here you go: cst.brightspotcdn.com/49/34/daecfb...
It's the one already put on hold by the 7th Circuit.
It's 233 pages.
Here you go: cst.brightspotcdn.com/49/34/daecfb...
November 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Ellis repeatedly accuses multiple CBP and ICE officials of lying (under oath) and says their "widespread misrepresentations call into question everything" they "say they are doing in their characterization of what is happening." She broadly discredits their testimony as objectively false.
2025 is exhuming irony's corpse, reanimating it as a shambolic zombie, and murdering it all over again:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
2025 is exhuming irony's corpse, reanimating it as a shambolic zombie, and murdering it all over again:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alex Russell
Weird how conservatives didn't mention all those years that they think it's fine to fire people for their beliefs! What an unfortunate misunderstanding we've had around this. Oh well!
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Weird how conservatives didn't mention all those years that they think it's fine to fire people for their beliefs! What an unfortunate misunderstanding we've had around this. Oh well!
Reposted by Alex Russell
Underrated thing that's been flying under the radar: ICE's hiring spree, by necessity since there are so few others willing and able, has been hiring away local cops, which infuriates the departments by causing manpower problems and is, ironically, removing the worst of the worst from their ranks.
The more local police see ICE assholes as criminals, the better it will be for us.
ICE employee among 16 men arrested in Bloomington sex trafficking sting, police say.
"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Hodges said during a press conference Tuesday. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."
"When he was arrested, he said, 'I'm ICE, boys,'" Hodges said during a press conference Tuesday. "Well, unfortunately for him, we locked him up."
November 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Underrated thing that's been flying under the radar: ICE's hiring spree, by necessity since there are so few others willing and able, has been hiring away local cops, which infuriates the departments by causing manpower problems and is, ironically, removing the worst of the worst from their ranks.