State of the Browser 2024
Conference recap
We had a fantastic time this weekend at the State of the Browser 2024 conference held at the Barbican Centre in London. The event was buzzing with energy, with web developers, designers, advocates, and tech enthusiasts all coming together to learn, network and share ideas.
The event featured a great mix of topics – everything from web accessibility, to funding future innovative technologies and open web advocacy.
The conference naturally featured a line-up of incredible speakers, each bringing their own unique perspective and experiences to the stage. They covered a wide range of topics which remain essential to the future of the web.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the sessions that left us feeling inspired.
Sustainable Futures: Funding the Web Ecosystem
by Stephanie Stimac
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/stephanie-stimac/
Stephanie’s session was all about keeping the web sustainable with a focus on the importance of ethical funding models. She highlighted the need for community-driven funding and the value of amplifying diverse voices in the web space.
Her talk really got us thinking about how we, as a community, can work together to keep the web open, accessible, and thriving for everyone.
We built our business on the back of Open Source technologies, and they are used throughout our stack and for each client project. Yes, they are free to download and use, but they still come with a price tag for the authors and communities developing and maintaining them. Goodwill alone isn’t enough to power the web.
No industry for old men
by Steve Faulkner
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/steve-faulkner
Steve Faulkner, an expert in accessibility, gave a fantastic talk about what web accessibility should be about.
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, the Equality Act 2010 covers a range of anti-discrimination laws which extend to the digital realm. Business owners need to make sure their website is accessible to everyone equally, and that includes those who are less-able.
For example, a user with poor sight might have some software on their computer which can read the words on a webpage aloud through their speakers (known as Assistive Technology). But the web page needs to be coded correctly for this software to work effectively.
Instead of just ticking boxes to meet accessibility standards, Steve emphasised the need to truly understand user needs and adopt a user-first approach. He highlighted common issues like inaccessible interactive elements and unclear labelling and offered practical tips on how to do better.
Steve encouraged everyone to get involved in the conversation around accessibility, reminding us that it’s not a one-time task but an ongoing, collective effort to make the web a more inclusive space.
The Mazy Web She Whirls: Starting Open Web Advocacy
by Stuart Langridge
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/stuart-langridge
Stuart talk was definitely one of the most memorable speakers from the conference, thanks to his fresh and creative approach that broke away from the usual tech presentation style.
He opened with a reading of the poem The Lady of Shalott and drew clever parallels between the poem’s key moments and the current state of the web. This unique angle made a powerful point about the importance of keeping the web open and accessible, especially when corporate interests can sometimes threaten these values.
Stuart’s message was clear: developers and users need to step up and support web standards that protect openness and user rights. He ended his talk with a twist to the poem’s ending, where, instead of a tragic fate, the web moves toward growth and a brighter future – an inspiring vision for everyone who cares about the open web.
Web Components: Little Bits
by David Darnes
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/david-darnes
David’s talk was a fun and geeky look into the practical use of web components. Put simply, a Web Component is a way to create an encapsulated, single-responsibility code block that can be reused on any page. Think of them like useful reusable modules which can be plugged into a project.
David added a fun twist to his session by showing off a web component he built that plays a recording of his Dad shouting his name with a button click. It was a great example of how web components can be used not just for big, complex projects but also for small, creative ones, showing that even technical tools can have a playful side.
Around the wwworld: Web MIDI, Web AUDIO, and What the Web Does Best
by Katie Fenn
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/katie-fenn
Katie gave an interesting and engaging demo of how you can actually make music right in the browser using just an electronic keyboard, a MIDI cable, the browser, and a bit of JavaScript.
Until recently, interacting with digital musical instruments used to be limited to desktop apps, but the Web MIDI API has changed that. The Web MIDI API connects your MIDI gear to your browser, and the browser connects you to the rest of the world.
Katie’s session was a fantastic showcase of what’s possible with the Web MIDI API, demonstrating how fun it can be to create music directly in the browser.
Code Your Future
by Gayle Ngozi
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/gayle-ngozi
Gayle shared her personal experience with the non-profit initiative “Code Your Future”, which helps people facing difficult life situations. The program offers participants the chance to learn new skills, find their path in the tech field, and get back on their feet.
Her talk was truly inspiring, highlighting the importance of mentorship, accessible education, and community support in making the tech world more diverse and inclusive.
Improving Accessibility with ARIA-AT: A Web Standards Case Study
by Lola Odelola
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/lola-odelola
In her talk, Lola focused on web accessibility, particularly ARIA-AT (Accessible Rich Internet Applications – Assistive Technology). We covered web accessibility above, and ARIA-AT aims to tackle how Assistive Technology interprets the web for its users.
For those of us who do not use Assistive Technology, we’re able to pick and choose which browser we prefer without impacting the overall experience (assuming the website has been cross-browser tested!).
Unfortunately, those using Assistive Technology, such as screen reader software, might be limited in their choice of application. And each application can vary in how it interprets the pages it interacts with, even if they have been coded to meet agreed standards. ARIA-AT aims to set the standards for Assistive Technology and how it interoperates.
Lola reminded us of the importance of keeping accessibility in mind when working on our projects. She also highlighted how the ARIA-AT project is enhancing the web experience for those who use screen readers by improving interoperability between different assistive technology vendors. Agreeing standards for how assistive technologies function, is as important as agreeing standards for how web pages should be coded – they represent both sides of the accessibility coin.
Fluid Typography (and its Role in Design Systems)
by Richard Rutter
https://2024.stateofthebrowser.com/speaker/richard-rutter
Richard Rutter wrapped up the day with a session on fluid typography and its role in design systems, showing just how powerful typography can be in shaping user experience. If you want to learn about web typography, Richard is your guy!
With a fun metaphor, he took the audience on a journey from static to responsive web design, leading to the concept of fluid typography. He explained why combining fluid type and spacing is so important for readers and demonstrated how easily it can be implemented in CSS.
Wrapping up the day
It’s important to remember that the web is fluid and not something that’s static. New technologies, standards and applications are constantly evolving, and it’s important to keep on top of this evolution. We spent the weekend learning, conversing and contributing to the future of the web, and we left with some ideas of our own which will go directly into improving the websites we create and the services we provide.
If you would like to know more about Luminate and how we can help your business, please get in touch and chat to one of the team.
