Front End Astronaut

The term "debugging" has a bit of a legendary origin story. It dates back to 1947 when Grace Hopper, a pioneer in computer programming, was working on the Harvard Mark II computer. The team encountered an error that stumped them, until they opened up the machine and found an actual moth causing the issue. They removed the moth and logged the first ever "debugging" process. The moth itself was taped into the logbook, which is now in the Smithsonian Museum . While we may not deal with literal bugs in our machines these days, the term "debugging" has stuck around, symbolizing the process of identifying and removing errors or "bugs" in our code. So, the next time you're debugging, remember you're part of a tradition that traces back to the very early days of computing! In this post, we're about to introduce ourselves to the art of debugging frontend issues. We'll use the most powerful tool at our disposal - the browser devel...

This time, we're diving into the world of Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) and discovering how ARIA attributes can improve the accessibility of our websites. In this guide, we'll discuss the basics of ARIA, the importance of ARIA attributes, and practical tips for implementing them to create more accessible websites for users with  disabilities. Additionally, we'll touch on screen readers and assistive technology across various operating systems and devices. So, let's get started! The Basics of ARIA ARIA, or Accessible Rich Internet Applications, is a set of attributes and techniques designed to enhance the accessibility of web content and applications. ARIA attributes provide additional information about elements on a web page,  making it easier for assistive technologies like screen readers to understand and interact with the content. The Importance of ARIA Attributes ARIA attributes play a crucial role in making modern web applications more accessible to ...

Today, we're going to explore the world of keyboard-friendly interfaces and learn why it's essential for creating accessible and inclusive websites. In this guide, we'll discuss the importance of keyboard navigation, the challenges that some users face, and practical tips for designing keyboard-friendly interfaces. So, let's dive in: The Importance of Keyboard Navigation Before diving into practical tips, let's discuss why keyboard navigation is so important. Many users rely on keyboard navigation for various reasons, such as mobility impairments, visual impairments, or personal preference. By ensuring your website can be easily navigated using only a keyboard, you create a more inclusive experience  for all users, regardless of their abilities or input method. Also, I personally faced situations where I had to work for clients that could be liable legally for not complying with minimum accessibility standards, so this might be a also a good reason to pay attention ...