I Built a Modern UK Government Service Using COBOL
Can COBOL build a modern UK government service? I tested GOV.UK Frontend with a 67-year-old language. Read on to find out.
An unofficial fan tribute featuring Dizzy cursor imagery, with thanks to The Oliver Twins.
Making the web faster, simpler, and more resilient.
Matt Hobbs
Hi, I'm Matt, a Frontend Engineering Manager based in Oxfordshire. I explore how the web works and share what I learn about browser internals, HTTP, frontend architecture, web performance, and building fast, accessible experiences for everyone. After all, milliseconds matter.
Recent posts
Building Services to GDS Standards Without a Frontend Framework
Can you build UK government services without a frontend framework? Read on to find out what happened when I tested GOV.UK Frontend across eight backends.
Progressively Enhancing Maps for UK Government Services
In this post, I explore how to progressively enhance interactive maps for UK government services, with accessible, resilient fallbacks when JavaScript fails.
AI and Digital Poverty: Bridging or Widening the Divide?
Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, learn, and access digital services, but could AI deepen digital poverty in the UK? This article explores how AI could both reduce and widen digital exclusion. Why AI literacy is becoming an essential digital skill, and what government, public services, and technology leaders can do to ensure the benefits of AI are accessible to everyone.
How a Simple CSP Tweak Turned into an AI Project
Discover how I built an AI-powered Content Security Policy (CSP) tool that helps developers generate secure CSP headers and optimise existing policies for better website security.
159 more posts can be found in the archive.