Daily notes

“Why I no longer believe in Content Design” https://uxdesign.cc/why-i-no-longer-believe-in-content-design-e71aeb5f060c

I wrote a quick and snarky post about Cipfa’s recent report about blockchain: https://da.vebrig.gs/2023/08/09/cipfa-claims-blockchain-is-a-promising-solution-for-the-public-sector-i-disagree/

“Why does PDF content persist when it sucks so much, and how can you get rid of it?” https://lapope.com/2023/08/07/pdfs-vs-web-pages-whats-better-for-users/

A 17 minute video on web accessibility. Lovely! https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/webinars/digital-accessibility-best-practice-essentials-2/

An explainer from some clever people about AI and public services: https://public.digital/2023/08/08/what-public-digital-thinks-about-ai-the-short-read

“Dear Alt-Twitter Designers: It’s about the network!” http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2023/07/19/dear-alt-twitter-designers-its-about-the-network.html

“How common platforms deliver brilliant digital services” https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2023/08/08/how-common-platforms-deliver-brilliant-digital-services/

Some intresting points on the political side of tech policy – “Manifesto manifestation” https://blangry.medium.com/manifesto-manifestation-877001398ed0

“Wigan Council and residents win from digital deal – a decade on, a focus on residents’ needs backed by digital efficiency is benefiting Wigan’s local authority and citizens” https://diginomica.com/wigan-council-and-residents-win-digital-deal

How did I not know about this? Emulated Macs going back to the original, all in the browser: https://infinitemac.org/ Fairly pointless, but amazing.

“How to play Mundane Superhero” https://smithery.com/2023/08/03/how-to-play-mundane-superhero/ – looks a fun way to kick off workshops etc.

“Council Spotlight: Stockport’s Family Context tool” https://medium.com/ldcu/council-spotlight-stockports-family-context-tool-5cb0eb3e4e51

“Why Open Source Matters” https://redmonk.com/sogrady/2023/08/03/why-opensource-matters/

This is an extremely important thread for anyone wanting to understand the financial pressures felt across local government (and no, it’s not related to solar farms…) https://twitter.com/JackTShaw/status/1683415430126247936

Following on from my post about where we are with digital and technology in local government, I have been trying to put some thought into an idea around how to make this a bit easier for everyone involved. As is often the case, I am struggling with getting something small and quick done, against the knowledge that it might not be enough. As always I ought to be quaffing some of my agile mindset kool-aid, but it’s hard.

A thought is also very much in my mind: why is it me doing this? It really ought to be somebody’s job, rather than the hobby of a bloke in Spalding.

I have loved the album ‘original’ of this song since I first heard it, but when I came across this version, quite recently, I was absolutely blown away:

Lovely stuff from Simon at Adur & Worthing Councils: “5 Highlights from 5 Years of the Local Digital Declaration” https://medium.com/awc-digital-design/5-highlights-from-5-years-of-the-local-digital-declaration-f01cb2986103

Another good thread, this time on how we should be thinking about stuff published in ‘private’ online work networks: https://twitter.com/sharonodea/status/1686673530878840832

This is quite the story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-66384327

Not published one of these for a while.

Newsletter went out yesterday, with a long article I wrote at the weekend about the local digital declaration and where things are at: https://www.davebriggs.email/p/daveslist-volume-3-issue-7

Some great, addictive little browser games in here: https://kottke.org/23/07/your-favorite-addictive-flash-games-back-from-the-dead

Does the browser need reimagining? These folk seem to think so: https://arc.net/ – I don’t like the insistence on opening an account before you can do anything else.

Really excellent advice on ‘shadow IT’ https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/shadow-it

“Worldcoin: a solution in search of its problem” https://newsletter.mollywhite.net/p/worldcoin-a-solution-in-search-of

“The eternal principles of an (enterprise) app stack” https://cote.io/2023/08/01/the-eternal-principles.html