Q&A
web frameworks and tools of big tech. It’s a tool for
developing, testing and deploying a secure static
or dynamic personal website without needing any
configuration. In less nerdy terms, you can install
Site.js and have a site up and running over HTTPS in
around 30 seconds, without having much familiarity
with the terminal.
Site.js should make it easier for developers to set up
their own site and build sites and apps for other people
where the individuals have ownership and control,
rather than the big tech platforms. Oh, and it’s free
and open too!How does your Better Blocker for macOS and iOS
app work and why should people use it?
Better Blocker is our privacy tool for Safari on iOS and
macOS. It blocks many of the common trackers on the
web. We built it because we were fed up with so-called
‘ad blockers’ that didn’t block tracking, were paid by
whitelisted tech corporations and that spied on users’
browser traffic themselves.
Researching the things that track us on the web
and writing blocking rules to block them has given
me insight into the worst of the web. But it feels good
to squish a nasty tracker or block a blocker blocker
and immediately have other people experience the
benefits too.Why did you write Accessibility for Everyone and
who is it aimed at?
When I was approached by A Book Apart to write
a book about accessibility, I jumped at the chance.
If just a few people read their brilliant books on
responsive web design, HTML5 or CSS3 then read a
book about accessibility, it could have a real impact on
accessibility and inclusivity in the web community.
That’s why Accessibility For Everyone is aimed at anyone
who makes websites. There’s a little bit in there for
everyone, regardless of whether you design interfaces,
write copy or produce code.What else is most exciting you in the field of web
design right now?
Both the web community and the mainstream press
are catching up with the harms caused by big tech and
fighting back. When I started speaking about these
issues five years ago, people often treated me as if
I was being dramatic or wearing a tinfoil hat. Some- usually people who worked at Facebook or Google –
even told me so.
Nowadays, the web community is taking tentative
steps into critical coverage and action against
exploitative technology. Whether it’s calling out bad
practice, forming unions or building alternatives, I’m
here for it. It’s giving me hope.
LAURA KALBAG
Q&ACould you briefly introduce yourself to anyone who
doesn’t know you?
My name is Laura Kalbag and I’m a British designer /
developer living in Ireland and co-founder of the Small
Technology Foundation. I also wrote a book called
Accessibility For Everyone.What’s the Small Technology Foundation all about?
My partner Aral Balkan and I set up the Small
Technology Foundation, a two-person not-for-profit,
to advocate for and build small technology to protect
personhood and democracy. Since 2014, we’ve been
working on everyday tools for everyday people,
designed to increase human welfare, not corporate
profits. We also advocate the regulation of big tech.
After leaving the UK, where we were known as
Ind.ie, and moving to Ireland (via Sweden), we set up
the Irish organisation so we could continue our work
and chose a new name to better describe our values.What’s your proudest achievement so far?
One of our proudest achievements is Site.js (https://
sitejs.org). Site.js is the small tech alternative to theMeet the designer and developer dedicated
to taking on big tech through the Small
Tec hnolog y Foundat ion
INFO
job: Co-founder,
Small Technology
Foundation
w: laurakalbag.com
t: @laurakalbag