Bytes Issue 177, published April 10, 2023, uses Uno as a playful metaphor for the unpredictability of writing CSS, then focuses on UnoCSS—an atomic CSS engine created by Anthony Fu. Its central distinction is that UnoCSS is a configurable engine rather than a framework with a fixed set of core utilities.
What is UnoCSS in Bytes Issue 177?
The issue describes UnoCSS as a fast-growing atomic CSS engine. It connects the project’s origin to Fu’s work on Vitesse, a Vite starter template that had used Tailwind. The newsletter presents UnoCSS as a rethink of how atomic CSS utilities are generated and configured, rather than as another conventional framework. Read Bytes Issue 177.
How does the issue distinguish UnoCSS from Tailwind?
Bytes describes the traditional Atomic CSS approach of its time as starting with a broad utility set and using PurgeCSS to scan the bundle and remove unused utilities. The issue says Tailwind introduced an on-demand JIT engine in 2021, pre-scanning source code to generate only the utilities needed. It then frames UnoCSS as a lower-level engine that rethinks the model, with functionality supplied through presets instead of core utilities.
That is the newsletter’s historical comparison, not a current feature-by-feature guide. The issue highlights flexibility and build-tool integrations as aspects of UnoCSS’s approach, but it does not establish current product versions or document how either project works today.
#1 Best Overall
- UNO card game provides classic play, where players match colors or numbers in a race to get rid of all their cards!
- Action Cards and Wild Cards add unexpected excitement and game-changing fun, like the Reverse Card that switches the direction of play!
- The deck includes 3 blank Wild Cards for house rules anyone can make up -- erase and create new rules each game!
- When down to one card, players don't want to forget to yell 'UNO!' Keep score and the first player or team to 500 wins!
- The color blind accessible deck has special graphic symbols on each card to help identify its color, allowing players with any form of color blindness to play!
Is UnoCSS faster than Tailwind?
Bytes claimed in April 2023 that UnoCSS was “5x faster than Tailwind JIT.” The issue does not provide a benchmark method alongside that figure, so it should be read as the newsletter’s dated performance claim—not as an independently verified result or a reliable current comparison. A fair present-day speed comparison would need to specify versions, configuration, workload, build environment, and measurement method.
Why does the title mention playing Uno?
The card game provides the issue’s opening metaphor: both Uno and writing CSS can bring painful surprises. It is wordplay, not a recommendation to buy a card game or a reference to a physical product. The technical feature is about UnoCSS.
Rank #2
- UNO Show 'em No Mercy game adds 56 more cards, special rules and super-tough action cards for the most brutal edition of UNO ever!
- Tougher action cards, such as Skip Everyone, Wild Draw 6 and even Wild Draw 10 make game play merciless!
- The Stacking Rule lets players pass the penalty (Draw +2, +4, +6, +10) to the next player until whoever can't play has to take all the cards combined!
- Whenever a '7' or a '0' card is played, players must swap hands with another player!
- The Mercy Rule means that if any player gets 25+ cards in their hand, they are out of the game!
What else was in the issue?
Issue 177 also included other newsletter material, including a React feature, an AirPods Pro giveaway, sponsor content, jobs, a code puzzle, and “Cool Bits.” Those are details of a 2023 issue and do not establish that any giveaway, promotion, or sponsor offer remains available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Issue details
The Bytes archive lists Issue 177 with the same title and April 10, 2023 date. See the Bytes archive.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The classic matching card game, now with a Super Mario Bros theme!
- Players take turns matching one of their cards with the color or number card shown on the top of the deck.
- Score points by being the first to get rid of all the cards in your hand.
- First player or team to 500 wins.
- Includes special Mario Super Star Card and two customizable cards.
Rank #4
- Giant UNO card game catches the eyes of fans with cards 3 times their usual size to make a huge impression at game nights and parties!
- Players match colors or numbers and use action cards against opponents in a race to get rid of cards -and when down to one card, they still don't want to forget to yell "UNO!"
- The deck includes 2 blank Wild Cards for house rules anyone can make up -erase and create new rules each game!
- The color blind accessible deck has special graphic symbols on each card to help identify its color, allowing players with any form of color blindness to play!
- Designed for 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, the beloved UNO card game makes a classic toy for friends and family!
Rank #3
- UNO card game in collectible tin container provides classic play, matching colors or numbers in a race to get rid of cards!
- Includes 2 Add-On Packs, each with 16 cards to customize the game deck!
- Reverse Add-On Pack cards give players several ways to change the direction of play!
- Stack Add-On Pack cards may have players calling each other names as they add more (and more) cards to their stack of cards!
- When you're down to one card, don't forget to yell 'UNO!' Keep score and the first player or team to 500 wins!
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