I'm on a mission to ditch proprietary software, especially from companies like Microsoft, and I've been exploring open-source alternatives for various applications. I have a few criteria in mind, such as needing compatibility with Windows, Linux, and MacOS, working on PCs, smartphones, and tablets, and requiring no installation—just plug and play from a USB drive. I also want it to be stable without internet connectivity and simple enough for tech-challenged users to operate.
After considering all this, I realized that basic web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS could meet my needs perfectly, kind of like portable web apps. For example, TiddlyWiki is a neat notebook that comes as a single HTML file. I'm specifically looking for lightweight applications like a notes app, an e-book reader, or a basic graphic editor. Given how every device has a browser, I'm curious: why isn't there more development of these types of web-based open-source projects for lightweight applications? They seem to have so many advantages, so what's the hold-up?
7 Answers
Sure, Electron apps are cool, but let’s be real—there can be noticeable performance issues compared to native software. I've noticed it with apps like Microsoft Teams or Spotify.
A lot of developers find it easier to push things as cloud-based web apps, which makes deployment and updates simpler for them.
The browser is kind of a wild card. What looks great in one browser might break in another. Dealing with these OS quirks can drive you insane! It's often easier to build native apps instead.
I appreciate HTML apps since they're often limited in a way that keeps my devices safe from bad code. But honestly, those same limits can make them not suitable for a lot of tasks.
Honestly, web apps can be a headache when it comes to native implementation. They're not as straightforward as a lot of people make them seem.
If we really want to avoid browser issues, a better solution might be installing a runtime like Deno. Think of it like the JVM for Minecraft—if I’m going portable, why not keep it online to skip the download altogether?
It's actually quite common! Frameworks like Electron have been around for a while, and React Native is making waves too. However, there are reasons some developers shy away from cross-platform frameworks. For instance, if you want your app to have a native look and feel, going native is often preferred since these frameworks can make everything look the same across platforms, which isn’t always desirable. Also, access to native APIs is limited—you usually can't get direct OS access, which can be a dealbreaker for certain features. Performance is another aspect; sometimes you need native solutions to leverage full hardware capabilities. And let’s be honest, some devs remain skeptical about web-based apps altogether. Still, web frameworks are a popular choice for cross-platform development!
Using multiple cores requires web workers; I get that, but come on, that shouldn't be a dealbreaker for everything, right?