←back to thread

Local-first software (2019)

(www.inkandswitch.com)
863 points gasull | 5 comments | | HN request time: 1.313s | source
Show context
the_snooze ◴[] No.44473511[source]
Anything with online dependencies will necessarily require ongoing upkeep and ongoing costs. If a system is not local-first (or ideally local-only), it’s not designed for long-term dependability.

Connected appliances and cars have got to be the stupidest bit of engineering from a practical standpoint.

replies(3): >>44473529 #>>44480397 #>>44492476 #
api ◴[] No.44473529[source]
The entire thing is because of subscription revenue.

It’s self reinforcing because those companies that get subscription revenue have both more revenue and higher valuations enabling more fund raising, causing them to beat out companies that do not follow this model. This is why local first software died.

replies(3): >>44474003 #>>44474072 #>>44475182 #
1. bboygravity ◴[] No.44474003[source]
The root cause of the problem is that it's easier to make personalized stuff with server/backend (?cloud?) than without maybe?

Example: I made a firefox extension that automatically fills forms using LLM. It's fully offline (except OPTIONALLY) the LLM part, optionally because it also supports Ollama locally.

Now the issue is that it's way too hard for most people to use: find the LLM to run, acquire it somehow (pay to run it online or download it to run in Ollama) gotta configure your API url, enter API key, save all of your details for form fulling locally in text files which you then have to backup and synchronize to other devices yourself.

The alternative would be: create account, give money, enter details and all is synced and backedup automatically accross devices, online LLM pre-selected and configured. Ready to go. No messing around with Ollama or openrouter, just go.

I don't know how to solve it in a local way that would be as user friendly as the subscription way would be.

Now things like cars and washing machines are a different story :p

replies(3): >>44474135 #>>44474377 #>>44476574 #
2. okr ◴[] No.44474135[source]
Can the LLM not help with setting up the local part? (Sorry, was just the first thought i had.)
replies(1): >>44479698 #
3. tshaddox ◴[] No.44474377[source]
> The root cause of the problem is that it's easier to make personalized stuff with server/backend (?cloud?) than without maybe?

That, and also there are real benefits to the end user of having everything persisted in the cloud by default.

4. goopypoop ◴[] No.44476574[source]
I don't think having to manually sync preferences (or set up an unnecessary LLM) is really "the root cause" of "why local first software died".
5. bboygravity ◴[] No.44479698[source]
Not sure why you're downvoted. This would probably work in the future when LLM's are a standard part of every OS I supposed.

But by then my extension probably also won't be needed anymore as it would likely be integrated in the OS.