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Local-First Software Is Easier to Scale

(elijahpotter.dev)
175 points chilipepperhott | 7 comments | 05 Jul 25 15:54 UTC | HN request time: 1.294s | source | bottom
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danjl ◴[05 Jul 25 18:25 UTC] No.44474553[source]▶
The reason it's easier to scale local software is that it does not rely on cloud resources. As a result it's cheaper for a startup to distribute local first software since they don't need the infrastructure of a traditional cloud app. The problem is there is no business model for local first software like there is for subscriptions with SaaS. Traditional desktop apps were sold as single purchase items on CDs. That just doesn't work for local first software, since you probably just navigate to a website to get the software.
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1. vimy ◴[05 Jul 25 18:38 UTC] No.44474624[source]▶
You can just charge subscriptions for local first software. No cloud is irrelevant. Only the value to the user matters.
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2. danjl ◴[05 Jul 25 19:24 UTC] No.44474912[source]▶
Where do you check their subscription in order to cut off the service when they stop paying? One of the nice bits about local first is that there's no need for logins. Do you install security software in your local first app, which, typically, includes the code in a format that's fairly easy to bypass? Pirating desktop software was a big issue for companies. Are we going back to that horrible world?
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3. vimy ◴[05 Jul 25 19:34 UTC] No.44474969[source]▶
A simple license key and monthly ping to license server (5 usd digital ocean) is enough.

Pirates is the cost of doing business. Just ignore them.

No need to make this too complicated.

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4. danjl ◴[05 Jul 25 20:01 UTC] No.44475124{3}[source]▶
So that kind of violates the principles of the local first software since you still need the cloud and license key in order to run the app. It also means more work for the developer, since they have no other reason to provide a server in most cases. It also means that they need to have logins which are not actually necessary for local first software and one of the benefits. Not so easy.
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5. colesantiago ◴[05 Jul 25 20:25 UTC] No.44475282{3}[source]▶
> Pirates is the cost of doing business. Just ignore them.

There are a lot of cracking groups that circumvent license servers on day one with software that have license servers.

I'm sure this is the reason that Adobe went to the cloud, Adobe couldn't ignore them as with other 'box software'.

6. vimy ◴[05 Jul 25 21:14 UTC] No.44475601{4}[source]▶
A license key is not a login. And a server like that is not a big deal.

Source: me, I do this way.

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7. danjl ◴[05 Jul 25 21:55 UTC] No.44475886{5}[source]▶
Interesting. I will contemplate. Thanks for explaining.