The Electron competitor is called the Web platform. Just write your application ...

webmaven · on Nov 19, 2020

Okay, so I'm curious as to why you think desktop applications are ever built as Electron apps rather than just as a local web app server that opens the desktop browser?

After all, that approach was pioneered by Dave Winer around 2000 or so, and never really caught on. On the other hand, Electron has exploded as a platform.

pjmlp · on Nov 19, 2020

Because of lazy devs stuck into worshiping Chrome.

Using daemons implies actually knowing the underlying platforms and writing proper cross browser applications.

webmaven · on Nov 20, 2020

Umm. You're basically implying that all desktop developers are lazy.

There ought to be some desktop developers who see the advantages of your preferred solution, where are they, and where are their apps?

pjmlp · on Nov 20, 2020

Those using Electron aren't desktop developers, so no I am to implying that all desktop developers are lazy.

Thankfully Electron is just a tiny percentage of apps that with exception of VSCode and Slack I can abstain myself from ever touching, with plenty of native or proper Web alternatives that don't augment the hegemony of ChromeOS.

As for examples with daemons using Web GUIs, ever heard of CUPS and SharePoint?

webmaven · on Nov 20, 2020

> Those using Electron aren't desktop developers,

I think you are getting into "No True Scotsman" territory here.

> ever heard of CUPS and SharePoint?

I haven't messed with either in quite a while, but are the use-cases for those UIs supposed to be from the same machine serving them (ie. a desktop app equivalent), rather than over the network?