Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the cloud

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by jwr on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @04:27AM (#21582382)

But that, unfortunately, is entirely unrealistic. When I discover critical bugs, I can't leave users out in the cold.

I believe that the whole concept of "software without support" is fundamentally flawed.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by rgun on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @04:41AM (#21582436)

Agreed. But if a user agrees to be left "out in the cold", you should allow him to. Given that it is not very costly for you to prepare your software for on-prem, it maybe a win-win for all the parties involved.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by jwr on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @05:03AM (#21582512)

> Given that it is not very costly for you to prepare your software for on-prem

I have been asserting exactly the opposite in this thread.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by rgun on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @06:45AM (#21583022)

Assuming you are not providing any updates (not even security critical ones for argument's sake), you only need to package and add documentation for an on-prem installation. Why is it so costly?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by scbrg on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @08:22AM (#21583647)

> you only need to package and add documentation

None of which are insignificant.

In addition to that you must now support (and test for) a million configurations, rather than just one.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by FpUser on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @10:23AM (#21584674)

FUD. Among my products I have desktop software. Sure I got some pains upon initial release but it's been literally years since I really needed to test "for million configurations".

I also have experience developing and maintaining cloud solutions. Total amount of work that goes into large cloud apps and amount of things things that can brake or not work properly is fairly impressive. Definitely not any less then on premises

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by RustyBucket on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @05:28AM (#21582632)

I think we as engineers owe our users bug fixes, because we messed up at some point. However new functionality or email/phone support? Well, this is what people are not entitled for.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by anoncake on Friday November 22, 2019 @10:10AM (#21606192)

Only for a limited time though, releasinga piece of software shouldn't be a lifetime commitment.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by tonyedgecombe on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @06:00AM (#21582789)

Well, this is what people are not entitled for.

But they will expect it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by FpUser on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @10:17AM (#21584601)

And pay for upgrades

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by JohnFen on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @02:02PM (#21587221)

I sell nothing but on-prem software, and have never left my customers "out in the cold" or without support.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by FpUser on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @08:54AM (#21583867)

And what if your software is mature and you do not discover any critical bugs?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by UserIsUnused on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @10:25AM (#21584695)

I too like fantasy land.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by FpUser on Wednesday November 20, 2019 @11:32AM (#21585344)

Maybe you should look in the mirror. If you are actively developing software and adding new features - sure, you might be also developing critical bugs.

In my case for example I have few older products (desktop apps that still sell and bring some money) for which I have source code that has not been touched for years. Not interested in development new features either as those apps are mature and there is not much ROI in developing new features the whole 2.5 customers are willing to pay for.

Long story short I do not have any critical bugs there. Maybe do exist and hiding somewhere but since nobody had ever discovered them I am totally cool. The only occasional customers complaint I have every once in a while is RTFM type. Not real bugs.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Local-first software: you own your data, in spite of the ... by UserIsUnused on Sunday November 24, 2019 @11:16AM (#21621294)

My mistake, I did misinterpreted you.

[ Parent | on HN ]