I often see people talking about the fact that they like a certain open-source application, but ‘it’s a shame it’s on Electron’; what does this mean? Is it a privacy thing or a resource thing?

  • MrGamingHimself@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    23
    ·
    3 years ago

    Electron apps is essentially running web apps wrapped as a desktop version. Most of them run like garbage and are always inferior to one made specifically for desktops. The only one I’ve used that runs sensibly is Discord.

    As for why people use it, it’s convenient for developers as most of them are familiar with web development and can essentially copy-paste their web application without having to change much.

    • xarvos@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      3 years ago

      Electron apps is essentially running web apps wrapped as a desktop version.

      worse even: it includes different copies of chromium in each app

    • Nathan John Cooper@lemmy.mlOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 years ago

      So, I assume there’s not an Electron alternative that is able to port internet desktop applications without any privacy or resource issues?

      • MrGamingHimself@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        11
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        3 years ago

        There isn’t an alternative, Electron actually does its job well for what it is. It’s basically a slimmed down browser that’s customizable and runs on all systems, it’s just that it takes a ton of effort to optimize it, and for some reason most people using it aren’t very experienced.