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"..decentralised solutions for everything" It will never happen, at least not on a scale that will affect significant web traffic. There is another model, not
by open-source-ux 8y ago
"..decentralised solutions for everything"
It will never happen, at least not on a scale that will affect significant web traffic.
There is another model, not decentralised but a practical middle-ground: the WordPress model.
Consider the following: Wordpress is an example of a profitable open source app that can easily be installed on countless shared hosting platforms or on a VPS. It's easy to switch hosting providers when you want to (and to take your data with you). It's popularity means that one-click installs are widespread.
Unfortunately, there is no common standard for software installation on the server side, and this lack of an easy installation process for everyone else severely limits self-hosting websites and apps.
Many developers think deploying a server-side web app is a non-issue, or they erroneously think that installing Cloudron/providing Docker instances/typing command line instructions are all "easy". Have you seen the server deployment instructions for "web friendly" languages like Ruby and Python? It's ludicrously complicated. And still developers seen nothing wrong in such install procedures. It's so frustrating.
I wish there was some momentum or traction in making server-side web app installation as universally simple as a one-click Wordpress install. It would also unlock countless opportunities for developers to reach more users or customers. But maybe some developers secretly prefer the complexity? It certainly makes selling a SaaS solution much more attractive over the stupidly complicated self-hosting option.