4 ms·

My example would be some 3D printer which you can only use from the website, and then after a few years you suddenly need a subscription to use your device. And

My example would be some 3D printer which you can only use from the website, and then after a few years you suddenly need a subscription to use your device. And a few years further support runs out and you can’t use it at all anymore. Because you can’t force a company to keep a website up and running. But you can keep a driver on an offline computer.

RReverser 5y ago
You can likely visit the old version of the website via Internet Archive or save an offline snapshot yourself if you want, so it would be no different to driver on an offline computer.
- peterangular 5y ago
  Have to disagree here. Anything remotely complex with JS usually doesn't work as-expected after archived on Internet Archive. Keep in mind we're not talking about a LAMP-driven WordPress blog with some jQuery sprinkled in - we're talking about an actual piece of software running in the browser ie: device driver. In good faith I would not expect something which uses experimental browser APIs to maintain functionality when archived by Internet Archive's automated crawling solutions. Same applies to offline saving.
- RReverser 5y ago
  Good point regarding the offline capabilities, I'm not sure how well the Internet Archive will handle Wasm, but for the rest - WebUSB was already stabilized and isn't considered experimental (although I admit that didn't stop some other non-cross-browser APIs from being removed in the past).
- petee 5y ago
  Archive is a little flaky on this front, but the other issue i see is when the company decides Archive is illegally hosting and files a DMCA or other lawsuit
jandrese 5y ago
It won't be cached on the Internet Archive because the site is hidden behind a signup link and DRMed to your printer. The company will go after third party developers with legal threats like all closed hardware companies.
- RReverser 5y ago
  Companies that want to do so, already embed "ring home" mechanisms in their apps that periodically connect to the Internet and check that you still hold a valid license or refuse to continue working. It seems this depends a lot more on the company policy rather than specific technology used for the implementation.
bserge 5y ago

RReverser 5y ago

You can likely visit the old version of the website via Internet Archive or save an offline snapshot yourself if you want, so it would be no different to driver on an offline computer.

peterangular 5y ago
Have to disagree here. Anything remotely complex with JS usually doesn't work as-expected after archived on Internet Archive. Keep in mind we're not talking about a LAMP-driven WordPress blog with some jQuery sprinkled in - we're talking about an actual piece of software running in the browser ie: device driver. In good faith I would not expect something which uses experimental browser APIs to maintain functionality when archived by Internet Archive's automated crawling solutions. Same applies to offline saving.
RReverser 5y ago
Good point regarding the offline capabilities, I'm not sure how well the Internet Archive will handle Wasm, but for the rest - WebUSB was already stabilized and isn't considered experimental (although I admit that didn't stop some other non-cross-browser APIs from being removed in the past).
petee 5y ago
Archive is a little flaky on this front, but the other issue i see is when the company decides Archive is illegally hosting and files a DMCA or other lawsuit

jandrese 5y ago

It won't be cached on the Internet Archive because the site is hidden behind a signup link and DRMed to your printer. The company will go after third party developers with legal threats like all closed hardware companies.

RReverser 5y ago
Companies that want to do so, already embed "ring home" mechanisms in their apps that periodically connect to the Internet and check that you still hold a valid license or refuse to continue working. It seems this depends a lot more on the company policy rather than specific technology used for the implementation.

bserge 5y ago