This is one of those things I knew but hadn't really thought about till I read this question. It IS the case that when looking for some software tool you see so

This is one of those things I knew but hadn't really thought about till I read this question. It IS the case that when looking for some software tool you see so much that is web-based, bloatware, or stuff made years ago. There was a time when you'd be spoiled for choice for apps. Need an app to help append pdfs, here's 200. Now, it's 'upload your documents here and we'll append them for you' = don't worry, we're cool. Or here's a tool with an abandoned web page from 2005. My guess is that: - there are fewer people building these PC apps, more people instead buildings apps for mobile - the big well established programs, both commercial and open source get more and more features over time, so there is less need for specialized apps. - people are less trusting of downloaded PC executables built by random people. - google search makes it harder to find them, instead showing you what I assume to be auto-generated pages of lists and other SEO spam - a steady trend of moving away from you having control over your own computer and software towards the centralized models where you basically run a client with only the amount of control they feel like giving you, plus subscription fees, so so many subscription fees.