Re: Web versions

[Jean Louis]

* Alfred M. Szmidt <ams@gnu.org> [2021-03-16 20:17]:
>    I have downloaded so much software in last 24 hours as I was
>    installing new OS (Parabola), so I have downloaded it from some server
>    and I run it.
> 
> How is that related the topic of Javascript / Webassembly and porting
> the GNU system to it?

You don't see similarity, that is why you got the
examples. Webassembly runs in the browser, I click on the URL and
application is in the browser, I can run it on my computer. Quick
check shows it is free software. I can move application to my own
server or inspect the source. Four freedoms granted. Then I can run it
any time from any computer, be it my computer or not. Isn't that nice?

The difference is that I run such application by one click, it is
easier than using package manager to download application and then run
the application from personal computer.

> How is this similar to how Javascript / Webassembly works when you
> access a URL in a web browser where it?

It is practically same thing with the difference that Webassembly
application will work on any OS that has browser that supports it. I
do not need to think of dependencies, it just works.

>    >    There are now many Javascript application such as notes, where all
>    >    users' data remain in the browser, nothing is stored on the remote
>    >    server. That is good development.
>    > 
>    > It is not, since such a program could just as well be run locally,
>    > without the dependancy on someone else infrastructure.  If that server
>    > goes away, you're shit out of luck.
> 
>    I am sure you are mistaken there. I said, there are now applications
>    (at least I know about them now), that run quite everything on your
>    computer, through browser. So there is no server dependency.
> 
> But you wrote "remote server", which is it?  The whole disucssion is
> about _HOW_ technology is used, not _WHAT_ technology is used.

Remote server, yes. Application is loaded from remote server. But it
could be as well on your own computer. You can keep Webassembly
applications on your personal computer. Remote server need not be
third party's server. Important is that application is accessible and
that it can be run.

When I download packages of Parabola GNU/Linux-libre, several mirrors
are used, they are all remote servers, applications are loaded on
computer and I can run it.

Same with Webassembly. Difference is that Webassembly applications are
cross platform.

I don't think that I understood functionality of it wrong. I think you
are pushing in some direction where Webassembly does not belong, in my
opinion you have to study it better to understand what it is.

Jean