The Jump to Hyperspace Local-first Software • Brooklyn Zelenka • GOTO 2024

---

---

AI Summary

Summary of ‘Jump to Hyperspace: Local for Software’

Speaker: Brooklyn Zelena
Event: Conference Session
Location: Chicago

Overview

• Introduction to Local First Software (Lowii).
• Discussion on the evolution of software development over 30 years.
• Emphasis on moving beyond traditional architectures (e.g., LAMP stack) towards local-first approaches.

Key Points

1. Current State of Network Software
   • Dominance of cloud computing with centralized data centers mainly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
   • Data latency issues when sending information across regions.
2. Philosophy of Local First
   • Encourages decentralization and user agency in building applications.
   • Shift from a server-centric worldview to a user-centric approach, enabling quicker application iterations and seamless collaboration.
3. Challenges of Traditional Models
   • Inefficiencies and complexities of the current software architecture keeps developers bogged down.
   • End-users often end up with dead applications when cloud services fail.
4. Principles of Local First Software
   • Emphasizes seamless collaboration, optional networks, and strong security/privacy defaults.
   • Encourages the use of personal devices as collaborative data sources rather than relying solely on cloud infrastructure.
5. Examples and Applications
   • Applications like Apple Notes, Figma, and Jupyter Notebooks exemplify local first principles.
   • The approach allows for offline capabilities and user control.

Conclusion

• Local first software is a promising paradigm that empowers users and streamlines application development.
• It opens the possibility for more decentralized and resilient applications that work independently of cloud services.

The session calls for a collaborative rethinking of how software can evolve to meet modern user needs while addressing historical challenges.