Same! ChatGPT has been out for months, and really only in the last few weeks have i started using it as much as I should. I'm using an electron wrapper now, so it's a first class desktop app. With the plus subscription, the 3.5 is as fast as google.
"An "Electron wrapper" refers to a software application created using Electron, a popular open-source framework. Electron allows developers to build cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
An Electron wrapper essentially "wraps" a web application inside a native desktop application, making it possible to run the web application as a standalone program on various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. This is particularly useful for developers who want to create desktop applications without having to write separate code for each platform. Instead, they can use their existing web application code and package it with Electron to create a desktop application that works across multiple platforms."
I asked GPT-4 to produce a simulated argument about Electron which devolves into name calling. Here's the 2 page of result it returned:
User1: Hey, have you heard about Electron? It's an awesome framework for creating cross-platform apps using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
User2: Yeah, I've heard of it. But I think it has some pretty serious shortcomings. Like, it's notorious for consuming a lot of system resources, which can be a major drawback for certain applications.
User1: Well, I think that's an acceptable trade-off for the ease of development and the ability to create one codebase that works across different platforms. Plus, it's backed by a large community, which is always a plus.
User2: Sure, but you can't ignore the fact that it increases the app's size significantly. Even a simple Electron app has a huge size compared to native apps, making it a poor choice for users with limited storage or slow internet connections.
User1: The size issue can be managed with optimization techniques, and honestly, storage is becoming cheaper and more abundant these days. You're blowing it out of proportion.
User2: It's not just about storage. Electron apps tend to have worse performance than native apps because they run on a separate instance of Chromium for each app. That's just bad design!
User1: Look, no framework is perfect, but Electron provides a valuable solution for developers who don't want to learn multiple programming languages and platforms. It's about practicality and productivity.
User2: Practicality? You call it practical to have apps that drain your battery life and hog system resources? I'd rather invest the time in learning native development than creating a subpar user experience.
User1: You're really not giving Electron enough credit here. It's widely used by popular apps like Slack, Visual Studio Code, and Discord! They can't be all that bad.
User2: Just because some popular apps use it doesn't mean it's a good choice. They're actually prime examples of how Electron can lead to bloated and resource-hungry applications. Have you ever noticed how sluggish those apps can be at times?
User1: Oh, come on! You're just nitpicking now. The benefits of Electron far outweigh its drawbacks for most developers and applications.
User2: I'm not nitpicking. I'm pointing out legitimate concerns. If Electron keeps getting a free pass, we'll end up with a sea of bloated, resource-hungry applications, dragging down our devices.
User1: You're just being a native app elitist! Electron has democratized app development, making it more accessible for web developers. It's better to have more apps available, even if they're not perfect, than to have a limited selection because of high barriers to entry.
User2: You Electron fanatics never cease to amaze me. It's like you're blind to its glaring problems. You want everyone to just ignore the elephant in the room!
User1: And you native app snobs are so quick to dismiss any alternative solution that threatens your precious, exclusive club! Get off your high horse!
User2: At least my "exclusive club" doesn't promote lazy development practices and drag down user experience! Enjoy your bloated apps, you Electron zealot!
User1: Have fun in your walled garden, you insufferable native app purist!
