Electro is a fast, open-source image viewer built for Windows using Rust and Tauri. It prioritizes speed and efficiency, offering a minimal UI with features like zooming, panning, and fullscreen mode. Uniquely, Electro integrates a terminal directly into the application, allowing users to execute commands and scripts related to the currently viewed image without leaving the viewer. This combination aims to provide a streamlined workflow for tasks involving image manipulation or analysis.
A new open-source image viewer named Electro has been introduced, designed specifically for Windows and aiming to provide an exceptionally fast image viewing experience. Electro distinguishes itself by incorporating a built-in terminal, allowing users to execute commands directly within the application without needing to switch to a separate terminal window. This feature facilitates tasks such as renaming, moving, or deleting images directly from the viewer interface.
Developed using web technologies such as Tauri, React, and TypeScript, Electro leverages the speed and efficiency of native code while benefiting from the flexibility and rapid development cycles offered by web frameworks. The use of Tauri allows Electro to maintain a relatively small file size and minimize resource consumption. The developer highlights the viewer's performance, emphasizing its rapid loading times and smooth navigation even when handling large image directories.
Electro’s user interface is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind, prioritizing quick image viewing and management. While the focus is on speed and the integrated terminal, it likely includes standard image viewing features such as zooming, panning, and potentially basic image manipulation tools. The project is hosted on GitHub, allowing for community contributions and further development. The developer presents Electro as a modern alternative to existing image viewers, particularly appealing to users who prefer a streamlined, keyboard-driven workflow and appreciate the convenience of an integrated terminal for file management tasks. Electro aims to fill a niche for Windows users seeking a fast, lightweight, and terminal-centric image viewing solution.
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43164794
HN users generally praised Electro's speed and minimalist design, comparing it favorably to existing image viewers like XnView and IrfanView. Some expressed interest in features like lossless image rotation, better GIF support, and a more robust file browser. A few users questioned the choice of Electron as a framework, citing potential performance overhead, while others suggested alternative technologies. The developer responded to several comments, addressing questions and acknowledging feature requests, indicating active development and responsiveness to user feedback. There was also some discussion about licensing and the possibility of open-sourcing the project in the future.
The Hacker News post discussing Electro, a fast Windows image viewer with a built-in terminal, has generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on comparisons to existing image viewers and feature requests.
Several commenters favorably compare Electro to XnView, a popular and established image viewer. They discuss XnView's extensive feature set and how Electro might differentiate itself. One user specifically asks about features like lossless image rotation, format conversion, and metadata editing, wondering if Electro offers comparable functionality. This highlights a common theme: users are interested in Electro's potential but need more information about its capabilities to assess its value proposition against existing solutions.
Performance is another key area of discussion. While the post title highlights Electro's speed, commenters express interest in seeing benchmarks or quantifiable performance data. This desire for evidence suggests a healthy skepticism and a desire to understand the "hyper-fast" claim beyond a simple assertion.
Feature requests also emerge in the comments. One user suggests implementing image tagging or keywording functionality for improved organization and searchability. Another user expresses a desire for better handling of animated GIFs, potentially indicating limitations in Electro's current implementation or a desire for more advanced features in this area. The request for portable mode installation further suggests a desire for flexibility and the ability to use Electro without modifying system settings.
A few comments touch on the choice of using Electron as the framework for Electro. While not a dominant theme, this sparks a brief discussion about potential performance implications and alternatives.
Overall, the comments demonstrate a cautious interest in Electro. Users seem intrigued by the concept of a fast image viewer with an integrated terminal, but are looking for more concrete details about its features and performance before embracing it as a viable alternative to established options. The discussion revolves around comparisons to existing software, requests for specific features, and a desire for evidence supporting the performance claims. There's a clear need for the developer to provide more information and demonstrate how Electro differentiates itself in a crowded market.