Stories with Tag low-tech

• Slow software for a burning world

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  Posted: 2025-05-10 06:38:56

  Verbose tl;dr

  The blog post "Slow Software for a Burning World" argues against the prevailing tech industry obsession with speed and efficiency, particularly in the context of climate change. It posits that this focus on optimization often comes at the expense of sustainability, resilience, and user experience, leading to resource-intensive applications and a culture of disposability. The author advocates for "slow software," characterized by longevity, repairability, and resource-efficiency. This approach prioritizes thoughtful design, minimal functionality, and local data storage, promoting a more mindful and environmentally responsible development paradigm. It encourages developers to prioritize durability and user agency over constant updates and feature bloat, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and ethical relationship with technology.

  The blog post "Slow Software for a Burning World" by Jack Rusher, hosted on the Bonfire Networks website, presents a critique of the prevailing trends in software development, arguing that the relentless pursuit of speed and efficiency, often at the expense of other crucial values, contributes to the broader societal problems we face, metaphorically represented by a "burning world." Rusher posits that this obsession with speed, fueled by venture capital and a growth-at-all-costs mentality, has led to the proliferation of resource-intensive, bloated software applications that prioritize features and scalability over longevity, maintainability, and user experience.

  The author meticulously deconstructs the notion of "fast software," elaborating on the multifaceted interpretations of this concept. He distinguishes between perceived speed, the feeling of responsiveness that a user experiences, and actual speed, which encompasses aspects like network latency and processing time. Rusher argues that the emphasis on perceived speed often results in deceptive practices, such as artificial loading animations and the prioritization of superficial performance improvements over substantive enhancements. He also highlights the environmental cost of this pursuit, emphasizing the energy consumption associated with complex software and the ever-increasing demand for processing power.

  Furthermore, Rusher criticizes the prevailing development practices that contribute to this unsustainable cycle. He points to the reliance on complex frameworks and libraries, the proliferation of JavaScript, and the constant churn of new technologies as factors that increase the complexity and resource demands of software. He advocates for a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to software development, emphasizing the importance of building smaller, more focused applications that prioritize functionality and longevity over fleeting trends.

  The post then transitions to explore the concept of "slow software," presenting it as an alternative paradigm that prioritizes sustainability, maintainability, and user well-being. This philosophy emphasizes building software that is resilient, adaptable, and designed to last, drawing parallels to the slow food movement. Rusher elaborates on the principles of slow software, suggesting that it should be respectful of users' time and attention, mindful of resource consumption, and built with a long-term perspective. He argues that this approach, while seemingly counterintuitive in the current climate, is ultimately more beneficial for both users and the environment.

  Finally, Rusher concludes by calling for a shift in the software development culture, advocating for a move away from the relentless pursuit of speed and growth towards a more balanced and sustainable approach. He encourages developers to prioritize values such as simplicity, efficiency, and longevity, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable digital ecosystem. The author believes that by embracing the principles of slow software, we can build a more resilient and equitable technological future, one that is less complicit in the "burning world" and more aligned with the needs of both humanity and the planet.

  • slow software
  • sustainability
  • Software Development
  • climate change
  • Environmental Impact
  • Technology
  • Energy Efficiency
  • degrowth
  • low-tech
  • simple living
  • digital minimalism
  • intentional technology
  • Web Performance
  • resource consumption
  • green software

  Summary of Comments ( 59 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43943652

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users largely agreed with the premise that software has become bloated and slow, lamenting the loss of efficiency and speed seen in older software. Several attributed this to the rise of web technologies and interpreted languages like JavaScript, pointing to the overhead they introduce. Some argued that developer experience and rapid iteration are often prioritized over performance, leading to inefficient code. Others discussed the economics of optimization, suggesting that hardware advancements have made it cheaper to throw more resources at slow software than to optimize it. A few commenters offered counterpoints, highlighting the complexity of modern software and the difficulty of optimizing for all use cases. Some also pointed out the benefits of abstraction and the improvements it brings to developer productivity, even if at the cost of some performance. There was also a discussion about whether users actually care about performance as long as software is "fast enough."

  The Hacker News post "Slow software for a burning world" has generated a significant discussion with a variety of perspectives on the article's core arguments. Several commenters agree with the premise that software has become bloated and inefficient, negatively impacting performance and user experience. They lament the trend of prioritizing features and complexity over speed and simplicity.

  Some users highlight specific examples of software bloat, citing electron-based applications and web bloat as primary culprits. They discuss the increasing reliance on JavaScript frameworks and libraries, leading to larger application sizes and slower load times. This, they argue, contributes to a poorer user experience, especially on lower-powered devices or with limited internet connectivity. The performance impact is also linked to increased energy consumption, tying back to the "burning world" metaphor in the article's title by contributing to environmental concerns.

  A recurring theme in the comments is the perceived shift in developer priorities. Some suggest that the ease and availability of powerful hardware have led to a complacency among developers, who are less inclined to optimize for performance. Others point to the pressure to rapidly release new features and the adoption of agile development methodologies as contributing factors to the problem.

  However, not all commenters agree with the article's premise. Some argue that the increased complexity of software is a necessary consequence of evolving user demands and functionalities. They contend that modern applications offer significantly more features and integrations than their predecessors, justifying the increased resource consumption. Others point out that improvements in hardware have largely offset the performance impact of software bloat for many users.

  Several commenters offer alternative perspectives on the issue. Some suggest that the focus should be on optimizing specific parts of the software stack rather than condemning all modern software development practices. Others argue that the real problem lies in the lack of education and awareness among developers about performance optimization techniques.

  The discussion also delves into potential solutions. Suggestions include promoting the use of lighter-weight frameworks and libraries, encouraging developers to prioritize performance optimization, and educating users about the impact of their software choices. Some commenters advocate for a return to simpler, more focused applications, while others believe that advancements in hardware and software technologies will eventually address the performance concerns.

  In summary, the comments on Hacker News reflect a broad range of opinions on the topic of software bloat and performance. While many agree with the article's central argument, others offer counterpoints and alternative perspectives, leading to a robust and nuanced discussion about the challenges and potential solutions for creating more efficient and sustainable software.

• Collapse OS

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  Posted: 2025-03-26 14:34:32

  Verbose tl;dr

  Collapse OS is a minimal, highly adaptable operating system designed for a post-apocalyptic scenario where global supply chains have broken down. It aims to be runnable on minimal and easily scavenged hardware, using widely available Z80 processors. Its functionality focuses on essential tasks like bootstrapping other, more complex systems, creating and running simple programs, and interfacing with rudimentary hardware like text terminals and floppy drives. The project anticipates a future where readily available modern hardware and software are no longer accessible, and seeks to provide a digital life raft by relying on robust, easily reproduced technologies.

  The "Collapse OS" project, as detailed on its website, posits a scenario of widespread societal collapse due to a hypothetical long-term grid failure, resulting in the unavailability of modern computing infrastructure. It anticipates a world where readily available resources would revert to simpler, more robust technologies akin to those of the late 1970s and early 1980s, a period the project characterizes as the "final stage" of easily repairable and understandable electronic systems. In this post-collapse world, the project envisions a need for a specialized operating system capable of running on minimal and adaptable hardware, facilitating bootstrapping back to a more technologically advanced state.

  Collapse OS aims to fill this perceived need by providing a highly adaptable and resilient operating system designed to operate on a variety of readily available, low-resource hardware platforms, primarily Z80-based systems. Its core functions are geared towards enabling the creation and maintenance of essential tools and systems in a resource-constrained environment. These functionalities include running a text editor, assembling programs for Z80 processors and other supported architectures like the 6502 and RISC-V, and facilitating rudimentary networking capabilities. The system is designed to be self-hosting, meaning it can be built and modified using its own tools, ensuring its continued evolution and maintenance even without access to modern development environments.

  The project emphasizes simplicity and resilience in its design philosophy. The choice of the Z80 architecture is rooted in its prevalence, relative simplicity, and the continued availability of compatible hardware even in less developed regions. Furthermore, the operating system is designed to be bootable from a variety of storage media, including floppy disks, hard drives, and ROM chips, enhancing its adaptability to diverse hardware configurations. The website outlines the project's goals, technical details of its implementation, and instructions on building and using the system. It also includes documentation on porting the OS to new hardware platforms and contributing to the project’s development. The overarching objective is to provide a robust and adaptable computing platform that can serve as a foundation for rebuilding technological capabilities in a post-collapse scenario.

  • Operating System
  • post-apocalypse
  • Survival
  • off-grid
  • low-tech
  • Z80
  • Embedded Systems
  • Bootstrapping
  • minimalism
  • digital preservation
  • Retrocomputing
  • DIY Electronics
  • resilient systems
  • Autonomous Systems

  Summary of Comments ( 59 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43482705

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussing Collapse OS express skepticism about its practicality and usefulness. Many question the likelihood of a societal collapse severe enough to render existing technology useless, while others point out the difficulty of bootstrapping complex technology from salvaged parts in a post-apocalyptic scenario. Some find the project interesting as a thought experiment or a hobby, but doubt its real-world applicability. A few commenters express concerns about the project's potential to attract a "doomer" mentality. The overall sentiment is one of cautious curiosity mixed with significant doubt about the project's premise and viability.

  The Hacker News post titled "Collapse OS" with the ID 43482705 sparked a discussion with a variety of viewpoints on the project and its premise.

  Several commenters expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a complete societal collapse severe enough to warrant such a specialized operating system. They questioned the practicality and usefulness of Collapse OS in such a scenario, suggesting that focusing on more immediate and probable challenges might be a better use of resources. The idea of maintaining complex technology like a Z80-based system in a true collapse scenario was also met with skepticism. Concerns were raised about the availability of compatible hardware and the ability to manufacture or repair it without existing industrial infrastructure.

  Others discussed the more technical aspects of the project. The choice of the Z80 processor was a frequent topic, with some commenters questioning its suitability compared to other potentially more accessible and powerful platforms like the 6502. Discussions around the feasibility of bootstrapping a technological society from scratch using salvaged parts and limited resources also emerged. Some suggested that focusing on simpler, more robust technologies might be more appropriate for a post-collapse environment.

  Some commenters, while not necessarily endorsing the premise of total collapse, expressed interest in the project from a hobbyist or educational perspective. They viewed Collapse OS as an intriguing experiment in minimalist computing and a potential platform for learning about low-level programming and hardware interaction.

  A few commenters engaged with the philosophical implications of preparing for societal collapse, touching on themes of resilience, self-sufficiency, and the potential dangers of focusing on worst-case scenarios.

  While acknowledging the potentially niche nature of the project, some commenters appreciated the creator's effort and vision, viewing Collapse OS as a thought-provoking exploration of alternative technological pathways.

  A recurring theme throughout the comments was the importance of community and collaboration in any post-collapse scenario, with several commenters emphasizing the limitations of purely technological solutions and the need for social structures and human connection.