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   atomicpoet (atomicpoet@atomicpoet.org)'s status on Wednesday, 12-Jul-2023 17:13:28 JST atomicpoet
   I don't quite understand why some people have reservations about using the mobile web or Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). The web has its advantages: you don't need to install anything, it's compatible with different devices, and often requires fewer resources compared to dedicated apps. Most importantly, it offers freedom from being tied to a specific operating system.
   
   However, despite these benefits, there is still a persistent demand for dedicated mobile apps, even for things that don't necessarily need them. Take news, for example. Why bother with a dedicated news app when you can easily read articles on the web?
   
   Now, I understand some people may argue that the web has too many ads. But let's be realistic, how long do you think those "free" news reading apps will remain ad-free? Probably only until the powers-that-be convince you to switch to their dedicated mobile apps. It's like a classic "bait and switch" situation.
   
   So, what can we do about poorly designed websites? Well, the solution isn't to abandon the web altogether. It's about being selective with the websites we use. I agree that the mobile web versions of platforms like Twitter, Reddit, CNN, and others can be subpar, but that's intentional. They want to entice you into installing their dedicated mobile apps. My suggestion? Don't fall for it.
   
   Stick with the web. It's the only truly platform-agnostic option out there that won't keep you confined to a restricted environment.
   • Embed this notice
     Aral Balkan (aral@mastodon.ar.al)'s status on Wednesday, 12-Jul-2023 17:13:26 JST Aral Balkan

     in reply to

     • Peter Toft Jølving

     @joelving @atomicpoet Afaik nothing has changed. I seem to remember me and maybe half a handful of other people making some noise about it but folks seemed mostly fine with it.

     I basically altered the design of the Small Web based on that so it wouldn’t be at the mercy of the whims of browser makers (at least insofar as they’d have to break existing core mainstream Big Web functionality if they wanted to break it).

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     Peter Toft Jølving (joelving@mastodon.joelving.dk)'s status on Wednesday, 12-Jul-2023 17:13:27 JST Peter Toft Jølving

     in reply to

     • Aral Balkan

     @atomicpoet
     It's been a while since I checked up on it, but at some point, Safari would clear your offline data after a certain period of time.

     @aral, do you know if that is still the case or if they've gotten an actually persistent storage?

     Having your data wiped regularly is a pretty big hiccup for PWAs ability to function offline.

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     Polychrome :blabcat: (polychrome@poly.cybre.city)'s status on Wednesday, 12-Jul-2023 20:30:47 JST Polychrome :blabcat:

     in reply to
     @atomicpoet it's because it's a lot harder to harvest data on people via the web than via a native mobile application, and selling this data is their primary business model.
     
     iOS made it more difficult recently but Android is still exposed.