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Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

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Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#61

Post by VyseofArcadia »

yu3zhou4 wrote: post #35

I'm not sure why you got so many negative replies. As some other commenter pointed out, it can be a good use case for reusable, copyable desktops. Another use case I though about for some time - if we build an OS (a "traditional one") that consists of just a browser and only necessary stuff for running a browser, your product would be a great fit as well

I've seen this "we need a stripped-down OS just for browsers" idea floating around a lot recently, and I just don't think it holds water. The browser is too big. Stripping down the OS just to accommodate the browser still leaves most of the OS.

Browsers do a lot. You're going to need the same kernel, almost all the same userspace libraries, and many of the same background processes as a fatter OS.

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#63

Post by klaussilveira »

mzajc wrote: post #55

I have given your service a try, and while the UX was impressive, I was bothered by an apparent lack of encryption. The landing page, the privacy policy, and your mission statement all make many mentions of encryption and security, yet (besides TLS) there doesn't seem to be any encryption going on as far as my browser is concerned. I created a new folder, created a text file in the folder, and added some text to the…

Curious: is WebCrypto compatibility better now?

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#64

Post by owenfar »

mzajc wrote: post #55

I have given your service a try, and while the UX was impressive, I was bothered by an apparent lack of encryption. The landing page, the privacy policy, and your mission statement all make many mentions of encryption and security, yet (besides TLS) there doesn't seem to be any encryption going on as far as my browser is concerned. I created a new folder, created a text file in the folder, and added some text to the…

This is a really good point and I have thought about this multiple times along the way. Web Crypto API seemed ideal, but it brought its own complexities, especially if you want to have quick access on multiple browsers/devices.

It's true that as it is, it still requires trust. We do have our own custom servers, and we made sure that no logs related to personal data are ever stored, and encryption is done on the application level before it is sent on the DB server.

This is something I want to see implemented 100%

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#65

Post by pipeline_peak »

AyyEye wrote: post #57

Emulated desktop Operating system written in a high level language, compiled to an intermediate assembly language, run on a virtual machine written in JavaScript, executed in a javascript engine, run inside of a sandbox inside of a browser, inside of an operating system just like the proprietary one one being run at the bottom of the stack. All so you can "create text files" on a proprietary platform that won't work…

I mean when you describe most modern consumer software products, they’re pretty much that bloated.

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#66

Post by mzajc »

owenfar wrote: post #64
mzajc wrote: post #55

I have given your service a try, and while the UX was impressive, I was bothered by an apparent lack of encryption. The landing page, the privacy policy, and your mission statement all make many mentions of encryption and security, yet (besides TLS) there doesn't seem to be any encryption going on as far as my browser is concerned. I created a new folder, created a text file in the folder, and added some text to the…

This is a really good point and I have thought about this multiple times along the way. Web Crypto API seemed ideal, but it brought its own complexities, especially if you want to have quick access on multiple browsers/devices. It's true that as it is, it still requires trust. We do have our own custom servers, and we made sure that no logs related to personal data are ever stored, and encryption is done on the appli…

Personally, I feel like the bold statements about encryption should be removed until this is implemented to avoid misleading users.

Out of curiosity, is the data encrypted with a client-provided secret (eg. a password hash, or something that would otherwise be impossible to extract from the server), or is the secret stored on the server?

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#67

Post by owenfar »

AyyEye wrote: post #57

Emulated desktop Operating system written in a high level language, compiled to an intermediate assembly language, run on a virtual machine written in JavaScript, executed in a javascript engine, run inside of a sandbox inside of a browser, inside of an operating system just like the proprietary one one being run at the bottom of the stack. All so you can "create text files" on a proprietary platform that won't work…

Not 100% correct, but ok, you can say that as it stands.

If you inspect the IndexedDB when logged in, you can see that everything is stored locally already. Offline mode was planned from the very beginning. It will and can already work offline if I spare a couple of days on it. But I didn't see it as a priority right now.

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#68

Post by owenfar »

pipeline_peak wrote: post #65
AyyEye wrote: post #57

Emulated desktop Operating system written in a high level language, compiled to an intermediate assembly language, run on a virtual machine written in JavaScript, executed in a javascript engine, run inside of a sandbox inside of a browser, inside of an operating system just like the proprietary one one being run at the bottom of the stack. All so you can "create text files" on a proprietary platform that won't work…

I mean when you describe most modern consumer software products, they’re pretty much that bloated.

And most software today requires an internet connection anyways, even if it is installed natively...

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#69

Post by VyseofArcadia »

owenfar wrote: post #52
byearthithatius wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So a less functional ChromeBook? I'm struggling to find the use case for your use case. Maybe for kids education if you want them to have limited capabilities? But otherwise it is just another OS with way less software support.

As it stands, that's true. However, with the continuous advancements in WebAssembly, and if we open a store where people can install open-source software, a lot of great things could come from that.

But... why not just let people install open source software as is? Stripping down the OS to "just" the browser leaves most of the OS. At that point we're arbitrarily restricting users to apps that run in the browser for no real reason or benefit.

Re: Show HN: Sava OS – A desktop interface for your web browser

#70

Post by pino82 »

mzajc wrote: post #55

I have given your service a try, and while the UX was impressive, I was bothered by an apparent lack of encryption. The landing page, the privacy policy, and your mission statement all make many mentions of encryption and security, yet (besides TLS) there doesn't seem to be any encryption going on as far as my browser is concerned. I created a new folder, created a text file in the folder, and added some text to the…

That's a lot of trust for a project that is proud for having it tested with one browser, and wants to hear from you on Facebook or Discord. My trust in such a project would be quite minimal.
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