Summer brings exploration of modern desktop application development.
NodeGUI
I’ve been experimenting with NodeGUI, a framework for building native desktop applications using JavaScript/TypeScript. Unlike Electron, which bundles a full browser, NodeGUI uses native widgets through Qt. The result is smaller application sizes and better native feel.
Why Desktop?
Web applications dominate, but there are still good reasons for desktop apps. Offline capability, system integration, performance for certain workloads. NodeGUI offers a way to build these using familiar web technologies.
Menu Systems
My exploration focused on menu systems - one of those fundamental UI elements that varies significantly across platforms. Getting menus right on Windows, Mac, and Linux requires attention to platform conventions.