WebVM is a server-less virtual Linux environment running client-side (webvm.io)

Article summary

WebVM is a server-less virtual Linux environment that runs client-side, utilizing the CheerpX virtual machine and Tailscale for networking. It allows users to run Linux applications in a web browser without the need for a server. The technology is still in development, with plans to support GUI applications and 3D graphics in the future. WebVM has various potential use cases, including education, live documentation, and preservation of historical software.

Main themes

• Virtualization
• Client-side Linux
• Web-based applications
• Networking solutions
• Legacy software preservation
• Education and development

What commenters say

• The use of Tailscale for networking is a clever solution to potential issues with in-browser networking.
• Some users find WebVM to be slower and more sluggish than other similar technologies, such as jslinux.
• There are concerns about the implementation of system calls and the level of kernel emulation in WebVM.
• The technology has various potential use cases, including education, live documentation, and preservation of historical software, but its performance and usability need to be improved.
• Some users prefer using IRC over Discord for community discussion, while others argue that Discord is a more popular and widely-used platform.
• The performance of WebVM is comparable to, and in some cases better than, other similar technologies, such as jslinux.
• There are issues with input handling and keyboard shortcuts in WebVM, particularly when using vi or vim.
• The development team is working on supporting GUI applications and 3D graphics, which could potentially make WebVM more useful and appealing to a wider range of users.