Convert laragon into Electron.js app

[samjco]

Might you consider converting into laragon into Electron.js app

[varunsridharan]

@samjco why ? and whats the advantage of it ?

[samjco]

Because the app would be much cleaner with the UI. It is pretty hard to navigate the setting sometimes.... Not for me, but for others not very tech savvy

[varunsridharan]

@samjco well i can kind of agree with it. but using Electron.JS could compromise performance based on my development with it. so its better of to leave it as it is.

[leokhoa]

@samjco : The core of Laragon is < 2MB. Converting to Electron will make it not less than 50MB and sluggish and 90% users don't need to touch the UI :)

[samjco]

Yeah. I understand.

But a better UI would attract more users. Maybe just make another "UI" version? But it will definitely allow this app to because the most popular and easy to use if you did create Electron version.

You can even run a electron shell right over the minimized app. And 50MB wont really effect anything.

Besides, this will allow for future use "roadmap" on other platforms - because Electron works with all Platforms.

[widersky]

You should only consider modifying the UI when WinUI3.0 be ready. Here's my UI proposal

[Sotiris-k]

I feel certain in saying that the audience of laragon cares more for performance rather than a flashy UI.

Besides, the UI is quite fine honestly.

[samjco]

@Sotiris-k I just think that it can be done both ways.

Besides, as mentioned. ElectronJS work with all OS. @widersky Love that concept!!

[dyanakiev]

Is it possible at least to move the taskbar icon options inside the app?

[leokhoa]

@dyanakiev : You can see the options by:

1. Click Menu
2. Right click

[Levdbas]

I really love the UI proposal of @widersky to be honest. I really love using Laragon for which I am @leokhoa very grateful but the UX/UI is all over the place.

Some examples:

• Clicking the elephant start/stops the servers, which can also be done with the start/stop button which is also located under "menu". So three ways in total to start/stop the servers
• the letter "h" opens your host file. I just found that out recently
• by clicking the cog wheel opens the laragon settings, same as via "menu" > "preferences"

Of course you can argue that you almost never touch the UI but it's the first thing a new user interacts with. I do think a cleaner UI makes it easier to get started for new users and thereby make it easier to recommend as a first local dev server on Windows.

I would love to have an open discussion on how we can contribute towards making the UX on par with 2020 :)

[samjco]

@Levdbas I agree with you..

Here is a fun fact: Developers love the way something works Designers love the way something looks Both love using Laragon...

@leokhoa if you build that best for both worlds..... I wonder what would happen?

2020 was supposed to be the year of flying cars and rockets. Kinda like a neo-matic type scheme. Maybe Lagaron can have a mascot of a Rocket car? Because Laragon drives innovation but is fast as a rocket!

[jabbarn]

Hi newcomer here! as much as I love performance by the way that the app starts before I can blink, I have to agree with @samjco that as a newbie it would definitely contribute to the project to have an simple but effective UI that everyone loves to work with. As a developer, I would love to help contributing if that is alright with everyone. As a human being who likes looking at the screen I think it wouldn't hurt to have a bit more flashy components to the app @leokhoa. Thank you for reading this post and be safe. 🙏

[germangamboa95]

Maybe a more consistent UI would be helpful but definitely not an electron.

[alphaleadership]

tauri