localfirst.fm #21 – Seph Gentle: Google Wave, eg-walker, creativity, AI
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Feb 25, 2025 Seph Gentle, a renowned software researcher behind projects like Google Wave and ShareJS, dives into the evolution of collaborative technologies. He reflects on the ambitious vision of Google Wave and its unique real-time features. The conversation also explores the complexities of rich text editing, mobile web challenges, and the need for innovative data synchronization methods. Seph emphasizes the importance of creative chaos in software development, advocating for a democratic ecosystem where collaboration and AI reshape the future of technology.
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Google Wave's Origins
- Seph Gentle recounts working on Google Wave, a then-secret project aiming to reinvent email.
- It was federated, allowing self-hosting, unlike most Google services.
Wave's Impact
- Johan Schickling notes Google Wave showcased real-time collaborative computing.
- Its high quality set a benchmark for web experiences, influencing his own web focus.
Wave's Technical Challenges
- Building Google Wave presented browser compatibility challenges, especially with rich text and internationalization.
- Written in Java and compiled to JavaScript, the large codebase sometimes strained browsers.