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Comment by dixie_land | Hacker News Reader

I use an extension to do the opposite: redirect me to the web version without having to navigate the dark UI designed to trick me to download the app.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/xoom-redirector/oc...

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Indeed. Nobody should be using the desktop versions of these apps.

That's a pretty strong statement. I prefer the desktop app for Zoom. It works better for me and has more features. Why shouldn't I use it?

It runs as a privileged daemon and has a history of grave security problems.

It's possible to install Zoom without any admin privileges on macOS.

https://uhlcithelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/63528758480...

I'm guessing privacy issues. After it was revealed how much data TikTok collects even after an Apple review, all apps should be treated with some level of personal scrutiny

That's fair. Although I think it's reasonable for some users to decide that the risk vs reward tradeoff is acceptable.

Zoom is an Electron app, meaning it effectively bundles Google Chrome, meaning it should work in any modern browser.

My commom thought when I have to use such apps is: why can't I just use this in the browser?

In some cases it's somewhat reasonable, perhaps you need global hotkeys for some reason.

In other cases the rationale it not clear. Worse, some inexplicably remove features from the web app that are available in the bundled Electron app.

I'd much rather leave these apps in my browser sandbox, than give them greater access to my system than they truly need.

I still don't get the same features I get from the app. And that's fine that others prefer not to use it. I'm just a little confused why the parent comment suggests no one should use it.

If I had to guess the parent commenter's rationale, they probably want people to boycott usage of such Electron apps. In the hopes that these companies would stop making them and pushing them onto their users.

I thought Zoom's desktop app was Qt?

You are correct.

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