Show HN: Codebox - Cloud IDE as a Service
codebox.io
codebox.io
There are I think two fundamental problems with remote IDEs. One is of course offline mode, and I don't think "sync your code later" is a solution unless it also lets you "test your code now". The other is remote resource restrictions that mean you can only use a remote IDE for some of your projects and still have to maintain a complete local environment for everything else.
Being able to download the VM means local hardware for projects that need more hardware, and real offline mode for people that need it. Going open source allows for this but it still leaves all the work of setting up each box which can be a real PITA (cloud9 is very hit-or-miss) and that can probably be monetized especially with the added benefits of remote access for when that is better or necessary.
Once businesses discover the advantages of having developer access via the browser there will be no turning back. Some developers dislike this notion, but time will tell:)
btw you can download ours (crudzilla.com)
Then there are the advantages of hassle-free remote access to application assets...this may not be a big deal to a dev who likes git, ssh..etc, but for many developers being able to access and work on their apps simply by loging into another web app is preferred.
Browser IDE products themselves are inherently easier to develop, I know I am happy to be building a web app instead of Java swing components, years ago I attempted to build a native IDE (http://bit.ly/IwZCEL), I am glad I am not doing that today:)
These are just some pluses, there are all sorts of ways that the browser,web and web-application development just fit together.
Buttons are getting cut off, FONTS and there is a blank about page on crudzilla?
Also while site design is important, I should add that our product is not the same as our site.