The Digital Press

Simon Willison advocates for delivering free software via static HTML and JavaScript hosted on reliable, free platforms like GitHub Pages, highlighting WebAssembly and Pyodide as game changers for client-side Python apps.

Why it matters: Static hosting ensures longevity and minimal maintenance, letting creators move on without ongoing costs or updates.

The big picture: GitHub Pages offers a stable, free hosting solution with a 17+ year track record of preserving URLs.

The other side: Some users worry about reliance on corporate-owned platforms like Microsoft-owned GitHub and debate open vs. closed source distribution.

Commenters say: The community appreciates the practicality of static hosting but raises concerns about platform control, code obfuscation, and long-term preservation alternatives.