Mostly because the "web" was sabotaged. I use archlinux and my only GUI application is a web browser. On mobile, I need an email app, maps app, food delivery app and a communication app. Even whatsapp doesn't work on the web (on purpose).

If the web was enabled, app stores wouldn't be possible and you could run anything without an installation. But somewhere along the line both Google and Apple realized that this isn't really to their benefit and "walled ecosystems" are an advantage.

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kelnos 2 days ago | parent [-]

> I use archlinux and my only GUI application is a web browser.

Debian here, and... yup. It's so weird to realize this. I have lots of browser windows open with lots and lots and lots of tabs open, but the only other app I have open is a Matrix client (which honestly is not that great; Element's web version has more features and better polish), and a terminal. If you can call a terminal a GUI app.

Sure, I do use native apps sometimes. A calculator app, GnuCash, VLC, some others. But they're not open all the time; they're infrequent-use apps. And a lot of my VLC use has been replaced by streaming on the web.

It's incredibly sad.

	▲	bigstrat2003 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		I mean, that's a choice. Most of my activity is still native apps, because I hate web apps and avoid them like the plague. I don't doubt you could do the same, but you have chosen to use web based options - which, to be clear, is totally fine! But it's not the way it has to be.