In that case, docker is not necessarily the answer but it could help. Ultimately, you will need to put everything in a simple to install script and let them run locally. Even if you want to package using docker, you will need to create a script that will auto setup docker if not already present and then run it.
I will create a script for windows, mac and Linux (if your users also use Linux). Then in the README, provide instructions how to run that install script. Let the script take care of all lower level things like docker etc.
If you can package it into a standard app that would probably be much better for users.
I’m running my Plex server on my NAS with Docker, and have taken classes at work on Podman from Red Hat. For something I would want to use everyday on my laptop, I couldn’t be bothered to use Docker. It’s good at what it does, but it’s really not made for non-technical people, or people who aren’t interested in learning/managing it.
Docker is likely not the answer they're looking for, but you may want to ask your target audience rather than HN.
FWIW, for any software I would prefer distribution-first/source-first over Docker. Docker introduces complexities I don't want to solve for.
Running docker locally usually means messing around, sometimes troubleshooting and restarting the daemon.
Even if you make your app handle all the commands. It’ll end up not working and the user will give up. Even their technical relative may not be able to fix it!
Instead I would probably make the effort to create seperate Windows, Mac and Linux builds.
If it is a pure Node app for example this might help: https://nodejs.org/api/single-executable-applications.html#s...
There are probably similar options on other stacks.
Not being mean to musicians, this is true about just about everyone (even some developers).
Don't make your software architecture your user's concern. Package it in something that hides the client server architecture. Make them think it's just another app.
Why does everyone just assume they need to use AWS? Get a cheap VPS for projects like this. It's like $10 max all included.
https://www.serverhunter.com/#query=stock%3A%28in_stock+OR+u...
Open browser, go to URL, it runs. It works for Doom 3: https://wasm.continuation-labs.com/d3demo/
That's the easiest "container" solution there is.
I just wanted to pull come code, build a deb, and get it out. Docker probably isn't the right tool but it's what I was told to use. The hardest part was discovering how to get a single file out of it.
Golang seems to have good cross-platform abilities as well, though I have less experience with it for GUI apps.