@kdsch That's a good point. The way I framed the question was definitely guided by my experience as a web developer (as was my concern about the ephemerality of tech work).

@nmashton As far as web technology that isn't ephemeral and is important to communities: search, maps, e-commerce, secure communications, and good ol' websites. Mobile apps, platforms, etc are riskier ideas, more inspired by VC than community. Platform cooperativism tries to improve the VC idea, but it's too early to say whether it'll work.

It's a very productive question, that you have asked. I need to think about it more.

@kdsch @nmashton I'd really like to see things like proper open source / co-op designed/supported routers, network switches, VOIP server for Asterisk etc..

Currently I have to buy one from some different corporate, it might have any amount of flaws/bugs but after 2 years the manufacturers walk away from supporting it, yet these aren't rocket science and don't *need* the latest "cloud admin" features, we just need good solid things that work and stay working..

@GuerillaOntologist That kinda jibes with @kdsch's point about non-software-development tech (https://social.coop/@kdsch/100237066477849846). I'm wishing I had chosen my words a little more carefully! 😅

Here's another angle: every small business needs and wants a website, and someone to host and maintain it. Doing web design for local businesses, I would think, might feel like less ephemeral work, and has the benefit of creating connections with your neighbors.

@nmashton @kdsch