DEVELOPMENT LOG

THE EVOLUTION OF POLYHUB

PolyHub is the fourth iteration of a P2P file sharing concept that has evolved significantly over time. The "4" in the logo represents this journey through multiple versions, each teaching valuable lessons about what works and what doesn't in peer-to-peer applications.

The Focused Solution

What It Has

• Electron + React: Modern web technologies for native-feeling desktop app
• Tailscale Integration: Leverages existing VPN for secure networking
• File-Only Focus: Removed drawing and chat to focus on core use case
• Shared Gallery: Refined file gallery from V2
• Drag & Drop: System-wide file sharing shortcuts
• Pairing Links: Simple connection mechanism

What Works

• Technology Stack: Electron provides native performance and easy distribution
• Tailscale Foundation: Offloads networking complexity to proven solution
• Focused Scope: Does one thing (file sharing) really well
• User Experience: Combines V3's design polish with V2's reliability
• Large File Support: Handles 5GB+ files without cloud storage

Current Limitations

• Windows Only: macOS and Linux support planned but not yet implemented
• Tailscale Dependency: Requires users to install and configure Tailscale
• Small Group Size: Optimized for 2-3 users, not larger groups
• Personal Project: Limited testing, bugs expected

Design Philosophy

PolyHub represents a "less is more" approach. By removing features that weren't essential (drawing, chat) and focusing exclusively on fast, secure file sharing, the app became more reliable and easier to maintain. The Tailscale integration was a game-changer, eliminating the need to build custom networking code.

The "4" in the logo is a reminder of the journey: three previous versions that each contributed valuable lessons, leading to a fourth version that finally gets it right.

The Visual Upgrade

What It Had

• Modern UI: Significantly improved visual design
• Better UX: More intuitive interface and interactions
• Python-Based: Rebuilt using Python for rapid development

What Worked

• Visual Design: Best-looking version yet with clean, modern aesthetics
• User Experience: Easier to understand and navigate
• Development Speed: Python allowed faster iteration

What Didn't Work

• Python Limitations: Performance issues and distribution challenges
• Platform Constraints: Looked and felt like a Python app, not native
• Functionality Gaps: Core features didn't work as reliably as V2
• Distribution Problems: Hard to package and distribute to users

Key Lessons

Great design isn't enough if the underlying technology limits functionality. Python was the wrong choice for a desktop app that needs to feel native and perform well. The visual direction was right, but the technical foundation needed to change.

The Functional Version

What It Had

• Stable Connections: Reliable P2P networking that actually worked
• Online Status Checks: Could see which users were connected and active
• File Gallery: Shared view of all files available in the session
• Live Drawing: Improved collaborative drawing canvas
• Messaging System: More reliable chat functionality

What Worked

• Connection Reliability: Consistent peer-to-peer connections
• User Presence: Online/offline status detection worked well
• File Management: Gallery view made file sharing more intuitive
• Feature Integration: Drawing, chat, and files worked together smoothly

What Didn't Work

• Feature Bloat: Too many features made the app complex
• Performance Issues: Drawing and chat added overhead
• Maintenance Burden: Multiple features meant more bugs to fix

Key Lessons

V2 proved the technical foundation was solid, but the scope was too broad. Users primarily wanted file sharing, not drawing or chat. The gallery concept was the standout feature worth keeping.

The Prototype

What It Had

• Real-time Drawing: Shared canvas for collaborative drawing
• Live Chat: Text messaging between connected users
• File Sharing: Basic P2P file transfer capabilities
• Always-on-Top Window: UI stayed visible above other windows

What Didn't Work

• Unreliable Connections: Would randomly fail to connect or disconnect
• No Online Status: Couldn't tell if other users were actually connected
• Inconsistent Performance: Sometimes worked perfectly, sometimes not at all
• Limited Error Handling: Crashes and failures with no clear feedback

Key Lessons

The prototype proved the concept was viable but highlighted the need for reliable connection management and better user feedback. The always-on-top feature was interesting but not essential.

WHAT'S NEXT

• Cross-Platform Support: macOS and Linux builds
• Performance Optimization: Faster transfers for massive files
• Better Error Handling: More helpful feedback when things go wrong
• Community Feedback: Improvements based on real-world usage

PolyHub is open source and actively developed. If you find bugs or have feature requests, please report them on GitHub!