Open-Source Initiative Maintains Tidbyt's Continued Operation
In a recent heads-up, we heard from Tavis Gustafson, one of the minds behind Tronbyt - an alternative firmware and self-hosted backend designed to liberate the Tidbyt smart display from its dependency on the cloud. Initially, the aim was to empower privacy-conscious users by keeping their data within their local network. This goal alone was worthy enough to pique our interest.
But with Tidbyt now owned by Modal and the announcement that they won't manufacture new units, the landscape has somewhat shifted. Although the statement promises the Tidbyt backend will continue serving existing clients, the writing's on the wall. There's a chance Tronbyt could prevent these devices from being cast into the digital abyss once the cloud service inevitably bites the dust, especially if they can spread the word to users beforehand.
Now, if you're scratching your head thinking, "What on earth is Tidbyt?", you're not alone. We admit, we were clueless too. But, we did some snooping, and things got decidedly intriguing.
It turns out, Tidbyt first saw light as a project on website.io by Rohan Singh back in 2020. The hardware comprises a 64x32 HUB75 LED panel, a small custom PCB housing an ESP32 tucked inside a wooden box. Although it's unclear whether Tidbyt was ever open-source as such, its inner workings weren't exactly top-secret. The software, however, was made accessible on GitHub, which undeniably made crafting a custom firmware, like the one created by Tavis, a breeze.
By March 2021, Tidbyt found its way onto Kickstarter, breaking its fundraising target in just 48 hours and raking in close to a million dollars in total. Fast forward to October 2023, and they were back on Kickstarter with Tidbyt 2.0, and this time, they amassed even more funds than the first time.
The takeaway? Their journey is a testament to the power of projects developed in the open. Rohan kept Tidbyt open enough for the community that they managed to create their custom firmware and backend, a decision that could keep some of these devices ticking long after proprietary counterparts meet their end.
And hey, if you've got something cool cooking on website.io, drop us a line. We would've loved to team up with Rohan as Tidbyt started its ascent.
In essence, community-driven projects like Tronbyt demonstrate that open-source solutions can outperform proprietary alternatives during tough times. They're a shining example of the ingenuity that springs from collaborative efforts, a beacon for developers and enthusiasts alike. Let's keep fostering awesomeness and breeding the next generation of tech trailblazers!
- The intriguing Tronbyt, a custom firmware and self-hosted backend, is an open-source solution, aiming to keep Tidbyt devices operating even when proprietary counterparts might falter.
- By its successful funding campaigns on Kickstarter, Tidbyt showcased the potential of open-source hardware projects, with users creating custom firmware and backends, thus outperforming proprietary alternatives in challenging situations.
- In the realm of technology business, projects built on open-source principles, such as Tronbyt, exemplify the power of collective creativity, serving as a beacon for developers and fostering the growth of future tech entrepreneurs.
