I don’t get it. Why would you call something that needs a server to work local-first :?

My app that stores its state on my local disk with optional sync to a server is local-first. If the server goes away, the app continues working flawlessly, you just won’t be able to sync any more (unless you host your own server).

I find it hard to imagine people think of Linear when they hear local first.

You don't have to imagine:

https://www.google.com/search?q=local-first+linear

I think there are two valid interpretations of the words “local-first”.

1) The outcome of all interactions can be seen locally first, but are sent to a server too. Optimistic updates on steroids, largely done to make software seem faster. Linear is the notable example.

2) The app is built so that it’s fully functional and useful without any kind of internet connectivity. But if network _is_ available, there are some augmented capabilities. Think note-taking apps like the one built into MacOS and iOS, or Bear

Right. And I think only (2) should count as local first software. And only (2) fits the definition provided by the local first software paper.

Option (1) is a legitimately useful way to build software. I wish more apps considered offline support. But I don't think "it works offline" is enough to make something count as local first software. For example, I don't consider Dropbox to be a "local first" tool.

I'm worried the "local first" term will be watered down by projects like this. That distinction matters. At least to me.

The crypto coin world is based on an Orwellian abuse of words / meanings.

Exactly this, "local-first" here mostly is a marketing term rather than a technical one.

I'll tell you a funny(real) story. where i live there is a popular valley, well let's call it X-Valley. the name is very popular and gets a lot of tourism to the valley, so much so that all the surrounding valleys now advertise them as X-Valleys on the internet. and they get a lot of (re: majority of) their tourism business from doing that.

Second is the people's understanding of the term "local-first", I doubt many truly understand the real one from ink&switch. what a good chunk of them are really looking for is offline-first or even optimistic-ui based sync system.

Hah I'll watch the video when I have a chance. Thanks for the invite - I'll have to wait and see when the time & place are announced. Maybe I'll see you there!