The article discusses the revival of Clippy, the iconic 90s assistant, as a chat front-end for locally run language learning models (LLMs). Developed by Felix Rieseberg, the application supports models like Gemma 3 and Llama 3.2 and allows for customization with GGUF files. Rieseberg describes the project as a fun exploration in software art, aimed at inspiring other developers in the Electron framework to leverage local AI. Although it has a nostalgic flair, this new Clippy isn't extensively packed with features compared to other platforms, such as LM Studio, yet demonstrates a creative blend of past and present technology.
"Consider it software art," Rieseberg said. "If you don't like it, consider it software satire." This highlights the playful approach behind Clippy's new iteration.
Rieseberg added that he didnât mean high art: "I mean 'art' in the sense that I've made it like other people do watercolors or pottery - I made it because building it was fun for me."
Rieseberg noted he's "hoping to help other developers of Electron apps make use of local language models," showcasing his intention to inspire innovation in the field.
Clippy, now a front-end for locally run LLMs, finally serves a purpose, allowing users to chat with a variety of AI models running locally, like Gemma 3 or Llama 3.2.
Collection
[
|
...
]