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Putting data into a blockchain is something different from making a TCP/IP connection to the internet. In a blockchain system, a particular piece of informatio
by bayesian_horse 8y ago
Putting data into a blockchain is something different from making a TCP/IP connection to the internet.
In a blockchain system, a particular piece of information has to eventually reach all interested parties, of course. But it can do so through a chain of potentially untrusted intermediaries, which also don't have to be connected through an internet connection. For example a truck servicing multiple farms or multiple stations on one farm, could collect new information packets, and pass on those he already has. Variations of the "Sneaker Net" pattern if you will.
Food chain information is not very time-sensitive. A POST request is, however, very much time sensitive.
- ceejayoz 8y agoMy phone's Instagram app lets me "publish" images without a data connection. It queues them up, then POSTs them off to Facebook's API once I'm back online. None of this requires - or even benefits from - a blockchain.
- bayesian_horse 8y agoYes, but your phone will eventually get back to the internet. An endpoint on a farm may potentially never be able to connect on its own. Also, your phone is able to store the images. In IoT there is the problem that a lot of devices can only deal with very little disconnectivity before losing data. In those cases it's better to pass on the data to anyone rather than lose it, even if that someone isn't the central server.
- ceejayoz 8y ago> An endpoint on a farm may potentially never be able to connect on its own. And it'll use what to connect to the blockchain? > In those cases it's better to pass on the data to anyone rather than lose it, even if that someone isn't the central server. None of which requires a blockchain.