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The future is not decentralised because it's far too complicated. Here's an alternative, more practical option to centralisation: let's call it the 'WordPress'

The future is not decentralised because it's far too complicated. Here's an alternative, more practical option to centralisation: let's call it the 'WordPress' model. Here's how it might work: Hosting companies have a standard installation API for server web apps. This lets developers create server web apps that can be installed on any hosting provider that supports that installation API. A simple one-click process. Businesses and indivduals can shop around to find a suitable hosting plan that will run the app. Like WordPress, there will be cheap-and-cheerful hosting plans at one end of the scale and at the other end are managed services with SLAs (Service Level Agreements) and premium support. The open, standard installation API enables data to be transferred from one hosting provider to another allowing easy data transfer from one hosting provider to another. (Or at least an easy way to download your data). The "WordPress" model is not a "pure" decentralised model but it's far more practical. It is also highly unlikely to happen because installation of server apps is currently impossible to do in an easy and simple way, particularly for non-technical users. But imagine if it was possible and the countless opportunities it would unlock for developers. It would also mean management of servers is offloaded to hosting companies while developers can simply concentrate on building their apps. (Docker, Cloudron, Sandstorm, command-line installations etc are neither easy or simple for non-technical users no matter how much developers may insist otherwise.)

lifty 6y ago
What you describe is also referred to as the self-hosted model. I agree with your assessment. Self-hosting can be a powerful model if we can make the server application model easy to use and manage, similarly to how it works on mobile phones. But the shared decentralisation model, aka blockchain, also has a role to play here. Digital identity should be sovereign and this can be modelled well using blockchains. To see more work in this direction check out https://identity.foundation https://identity.foundation.
pegasus 6y ago
This model is already being built: check out platforms like the internet computer & holochain for example.

lifty 6y ago

What you describe is also referred to as the self-hosted model. I agree with your assessment. Self-hosting can be a powerful model if we can make the server application model easy to use and manage, similarly to how it works on mobile phones. But the shared decentralisation model, aka blockchain, also has a role to play here. Digital identity should be sovereign and this can be modelled well using blockchains. To see more work in this direction check out https://identity.foundation https://identity.foundation.

pegasus 6y ago

This model is already being built: check out platforms like the internet computer & holochain for example.