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[This is not necessarily about web3] I've said it before, and it needs repeating: we >need< hardware solutions for creating decentralized networks: mesh-networ

by sebow 5y ago

[This is not necessarily about web3] I've said it before, and it needs repeating: we >need< hardware solutions for creating decentralized networks: mesh-networks, fog networks, etc. So far the solutions realistically are null: there has to be a way for the average person to buy the hardware, create the network or join one, and then use it.Software-wise there are some promising protocols but obviously you >can't< be sure how good they are until they're put to the test.And we don't even need protocols that work 100%, given that nowadays one can theoretically use software that adapts to whatever the conditions of the hardware are.I refrain myself to use buzzwords here, but the software is more accessible and you don't even need 100% compatibility between all the protocols out there, as long as you get that respective data correctly between A and B. But there will not be any progress to any decentralized internet unless we get solutions to the average joe, the consumer, to do this.Obviously this is not in the interest of corporations, governments, and other entities that have control, but in the case of a disaster or collapse of a society, a change of regime towards a totalitarian state, what other viable solutions are besides hoping those in power will "bide by their principles"[assuming they exist]? That's why frankly any decentralization software-wise is good but quite useless at the same time, including web 3.0, including anything running on IP protocol or through an ISP that is governed by a state.You literally have to cut <=5 "internet cables" worldwide and you got rid of the internet to the vast majority of the planet.Yes Starlink exists but how many people use it and how resilient is it?

JofArnold 5y ago
This is 100% true but even worse I think; a lot of people talk about blockchain being censorship-resistant... But what if Intel/AMD/Apple/NVIDIA are forced to have hardware blocks for specific wallet addresses for instance?
AnthonyMouse 5y ago
Hardware to do this kind of thing is commercially available and some people are doing it, e.g.: https://www.nycmesh.net/ https://www.nycmesh.net/ The main problem is that unlicensed spectrum has limited range and most places don't have enough density to make it work when only <1% of the population is on the network. So it works in places like New York City. It requires a high enough density of people inclined to do this sort of thing. It could work elsewhere but it's kind of chicken and egg. For longer range there is still Ham Radio. Check if they give the ham radio exam at your local hackerspace.
- sebow 5y ago
  Interesting, i wanted to mention the NYC mesh network but i didn't knew about the specifics, i think your link is what i thought of which is nice.From what i recall it's pretty old aswell.'Sadly' I'm not in NYC so yeah.. Also if I recall there are some interesting projects like Helium but those are not necessarily about creating the networks but providing access and "getting the coin" by providing internet access to others.It's interesting but not that much, considering it's somewhat reliant on "the current internet" itself,the hardware is realistically somewhat expensive, and also given that the incentive is to "mine the coin" by providing access to a centralized service, there can be ulterior motives to it. As for the laws & licenses for certain spectrums and allowed bands, I think ultimately people will not really care when "sh*t hits the fan".It's good right now to keep things tidy and not get chaotic, but i think the important thing is the availability of the devices themselves.

by sebow 5y ago

JofArnold 5y ago

This is 100% true but even worse I think; a lot of people talk about blockchain being censorship-resistant... But what if Intel/AMD/Apple/NVIDIA are forced to have hardware blocks for specific wallet addresses for instance?

AnthonyMouse 5y ago

Hardware to do this kind of thing is commercially available and some people are doing it, e.g.: https://www.nycmesh.net/ https://www.nycmesh.net/ The main problem is that unlicensed spectrum has limited range and most places don't have enough density to make it work when only <1% of the population is on the network. So it works in places like New York City. It requires a high enough density of people inclined to do this sort of thing. It could work elsewhere but it's kind of chicken and egg. For longer range there is still Ham Radio. Check if they give the ham radio exam at your local hackerspace.

sebow 5y ago
Interesting, i wanted to mention the NYC mesh network but i didn't knew about the specifics, i think your link is what i thought of which is nice.From what i recall it's pretty old aswell.'Sadly' I'm not in NYC so yeah.. Also if I recall there are some interesting projects like Helium but those are not necessarily about creating the networks but providing access and "getting the coin" by providing internet access to others.It's interesting but not that much, considering it's somewhat reliant on "the current internet" itself,the hardware is realistically somewhat expensive, and also given that the incentive is to "mine the coin" by providing access to a centralized service, there can be ulterior motives to it. As for the laws & licenses for certain spectrums and allowed bands, I think ultimately people will not really care when "sh*t hits the fan".It's good right now to keep things tidy and not get chaotic, but i think the important thing is the availability of the devices themselves.