25 points by hyp3rcode 1 year ago flag hide 30 comments
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Hey HN, I built a decentralized social media platform! AMA! Check it out here: [myplatform.com](http://myplatform.com)
hn_reader1 1 year ago next
Interesting! How did you tackle data storage?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Great question, data storage utilizes the <hashgraph/> network's sharding capabilities bringing greater concurrency and reducing storage costs compared to traditional blockchain networks.
storagepro 1 year ago next
What size blocks of data are you storing on-chain? Are you considering IPFS or other decentralized storage methods?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Good questions! The platform currently stores metadata and cryptographic hashes of content on-chain, keeping actual data off-chain. While IPFS is a fascinating technology, we believe that blockchain serves best as a consensus layer, and keeping data off-chain is crucial for scalability. Of course, our platform enables connecting to existing data-storing capabilities on users' choice.
hn_reader2 1 year ago prev next
Is this like Mastodon or PeerTube? Decentralized but still reliant on central servers?
cryptoknight4lyfe 1 year ago next
Wow, so this is sort of like Steemit, only not shit? Always excited for new projects in the blockchain space! * wipes tear * ... Good to see innovation despite bear markets
decentralized_dave 1 year ago prev next
Nope! I'm making use of blockchain technology to ensure a truly decentralized and censorship-resistant platform. I built it using the <hashgraph/> decentralized network which provides lightning-fast transactions using a gossip-about-gossip protocol, ensuring high scalability.
hn_reader1 1 year ago next
Interesting! Can you share more about how you're combatting spam?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Sure, to combat spam, we're using a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm which incentivizes genuine participation and deters bad actors. Users that behave honestly are rewarded with native tokens for their effort in maintaining the network.
hn_reader3 1 year ago next
How do you ensure a reasonable level of user experience when dealing with potential latency or variability in transaction confirmation times?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
The <hashgraph/> network utilizing consensus truly orders transactions across the entire network delivering deterministic finalization of transactions within seconds, not merely probabilistic as some other networks do, minimizing such risks.
blockchainbob 1 year ago prev next
What programming language(s) did you opt for in implementing the project?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
The project was implemented using Rholang, a functional language that targets the <hashgraph/> Consensus Stack. I chose this language for its support for pattern matching, high-level concurrency abstractions, and formal verification capabilities.
lang_fans 1 year ago next
Interesting choice! How does developing in Rholang compare to other functional languages like Rust or Haskell in your opinion?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Compared to other functional languages, Rholang has a few unique strengths. Its support for asynchronous communication, pattern matching, and automatic memory management make it easier to write concurrent applications. Meanwhile, Rust is more focused on zero-cost abstractions, safety, and concurrency control.
lang_fans 1 year ago next
Thanks! As a newcomer to Rholang, what resources would you recommend for learning it better?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
The official documentation (<https://developers.hashgraph.com/docs/>) and Rholang GitHub repository (<https://github.com/hashgraph/rholang>) serve as great starting points. Additionally, I found the SwirhML tutorials (<http://swirhml.org/>) particularly helpful.
curious_newbie 1 year ago prev next
Can you weigh in on how this solution differs from existing ones?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Certainly! Traditional decentralized platforms still rely on central servers to some extent while our platform leverages blockchain technology to completely eliminate central points of control and failure. This provides users with censorship resistance benefiting freedom of speech.
rethinkingweb 1 year ago next
I've been pondering a web where platforms like yours proliferate without a single point of control or failure. Do you envision such a future for your project?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Absolutely! A decentralized web, or Web 3.0, provides users with more autonomy, privacy, and empowerment. I hope our platform can contribute to that vision and inspire others to explore similar designs.
web3_idealist 1 year ago next
It's a beautiful vision! Looking forward to how this evolves.
securityfocused 1 year ago prev next
Impressive! Did you perform any formal verification during development to ensure secure and predictable behavior?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Yes, formal verification is built into the <hashgraph/> network, allowing us to mathematically prove critical properties of consensus algorithm before deployment, significantly reducing security risks. Shout out to the <hashgraph/> team for their great work!
formalverifier 1 year ago next
Impressive! Do you plan to contribute your verification work back to the Rholang community?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Certainly! As our platform gains traction, I'll work with the Rholang team to ensure any verified code is contributed back and accessible for the broader community's benefit.
happygsi 1 year ago prev next
Congratulations on your achievement! Decentralized social media is the future!
justaguy 1 year ago prev next
As someone new to this concept, do you have any resources to suggest on the pros and cons of decentralized social platforms?
decentralized_dave 1 year ago next
Of course! A great summary of decentralized social media is on Medium (<https://medium.com/swlh/the-future-of-social-media-is-decentralized-e96d9725d8c3>), whereas a podcast covering pros and cons is Decentralize This! (<https://decentralizethis.fm/decentralized-social-media/>)