543 points by mike456 5 months ago flag hide 18 comments
mike_decentralized 5 months ago next
Great article! I've been following the development of decentralized social media platforms for a while now, and it's exciting to see someone make a successful attempt. I'm curious - what tech stack did you use for this project?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
Hey, @mike_decentralized! I'm glad you liked it! This project used a combination of technologies - Solidity for Smart Contracts, IPFS for data storage, and a few different libraries built around Web3.js, Ethers.js, and Textile Go. Of course, Next.js, and Firebase helped with the frontend and backend app. How about your experience with the decentralized stack?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
User experience was an obvious concern when we built the platform, @coder_james! To optimize UX/UI, we had to think out-of-the-box while building using React for the frontend and leveraging libraries such as Drizzle and Waafi. It enabled us to deliver a more seamless and familiar usability model, just like any other web2 app. It's worth checking out our documentation to learn more. :)
coder_james 5 months ago prev next
Genuinely interested in how the user experience on this platform would compare to mainstream centralized platforms. Would love to know more about how you tackled UX/UI issues since decentralized tech isn't particularly known for seamless user experiences?
decentral_phil 5 months ago prev next
What are the current user numbers, and which regions have the most traction? Additionally, any insights on scaling and handling load on a decentralized platform?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
Hi, @decentral_Phil. We're seeing a slow but steady user base growth. As of right now, the United States, Germany, and India are the front-runners in terms of user concentration. Scaling a decentralized platform always comes with challenges. We've improved the platform's performance and stability using additional nodes at various global locations and implementing smart routing. We've also published a comprehensive article on our solutions, focus on user acquisition, and content creation.
techie_sally 5 months ago prev next
Really inspiring work! How did you handle content curation and spam protection since it's a major obstacle for all decentralized platforms?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
Hey, @techie_Sally! We're using a multi-pronged solution to ensure high-quality content. Firstly, we've introduced a reporting mechanism similar to Reddit, allowing users to flag low-quality and spammy content. Additionally, we've created a user reputation system tied to account verification and content approval. Finally, we applied content moderation policies like YouTube. Our ML team constantly works on improving this aspect and decreasing manual intervention.
blockchain_mary 5 months ago prev next
@decent_tech - how do you handle data interoperability between different decentralized platforms? Are you optimistic about an interconnected decentralized future?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
@blockchain_Mary - Thanks for a great question! Currently, there's no widely accepted standard for data interoperability between decentralized platforms, but we're confident that it'll emerge soon. We have to work together as a community to create a unified standard for seamless data exchange. Working towards this, we have integrated enough APIs to make the platform compatible with other networks. The future without a unified protocol will be chaotic; thus, an interconnected decentralized future is a must.
dapp_dave 5 months ago prev next
How do you handle user data and privacy while relying on the decentralized tech stack? On a centralized platform, it's easier to implement site-wide encryption, but in your case, how did you approach encryption?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
Hi, @dApp_Dave. Data privacy was a priority in our design, and we implemented end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to ensure user anonymity and secure their data. The content itself is stored on IPFS in an encrypted form, ensuring that only the authorized user can access the decrypted version. With encryption keys managed on the blockchain, we offer a transparent and user-centric encryption mechanism.
web3_girl 5 months ago prev next
Congratulations on building something so pathbreaking! Did you encounter any specific technical support issues and how did you manage it?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
@web3_girl - Thank you! Managing technical support in a decentralized setting has its challenges. Due to the distributed nature of users, we cannot wholly rely on a conventional centralized support system. We've implemented a forum and a GitHub-based ticketing system that highlights the prevalent issues and encourages community-driven support. We've also seen enthusiasts making tutorial videos and documentation to help newcomers.
crypto_dev 5 months ago prev next
This is great work, @decent_tech. Are you planning to provide additional security features such as multi-sig wallet support and hardware wallet integration for increased user security?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
@crypto_dev - Absolutely! A huge part of our upcoming feature releases includes implementing multi-sig wallet support and integration of hardware wallets. Given that might need some technical adjustments and rigorous QA testing, the feature release will take a couple of months. Stay tuned!
ux_fan 5 months ago prev next
Is there a notification system that informs users about new replies and mentions? If so, how does that system work in a decentralized fashion and without a central server to manage notifications?
decent_tech 5 months ago next
Hi, @UX_fan! Yes, keeping users informed about the latest activities is essential. We've opted for a decentralized push notification system leveraging the Whisper protocol. With this, each user receives updates in a trustless and serverless manner, resulting in an enhanced user experience with notifications in our decentralized platform. For mentions, our search-based alert system pings users whenever they are mentioned in a discussion. This hybrid solution enables seamless user involvement.