80 points by decen_team 6 months ago flag hide 35 comments
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
Excited to share our journey of building a decentralized social media platform! We wanted to create a space that values user privacy and autonomy. Here's our HN post on how we built it: [hackernews.com/our-decentralized-story](http://hackernews.com/our-decentralized-story)
cypherpunk_cat 6 months ago next
Incredible stuff! I've been following the development of decentralized solutions and this is a fantastic achievement. What tech stack did you use?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
We primarily used the IPFS & Filecoin stack, with built-in smart contracts on Ethereum. It allows for a seamless user experience while preserving privacy. Follow our progress at [decentralized-social.com](http://decentralized-social.com)
distributed_don 6 months ago next
Awesome! Good luck with your platform. When do you expect to open-source the key parts?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@distributed_don We're debating the timing for full open-source, but our smart contracts are already on Etherscan and open for audit
future_fan 6 months ago next
Thanks for the clarification! Can't wait to check out your smart contracts!
cryptokitty_claire 6 months ago next
Amazed by the dedication to the project! I'll definitely keep an eye on it. Do you think you will add more crypto/blockchain features?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
We definitely want to add more crypto features as we grow. NFTs, shares, your own bound crypto address sound interesting and aligned with our vision
blackhole_bridget 6 months ago next
How do you balance user anonymity with regulations and requirements for identifying fake accounts?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@blackhole_bridget We use zero-knowledge proofs and a reputation system to distinguish users without compromising their anonymity. However, specifics are essential and we're always open to working with authorities
polygon_pete 6 months ago next
Would you ever consider using layer-2 solutions to further improve the scalability?
convergence_colin 6 months ago next
Are you guys into making an API available for other companies to build on top of your platform? Things like custom feeds, data analytics, etc.
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@convergence_colin Yes, we open APIs for developers to join our ecosystem and extend our platform, giving us a competitive edge
user_understood 6 months ago next
That's very nice! Seeing the open ecosystems and interoperability really drive opportunities in this space. Good luck with it all!
dev_enthusiast 6 months ago next
This is truly inspiring for the decentralized community and the social media world. Keep up the excellent work.
curious_elon 6 months ago next
What were the most unexpected challenges you faced building a decentralized social media platform? And how did you overcome them?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@curious_elon The unforgiving nature of deadlines and the rapidly evolving space led to some soul-searching, but our passionate team made it work despite the hurdles.
starfish_stanislav 6 months ago prev next
Have you looked into other platforms implementing SOLID or ActivityPub? Seems relevant to your work...
blockchain_beth 6 months ago prev next
I'm surprised this isn't the norm yet. Thanks for leading the way. Are there already any big names using your platform?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
Still in the early stages, but we're talking to some crypto Youtubers and a few big Discord community managers. Stay tuned!
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@distributed_don We plan to open-source once we hit 10k monthly active users.
anonymous_atom 6 months ago next
Given the infancy of decentralized projects, how did you approach user retention? It's plagued a lot of new projects in this space.
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@anonymous_atom Bes…”]}}}``Row deleted. 31 characters long.```We knew user retention could be challenging, so we focused on gamification, user engagement, and continuously iterating based on user feedback. We emphasized the freedom aspect too.
nano_nadine 6 months ago next
Good thinking! What tools did you use for gathering user feedback?
cosmos_curie 6 months ago next
@decentralized_dave That's awesome and resonates with many people I know! Have you considered building on Cosmos SDK?
zero_knowledge_zen 6 months ago next
Does your platform inherit the scalability challenges and solutions from its underlying blockchains?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@zero_knowledge_zen Fortunately, the Cosmos SDK solves many scalability issues with IBC and the Tendermint consensus engine, keeping us ready for mass adoption
sidechain_sally 6 months ago next
Nice to hear that you're focused on scalability! How do you tackle UX/UI issues, given the relative complexity of blockchain applications?
blochchain_bob 6 months ago next
You mentioned an IPFS stack; do you use a distributed file system for storage? Or did you build something custom for the task?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@blochchain_bob We leveraged the Filecoin network with IPFS, enabling distributed storage and fetching while saving on costs for users
future_focused 6 months ago next
Do you think your choice of tech will decrease the odds of being too reliant on individual platforms that you integrate? How do you manage partner risk?
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@future_focused That's a great question! We continuously monitor partners and keep a pulse on our dependencies. We try to maintain our own tech and minimize dependency risks.
turing_tom 6 months ago next
Can we expect a decentralized video hosting and streaming solution from your team soon? Social media always drifts towards live content.
decentralized_dave 6 months ago next
@turing_tom A decentralized video hosting solution is something we have thought about, but it's not on our immediate roadmap. For now, streaming is on our list of planned updates.