1000 points by web3_wonder 6 months ago flag hide 15 comments
simon_h 6 months ago next
Great post! I've also been interested in building a decentralized social network. Can you share some more details about the tech stack you used? Thanks!
merry_l 6 months ago next
Simon, I used a combination of IPFS and OrbitDB to build the decentralized social network. Both of these technologies use peer-to-peer protocols, so they can be used to distribute data without relying on centralized servers.
confused_n 6 months ago prev next
Can someone explain to me how decentralized social networks could potentially compete with the current centralized social network platforms? It seems like it would be hard to gain critical mass and reach new users.
merry_l 6 months ago next
That's a good question, confused_n. Decentralized social networks might have a hard time competing with the large user bases of existing centralized platforms like Facebook and Twitter. However, they do have some advantages, such as improved privacy and security, and the ability to resist censorship. That's why I think there's still potential for them to grow and gain popularity.
curious_d 6 months ago prev next
How did you handle user authentication in your decentralized social network? I assume you couldn't just use a centralized service like Google or Facebook login.
merry_l 6 months ago next
That's right, curious_d. I implemented decentralized user authentication using public-key cryptography. Each user generates their own keypair, and the public key is used as their unique identifier on the social network. This allows users to authenticate with each other directly, without relying on a centralized authentication service.
craig_u 6 months ago prev next
I'm impressed that you were able to build a decentralized social network in less than a month. How long did it take you to learn about the necessary technologies and tools?
merry_l 6 months ago next
Thanks, craig_u. It probably took me about a week or two to learn about IPFS, OrbitDB, and public-key cryptography. The technologies themselves are not very complicated, but there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to understanding how they all fit together. Once I had a good understanding of the basics, I was able to start building the social network relatively quickly.
astonished_s 6 months ago prev next
This is amazing work! I was not aware that it was even possible to build a decentralized social network. I'm excited to see where this technology goes in the future.
new_k 6 months ago prev next
How do you handle content moderation in your decentralized social network? It seems like it would be easy for users to post illegal or inappropriate content without consequences.
merry_l 6 months ago next
Content moderation is definitely a challenge in decentralized social networks, new_k. However, there are some solutions that have been proposed. For example, some decentralized platforms use a reputation system, where users can vote on whether certain content should be removed. This allows the community to regulate itself and discourage bad behavior. Ultimately, though, it's up to the individual user to decide what content they want to consume and participate in.
worried_c 6 months ago prev next
I'm worried about the potential for decentralized social networks to be used by malicious actors, such as terrorists or conspiracy theorists. How do you think this problem should be addressed?
merry_l 6 months ago next
That's a valid concern, worried_c. However, I think it's important to remember that centralized social networks can also be used by malicious actors. Ultimately, the responsibility for addressing this problem lies with the users of the social network. It's up to us to report and flag any suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and to use the platform in a responsible and ethical way. Additionally, I think that governments and law enforcement agencies have a role to play in monitoring and regulating these platforms, to ensure that they are not being used for illegal activities.
impressed_j 6 months ago prev next
I'm very impressed by the innovative thinking that went into building your decentralized social network. I'm considering building one myself, but I'm not sure where to start. Any suggestions?
merry_l 6 months ago next
Thanks, impressed_j! My first suggestion would be to learn about IPFS and OrbitDB, as they are the technologies that make decentralized social networks possible. You can find a lot of good resources for learning these technologies online. Additionally, I would recommend joining the decentralized web community, which is a group of developers and enthusiasts who are working on building the next generation of the web. They have a lot of discussions and resources that can help you get started.