Technologies of the Decentralized Web Summit
The Internet Archive hosted the Decentralized Web Summit June 7th - 9th; more info and videos are available at decentralizedweb.net.
Why a decentralized web?
The core vision of a decentralized web is a web that respects user privacy and user data, has funding models besides ads, that is self-archiving, and cannot be censored or taken down.
All technology is political, and all technology reflects human values in its functionality. The possibility of a decentralized web is the possibility to build thoughtful technology around those values which can empower marginalized voices and bolster freedom of speech and expression.
Who's doing what
This is a small sample of the people and tools at the Summit - if something here doesn't look right, let me know.
Decentralized Webs
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ZeroNet
Represented by Tamas Kocsis
ZeroNet is a peer-to-peer web built on the Bitcoin blockchain for addressing, and identity and Namecoin for.bit
domains. It also has Tor support. -
Freenet
Represented by Michael Grube
Freenet is a network aimed at activists and people living in repressive regimes. It uses a web of trust in high security mode, which allows users on the network to be effectively undetectable. -
MaidSafe
Represented by Paige Peterson
MaidSafe's SAFE Network is soon-to-be-released decentralized internet and app infrastructure which rewards users for participating in the network.
Data Storage & Sharing
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WebTorrent
Represented by Feross Aboukhadijeh
WebTorrent is in-browser torrenting that works without requiring users to install anything extra. -
Dat Project
Represented by Karissa McKelvey and Max Ogden
Dat is torrent-based public data storage, versioning, and sharing aimed at scientists, or anyone else with data. -
IPFS
Represented by Juan Benet and David Dias
IPFS, or InterPlanetary File System, is a distributed file storage system that aims to replace HTTP. Both the Internet Archive and Neocities serve web content with IPFS. -
BigchainDB
Represented by Trent McConaghy, Greg McMullen, and Alberto Granzotto
BigchainDB is a scalable database that layers blockchain technology over decentralized data. -
IPDB
Represented by Alberto Granzotto, Greg McMullen, and Trent McConaghy
IPDB (InterPlanetary Database) is a federated database network built on BigchainDB and IPFS. It is maintained by a network of caretakers around the world, at least half of which are nonprofits. -
Mediachain
Represented by Denis Nazarov and Arkadiy Kukarkin
Mediachain is a media library built on IPFS that makes it easy to publish, track, and discover creative work. -
Tahoe-LAFS
Represented by Brian Warner and Zooko Wilcox
Tahoe-LAFS (Least Authoritative File Storage) is a private, encrypted file storage system that decentralizes data across multiple servers.
Communication & Chat
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Matrix
Represented by Matthew Hodgson
Matrix is a communication platform that can integrate with existing chat tools like slack. They just released a usability-focused client, Vector. -
LevelNews
Represented by Lauren Garcia
LevelNews is a leftist news aggregator designed for an open web, and dedicated to journalism without censorship.
Decentralized Development Platforms
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Ethereum
Represented by Dr. Gavin Wood
Wood described Ethereum as "a distributed answer to HTTP POST" - it's a blockcahin-based platform for decentralized app development. -
Urbit
Represented by Galen Wolfe-Pauly
Urbit is an operating system for a personal server that acts as a digital identity and application platform.
Blockchain Infrastructure
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Blockstack
Represented by Muneeb Ali
Blockstack is a platform for application development with built in decentralized DNS. -
Althea Mesh
Represented by Jehan Tremback
Althea is a proposed system for providing peer-to-peer internet connectivity through blockchain enabled rooftop transmitters. -
Namecoin
Represented by Jeremy Rand
Namecoin is a replacement for the existing domain name system that registers identities on a blockchain, rather than a centralized DNS authority. -
Zcash
Represented by Zooko Wilcox
Zcash is a cryptocurrency built for total privacy - in existing systems like bitcoin, every transaction is public and traceable. Zcash encrypts transactions so that they can be validated while still private. -
Backfeed
Represented by Primavera De Filippi
Backfeed is a technology to enable decentralized and user-owned governance and reputation management for a community. Its use cases include ride sharing, insurance, and any operation that requires a large group of people to cooperate. -
Jolocom
Represented by Joachim Lohkamp
Jolocom is linked social data, everything from a person's healthcare history to their bank statements to their social media activity, that is owned, controlled, and managed by the individual. -
Interledger
Represented by Evan Schwartz
Interledger interconnects disparate cryptocurrencies and financial systems.