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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.