Go to the Graphite landing page to learn more about the application and to sign into the application via your Blockstack browser (a user will need the Blockstack Browser to avail yourself of the full functionality of the Blockstack ecosystem).

The update includes a refreshed user interface along with a great new feature – Vault.  The Vault gives the user of the application the ability to encrypt all of the his/her/its files with the encryption protocol provided by the Blockstack ecosystem and infrastructure (we will provide more on encryption via Blockstack in a subsequent post). 

Not only can you now encrypt images, videos, .pdfs, and other files, the user can now download files and share the encrypted files with other users of the application and the Blockstack ecosystem (internet).

As shown above, the update offers a fresh, new and nice layout with easy access to the tabs used to create a new Document or Sheet, add a new Contact and open a conversation with someone (one of your contacts – peer to peer “P2P”) and now use the vault storage.  And everything done through the use of the Blockstack browser and application is decentralized, encrypted (user control), and secure thanks to Blockstack’s ecosystem.  Next, we will take a look at the new feature – Vault.

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp (including Graphite) built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, a decentralized internet, re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).  And, if you need more information on Graphite and how to use it, please visit this link.

Now, let’s take a look at the new Vault feature and how it works. Once you are signed into the Graphite dApp via your blockstack browser using your blockstack ID (e.g., abc.id), you should see the landing page shown below.

From that page, choose the Vault tab and you will be directed to the “Your Files” (vault) page as shown below.

At this juncture, you will then be able to upload a file to be stored securely with encryption (only for users access).    As shown, we have already upload a file that has been encrypted and securely stored in our storage environment (note: for now it is storage provided by Blockstack – but it is encrypted and only we can access it).  Below you can see the file – a screenshot image – we uploaded to our vault.

Now, if we want to share that file, we can click on the share icon (see above and not the cloud download arrow icon), and the next screen to appear is the sharing screen as shown below.  At this point, we can add a contact, or choose one of our existing contacts that we want to share the file with.  For example, we could select the developer of Graphite – jehunter5811.id. 

As shown in the screenshot below – Once we have clicked the “share” button, the user will get a pop-up screen confirming the item has been shared or it might say to tell the user to sign-in to access the new shared file.  Success and sharing has now been completed between users of the application – securely and encrypted (only for those two IDs – thestackcafe.id shared with jehunter5811.id). 

And, you can see that we also downloaded the file too by selecting the cloud with the down arrow (see bottom of this screen shot below – Blockstack1.png file downloaded and ready to be saved or whatever…)

Remember, per Blockstack – all information or data you create or store using a dApp via your Blockstack Browser is encrypted and securely stored in a decentralized manner. And, it is only accessible by you and only those you give access to your data and information.

We have successfully accessed the Graphite application via the Blockstack browser, opened the Vault, downloaded a previously uploaded file, and shared a previously uploaded file with Graphite developer Justin hunter (jehunter5811.id).  Hey, Justin Hunter, go check out the file we shared with you.  Way to go Team Graphite and go Blockstack!

Other helpful links for more information on Blockstack include:

Blockstack – the new decentralized application platform and ecosystem for the decentralized/re-decentralized internet (dApp, dApps, blockchain, bitcoin, distributed and Web 3.0)

Blockstack’s Forum

@Blockstack

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, decentralized, a decentralized internet, distributed, bitcoin, distributed, blockchain, re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).

For more on All things Developer^TM, see this link here. For more on the engineering meeting at Blockstack, please visit the forum. Blockstack makes the internet you use better!^TM

Thanks again for visiting The Stack Cafe^TM and we look forward to hearing from you. Please help us put out the word on Web^3.0 by posting a comment below and signing up for e-mail notifications for future updates (right side-bar). Let’s help build the new internet | The Decentralized Way^TM. A decentralized internet | The Way The Future^TM.

The post Blockstack: Graphite dApp Update – New UI and Feature: Vault Storage appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.

Even in today’s world with so many powerful browser choices, you may find yourself, for instance,  using multiple passwords or being distracted by the constant message that this site uses cookies and so on…  The cookie message is annoying and the multiple password landscape is frustrating almost to the point of making using the internet not fun.  If we just had a little more control over passwords, cookies, tracking…

Well, we think Blockstack has not only taken the browser to the next level by making it better, more powerful and simpler, but it has also given the user more control over the internet experience.  When the Blockstack Browser is coupled with [sg_popup id=”3″ event=”click”]Blockstack’s ecosystem[/sg_popup], it allows the user to control how they use and interact with the internet.  For instance, some of the items that the Blockstack Browser gives the user control over include:

• the user’s information/data
• the storage of user’s information/data
• access to the user’s information/data
• encryption of the user’s information/data.

The bottom line is that the blockstack browser allows the user to control many more things than the other browsers when those browsers are used on the traditional internet.

Along with being, not only the window – main portal or access point – into the Blockstack internet, the Blockstack Browser is a one stop shop tool to help the user control the user’s identity, wallet and all settings (guide for browser) that the user may need to make the new internet experience very powerful, simple and enjoyable. 

Some examples of these new and key features that are part of the Blockstack Browser include:

Identity: When the user installs the browser, the user is provided a unique identity that the user owns.  The Id is used for everything and is:

• unique
  • meaning there is no situation where two people can independently create and use a unique name – e.g., thestackcafe.id or blockstack.id, (manipulate your bio, add a picture, verify social level, add a username, see your non-human readable id…)
    
• human-readable
  • a name should look – e.g., The Stack Cafe or John and not like the non-human readable part – e.g. 1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7DivfNa
    
• decentralized
  • names are chosen and owned by users and not by a central authority – creating decentralization of identities
    • The names/IDs are created via the Blockstack Naming System (BNS).  This is very similar to DNS (domain naming system) except the naming system created by Blockstack (more on BNS in a later overview) provides that the names are owned by the user via a cryptographic address that is secured by the underlying blockchain and their associated private keys – further decentralization).
      

A quick recap – the browser is installed locally on your device (e.g., computer, phone…) and stores the user’s human-readable decentralized identity (ID) (e.g. username for all applications) and the private key (cryptographic/encrypted) that you received when you installed the browser.  The private key is never sent to any remote servers and is meant to stay on your device.  The private key is what is used to control your data and ID while you use any of the applications – dApp(s)- when you use the Blockstack Browser on the decentralized internet.  The Blockstack Browser is a very powerful but extremely easy to use tool.  For more on the browser, visit here.

Storage: When the user installs the browser, the user is provided control over how data/information is stored.  Some of the key features of the decentralized storage options that are part of the Blockstack Browser include:

• control by user (user id) 
  • your personal data and storage is built around the ID (all stored data values are signed by an owner key (encrypted)
    • all applications can request permissions from users and then gain read and write access to user controlled storage – applications that want to access your data use your permission and identity to find it.
      
• simple
  • data storage is simple, reliable and uses existing cloud infrastructure or a personal storage device
    
    • use Dropbox, Google Drive, S3, etc…
      • data is automatically synced from the user’s local device up to cloud or the user’s local storage device
        
• decentralized –
  • users should be able to use decentralized storage systems where they can store their data without revealing it to any remote parties.
  • using a new unstructured peer network, called the Atlas network powered by Gaia (covered in later overview), that uses peer-to-peer (P2P)network
  • multiple choices of storage platforms to use
• portable
  • if you don’t like your present storage provider, change it out for another one or use your own
  • store encrypted and/or signed data on the storage providers
  • users can take their data with them if they leave the application
    • data is the user’s data and is owned by the user, not the application
• unlimited choices
  • the system was designed to avoid centralization and provide decentralization of storage
  • store encrypted and/or signed data on the storage providers
  • provides/allows for multiple storage providers to coexist, including both cloud storage and P2P systems
    • it basically treats cloud storage providers (e.g., Dropbox, Amazon S3, and Google Drive) as “dumb drives” 
      • available storage providers just host user data
        • Blockstack ensures that all data is signed and verified and (optionally) encrypted end-to-end
          • no-one (e.g., applications, storage providers, blockstack…) except the user can only read it with the user’s consent
            
            • the storage systems are not trusted to serve data
• store data/information that is encrypted and/or signed
  

A quick recap – the browser helps the user take full advantage of a decentralized storage system that is controlled by the user, simple, decentralized, portable, encrypted and provides unlimited storage provider choices.  Whew, this is good stuff.  The Blockstack Browser is a very powerful but extremely easy to use tool.  For more on the browser, visit here.

Wallet:  When the user installs the browser, the user is provided a secure Bitcoin wallet-

• pre-configured bitcoin wallet
  
• use a bitcoin wallet QR code image for ease of use
• instant display of your bitcoin wallet balance

A quick recap – On the traditional internet, when you use a website (e.g., twitter, facebook, amazon and others), you establish a secure connection to that website, log in to that website and you are given no choice other that to keep all of your data/information with that website.  In the Blockstack internet, Blockstack harnesses all of the power of the traditional internet and then adds the Blockstack Browser on top.  The Blockstack Browser opens the window to a new internet, a decentralized internet that puts the power back in the hand of the users.

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, a decentralized internet, and re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).

Resources re: Blockstack and dApps

• Blockstack
• @blockstack
  • @blockstackapps
• Developers
  • Introduction
    • Papers
    • Videos
    • Tutorials
      • (e.g., todo and multi-player storage)
    • Installation
    • Github
      • Javascript
      • Core API
• Blog
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Blockstack Meetups
  • Blockstack NYC Meetup

Thanks again for visiting The Stack Cafe^TM and we look forward to hearing from you. Please help us put out the word on Web^3.0 by posting a comment below and signing up for e-mail notifications for future updates (right side-bar). Let’s help build the new internet | The Decentralized Way^TM. A decentralized internet | The Way The Future^TM.

The post Blockstack: The Browser – It does that? appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.

As shown above, the update offers a fresh, new and nice layout with easy access to the tabs used to create a new Document or Sheet, add a new Contact and open a conversation (feature is an alpha version) with someone (one of your contacts – peer to peer “P2P”).  And it is all completely decentralized, encrypted, and secure thanks to Blockstack’s ecosystem.  Next, we will take a look at one of the new features – how to add a contact while using Graphite’s dApp. 

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp (including Graphite) built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, a decentralized internet, re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).  And, if you need more information on Graphite and how to use it, please visit this link.

Now, let’s take a look at the new Contacts feature and how it works.  Once you are signed into the Graphite dApp via your blockstack browser using your blockstack ID (e.g., abc.id), you should see the landing page shown above.  From that page, choose the Contacts tab and you will be directed to the contacts page data entry field as shown below.

At this juncture, you will then be able to type in the name of the person that you want to add to your contacts database.  In this overview, we are going to try and add the developer of Graphite, Justin Hunter.  We found a couple of ways to search for a particular person to add to your contacts tab – by full name or by the Blockstack ID (e.g., justin hunter or jehunter5811.id, respectively).

The first way we tried was by the person’s name – e.g. Justin Hunter.  And, as you can see from the image below, as you type in the name of the person you are trying to add, the search feature in Graphite kicks in and begins to search/auto-fill in names that might be the closest match to the name you are trying to find.  The results turned up a couple of choices, one being Justin Hunter (the search polls/searches the Blockstack naming system registry).

The second way we tried was by using the person’s Blockstack ID – e.g. jehunter5811.id (this was already known to us).  Again, as you can see from the image below, as you type in the Blockstack ID of the person you are trying to add, the search feature in Graphite kicks in and begins to search/auto-fill in names that might be the closest match to the ID you are trying to find.  In our example, the results turned up one choice, Justin Hunter (jehunter5811).

Now, we can select the appropriate name and it will be added to our secure and encrypted contact name database. As shown below, we selected the preferred profile – click the “+” button – and it was added to our contacts page.

Remember, all information or data you create or store using a dApp via your Blockstack Browser is encrypted and securely stored in a decentralized manner.  And, it is only accessible by you and only those you give access to your data and information.

And, you can delete the contact too.  To delete a contact, navigate to the Contacts page and find the contact you wish to delete.  Once you have located the contact, select the garbage can icon (see image above), and a pop-up will appear asking if you are sure if you want delete this contact (you cannot undo a delete) as shown below.

Hit the delete button and the contact is removed from your contact listings page.  As that was the only contact in our contacts, we are now back to add a new contact page (deleted contact removed).

We have successfully added and deleted a contact in the Graphite dApp. 

Graphite has brought the blockstack community a decentralized, secure and encrypted dApp that offers word processing, spreadsheets, storage and a Peer-to-Peer conversation/messaging platform.  Go check out Graphite and try out all of the great features it has to offer.  And, check back here for our next overview – a look at the public alpha version of the new conversation/messaging feature offered by Graphite.

Thanks again for visiting The Stack Cafe^TM and we look forward to hearing from you. Please help us put out the word on Web^3.0 by posting a comment below and signing up for e-mail notifications for future updates (right side-bar).  Let’s help build the new internet | The Decentralized Way^TM.  A decentralized internet | The Way The Future^TM.

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And, in order to have applications to use/run on the ecosystem, you need an idea for a decentralized application (e.g., P2P Encrypted Messaging, Community Messaging, Word Processing, Cryptocurrency Portfolios…) and then a developer to build the decentralized application.  Welcome to the Developer’s corner (not only for developers though)…

In this post, and subsequent posts related to this series, we will try and explore some of the tools created for developers (and others) to build the decentralized applications (dApps) that can be used on the decentralized internet.  

To begin with, Blockstack is probably a developer’s dream come true.  By that, we mean Blockstack is making it a lot easier for developers to build decentralized applications for use on the Blockstack ecosystem. 

How did Blockstack make it a little easier, well they setup the kitchen (architecture and infrastructure) with almost everything the cook (developer) needs to create the dish (decentralized application – dApp).  The kitchen – Blockstack’s ecosystem, includes (among many other items):

• a decentralized domain name system (DNS)(it is called BNS)
• a decentralized public key distribution system
• a registry for applications (dApps)
• a registry for user identities
• a decentralized storage system
• tokens…

so the cook (developer) can bake (build) some wonderful creations (dApps).  Below, you will find a couple of different diagrams (e.g., stack for decentralized applications & how blockstack works) laying out the major components – blockchain, virtualchain, routing layer and storage layer – of the Blockstack architecture:

It is all there – the Blockstack infrastructure described above, provides a lot of the tools that a developer might need to build decentralized applications for use on the Blockstack ecosystem.  And, by providing some of the tools needed to build decentralized applications, Blockstack has enabled the developer to more easily build a dApp.  For example, the 

• developer can use java-script (and libraries) to build a single page application(s)
  • that does not plug into the front-end of a centralized API
    • but one that plugs into an API run by the user (as the API is pre-built and runs on the user’s device)
• developer does not have to worry about
  • running servers
  • maintaining databases
  • building out user management systems because:
    • the applications are server-less and decentralized
    • users bring their own storage
    • user/applications use public-key cryptography for authentication
    • the developer’s of the application and the application itself do not have to store anything

To make it even easier, Blockstack also includes libraries and step-by-step tutorials (e.g., identity, storage, tokens (coming soon)) for the developer, hacker, hobbyist and others to build decentralized applications. 

All of this looks so good that we might try and build a decentralized application too.  All kidding aside (not really though), it looks like Blockstack has put forth a complete package so developing decentralized applications should be a lot easier.  In addition, Blockstack has put together a great team in case a question should arise.   And, to top it off, everything Blockstack ecosystem is an open source community project.  So, not only is Blockstack there to help, the open source community of developers, hackers, users and supporters, and others  – already participating in the environment –  are helping out too (e.g. forums, meet-ups, code/programing feedback, testing…).  

Please find below, some links that might be most helpful as you learn more about Blockstack’s tools for developing a decentralized application for use on Blockstack.

Resources re: Blockstack and dApps

• Blockstack
• @blockstack
  • @blockstackapps
• Developers
  • Introduction
    • Papers
    • Videos
    • Tutorials
      • (e.g., todo and multi-player storage)
    • Installation
    • Github
      • Javascript
      • Core API
• Blog
• Frequently Asked Questions

And, if all of the above wasn’t enough, Blockstack and the Blockstack Signature fund have sprinkled a little powdered sugar on top with the dApp bounties – Blockstack: $50,000 Bounty for Messaging Applications.  Bounties – One aspect of promoting the Blockstack ecosystem is to provide a platform to help support the global community of developers, designers, and others to submit their ideas and products for a chance to win a prize (e.g., decentralized application(s), dApp, dApps on the Web 3.0).

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, a decentralized internet, re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).

Thanks again for visiting The Stack Cafe^TM and we look forward to hearing from you. Please help us put out the word on Web^3.0 by posting a comment below and signing up for e-mail notifications for future updates (right side-bar).  Let’s help build the new internet | The Decentralized Way^TM.  A decentralized internet | The Way The Future^TM.

The post Blockstack: Developers Corner… appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.

“A decentralized internet is one where users don’t need to trust any intermediaries or remote services. We envision a world where users control their own data, and power flows back to the users. Reducing the friction to deploying new Blockstack nodes is an important step towards that mission.”

In the present day centralized internet, web applications (or owners of the web applications) most likely own all of the user’s data from the use of the web application, control where the user’s data is stored and control the access to the user’s data.  It appears that the user of web applications do not have much if any control.  This is where Blockstack and its vision of a decentralized internet comes into view. Blockstack wants to help bring to fruition:

A decentralized internet free of:

• middlemen
• passwords (e.g., multiple passwords), and
• massive centralized data repositories that are susceptible to being breached.

A decentralized internet where the users:

• control their data;
  • own their data, not the application provider
  • control where their data is stored
  • control who can access their data
• applications (apps) run on the user’s device (not on the server of a third party);
• do not have services tracking them around the internet.

A decentralized internet where developers:

• use java-script to build a single-page application;
• do not plug into the front-end of a centralized API;
  • but can plug into an API run by the user;
• have a complete the step-by-step tutorial and libraries
  • e.g., blockstack.js;
• don’t have to worry about:
  • running servers;
  • maintaining databases; or
  • building out user management systems; and
    • the applications are server-less and decentralized.
    • users bring their own storage
    • use public-key cryptography for authentication
    • applications don’t have to store anything

A decentralized internet where Blockstack:

• includes a decentralized domain name system (DNS),
• includes a includes a decentralized public key distribution system,
• includes a registry for apps and user identities and
• includes a blockstack browser that allows the user to access the decentralized applications (dApps) that are used to access the blockstack decentralized internet
• tokens for use in the ecosystem (see Blockstack)

For more on the resources for developers, please visit:

1. Blockstack – tutorials
2. Blockstack.js.

With all of the above, Blockstack is forging ahead with the new internet for decentralized apps (dApps)(Web 3.0).  From the users perspective, Blockstack gives the user identity freedom and data autonomy.  From the developer’s perspective, things look simpler to build, easier to implement with reduced overhead in maintaining the application.

dApps available @Blockstack:  The latest dApp developed for the Blockstack ecosystem is Graphite (allows the user (with multi-reader storage capability) to write without giving up its privacy)(See our post on Graphite).  Here are the links you may want to check out:

• Blockstack
  • Twitter
• Graphite
  • Website
  • Twitter

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, a decentralized internet, re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).

Thanks again for visiting The Stack Cafe^TM and we look forward to hearing from you. Please help us put out the word on Web^3.0 by posting a comment below and signing up for e-mail notifications for future updates (right side-bar). Let’s help build the new internet | The Decentralized Way^TM. A decentralized internet | The Way The Future^TM.

The post Blockstack: A Quick Look … appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.

The grid above shows the inter-connected nodes or computers connecting to each other to form the decentralized internet network/grid to send/receive information or data in the early 1970’s.  The images below show how computers talk to one another (via the layer or protocol stack and packets). (See – “How The Internet Works?” – published on Stanford University’s website.)

TWO COMPUTERS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET

PROTOCOL STACKS AND PACKETS

Today, the modern internet (some 20+ years old from the introduction of “www”) is far more complex in its size and implementation.  Presently, some parts of the internet are decentralized (hardware, IP and TCP) while the application layer (stack) – in particular, has become more and more centralized (e.g., more data controlled by fewer and fewer companies – think social media, search, devices, online commerce, walled-gardens…). The current system with all of the good things is not completely fulfilling its original vision – full decentralization (i.e., we should own our data…). And, apparently, some other people and companies believe the same thing.

One company in particular – BlockStack, and the people involved with Blockstack – its team, its investors, its open source community of developers, its users and its open support community – appear to believe in a fully decentralized internet (read the Blockstack documents e.g., white paper…).

Basically, it appears that Blockstack wants to re-decentralize the internet, in particular – the application layer (stack) of the internet (e.g., see – Blockstack and its documents e.g., white paper…). Blockstack’s team and others, are working tirelessly to bring us new tools, infrastructure and applications – with a tie-in to the distributed ledger or blockchain.  And with these new tools, Blockstack enables the user to own his/her/its data and maintain and protect his/her/its privacy and security (e.g., encrypted decentralized storage, authentication & identity).  How is Blockstack doing this?  Well, not to go to far into the stack, Blockstack is developing key tools and infrastructure so that software developers and programmers (coders) can build single-page applications (dApps – (e.g., in javascript) in which the user controls not only his/her identity & authentication (e.g., think encrypted identification) but is also in control where and how his/her information (data) is stored on the decentralized internet.

So one might envision – one universal form of encrypted identification that is unique to the user that allows the user to securely participate in a decentralized internet and control his/her data that is generated from using the decentralized internet (e.g., imagine an internet with no middlemen, no passwords, and no massive centralized data repositories to breach).

Just imagine, if you have control (e.g., identity, data, storage and it is secure) and not the centralized companies, the possibilities appear to go on and on…  And, just like the early days of the network/internet (see above image from 1973), Blockstack is at the early stage of building the re-decentralized internet.

Please go see for yourself – visit Blockstack – and visit here again for updates and information on, among other things, Blockstack’s vision for the re-decentralization of the internet and the stack.

Here is a screenshot of Blockstack’s home page at www.blockstack.org.

Note: If you do not have the Blockstack browser, please see this link (note – to enable the full functionality of any dApp built for the Blockstack ecosystem (e.g., building a new internet, a decentralized internet, re-decentralizing the internet) you need to use the Blockstack browser).

Thanks again for visiting The Stack Cafe^TM and we look forward to hearing from you. Please help us put out the word on Web^3.0 by posting a comment below and signing up for e-mail notifications for future updates (right side-bar). Let’s help build the new internet | The Decentralized Way^TM. A decentralized internet | The Way The Future^TM.

^* Licklider 1960’s

The post The Internet (Centralized and the Decentralized?) appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.