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™.

Next, in line in the Developers Corner series is a high level overview of a first in the decentralized dApp internet space – the ability to share data (public/private) that was stored in your preferred storage choice.  This wonderful feature is referred to as either multi-reader storage or multi-player storage.  And, up until its introduction by Blockstack, it has not been available in the decentralized application (dApp) space.  This is a first for the dApp space and for Blockstack.

The introduction was the next logical next step for the dApp space on the Blockstack ecosystem.  The first two steps being Blockstack Authentication (SSO and authentication without 3rd parties or remote servers) and Single Player Storage (ability to store all of your app data privately). 

Not to get to deep into the tech – better left to the engineers (see video below), multi-reader storage allows for the data that you write into storage while using a dApp – via the Blockstack browser & ecosystem, to be readable only by you or by others that you give access too (if you so desire).  In other words, you are now able to own and share your data (created when using a dApp) with only people of your choosing, no need for a third party to help you do that. 

A great visual resource (see video below) that provides a more detailed and technical overview of Blockstack’s multi-player reader (storage) was presented a few months back at one of the Meetups – in particular Blockstack NYC during September 2017.  The presentation – by Mr. Jude Nelson, a Blockstack Engineering Partner – provides some excellent information on multi-reader storage and how it works.

The ability of the user – no one else – to own and control access to the user’s (your) data is at the core of the Blockstack vision.  It is a fundamental shift from the internet we use today – centralized versus decentralized.  Imagine the new internet The Decentralized Way^TM in which your data (written word, spoken word, other things internet…) resides with you – only you, is controlled by you and not by anyone (or company) else.  With the introduction of multi-reader storage, it is hard not to be a developer/user/supporter of Blockstack and the Blockstack community. If you have not done so, go give the Blockstack browser a try.

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
• Blockstack Meetups
  • Blockstack NYC Meetup
• Graphite

And – calling all developers, do not forget about 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).  THE DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 16, 2018 – YOU STILL HAVE TIME.

Additionally, do not miss the next big event/meetup – Blockstack: Event in Berlin – March 2, 2018.

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… Multi-Reader/Player Storage appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.

Remember – If you have any questions or comments about getting started with the Blockstack Browser, please feel free to post a comment, contact us and/or contact Blockstack directly via its Forum.  We welcome your engagement in The Stack Cafe^TM.

Blockstack Browser Menu – Home|IDs|Wallet| Settings

Ok, you have installed the Blockstack browser and it is running properly (reach out to us if you need help or go here).  Now, let’s do a quick look inside the browser, in particular the Menu Bar (image below is from the Blockstack Browser running on our personal computer).  Now, lets parse through the home page and some of the features of the Blockstack Browser.  The image below and the featured image for this page is the Menu Bar as it is found on the latest version (0.22.1) of the Blockstack’s Browser home page.

As you see, the browser is loaded on your personal computer and it opens under Localhost:8888 (see image above – address line of the browser – localhost:8888) on your computer.  This is a key aspect of the Blockstack Browser on the blockstack ecosystem.  In other words, the users control their data and apps run on their devices (user computer and not on some other server).  There are no centralized servers, no middlemen, no multiple passwords, no massive data silos to breach, and no services tracking us around the internet.  And, the Browser is also where users can go to discover and use apps using Blockstack – the applications used on blockstack’s browser are server-less and decentralized (you control use, i.d., storage, interaction…).

Menu Bar Tabs

• Home – takes you to the page image you see above.
• IDs – this is the unique identification given out during the Blockstack Browser install/setup process (automatically/randomly assigned by Blockstack) or by purchasing an “.id” identification from the Blockstack Naming System (BNS) for .ids (e.g., blockstack.id, john.id…)
  • On This page (see screenshot below), you have the ability to (in order respectively on the screenshot – some blocked out items):
    • add a profile picture/image
    • add a username
    • see your unique I.D.
    • add some bio information
    • see your verified Social Level and links
      • example of a verified social link – Blue arrow on right side
      • verify e.g., your bitcoin wallet address
      • verify others too – Twitter and others

• Wallet – this is a pre-configured Bitcoin wallet and address that comes with the install/setup of the Blockstack Browser
  • On This page (see screenshot below), you have the ability to (in order respectively on the screenshot – some blocked out items):
    • see your pre-configured bitcoin wallet balance
    • see and use your bitcoin wallet image for ease of use
    • see your bitcoin wallet address

• Settings – this is the page you use to:
  • change your storage providers (see screenshot below for more on this)
  • change your password used with your Blockstack Browser
  • backup your keychain phrase – this allows you to enter the password you used so you can view your keychain phrase … (remember the things you should write down, do not lose and do not disclose to anyone (unless you want to)
  • reset browser allows you erase your keychain and settings so you can create a new one or restore another keychain
  • view the api settings that were setup during the install/setup process of the blockstack browser (the items that are unique to your install (kept by you locally) and are used in the decentralized internet experience (e.g., application programming interface (api), gaia hub connection info (storage), and others…) – probably best not to fiddle with this stuff…

Back to your storage provider selection (you control your data and where it is stored, and the encryption and de-encryption – no one else): in this example, and at this writing, we are using the default storage (free storage hub provided by Blockstack PBC).  As the Blockstack system is updated and additional architecture (software) is added, additional storage options will be brought online and made available to all blockstack users (e.g., self hosted storage, dropbox, IPFS, and many others)

If you have any questions or comments about the Browser home page and tabs, or any other item related to Blockstack, the stack, decentralization, dApps, Web 3.0 or …, please feel free to post a comment and/or contact us.  We welcome your engagement in The Stack Cafe^TM.  Go Experience Internet Freedom (“EIF”) with blockchain, distributed ledger and Blockstack.  Let’s make a new internet The Decentralized Way^TM.

Resources re: Blockstack and dApps

• Blockstack
• @blockstack
  • dApps on Blockstack
    • Graphite
    • @graphite
  • Events about 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, 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: Inside the Browser… appeared first on The Stack Cafe™.