Nimiq is perhaps my second favorite project going on in the blockchain and cryptocurrency arena's.
While everyone else is focused on consensus based mining, staking, and other such methods, Nimiq is going for a "browser first" type of method.
Take from the projects "white papers" which can be found at https://medium.com/nimiq-network/nimiq-a-peer-to-peer-payment-protocol-native-to-the-web-ffd324bb084
Browsers are first-class citizens in the Nimiq distributed network. They are able to establish consensus with the network, and enable true peer-to-peer payments from within, all without a trusted third party. In comparison to conventional cryptocurrencies, this browser-first approach lowers barriers of entry by orders of magnitudes for developers, customers and merchants.
Can you imagine it - a web based blockchain.
I actually believe this concept is going to play a huge role in the future of computing online.
I have long sense predicted that sooner or later blockchain will replace all traditional computer databases - both rational and irrational because it is a peer based mix of the two - using trusted consensus as proof of accuracy.
I believe Nimiq focusing solely on a web based blockchain will be the earliest of this transition.
The Nimiq peer network uses both WebRTC and WebSocket connections.
Their "backbones" are nodejs servers running on the web that connect with each other using websocket connections and also act as the entry point for the browser.
Then there are browser to browser nodes through webrtc connections.
There are a number o noted problems with this project and many drawbacks to their approach, which they are very forthcoming about. For instance being behind a NAT and not directly being able to connect to a peer to peer network.
As already stated however, I believe this is the beginning of the future.
Perhaps in the future we will see something similar to a TOR based web client. I see a future with no more need for hub where all computers and devices are connected to each other using the other devices around them.
I believe blockchain is both the security and the inter-connectivity to make all these things reality.
This project, I believe is just the beginning of that.
If you want to learn more about this project, go on over and check out https://steemit.com/@nimiq
I have been watching the creation of nimiq for the past number of months - all the pre launch videos made in the jungle here in Costa Rica.
It is coming close now and I can't wait! Browser based is gonna float a lot of boats I reckon!
Glad you are so into it too =)
Nice to see someone comment that they know of something before me. :) Was beginning to think I was the only one with access to good projects :)
Ooi where did you first hear about Nimiq?
Oh wow... thats a question... I am not entirely sure where I FIRST heard about it... could have been venture beat, could have been coin telegraph, maybe from brave new coin, could have been from inside bitcoin.... from hacked.com, the list goes on and on..... Not honestly sure which place I would have first learned about it. I think it was sometime back in May/June when I first learned of it.
Cool well hopefully all will be talking about it soon enough.
Have a steemy day and thanks for your nice reply.
On what rendering enging is this going to run under, v8? So many browsers, instead of browsing why not explore and discover
None. Thats like asking what rendering engine does your browser use when connecting with ftp when downloading a file. The answer is none - because it isn't rendering a page, its getting a file from ftp. A rendering engine is specific to www based protocols.
This runs using webrtc, not www protocols. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebRTC
U just keep coming with interesting stuff :D!
And yes, I can imagine it - a web based blockchain :)
Maybe one day we won't be using windows anymore, there be a decentralized installment for our devices instead ^.^
resteemed
That is pretty interesting, having your browser mine for you while your online, that would make crypto simpler for most people to understand crypto in some way.
Great post Thank you for sharing an interesting concept.