The InterPlanetary File System - an Introduction / How-to
I can remember a few months back I heard the term IPFS and dismissed it as a catchy name, no more than a publicity stunt. As time went on I realized just how wrong I was! IPFS is just as awesome as it sounds, and you are about to learn why.
According to WikiPedia, "the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a protocol designed to create a permanent and decentralized method of storing and sharing files. It is a content-addressable, peer-to-peer hypermedia distribution protocol."
Wow. What. A. Mouthfull.
But what does that really mean? Well, it means we now have a way to store files on a blockchain inspired platform. These files are just as permanent as a transaction on any blockchain network. They are hosted by whats called a swarm, or group of hosts on the IPFS network itself.
But Chivesz, why should I care? You might say to yourself.
You should care because this is the future. If ever we, as a human race, have enough good fortune to make it off of this planet and reach for the stars, you'd better believe that we are going to need a way to communicate and transfer data.
...But the current applications for technology such as this are just as impressive. Believe me when I tell you, there are extremely influential members of our community doing some amazing things with IPFS as we speak. I for one, want to make sure I'm up to speed on this thing!
OK, so clearly, I have your attention. Lets take a quick look at how IPFS works.
Files that are hosted on the IPFS are accessible via the world wide web, to anyone, anywhere.
-Each and every file that is hosted on IPFS has its own hash, not unlike a crypto wallet.
-Files can be obtained by using the following address - https://ipfs.io/ipfs/HASH
Hopefully you learned a little something about a technology you can use to make this world (and others) a better place. Cheers!
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterPlanetary_File_System
https://github.com/EOSIO/Documentation/blob/master/TechnicalWhitePaper.md (EOS Whitepaper)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sf06E1bKfrU_sUTbVKeAz_l8vcTH1fcU/view?usp=sharing (IPFS Whitepaper Draft 3)
https://www.reddit.com/r/ipfs/
https://www.titantp.com
https://www.acuitychain.com
interesting! its nice to see blockchain technology improving!
Absolutely, it is! Really excited to see what the next few years will bring. What a time to be alive :D
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