There are LOTS of excellent apps that could leverage Hive and thrive (in terms of usage). What is FAR more difficult is to develop an app that is ECONOMICALLY sustainable (at least break-even, if not profitable).
At HiveFest, I heard that even our top 20 witnesses cannot live off of being a Hive Top 20 witness - they would simply have to sell too much Hive and that would be self-defeating at this point, because there is not enough DEMAND, not enough BUYING pressure.
In the past people were buying HIVE because they were believing a narrative about a growing community and trusting that money-men would find a way to monetize that community somehow, which would make the coin "moon". That narrative lost its luster a while ago and nobody is spinning Hive narratives anymore.
Given the fact that Hive is not making enough people dream any longer, each app needs to stand on its own feet. So yeah, you could host the code on the blockchain, but would enough people BUY HIVE to access such a service? That's what it is about. The app / service in itself makes a lot of sense, but can anyone SELL it? And yes, targeting Reddit and or Quora, Medium, Substack would also make a lot of sense. But can anyone use such functionalities to SELL HIVE? Because in the end this is what will reverse the fortunes of this chain and of this community.
It's not "what app / service could be built better on Hive", it's "what app / service would give people a reason to BUY HIVE"
What we are building with Innopay (thanks to @starkerz and @sagarkothari88 for launching @distriator) is an application that leverages Hive and is backed by a business model that gives it a chance of being economically sustainable. People BUY Hive because they want to get HBD and pay with HBD for their burgers and beer because there is a cashback or a discount. If the shop / bar / restaurant owner doesn't SELL the HBD afterwards (eg: https://peakd.com/@indies.cafe/wallet, https://peakd.com/@al21-2025/wallet) then we are generating NET BUYING pressure, NET DEMAND for Hive.
This is the "App 3" in your list above. Let's join forces and develop an Innopay / Distriator / spendHBD network of shops all over the world. United we stand, divided we fall
I would love to sit down and talk about all this in detail.
Just a few points:
(gamification and such)
They are too lazy to even vote for content. Most don't even engage with us mortals. Too afraid to take a stance on anything. What are we paying them for anyways?
If the cost for witness and API nodes and other infrstructure can not be paid for, then all the promises they have made about scalability were false. It would therefore be their own fault, lack of expertise, promising things they could never keep.
As far as joining forces: I have been through all of this.
Whatever I touch from here on out: I'll be the captain.
I have a very clear vision and all I need is someone who can either code well, design systems well (most important), or can support me by handling servers and webserver stuff, backup things... as that's the annoying part for me.
I have learned so much since I sent you some of my code... I am leveled up like you wouldn't believe. For the last gaps I have, I can use AI.
Most of my stuff is 90% finished; my prototypes work.
It just sucks to work alone. But it seems impossible to find talent.
Instead of increasing the BUY side of things, I would first try to get rid of the SELL pressure from: early miners, proposals, curation gangs.
The first witness to grow balls and downvote trash will get my vote.
I am convinced it's a lot less about apps and a lot more about selling. Check out my latest Innopay post: not a complex app but it sells Hive. There doesn't need to be a "captain" and a "soldier" - no need for a hierarchical relationship as long as our interests are aligned: giving people reasons to buy Hive.
During Hivefest Starkerz insisted a lot on getting rid of the SELL pressure. Let's see what comes out of it. Personnally, I'm more focused on increasing the BUY side (I feel more comfortable there). But both efforts are worthy
I have never spent a single cent on crypto, just my time.
Therefore, I can not put myself in the shoes of someone who would.
Nothing would convince me to spend my hard earned (and taxed) money for magic internet coins.
So... I can't follow, tbh.
I like starkerz, but his own proposal is for 500k USD, which is money going straight out of our pool. He's good at marketing and generally a cool dude, but I'd prefer someone, who actually gets their hands dirty and knows how to code at least some.
When it comes to system design decisions: OH YES, someone needs to be at the helm.
...and I now have the confidence...
Especially, when I look at HAF and how arkwardly it's designed.
I have no practical experience and picking up serious programming as late as I have should mean I am at a disadvantage, but I feel like I can skip some of the dogma and old habits. It's 2025 and I can use all the cutting edge stuff.
While the 'pros' use outdated style, stack and generally outdated ideas.
I have spent money on games and entertainment. Consuming things...
This I can relate to, easily.
I am confident, that I can create enough demand for my services.
...which would benefit the demand for HIVE...
Ach...
We'll see.
Just one more week of 'work' and I am free for a while.
Would still love to talk to someone who gets it.
But it would have to be someone who has tried. Some things you just can't explain, you have to experience it...
Quick add-on:
Majority of our wintesses are clowns.
Proof: They chose the name Hive.