Stumbled upon a very interesting Blog post, the author is developing a truly decentralized messenger called iris... Now to my question - how is OpenSeed different or better to iris, and are there possible synergies?
OpenSeed is about far more than just messaging and it is designed to integrate with multiple blockchains. Perhaps the simplest answer to this question is that if Iris is an open messaging protocol, then (assuming anyone actually uses it) we could integrate it into OpenSeed which would enable any OpenSeed app developers to leverage that protocol with in their applications. OpenSeed is really a toolbox filled with protocols. So yes there are potential synergies.
The biggest challenge any application faces is achieving a network effect; having enough users on the platform so that it is worthwhile for a new users to even download the application. OpenSeed tackles this problem in multiple ways. First, it is targeted at an existing user base; Hivers. It is practically impossible to achieve a general network effect; i.e. enough people all over the world have the app that it makes sense for someone in a random location to download the app. When developers just take it for granted that they will be able to accomplish this, they are guaranteed to fail. But achieving a local network is far more achievable; i.e. getting enough Hivers to use the app that it makes sense for the individual Hiver to jump on. Also OpenSeed is intended to be used inside of other applications so that you can "take your chats with you" as you jump from one app to another. I don't know if Iris is designed with that goal in mind. Finally, encrypted messaging is just one feature in OpenSeed. OpenSeed is designed to be a turnkey backend for user interfaces. The problem we are trying to solve with OpenSeed is not "how can we enable people to send one another encrypted messages?" That is an easy problem to solve technically. The problem we are trying to solve is how to enable open source developers to bootstrap an infinite variety of applications faster, cheaper, while generating more revenue. Messaging is really a "loss leader"; a free feature intended to help bootstrap the user and developer base and expose them to premium services and features.
Like so many decentralized and open source projects, it appears Iris is ignoring the importance of 1. a sustainable business model, and 2. a believable plan for achieving network effects. But thanks for bringing them to my attention! Will definitely take a deeper look at their product and keep an eye on them.
OpenSeed is about far more than just messaging and it is designed to integrate with multiple blockchains. Perhaps the simplest answer to this question is that if Iris is an open messaging protocol, then (assuming anyone actually uses it) we could integrate it into OpenSeed which would enable any OpenSeed app developers to leverage that protocol with in their applications. OpenSeed is really a toolbox filled with protocols. So yes there are potential synergies.
The biggest challenge any application faces is achieving a network effect; having enough users on the platform so that it is worthwhile for a new users to even download the application. OpenSeed tackles this problem in multiple ways. First, it is targeted at an existing user base; Hivers. It is practically impossible to achieve a general network effect; i.e. enough people all over the world have the app that it makes sense for someone in a random location to download the app. When developers just take it for granted that they will be able to accomplish this, they are guaranteed to fail. But achieving a local network is far more achievable; i.e. getting enough Hivers to use the app that it makes sense for the individual Hiver to jump on. Also OpenSeed is intended to be used inside of other applications so that you can "take your chats with you" as you jump from one app to another. I don't know if Iris is designed with that goal in mind. Finally, encrypted messaging is just one feature in OpenSeed. OpenSeed is designed to be a turnkey backend for user interfaces. The problem we are trying to solve with OpenSeed is not "how can we enable people to send one another encrypted messages?" That is an easy problem to solve technically. The problem we are trying to solve is how to enable open source developers to bootstrap an infinite variety of applications faster, cheaper, while generating more revenue. Messaging is really a "loss leader"; a free feature intended to help bootstrap the user and developer base and expose them to premium services and features.
Like so many decentralized and open source projects, it appears Iris is ignoring the importance of 1. a sustainable business model, and 2. a believable plan for achieving network effects. But thanks for bringing them to my attention! Will definitely take a deeper look at their product and keep an eye on them.
Thanks for the detailed answer!
One more question regarding messaging - what are your plans to make it censorship resistant and even more so anonymous?