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Web3 replaces storing things on webservices which are run by companies like Facebook or Twitter with storing things on blockchains. So yes, it is a crypto thin

by blhack 5y ago

Web3 replaces storing things on webservices which are run by companies like Facebook or Twitter with storing things on blockchains. So yes, it is a crypto thing in the sense that it uses blockchain technology as the storage medium (sortof). You still need somewhere to store the data, but you can put pointers to those storage locations on chain. Web2: Twitter knows the URL to your avatar and decided what it is (usually they listen to you). Web3: The blockchain knows the URL to your avatar. You decide what it is and nobody can (practically) stop you.

giantrobot 5y ago
> Web3: The blockchain knows the URL to your avatar. You decide what it is and nobody can (practically) stop you. A blockchain knows some URL recorded in the transaction. You have to hope whatever service you want to use cares about that blockchain and the URL actually points to a usable and accessible resource. You can't store the avatar itself without it being stupid expensive so all you've got space for is a URL. The same exact thing could be done with a regular URL. You point $random_service to your avatar URL or even a vCard and it can access your data. No rainforests need to be burnt down or polar bears need to be drowned.
- blhack 5y ago
  If the service hosting my avatar decides to stop hosting my avatar, I can then change the url to something else because I actually own the pointer.
  - alphabettsy 5y ago
    If you own the domain and self-host you can do this already.
    - blhack 5y ago
      Obviously the FBI can seize your domain, which has happened plenty of times. But also: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17083333 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17083333 You don’t own a domain, you rent it.
      - giantrobot 5y ago
        You only "own" something on a blockchain so long as someone cares about that blockchain. Your keys can also be stolen or lost so your "ownership" is as tenuous as the security of your keys. Blockchain content isn't much more permanent than content hosted on a traditional server.
      - alphabettsy 5y ago
        Is this a common problem that Web3 solves? I understand it makes it more difficult, but they could seize your keys or your person and force you to turn over your keys. Either way that seems like a legal issue, not a technology issue.

by blhack 5y ago

giantrobot 5y ago

> Web3: The blockchain knows the URL to your avatar. You decide what it is and nobody can (practically) stop you. A blockchain knows some URL recorded in the transaction. You have to hope whatever service you want to use cares about that blockchain and the URL actually points to a usable and accessible resource. You can't store the avatar itself without it being stupid expensive so all you've got space for is a URL. The same exact thing could be done with a regular URL. You point $random_service to your avatar URL or even a vCard and it can access your data. No rainforests need to be burnt down or polar bears need to be drowned.

blhack 5y ago
If the service hosting my avatar decides to stop hosting my avatar, I can then change the url to something else because I actually own the pointer.
- alphabettsy 5y ago
  If you own the domain and self-host you can do this already.
  - blhack 5y ago
    Obviously the FBI can seize your domain, which has happened plenty of times. But also: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17083333 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17083333 You don’t own a domain, you rent it.
    - giantrobot 5y ago
      You only "own" something on a blockchain so long as someone cares about that blockchain. Your keys can also be stolen or lost so your "ownership" is as tenuous as the security of your keys. Blockchain content isn't much more permanent than content hosted on a traditional server.
    - alphabettsy 5y ago
      Is this a common problem that Web3 solves? I understand it makes it more difficult, but they could seize your keys or your person and force you to turn over your keys. Either way that seems like a legal issue, not a technology issue.