Yes, that does sound good, but what does “creation” get you? You can access free content on the network?
Is it beneficial to split that in two similarly sounding steps?
If there is no unique content because of which people would want to go through the trouble of creating an account, I would assume most of those who don’t care would take the line of least resistance and see it where they can without creating an account.
IMO it may be better to do everything in one step. But I have to say I don’t understand why “activation” should be charged if he’s not storing any data. Is it to pay for read requests?
Storj dev here. This is a really great idea. I just mentioned to my team that decentralized tools (like Storj, Maidsafe) can be pre-installed on BRCK and the SJCX, SafeCoin, etc. generated can be automatically used to pay for the mobile internet/network connection/etc. This way, the general public/non-techies don’t have to worry (or know) at all about the crypto part. Just slap a nice sized drive in there and load some apps. If you don’t generate enough currency, you can be billed the difference, but still will be cheaper.
Maybe in the future, but it seems closed source at this time judging by a forum post:
stefan14 Aug
I have not yet ordered a BRCK, because the project I have in mind for it would require me to install additional software, which is currently not included.
So, I’m trying to find information on the OS the BRCK runs on, and if it will be possible to install / compile software for it. Reading between the lines and guessing wildly, I assume it is running some Linux distro, but I wasn’t able to find any info on that anywhere on the website / forums. I’m an experienced Linux user and have worked with embedded devices before, so I’m positive I’ll be able to help myself, if I get some more info on the actual system that is used.
So, can somebody please answer these specific questions for me:
which operating system does the BRCK run on?
is there root access via SSH / telnet / serial console?
is there an SDK for compiling / building the system and additional software for it?
Thanks a lot for any clues!
egReg Orton15 Aug
Hi Stefan,
You deduced correctly, it is a Linux distro. Currently we are running in a closed source model but watch this space. We are able to provide a the root password to your BRCK (email us to get it). The device will run OpenWRT and we hope to release some open source SDKs soon, but right now we are focusing on the core development effort of getting an out of the box solution running.
Not sure there’s enough physical room for a drive in there, but it has USB. Maximum internal is 32Gb, so probably not going to earn too much with that, at least in the first 12 months of SAFE. As the other factors like CPU and bandwidth get figured in, because of it’s presence in an under serviced area, might have good potential for SAFEcoin.
I believe there should be a greater chance to earn SAFEcoin if the device is always connected which if stationary this probably would be…the cost of moving data over 3G would be a factor though.
Definitely exciting to reach a point where the crypto is accepted by the bandwidth provider and payment happens in the background.
Where this could be useful is for the Maidsafe Devs to use as a network test interface, to see how the SAFE network handles switching between different physical networks and cell towers on the move…testing in harsh conditions i.e not in the pub
I guess it depends on the market value, but “not that much” for the US/UK could be a decent amount in sub-saharan Africa, which appears to be the BRCK’s primary target end-users for now. We have a hardware guy on our team looking into different options too. I could see something similar built that is basically a black box with a large hard drive(s) inside and some decent specs that runs off of your home/business network (or even wifi). End-consumer could have to know squat about crypto-anything, just buy the box, and the conversion to their currency of choice could happen automatically as it is utilized by the network(s). If a user is a supporter of a particular project, he/she could have it run only that, or run stuff for multiple projects (if feasible), or switch to whatever is offering the most bang-for-the-buck at the moment. Could even make the boxes networkable/form their own mini mesh.
Yes interesting point, I know cpu, bandwidth etc are going to be part of the farming algo down the track …but not sure if it will take into consideration the wealth of a region, that would be hard. But if resources are scarce in a node to node sense, I’m guessing the network would reward that.
But yes, any rewards are good for the poorer demographic like sub-saharan Africa.
A multi purpose box sounds interesting and would definitely get rewarded from a ‘Proof of resource’ perspective on the SAFEnetwork and I presume yours also. Not sure on the other proof systems…but Bitcoin would be a non starter I’d expect.
So, it generally seems like the creation/activation separation of accounts is a good way to go according to everyone?
It certainly solves the issue of needing access to safecoin to use the network.
In terms of charity, it seems the best focuses for longterm solutions are getting computers and Internet access to those in need so they can start farming safecoin to access and use the network. I think that’s something the foundation should be spearheading but it would be great to see alternative efforts.
And those BRCK things are weird to me… it’s basically a big, heavy, screen-less smartphone. OLPC has a much better thing going on IMO.
Not saying this isn’t a good product for devs or criticizing your suggested use, mostly criticizing the product itself. Smartphones can already do most of the networking functionality it has. I guess, however, while advancements in battery technology continue to stagnate, routing specific devices are still necessary to innovate on.
I’m personally not for free space, but what if people bring other people to the network. That could be a way to provide them diskspace. If Maidsafe had something like textsecure and some of the features in the Gem article.
It’d be cool if it was fun, or ‘gamified’. Great inspiration would be how the increase of money/resources are represented in ‘clash of clans’. Adds more perceived value when it’s represented in a nice way and also will reduce drop-off rate for people who create an account and never get round to activating.
Silly idea - imagine ants carrying coins and dropping then in a little box/piggybank thingy which slowly filled up.
I’ve been converted to the creation/activation aspect that David Irvine has put on the table, above.
Creating an account allows you to view public content and have a safecoin address to receive safecoin, either by farming or purchase or charity. To communicate or store data on the network, you have to have safecoin. Seems secure and fair.
