Report: What Are XOR Books?
(hoped to have perfect but Mr Irvine said in a recent video it’s ok not to be 
, big improvement on the dogs breakfast (consider that a 404 now) from the other day will iterate more on Monday, feel free to ask for changes, add anything, remove anything. Peace!)
What’s the Big Idea?
XOR books are cool, titanium-shaped phone-books designed to help people connect and share stuff in a decentralized way, thanks to Autonomi. They started as a way to store addresses , but forum member’s (@happybeing and @traktion) comment(s) has sparked a bigger plan: turning them into something called “name registries.” Think of it like a super-smart address book that gives short, easy nicknames to all kinds of online or offline content, making life simpler for everyone in the community.
What’s Changing Based on the Comment?
A forum mate (traktion). suggested expanding XOR books to do more than just hold addresses. They brought up a system called AntTP, which uses “bookmarks”—short names that point to places on Autonomi. These bookmarks can stand in for things like apps, blogs, files, or even public collections of stuff. The idea is to make XOR books a handy tool where people can look up these short names instead of long, tricky addresses. Here’s the breakdown:
Short Names for Everything: Instead of typing out a messy code like “abc123xyz,” you could use a name like “imim” for an app or “thistle-tales” for a story collection. It’s like giving your favorite spots a nickname! Not Like Regular Internet Names: This isn’t the same as the web’s domain names (like google dot com). It’s more flexible—each name can point to one specific thing, not just a whole website.
CSV Trick: The forum member pitched a simple list (like a spreadsheet) with name-and-address pairs, like “imim, abc123” or “traktion-blog, def456.” This list could be uploaded to Autonomi, and AntTP (a tool in the system) would turn those names into the right addresses.
It’s like a cheat sheet you can carry in your book!
How It Works in XOR Books
Imagine opening your XOR book and seeing two cool pages:
Name Directory: A list where some names (like “imim” for an app or “traktion-blog” for a blog) are already written, with space for you to add your own. There’s even a QR code to help you upload your list online.
Bookmark Slot: A spot where you can pop in a little card or paper with your own name-and-address pairs, like a custom shortcut. It’s got ant trail designs to tie into the community vibe.
You don’t need the internet to use it—check the names offline or use a phone app to link them up. It’s all about keeping things local and in your control.
Why It’s a Big Deal
Easier Access: Short names make it simple to find apps, stories, or files without memorizing long codes.
Community Power: Anyone can add their own names, turning XOR books into a shared tool for the community—perfect for markets or meetups.
Avoiding Mess: Too many names could get tricky to manage (like the web’s name system), but starting small with a list keeps it doable. Down the road, we can figure out a smarter way to handle it.
What’s Next?
The plan is to test this out (no rush) —print some XOR books with these new pages, let people play with adding names, and see what sticks. It’s a work in progress, but it could make XOR books a go-to for connecting people without relying on big tech’s rules.
Final Thoughts
XOR books are evolving from simple address holders into a community-driven name hub, thanks to the forum’s smart input. They’re like a trusty guidebook with nicknames for all the cool stuff on Autonomi, keeping it simple, local, and free from corporate nonsense.
Give it a spin at the next Devcon or until then your favourite local meetup
and let’s see where this takes us!
The web’s a cluttered crawler, but we’re mapping glory with grit, wit, love and respect.
Share the fire, repel big tech midges, keep it close or take it to the streets!
Sincerely, with best wishes.
John
, and as David said in a recent (((Autonomi))) youtube video …they would be “sick to their stomach” at even the suggestion of giving back sovereignty to the data centres as they grow up
