BitShares Forum
Main => General Discussion => Topic started by: Xypher on July 05, 2015, 12:14:34 am
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Forums have been at the crux of how we share information and conduct discussions for over 2 decades now. From the beginning,its been a simple platform that allows basic functions : sharing text, sending PM’s and occasionally uploading media content. However, with the arrival of blockchain, one would expect the system to evolve. To somehow be able to transfer value on the blockchain, maybe login with a wallet id and engage in business and discussions while being able to access the wallet right through the forum. However, in spite of all the progress we’ve made in the crypto-sphere over the years, we are yet to see how the blockchain and forums can be brought together.
User experiences are dispersed across exchanges,wallets and a laundry list of services. Why is it that forums have to be so mundane when they can be redeveloped to bring together the best of both worlds ? Why is it that plugins have to be developed to be able to tip a user whose posts actually helped you ? Probably because no one attempted to combine the blockchain and a forum in an intuitive manner.
The way discussions are held in the community today is completely decentralized. Ideas are dispersed across skype chats, slack discussions and the deepweb. Who knows what kind of treasure trove is lost on a daily basis between the piles of chat logs. This also creates a system where people have to run through multiple systems to keep on with what’s going on in the industry. The new system will be a central home-base of sorts that allows users to keep a check on the progress of projects, and socialize at the same time.
ULTRA is our attempt to bring a change to that. We believe, it is possible to bring the blockchain and a forum together and create a sustainable business around it. We believe, it is about damn time, someone took a system that is over 2 decades old and made it appealing enough to the masses.
The key aspect to successfully combining multiple communities that in themselves are successful due to micro niches and other factors, is to integrate the features that draw the users without sacrificing the experience for something completely unique and foreign, to this end the data structure can not take place entirely on the blockchain, it will have to function much like a centralized forum system with chat logs and other functions being passed between database servers for failover, that being said - user information such as identity could be placed on the blockchain so even outside of the system, it can be accessed.
Privacy is an aspect that draws all users to congregate in more secure systems, to that end the goal of this system will be to make everything from chats, to personal information optional and stored in an encrypted manner such as that the administrators can not access it without permission from the user. Private groups and direct messages will naturally never be stored, and integrated voice features will use an encrypted method.
Core features
Hybrid Logins
We believe it is time we combined user names with blockchain identities. The core login aspect would be made on the blockchain. In order to login to a system, a user will be made to login to his wallet, thereby giving him instant access to his funds in the system. The money will be stored on the blockchain, with the servers having zero access to funds. This would work as an open authorization on the blockchain.
Tipping
The function would allow users to tip those creating threads of valuable information, thereby creating incentive for users to post content with depth and quality. In the current model of the forum, connecting an external tipping service has become impossible due to outdated systems. We believe a tipping system can be connected right onto the forum, with the ability to see the statistics of amount tipped, received and other details right on the forum without need for external services.
Moderation techniques
Communities could be moderated by means of moderators that are voted into power in real time using the nxt vote feature. This could also be used to upvote and downvote threads in real time, thereby creating a user regulated system that allows for the propagation of information that appeals to the end user and helps avoid spam of unnecessary services by miscreants.
Social integration
The new forum will be targeted at the new stream of users that come searching about Nxt as some of the core projects explode. The concern is to make an intuitive interface for people to explore what nxt offers in an easy to access fashion. The idea is to make them feel accommodated as they come searching about us. While there will be traditional forms of login and a method to access the forum with the wallet , there will also be something along the lines of a “hybrid” login. This feature allows a user to combine the wallet id, with his social id. The possibilities of what this could offer to the forum are countless. Imagine being able to tip directly to someone’s twitter account from the forum. Thereby ushering in a new age of virality to the community.
Current systems suffer from several key problems, such as the restriction of information due to lack of knowledge, for example a user may be too intimidated to pursue knowledge about NXT due to supernet being somewhat tough to access and understand. ULTRA is, among other things, an attempt to break down the intimidating barriers and large requirements of knowledge that come with using crypto-currency, while simultaneously allowing the advanced users to have a central location to connect and explore projects and niche communities that otherwise would be separated by an immense gulf of required understanding and expertise.
Other possible areas this system could expand to could include freelance and smart contract systems, to allow linking crypto developers together and let them start, crowdfund, manage and promote projects all in the same place. Current forums and chat systems make this process extremely impersonal, no one can decide on a contract or what project management suite to use, which svn or git service to use, the problems are endless when connecting professionals with entrepreneurs who need them.
It’s important to remember the reason users connect; information. To this end, one of the main goals of ULTRA will be to organize users into their respective niches, suggesting connections that allow them to expand their social horizon and explore opportunities they had not considered. the creation of groups, subgroups, teams, committees and all sorts of other groups should be allowed and enabled through the system to enhance a user's ability to congregate, explore and decide things together.
Once past the primary development phase, a mobile application will need to be made, and a heavy campaign should be made to bring other crypto communities onto ULTRA - there should be no reason why the majority of the features can not be used with other blockchains, though some clearly will not work, NXT should always be the central blockchain we use for storing data and secure information. Ideally, a user could come in and manage their bitcoin wallet, tip with bitcoins and earn bitcoins for posting on a forum or participating in a group chat, all because they chose the option bitcoin instead of NXT.
ULTRA should look to expand its offerings on every front and partner with every possible technology driven market niche, things like allowing users to pay for a lyft car with their ULTRA wallet or sign a contract with the ULTRA app should be not only possible but easily integrated into our daily world once adoption is mainstream, the possibilities for ULTRA as both an identity verification system and payment processor are endless because of the trustless environment.
As development expands, ULTRA could be made to take over the roles of many market, advertising, social and business functions to allow a central location for people to meet and discuss, not just about one currency or one niche, but all of them in any array of subject - we envision a system that has the power of facebook with the privacy you have always dreamed of and the powerful features from every system you have ever used, ULTRA aims the first place you look for all the important information that makes your world go round.
Other possible features:
Portfolio management
Users could have their account listing and their portfolio displayed in real time. Users could also look up at the portfolio held by other members of the community in real time, adding more transparency to the ecosystem.
Asset Exchange
We believe it is time we quit with the asset exchange listing on external sites or wallets. Why not have asset listings and transactions made right within the forum ? If asset listings could be made right from the forum then the need for an external login would be removed thereby adding to the user experience. Think of what secureae offers right within the forum itself.
DB Decentralization
Given the high amount of downtime faced by services like BCT it becomes incredibly important for users to be able to access the forum in a secure fashion even if one or two fo the servers goes down. By basing the service on the cloud and using dns failover and db synchronization techniques a high level of uptime could be maintained. while the server will still be in a central location, security will be managed by cloud services and failover can ensure that users never truly see the system down.
Just some of the things, I think we should evolve into.
Am happy getting this dev’ed through a fund raiser or something.
Hey guys,
Been bouncing the concept at Nxt forum.
Wanted to know what bitshares guys thought of this.
I am not sure something similiar is being built for Bitshares.
P.s - Am only bouncing a concept here, checking if there's sufficient interest.
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I really like the idea and it would be a great workers proposal.
The only thing I don't like is to have users having their account listing and their portfolio displayed in real time. That's no one business in my opinion.
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I really like the idea and it would be a great workers proposal.
The only thing I don't like is to have users having their account listing and their portfolio displayed in real time. That's no one business in my opinion.
Isn't that info public anyways ?
Ofcourse users can opt out of it and keep their data private.
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As far as I know my forum identity is not connected to my bit shares account, if it was, I wouldn't like having other knowing how much money I have in the bank.
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As far as I know my forum identity is not connected to my bit shares account, if it was, I wouldn't like having other knowing how much money I have in the bank.
Yeh . makes sense. :)
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I like this approach! I would think this could be worth a worker slot in 2.0 !
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I like this approach! I would think this could be worth a worker slot in 2.0 !
Dev'ing this will take a lot more than 600 USD for one, maintenance can smoothly happen with 600 USD if not less.
The point though, is , this can be a sustainable model via the transactions that occur on the platform itself, not to forget the referral system.
A central hub of sorts. I think its about damn time the crypto-sphere had one.
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DPOS Hub is in the works - here are the details, is this something you could help with?
Thread: https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?topic=15832.0
PDF: http://www.dposhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dposhubdelegateproposal.pdf
@CryptoPrometheus
@DataSecurityNode
BitShares Public Relations: Delegate Proposal & White Paper
Delegate: delegate.dposhub-org
Michael P. Maloney
@CryptoPrometheus
Jonathan Baha'i
@DataSecurityNode
For the past three months, while the core devs have been working diligently to enhance, reinforce, and solidify the BitShares software protocol, my business partner Jonathan and I have been busy identifying and mapping a specific group of public relations and social media tools that will help support and strengthen the bonds of human relationships, both personal and professional, that are perhaps equally as vital to the success of BitShares.
In the following pages, we outline a plan for addressing some of the key difficulties our community has faced in attempting to generate PR traction both within and outside of the cryptosphere. We have identified three separate categories as they relate to the gathering and processing of information...
http://www.dposhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dposhubdelegateproposal.pdf
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Conceptually, i agree that the forum tech should evolve...seems like we're still using two decade old tech to communicate while trying to change the world otherwise :)
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If we could just overcome the habit of "quote-entire-post-and-append-5%" and replace it with a like button, that change alone would probably save scroll wheels all over the world.
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If we could just overcome the habit of "quote-entire-post-and-append-5%" and replace it with a like button, that change alone would probably save scroll wheels all over the world.
+5%
+5% +5% +5% +5% +5% +5% +5% +5%
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If we could just overcome the habit of "quote-entire-post-and-append-5%" and replace it with a like button, that change alone would probably save scroll wheels all over the world.
but we need it to bump stuff
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If we could just overcome the habit of "quote-entire-post-and-append-5%" and replace it with a like button, that change alone would probably save scroll wheels all over the world.
+5%
+5% +5% +5% +5% +5% +5% +5% +5%
+5%
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I knew this would happen. I wanted it to. I have inertial scrolling. So there.
Bumping is so 1995. I would rather never see a bump. Posts should have content in them. (Just my opinion, of course.)
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I knew this would happen. I wanted it to. I have inertial scrolling. So there.
Bumping is so 1995. I would rather never see a bump. Posts should have content in them. (Just my opinion, of course.)
+5% !
But I do actually agree
These posts serve as our membership meeting minutes, the written record for future reference.
Who wants to read every single 'aye' or 'nay'? I'd prefer tallies and useful contributions to read
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Conceptually, i agree that the forum tech should evolve...seems like we're still using two decade old tech to communicate while trying to change the world otherwise :)
This is the main element that drives ultra - the technology we are working with today is old and decentralized,
betwene skype, slack, irc and forums information and community takes serious work to put together.
ULTRA can change that by giving everyone a central place to congregate, do business and have fun all simaltaniously.
DPOS Hub is in the works - here are the details, is this something you could help with?
Thread: https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?topic=15832.0
PDF: http://www.dposhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dposhubdelegateproposal.pdf
@CryptoPrometheus
@DataSecurityNode
BitShares Public Relations: Delegate Proposal & White Paper
Delegate: delegate.dposhub-org
Michael P. Maloney
@CryptoPrometheus
Jonathan Baha'i
@DataSecurityNode
For the past three months, while the core devs have been working diligently to enhance, reinforce, and solidify the BitShares software protocol, my business partner Jonathan and I have been busy identifying and mapping a specific group of public relations and social media tools that will help support and strengthen the bonds of human relationships, both personal and professional, that are perhaps equally as vital to the success of BitShares.
In the following pages, we outline a plan for addressing some of the key difficulties our community has faced in attempting to generate PR traction both within and outside of the cryptosphere. We have identified three separate categories as they relate to the gathering and processing of information...
http://www.dposhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/dposhubdelegateproposal.pdf
We would love to colaborate on ULTRA with any teams attempting similar approaches, however it needs to be said that upon researching the subject,
nothing on the scale and with the ambiton that were aiming for here has been attempted.
DPOShub has maybe 1/4th of the ideas and features we plan to provide within one month of development,
our team has proven in multiple crypto-shpere projects that we can deliver high quality work in a very short amount of time.
To that end, it is our opinion that unless currently existing projects are within release-candidate stage,
the technology provided by ULTRA will be a far more efficent allocation of time and resources.
If we could just overcome the habit of "quote-entire-post-and-append-5%" and replace it with a like button, that change alone would probably save scroll wheels all over the world.
but we need it to bump stuff
Ideally, things like bumping and necroing posts will be obsolete in a system like ULTRA, while an approach needs to be more specificly outlined the idea of keeping
relavent data within arms reach is not an impossible task, features like view history, new content sections and the like can allow a user to always know whats going on when they are intrested,
also lets not forget that ULTRA aims to be part forum part social media, so following a topic or persons posts is very likely.
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We would love to colaborate on ULTRA with any teams attempting similar approaches, however it needs to be said that upon researching the subject,
nothing on the scale and with the ambiton that were aiming for here has been attempted.
DPOShub has maybe 1/4th of the ideas and features we plan to provide within one month of development,
our team has proven in multiple crypto-shpere projects that we can deliver high quality work in a very short amount of time.
To that end, it is our opinion that unless currently existing projects are within release-candidate stage,
the technology provided by ULTRA will be a far more efficent allocation of time and resources.
Ideally, things like bumping and necroing posts will be obsolete in a system like ULTRA, while an approach needs to be more specificly outlined the idea of keeping
relavent data within arms reach is not an impossible task, features like view history, new content sections and the like can allow a user to always know whats going on when they are intrested,
also lets not forget that ULTRA aims to be part forum part social media, so following a topic or persons posts is very likely.
I like what I'm hearing from you guys
Here's to hoping you'll follow through +5%
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Conceptually, i agree that the forum tech should evolve...seems like we're still using two decade old tech to communicate while trying to change the world otherwise :)
This is the main element that drives ultra - the technology we are working with today is old and decentralized,
betwene skype, slack, irc and forums information and community takes serious work to put together.
ULTRA can change that by giving everyone a central place to congregate, do business and have fun all simaltaniously.
cool, any popular forums today using ULTRA?
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Conceptually, i agree that the forum tech should evolve...seems like we're still using two decade old tech to communicate while trying to change the world otherwise :)
This is the main element that drives ultra - the technology we are working with today is old and decentralized,
betwene skype, slack, irc and forums information and community takes serious work to put together.
ULTRA can change that by giving everyone a central place to congregate, do business and have fun all simaltaniously.
cool, any popular forums today using ULTRA?
seeing an example would be nice
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:o
I think the general concept proposed by the OP is an extremely powerful idea. It could be an open source forum like "Simple Machines" and allow all those forum operators to deploy a forum with financial transactions and social currencies (user issued assets) and it shows the power of the referal system!
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If you want to upgrade this forum, use Flarum (http://flarum.org).
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Ideally, I think what we need is to build a new and improved alternative to RetroShare integrated into BitShares. It should use chain registered account names as identities, with the associated keys used for end to end encrypted communication and file sharing. Forums and messaging can be implemented largely as they are in RetroShare, with users connecting directly to their associates using DHT and sharing forum data to which they are subscribed. For mobile support it should use the same full node/light client model as BitShares itself.
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If you want to upgrade this forum, use Flarum (http://flarum.org).
+5%
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If you want to upgrade this forum, use Flarum (http://flarum.org).
+5%
S o o o o o o o o much better than the forum software proposed by bitsaphire last summer when they took over. Clean intuitive, great hooks for extentions and social media already integrated. Let's do it!
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If you want to upgrade this forum, use Flarum (http://flarum.org).
+5%
S o o o o o o o o much better than the forum software proposed by bitsaphire last summer when they took over. Clean intuitive, great hooks for extentions and social media already integrated. Let's do it!
Is crypto integrated like we are going to want? Or the plans freebie had to actually build an exchange interface that is also added on? Where is the voting mechanism we are going to beed to connect up to our blockchain to enable the community to validate all community votes with follow my vote? We are going to need that to vote for our forum leaders arent we?
There are many opportunities here. People just need to look at it. I cant tell you all my plans...but i can say that it will be for helping the community first and foremost...and that many of them involve working with freebie and his team. If you want to learn more about their stellar reputation, look to the reviews on them over at the NXT forums. We have a chance to bring them here and pay them a pretty cheap price to OWN software that the blockchain can then monetize for all of us.
We are talking forum software that could be owned by bitshares holders, integrating all kinds of amazing stuff (and seemingly everything flarum uses) that future forums would want to license (like graphene) from US. I dont see flarum doing any of this for us...
Try to think bigger, pinky :P
Btw, im not knocking flarum...this is just not the best usecase for it if we can own our own :)
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We definitely need a communication upgrade.. we're all over the place
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We definitely need a communication upgrade.. we're all over the place
I don't know what the right solution is... but yes, the need certainly exists.
It's unusually challenging to reach consensus in a decentralized network, let alone a group of people sitting in the same room together.
It seems like you are really passionate and excited about Ultra and what it could provide for us Fuzzy. I think it's pretty intriguing myself, and I generally support the direction you want to move in.
I'm curious to see how you build consensus around this issue. The funny thing is that our current tools make it more challenging to build consensus for a move to a platform which would allow us to build consensus more easily. I guess that's how progress usually works.
Building a vision, and building a case, and waiting for the right timing, to launch an initiative such as this is key.
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If you want to upgrade this forum, use Flarum (http://flarum.org).
+5%
S o o o o o o o o much better than the forum software proposed by bitsaphire last summer when they took over. Clean intuitive, great hooks for extentions and social media already integrated. Let's do it!
Is crypto integrated like we are going to want? Or the plans freebie had to actually build an exchange interface that is also added on? Where is the voting mechanism we are going to beed to connect up to our blockchain to enable the community to validate all community votes with follow my vote? We are going to need that to vote for our forum leaders arent we?
There are many opportunities here. People just need to look at it. I cant tell you all my plans...but i can say that it will be for helping the community first and foremost...and that many of them involve working with freebie and his team. If you want to learn more about their stellar reputation, look to the reviews on them over at the NXT forums. We have a chance to bring them here and pay them a pretty cheap price to OWN software that the blockchain can then monetize for all of us.
We are talking forum software that could be owned by bitshares holders, integrating all kinds of amazing stuff (and seemingly everything flarum uses) that future forums would want to license (like graphene) from US. I dont see flarum doing any of this for us...
Try to think bigger, pinky :P
Btw, im not knocking flarum...this is just not the best usecase for it if we can own our own :)
I like where you're going with this, fuzzy. +5%
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Interesting responses guys, keep them coming.
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We definitely need a communication upgrade.. we're all over the place
I don't know what the right solution is... but yes, the need certainly exists.
It's unusually challenging to reach consensus in a decentralized network, let alone a group of people sitting in the same room together.
It seems like you are really passionate and excited about Ultra and what it could provide for us Fuzzy. I think it's pretty intriguing myself, and I generally support the direction you want to move in.
I'm curious to see how you build consensus around this issue. The funny thing is that our current tools make it more challenging to build consensus for a move to a platform which would allow us to build consensus more easily. I guess that's how progress usually works.
Building a vision, and building a case, and waiting for the right timing, to launch an initiative such as this is key.
Lol...the ironies are heavily lain at thy feet good sir.
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If you want to upgrade this forum, use Flarum (http://flarum.org).
+5%
S o o o o o o o o much better than the forum software proposed by bitsaphire last summer when they took over. Clean intuitive, great hooks for extentions and social media already integrated. Let's do it!
Is crypto integrated like we are going to want? Or the plans freebie had to actually build an exchange interface that is also added on? Where is the voting mechanism we are going to beed to connect up to our blockchain to enable the community to validate all community votes with follow my vote? We are going to need that to vote for our forum leaders arent we?
There are many opportunities here. People just need to look at it. I cant tell you all my plans...but i can say that it will be for helping the community first and foremost...and that many of them involve working with freebie and his team. If you want to learn more about their stellar reputation, look to the reviews on them over at the NXT forums. We have a chance to bring them here and pay them a pretty cheap price to OWN software that the blockchain can then monetize for all of us.
We are talking forum software that could be owned by bitshares holders, integrating all kinds of amazing stuff (and seemingly everything flarum uses) that future forums would want to license (like graphene) from US. I dont see flarum doing any of this for us...
Try to think bigger, pinky :P
Btw, im not knocking flarum...this is just not the best usecase for it if we can own our own :)
I like where you're going with this, fuzzy. +5%
This IS a great initiative, but it remains to be seen if the right parties with the right skills and drive to champion the work required to achieve the level of integration envisioned will see this and put rubber to the road to get it done.
I could be wrong but I see non-trivial technical work may be involved to pull this off and I know fuzzy doesn't have the time or technical chops to implement the level of integration I see discussed here. Most with technical skills are stretched pretty tight right now.
Never the less, I would like to see this happen and back fuzzy and anyone else that can move this effort forward with my moral support. Like bitscape I think it will be interesting to see how consensus is shaped for the effort.
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Freebie has the internal technical skills required to pull this off, it seems like the forums are more and more unstable, and people are hoping for something new...
perhaps we should do a worker for this or something?
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Freebie has the internal technical skills required to pull this off, it seems like the forums are more and more unstable, and people are hoping for something new...
perhaps we should do a worker for this or something?
Go for it! Personally I've had enough time to consider the merits of your team, and I'm satisfied that you guys are legit, and capable.
Draft a proposal and if you want to wait and take any cues from Bytemaster and the Cryptonomex smart-chain brigade, their forthcoming worker proposal as alluded to on today's mumble may be a useful template, as they are certain to cover all the bases, being that they are intimately familiar with this community's... (ahem) needs. ;)
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Freebie has the internal technical skills required to pull this off, it seems like the forums are more and more unstable, and people are hoping for something new...
perhaps we should do a worker for this or something?
Go for it! Personally I've had enough time to consider the merits of your team, and I'm satisfied that you guys are legit, and capable.
Draft a proposal and if you want to wait and take any cues from Bytemaster and the Cryptonomex smart-chain brigade, their forthcoming worker proposal as alluded to on today's mumble may be a useful template, as they are certain to cover all the bases, being that they are intimately familiar with this community's... (ahem) needs. ;)
oh yes, please. i think there is great opportunity to work for a worker proposal on this.
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Freebie has the internal technical skills required to pull this off, it seems like the forums are more and more unstable, and people are hoping for something new...
perhaps we should do a worker for this or something?
I like the idea for Ultra but I don't think it should get funded by a worker right now. We have to prioritize! First things are core technology and GUI, and also things that are really important for the usability of Bitshares (what mindphlux is doing with pool funding worker).
After the basic things are in order, we can start to think if we should fund projects like Ultra.
BTW, Ultra is a horrible name. Please choose something unique. Commonly used words are foolish as names because it's difficult to get search engine visibility.
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Freebie has the internal technical skills required to pull this off, it seems like the forums are more and more unstable, and people are hoping for something new...
perhaps we should do a worker for this or something?
I like the idea for Ultra but I don't think it should get funded by a worker right now. We have to prioritize! First things are core technology and GUI, and also things that are really important for the usability of Bitshares (what mindphlux is doing with pool funding worker).
After the basic things are in order, we can start to think if we should fund projects like Ultra.
BTW, Ultra is a horrible name. Please choose something unique. Commonly used words are foolish as names because it's difficult to get search engine visibility.
Ultra was a weekend hack. Pretty much the result of our team talking about things and how we could further enhance communities to be governed better while ensuring individual contributors are empowered to share good content. The name in itself is subject to change. As for now, we have a few projects we are working to completion. We'll most probably slap together a better proposal and put it live before we go further with this. I agree, the name and branding needs to be worked upon.
Regards
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Freebie has the internal technical skills required to pull this off, it seems like the forums are more and more unstable, and people are hoping for something new...
perhaps we should do a worker for this or something?
I like the idea for Ultra but I don't think it should get funded by a worker right now. We have to prioritize! First things are core technology and GUI, and also things that are really important for the usability of Bitshares (what mindphlux is doing with pool funding worker).
After the basic things are in order, we can start to think if we should fund projects like Ultra.
BTW, Ultra is a horrible name. Please choose something unique. Commonly used words are foolish as names because it's difficult to get search engine visibility.
You're in luck @Samupaha - since prioritized funding is baked right into BitShares 2.0, proposals will always be funded in order of shareholder votes.