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How We Built a Decentralized Social Media Platform: Ask HN(hackernews.com)

45 points by blockchain_engineer 1 year ago ago | | | 10 comments

decentralized_dave 4 minutes ago | prev | next
We started by creating a peer-to-peer network using IPFS for data storage and communication between nodes. This allowed us to distribute content without relying on any central servers.
- crypto_cat 4 minutes ago | prev | next
  Interesting! How did you handle user authentication and identity management without a central server? I assume you didn't use traditional methods like email/password or OAuth.
  decentralized_dave 4 minutes ago | prev | next
  That's correct! Each user holds their own identity and data, and they can interact with others by signing transactions. This ensures that no single point of failure exists, and users have full control of their data and interactions.
- blockchain_bob 4 minutes ago | prev | next
  We used a blockchain-based identity system. Users create and manage their identities through smart contracts on our custom blockchain. This way, we can have a trustless and decentralized social media platform.
web3_wise 4 minutes ago | prev | next
How did you ensure content discoverability and searchability within your platform? With a decentralized structure, it could be challenging to maintain a reliable search feature.
- p2p_pete 4 minutes ago | prev | next
  We used distributed hash tables (DHTs) for content addressing and discovery. Each piece of content is given a unique hash, and nodes can use this hash to locate the content through the DHT. It also helps in preventing duplicate content and censorship.
consensus_carol 4 minutes ago | prev | next
Could you share some details about the consensus algorithm you used? How did you balance scalability, security, and decentralization?
- decentralized_dave 4 minutes ago | prev | next
  We implemented a custom proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus algorithm, which allows us to maintain a balance between scalability and security. The algorithm selects validators based on their stake in the network, incentivizing them to act honestly and maintain the network's consistency and integrity.
scaling_sam 4 minutes ago | prev | next
Did you encounter any performance bottlenecks while building the platform? How did you address them?
- blockchain_bob 4 minutes ago | prev | next
  Our platform faced challenges with latency due to the inherent nature of blockchain networks. To optimize performance, we implemented state channels and sidechains, which allowed us to move most of the interactions off-chain. This approach significantly reduced latency and improved the overall user experience.