For most storage, one needs it to be local to compute or easy to put behind a CDN - e.i. in a datacenter or on a very fast network that is connected to the datacenters.
If not, you are cut out from the main commercial storage market.
What is left is:
- People who want to store stuff that is can not be legally stored on existing networks, such as illegal drug or porn stuff.
- People who need secure stuff stored in a distributed fashion.
- People who want to have a way of backing up their PC? But will this be faster and cheaper than using Backblaze-like solutions that buy storage in bulk and optimize for costs?
Is there enough redundancy to ensure that no data is ever lost?
Could someone actually attack the network to cause data loss?
What are the costs?
- Inbound, new storage per GB.
- Outbound, access per GB.
- Deleting storage.
- Static storage on a per GB/hour.
What is the performance of this?
Can Backblaze make more money being a provider to Filcoin or should Backblaze use Filecoin for it storage? Just like Bitcoin mining Filecoin should, if successful, be dominanted by people like Backblaze.