HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015) • Hacker News Board

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#31

Post by stavros » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:18 PM UTC

jeroenhd wrote: post #3

I like IPFS, I really do, but whenever I try to use it, it's either too slow to become usable or sometimes it plain doesn't work. I pinned a whole bunch of files on IPFS a while back to experiment with it and the system seems to work, but every time I try to fetch those resources from a location that hasn't cached the content yet, it takes several seconds to show me the HTML/JSON/PNG files. HTTP may be inefficient fo…

This echoes my experience as well, and I (used to) run a pinning service.

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#32

Post by leesalminen » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:20 PM UTC

CharlesW wrote: post #23

The author claims that IPFS enables a "permanent web" and eliminates 404-like experiences. How does IPFS guarantee that all published content will be available forever? (In my beginner-level knowledge of IPFS, this is the first I've heard that claim. It seems absurd.)

I wonder if it could make running a service like archive.org easier. Or if it could allow for a distributed archive.org service where nerds worldwide can contribute x GB storage to the cause?

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#33

Post by dpweb » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:21 PM UTC

I like the concept of immutable content, but HTTP eliminated top down control of information?

Well, we’re all dependent on the Internet which can be shut down at any time by any government, and normally almost completely dependent on FAANG companies.

I applaud the freedom activist spirit but the only exciting technologies in this regard must be P2P and not Internet carried.

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#34

Post by Zababa » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:22 PM UTC

So IPFS is basically some kind of automatic behind-the-scene torrenting? I see how that solves the "dead server" problem, but how does that solves the "content longevity" problem?

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#35

Post by sergiotapia » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:22 PM UTC

Willamin wrote: post #20

sergiotapia wrote: post #14

Is there a way to install something on my local machine and host IPFS content to help "the swarm". If they combine this with some kind of crypto monetary incentive it would go a long way for people to help "the swarm". Odysee is looking into adding crypto to your balance when you serve content that helps viewers.

Maybe FileCoin is what you're looking for? https://filecoin.io

Is this legitimate or just a shitcoin scheme? The website looks very sketchy.

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#36

Post by lillecarl » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:23 PM UTC

leesalminen wrote: post #6

jeroenhd wrote: post #3

I like IPFS, I really do, but whenever I try to use it, it's either too slow to become usable or sometimes it plain doesn't work. I pinned a whole bunch of files on IPFS a while back to experiment with it and the system seems to work, but every time I try to fetch those resources from a location that hasn't cached the content yet, it takes several seconds to show me the HTML/JSON/PNG files. HTTP may be inefficient fo…

I agree that the http caching layers are currently needed to achieve decent UX. But it’s also possible that won’t be necessary forever. The network could expand and get to the point where resolution time comes down to accessible levels. Only time will tell I suppose.

When downloading content using a magnet link downloads are usually quite slow started, while torrent files usually start directly. It's not a fair comparison since the torrents are from a private tracker with high quality peers, but it's noticeable that the DHT stuff is slower. Not sure how cjdns solves that.

Will the network be faster the more people join it?

Is centralized infra inevitable for fast things because of all assumptions and insight a centralized provider can use? BTC is also slow, I don't know of any cryptocurrency that can provide VISA transaction volumes, even if they use more power than some countries alone.

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#37

Post by unnouinceput » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:23 PM UTC

So, they reinvented torrents? Or old timers, do you remember the peer-to-peer connection from 90's called DC++ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC%2B%2B)?

Like this IPFS, you'd connect to a hub (IPFS calls this a node) and get what people were sharing. This IPFS only takes that step a little further with hashing and distributing. Also, if this gets implemented widely, hash collision is going to be wild

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#38

Post by leesalminen » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:24 PM UTC

neilalexander wrote: post #25

Willamin wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe FileCoin is what you're looking for? https://filecoin.io

Note that the system requirements are way out of the league of the average home user (32GB RAM, 8 cores, several TB disk space). Plus, if the chain is growing at 38GB/day (as the Filecoin website suggests), that’s a traffic average of 3.8Mbit/s 24 hours a day.

You could always download the IPFS Desktop client and "pin" content that you find valuable to provide to the community, (say, a partial copy of Wikipedia in your language [0]. No crypto-based incentives associated with that though, at least yet.

[0] https://github.com/ipfs/distributed-wikipedia-mirror#cohost-...

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#39

Post by anchpop » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:26 PM UTC

sergiotapia wrote: post #35

Willamin wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe FileCoin is what you're looking for? https://filecoin.io

Is this legitimate or just a shitcoin scheme? The website looks very sketchy.

I think filecoin is legit but it’s not working super well in its current state

Re: HTTP is obsolete – it's time for the distributed, permanent web (2015)

#40

Post by leesalminen » Sun, Oct 17, 2021, 5:26 PM UTC

sergiotapia wrote: post #35

Willamin wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe FileCoin is what you're looking for? https://filecoin.io

Is this legitimate or just a shitcoin scheme? The website looks very sketchy.

I've been following Filecoin for a while and although I'm not invested in it, some of their YouTube videos do have technical substance to them, and they seem to have some brand-name investors like the Winklevoss' org.