We are proud to present our initial MVP v1.0 release, now available for Firefox, via the Firefox Extension Store, and soon to be available for Chrome (currently in the approval process), via the Chrome Store, as a downloadable plugin extension for both browsers.
The Decentr web browser plugin contains many of the modules that will be included in our full candidate release and subsequently the initial beta release of the full Decentr web browser. Please be aware, this is an MVP v1.0 release and as such is a testing platform and subject to change as further updates are released. It is also important to note that for this version of the MVP, our focus has been on building the blockchain components and the underlying functionality of the Decentr ecosystem.
In short, on Decentr, every action within the MVP is an on chain “transaction”. For example, all aspects of Posts are stored on the Decentr blockchain, including “Likes”, text, title, the user who wrote the Post and links to pictures across the dHub and dFeed. The storage of this data on the blockchain is important as it validates the origin and authenticity of the data and as a result guarantees a verifiable PDV increase that is of benefit to the individual user and the wider Decentr community.
With this fundamental decentralised framework in place, as we release further versions of the MVP our efforts will turn to significantly improving the UI and overall user experience.
We have dedicated our initial efforts for the initial MVP v1.0 release on the functionality of two critical components of the Decentr ecosystem, the user layer and the underlying technical layer.
The user layer of the initial MVP v1.0 release features -
- Initial Decentr dPortal account functionality
- Initial Decentr dWallet integration
- Initial Decentr Posting functionality
The technical layer of the MVP v1.0 release features -
- The Decentr Web Browser Plugin
- Initial Decentr PDV functionality
- The Decentr Blockchain (testnet)
- Initial Decentr Validator Nodes (hosted by Decentr)
- Initial Decentr Community Validator Nodes (hosted by community members)
Subsequent releases of the Decentr MVP will include updates to -
- Decentr dHub
This update will allow further integration between the user’s dHub and dFeed, allowing dPosting abilities from each location. dPosting will allow users to interact with existing posts in their dFeed and dHub by dPosting these posts. dPosts allow a user to create new content from an existing post. dPosts are a kind of supercharged repost, as they reach not only the dPoster’s followers, but also the followers of the original poster, as well as being posted in a chosen category in the dHub for maximum exposure.
This will create a highly-targeted, decentralised way of reaching and engaging with like-minded people and will generate a significantly higher PDV return than simple posts.
- Decentr dWallet
The initial update for the Decentr dWallet on testnet will add in send and receive functionality of testnet DEC between users and display the associated value of testnet DEC, both via the main interface and an “Assets” tab.
Once the MVP has transitioned from testnet to mainnet, the Decentr dWallet will support send and receive functionality for native Decentr assets, along with other integrated chains on the Decentr ecosystem. MetaMask integration will also mean the Decentr dWallet will also support all ERC20 assets MetaMask supports.
Further updates will integrate Decentr’s dPay and dLoan functionalities into the Decentr dWallet.
- Decentr dPosting
Subsequent updates will add dark mode to the dPosting user layer. We have previously detailed the look and feel of dark mode in our previous article on how the Decentr user layer contextualises data. There will also be minor UI adjustments to optimise the look and feel of all aspects of the user’s dPosting and dPortal experience.
Users will also be able to curate their dHub page by opting in to other users in the ecosystem. This will allow users to follow both posts, dPosts and comments made by other users and their followers and can be changed at any time.
In the initial MVP v1.0 release, Decentr users can only “Like” or “Dislike” posts, however in subsequent updates users will also have the ability to comment on posts, and comments will also have the ability to be both commented upon and also “Liked” and “Disliked”. As always, these interactions will impact PDV across the board for associated users and content.
- Decentr PDV Functionality
In subsequent versions of the Decentr MVP, additional AI and machine learning functionality will be added to the Decentr PDV algorithm. Users will also have increased abilities to inspect their highest performing actions on Decentr, across a range of activities and over selected time periods, allowing insight into what actions best increase their PDV. Increased PDV not only helps individual users but also strengthens the overall Decentr ecosystem by promoting positive actions and quality content.
The current release of the Decentr MVP v1.0 allows users to —
- Decentr dPortal
Users can create a secure Decentr user account, using an email address and password, protected by a seed phrase (which is necessary to protect the user’s dWallet and associated funds). This seed phrase can be used to restore a user’s Decentr dAccount, including all associated data at any point in time. As with any seed phrase, it is extremely important this phrase is backed up in a secure location and not shared with anyone!
After initial account creation, the dPortal allows access to a user’s dAccount, dHub and dFeed. The dAccount contains all the users critical info and is stored and secured on chain. Changes to user details on Decentr require testnet DEC, and adding all details to a user profile helps increase a user’s PDV.
The user’s dHub is a user’s main homepage on Decentr and displays the highest rated PDV content in a categorical manner. There are several main categories on Decentr’s dHub, the Overview, which is a collated feed of all other categories, World News, Travel & Tourism, Science & Technology, Strange World, Arts & Entertainment, Writers & Writing, Health & Fitness, Sports and of course, Crypto & Blockchain.
Via the dHub, users can interact with content on Decentr by “Liking” or “Disliking” Posts and dPosts. By doing so, this has an effect on the content by modifying its PDV value and how it is displayed to other users. As per any interaction on Decentr, this also increases the PDV value of the user interacting with the content.
Clicking on the Bell icon shows a more customised content feed. Recent is simply a feed of the most recent dPosts posted on Decentr, while My Wall shows a list of content an individual user has posted via their Decentr dAccount.
- Decentr dWallet
Much like MetaMask, users can click on the Decentr Web Browser extension to access both their Decentr dPortal account and their Decentr dWallet. The Decentr dWallet contains a user’s Decentr testnet address, their accumulated PDV value and their browsing activity.
In the initial MVP version of the dWallet, users will be able to receive testnet DEC via a faucet. This DEC will have no associated value but will be used for testnet validator operators to perform various operations on the testnet which require testnet DEC, such as registration of the user.
- Decentr dPosting
dPosting is an extension of the user’s dHub and dFeed on Decentr. By clicking on the + icon, users have the ability to create content that enables PDV appreciation, past general web browsing. Posts and dPosts are currently limited to one header image, a minimum of one character of text per post, with a recommended 1000+ characters for improved PDV. At this point in time, users must select one of the pre designated categories for their posted and dPosted content.
Posts and dPosts will appear on a user’s “My Wall” and also be shown as part of the “Recent” content feed for other users. Content which receives a high level of PDV will also be shown.
Other important Decentr MVP v1.0 notes —
It is critical to note that testnet PDV is separate to and distinct from mainnet PDV. PDV has zero exchangeable value in its testnet form, however users who contribute to the Decentr ecosystem in a meaningful manner will receive a PDV boost to their mainnet accounts upon mainnet release.
PDV for posts is not only calculated for the number of only “Likes” or “Dislikes”, but also factors the overall PDV value of the user who interacted with a dPost. This is the precursor to the nuanced interrelated value determinations the Decentr PDV AI/ML algorithm will be capable of.
All PDV activity is securely recorded and can be viewed via the PDV counter on the user’s dHub, or by viewing the Activity summary in the user’s dWallet.
All of the above functionality is enabled by a combination of the Decentr Web Browser Plugin and the Decentr Testnet/Validator nodes. The Decentr testnet is Tendermint based PoS (Proof of Stake) network and includes a series of Validator nodes to serve various functions on the network, such as general transfer of value (testnet DEC), user registrations, changes to user profiles, PDV values of users (initial PDV values, increasing or decreasing user PDV values, etc) and writing/storing data to the blockchain.
Decentr will host five testnet validator nodes that will be transitioned over to mainnet validators upon mainnet release. These Decentr nodes will be labeled as Ares, Hera, Hermes, Poseidon, Zeus. As part of the Decentr testnet, 10 community members will also be selected and incentivised to run community validator nodes. The application process for community validator nodes will take place in early January.
The Decentr testnet allows our developers to thoroughly vet the operation of the Decentr blockchain and make changes to the user layers without significant disruption or cost, while receiving valuable feedback from our community in regards to their interaction with the Decentr ecosystem. You can join the Decentr Beta Testers Telegram group to leave any feedback or report any bugs here — https://t.me/DecentrBetaTesters
Once the MVP release has been updated to include a majority or all of the above features, the Decentr testnet will then be upgraded to mainnet. This is the final step before the full Decentr Web Browser release. The full Decentr Web Browser will natively support all of the MVP features (without the user of a browser plugin) and will also include the following features —
- Decentr VPN
- Decentr Ad-Blocker
- Native Tor Onion Link Support
- Decentr dEX
- Tomochain Integration
- Chainlink Integration
- Frontier Integration
We’re thrilled to release our initial MVP v1.0 just six months after our initial fundraise. We have spent significant efforts in building a fully decentralised blockchain and network along with a functional user layer that sits upon it. The framework of this MVP will serve as the platform for both the Decentr mainnet and full Decentr Web Browser.
As always, stay tuned for further updates, integrations and partnerships. We welcome your feedback and look forward to interacting with you on the MVP!
We wish our community a happy holidays and new year and look forward to spending a very exciting 2021 with our supporters as we move closer to our full browser release!
Official Links for Decentr:
Website: https://decentr.net/
Telegram Group: https://t.me/DecentrNet
Telegram ANN: https://t.me/DecentrAnnouncements
Github: https://github.com/Decentr-net
Firefox Plugin: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/decentr/
