#DecentralizeTheWeb Challenge

#DecentralizeTheWeb Blockstack Online Challenge

Prizes:

Winner: Oculus Rift ($600 value)

2nd Place: Blockstack Hoodie, T-shirt, and Computer Decal

Entry Gift: Super soft "Blockstack" t-shirt in your size*

Experience:

All backgrounds and experience levels. Software development skills only needed if you are submitting a functional app using Blockstack for the additional 2 points.

Introduction: What is Blockstack?

Blockstack is a new internet for decentralized, server-less applications. Building on Blockstack starts with single-page applications built in Javascript that are downloaded onto user devices. Developers plug into blockstack.js, which provides API’s for authenticating the user, grabbing application data from the user, and storing new application data with the user (encrypted and backed up to cloud storage). The blockchain is utilized to maintain a cross-application identity system, securely mapping user IDs to usernames, public keys, and data storage URIs. Developers don’t have to worry about running servers, maintaining databases, or building out user management systems, and decentralized, server-less applications can be built more simply than their traditional counterparts.

VIDEO: Building a New Internet with Blockstack

The Challenge:

Develop a demo or concept for a decentralized serverless application that could be built using blockstack.js, and then submit an explanation along with a proof of concept for the application.

What exactly is a "serverless application"?

The application itself should not run application-specific functionality on a server. All of its functionality should run on end-points. However, the application may use non-app-specific servers with the caveat that they must not be part of the trusted computing base. This is the case with storage systems like Amazon S3 and Dropbox, for example, because Blockstack's data is signed and verified end-to-end (so the storage systems are not trusted to serve data).

Blockstack-powered applications send their writes to the user's storage providers via the locally-running Blockstack daemon. Even if the application client interacts with proprietary server code, the users still own the data they generate and can take it with them to other applications.

Getting Started with Blockstack as a software developer:

Click here to install the Blockstack Browser and CLI.

Deliverable:

It doesn’t matter whether you are a designer, an engineer, or a business strategist. What is important is supporting your idea with substance, showcasing your vision, and preferably creating something you enjoy building. Only deliverables that include all three items will be considered for a prize.

1) Tweetable description limited to 140 characters including the hashtag #DecentralizeTheWeb

2) Longform description of 100 words maximum

3) Proof of Concept (Some possible options include):

• A clickable Invision prototype

• A software demo

• A pitch deck for the app 

Send to ps17@blockstack.com with email subject "#DecentralizeTheWeb".

Scoring (18 possible points):

Concept (8pts)

Part I (5 pts): Impact if adopted broadly

2 - Low

4 - Moderate

5 - High

Part II (3 pts): Ease of Adoption

1 - Hard to imagine this being adopted easily

2 - Easy to imagine some adoption, given the right circumstances

3 - Easy to imagine this being broadly adopted

Deliverable (8 pts)

Part I (5 pts): The degree to which the submitted material demonstrates the feasibility of the concept.

2 - Low

4 - Moderate

5 - High

Part II (3 pts): How well-crafted are the submitted materials?

*Optional* App Creation using Blockstack (2 pts)

This is where being a dev can be helpful. If you want 2 extra points, you must submit proof of your app making use of Blockstack in production.

Users:

You can participate as an individual or a team. Please sign up by clicking "register" at the top right of this Eventbrite page.

Note about prizes:

Only one prize will be given out per team except in the case of t-shirts, where US residents with submissions will each receive one.

Judges: 

Michael J. Freedman (Prof. CS Princeton, cofounder/CTO iobeam) @michaelfreedman

Ryan Shea (Core Developer, @blockstack) @ryaneshea

Muneeb Ali (Core Developer, @blockstack) @muneeb

Deadline: 

February 12th, 2017, 11:59pm PST

Submissions sent to ps17@blockstack.com

Winner Announcements:

February 16nd 2017, 9:00am PST

BLOCKSTACK (THE EVENT SPONSOR) ASSUMES NO RIGHTS OVER IP CREATED IN THIS EVENT BY THE OPEN SOURCE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATING.