Git Steem - Decentralized Github using STEEM
Last night during the talk with @ned, someone mentioned "what about github via STEEM?".
I took that what-if and made it into a reality! Using a similar principal to SteemDNS, I build a Web UI to allow you to quickly add Git projects to your account's metadata.
By storing the links in the blockchain, you can easily switch from something like Github to your own repo, and git-steem will still be able to locate it.
You can use the Web UI for adding repositories at
git.steem.network
Both the CLI tool and Web UI are available under an open source licence (GPLv3 and AGPL respectively):
Web UI: https://github.com/Someguy123/git-steem-web.git
CLI Tool: https://github.com/Someguy123/git-steem-cli.git
Let's see it in action!
The schema is useless without a real client right? Introducing git-steem-cli. A tool written in Python using Steem-Piston, which currently supports both cloning and adding remotes to existing projects.
Both of the projects are also available on my git-steem profile :)
git-steem clone someguy123/git-steem-web
git-steem clone someguy123/git-steem-cli
I hope to see some more fun uses of the STEEM blockchain like this. The metadata on both posts and your account can be used for amazing things, like Steem DNS, and now a decentralized git repo hub.
You may also want to check out my witness update, which I released today: Someguy123 Witness Update #3 (2016-09-25)
Hey there someguy!
That guy was me! I would love to invite you to join the hangout that @dantheman credits for having a big role in steems creation: our weekly #beyondbitcoin hangouts. It is likely because of our long history working with the technological genius who created steemit that I have the insights I have, and I can assure you our hangouts can be a place of pure gold (if you like the github idea I have plenty more where that came from). If you would like to join our family, you can RSVP here to get coverage of your work: https://steemit.com/beyondbitcoin/@officialfuzzy/guest-signups-beyond-bitcoin-hangout-175-9-30-16-rsvp-to-friday-s-hangout-get-a-cut-in-our-hangout
Now with that said. I love the idea. I do, however, have a slight concern with not having this as its own separate chain. My primary issue is that while steem can easily (as in for much less of a cost than spinning up a new chain) add translation services directly to steemit and other front ends, it is not so easy for something like github.
If there are going to be 1000 clones, I believe we want to start with something like github steemit (which I call Gitit) and have an initial phase where moving your github repos to the new chain rewards you with the native currency. This process would replace mining and could be used to distribute 60-70% of the tokens to ensure the people curating are coders. Though this might not be foolproof I am sure there are ways to mitigate issues. The point though is: find a way to ensure distribution to people who are guaranteed coders who can use it.
The problem with the solution being built on top of steem is that the vast majority of people who do upvote content on here cannot read code and those who can likely do not have the time to do so (because those with lots of power in steemit are also generally devs).
Now please dont take this as me putting down your work. In fact I love that you were thinking about this after I gave everyone my idea openly. And also glad you built what you built, but this genuinely seems like a chain that should be cloned as opposed to being directly on the steem blockchain. Like I said when talking to ned and you guys, I am not against multiple chains...I just think they should have good reasons for being separate chains with use cases that expand our toolkit and the toolkits of everyone wanting to build Graphene based chains.
Feel free to let me know what you think or if you disagree, and remember I am always holding friday hangouts in the case you are interested in joining and discussing :)
It sounds like a great idea to move this to it's own developer focused Steem chain, but at the same time, that could limit the audience.
Without enough traction on this alternative chain, it could lead to malicious attacks, or simply the fact that most whales aren't actually developers, there's only a select few developer whales like Dan and James - without the same response as the real Steem, it might not take off.
I quite like the idea of centralising some things into the STEEM chain. The JSON metadata attached to an account has proven to be a great way to implement something like Namecoin, with name spoofing much lower due to the costs of making an account on the STEEM chain.
If we had separate chains for SteemDNS, "Gitit" etc. I would have to be maintaining my profile across 3 different chains, and those 3 chains would all need to be maintained individually (and with how fast the STEEM project moves, I think it's pretty difficult to maintain any fork which makes major changes without a lot of talented developers).
I'm sure there are people out there that actually could maintain such a fork. Unfortunately, that's not my area of expertise. Thank you for the input Fuzzy, maybe I'll join you this weeks hangout :)
THIS! Is amazing. Im going to play around on this.
So... files are hosted in the blockchain?
[EDIT]
from what I am seeing... this only stores links to already existing repositories? Right?... So TBH, it is ok.. but not what most people will think it is :(
Github is not just a fronted, but also server provider for "main" repository.
More coming soon, this system is even capable of handling pull requests off-site ;) .
There's nothing stopping you from holding your repository in something like IPFS. Thanks to this, you wouldn't need to remember
ipfs.io/adidahfidfhdusf932uergue9fgd9xhuddhsaudhsiuahda- instead, justnoisy/myprojectdid you saw project which I linked yesterday?
http://gitchain.org/
Nope, never saw that.
That project looks dead. I can't find any source code, and the kickstarter looks like it died off 2 years ago, with a tiny "backers only" update a few months ago.
I may have to build something like it, using IPFS and git-steem. I'm sure I could make it as easy as
git-steem publish someguy123/my-projectto upload your git repo to IPFS and tag it onto your profile.sources are here: https://github.com/gitchain/gitchain
Good work man, it would be great to build github fully on Steem with each commit can be upvoted, rewarded, etc.
Yes, this is a great idea! This was also brought up by @fuzzy during the Beyond Bitcoin hangout this past Friday. I can't remember if this was brought up during the "main" hangout or during the after party but, you all should take a listen to it once he posts it. There was some great info to share!
@someguy123
You are the second person I choose to vote as a witness. I think you are one of the few that is worthy to be one.
Really awesome idea, hope this can be built into a full fledge github alternative.
Sweet, love it.
Good job!
I was there listening to the chat live as well. Really amazing how quickly people are making progress here!