Could you name any projects that are based on a blockchain and which could not have been viable with any other technical solution, such as an SQL-based database like PostgreSQL?
Blockchain-based logging systems. Can't go back and edit anything, edits have to be appended as new records.
There's quite a lot going on in this space because of the obvious benefits, but HN seems very detached from the enterprise world. If you ran a database of land ownership records or patient healt data for a whole country, would you really be at ease with only PostgreSQL?
From what I can read, this press release mentions that they have so far reached an agreement to work together on the project, and they are currently _planning_ on using a KSI blockchain. Too early to say if the project will succeed or not.
> If you ran a database of land ownership records or patient healt data for a whole country, would you really be at ease with only PostgreSQL?
With proper access controls, backup system and proper maintenance, definitely. While the DB engine itself can vary (PostgreSQL, Oracle, whatever Microsoft produces etc.), SQL based database engines are widely used in such scenarios already.
That assumes you are dealing with a trustworthy government / corporation. Look at Lebanon their entire government just resigned overnight, can the people really trust “proper access controls and maintenance” in such chaos? Would it not be better to have essential records be kept track of by the public? Even if you don’t need it now, think of it has a insurance policy.
There's quite a lot going on in this space because of the obvious benefits, but HN seems very detached from the enterprise world. If you ran a database of land ownership records or patient healt data for a whole country, would you really be at ease with only PostgreSQL?
You asked for an example, here's one: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2020-02-20-Lockheed-Martin-a...