[narrowrail]

You mean browser-based, as in provided by a server (aka centralized)? Perhaps there is a way to daemonize the process and run it headless on a server with web access, but the whole point is no central server to depend on.

Edit: I guess I don't understand how this project, which makes one of its key features to be be web server less, would be accessed by web browser without doing what I suggested above. Could you explain?

[natrius]

Browser-based, serverless apps are what Ethereum is all about. You run a daemon on your computer that maintains a blockchain, messaging system (Whisper), and content storage system (Swarm). That daemon exposes an RPC interface so local processes can get data from it. The most common result is an HTML, CSS, and Javascript bundle that is a full-fledged application without a server, because its backend is peer-to-peer.

Web apps aren't a requirement—you could build a traditional desktop app that talks to the Ethereum daemon as well. But using the application runtime that everyone already has installed lowers the barrier to entry, so it's what most successful projects will choose.

[narrowrail]

>You run a daemon on your computer

I think you might notice that in the comment you are replying to I specifically mention using a daemon?

Anyway, running a daemon still requires one to download software which seems to be the point of complaint for some people with this project.

[natrius]

Just sharing a concrete example that exists today. Yes, a download is still required.

[drivingmenuts]

Sounds a lot like Freenet.

[nl]

WebRTC let's you build server less web apps.

[liamzebedee]

Not really - you still need the centralised signalling server for initial connection setup between peers. And this is needed for every new connection.

[nl]

Yes. And?

It's like you'll also need DNS, which isn't decentralized either.

If someone wanted to write this as a WebRTC-based decentralised version there is nothing stopping them using something the like the public signalling servers that Mozilla uses for their Hello service.

Also, if some users wanted to run a signalling server themselves, that's ok too.

[liamzebedee]

I get your comparison, however DNS is not actually that fundamental to P2P networks, all you need are IP addresses (at least not after the bootstrapping phase). Whereas this is making the entire connection setup dependent on these signalling servers.

You're right, there are public signalling servers and such. I just wish we weren't so restricted in setting up direct connections, such that you could do it through your bootstrapping peer in the network.

[narrowrail]

Hmm. I still don't get it. You mean build another project entirely, but base it on a web browser using WebRTC?

[nl]

I think it's a terrible idea for many reasons. Cite FriendFeed, Diaspora, Identica etc.

But at the same time, if someone wants to try: yes, it needs to be browser based, and the lack of a server doesn't need to be a limiting factor anymore.

[nly]

What's wrong with that? Federation makes a lot of sense.