The InterPlanetary File System - an Introduction / How-to

I can remember a few months back I heard the term IPFS and dismissed it as a catchy name, no more than a publicity stunt. As time went on I realized just how wrong I was! IPFS is just as awesome as it sounds, and you are about to learn why.

According to WikiPedia, "the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a protocol designed to create a permanent and decentralized method of storing and sharing files. It is a content-addressable, peer-to-peer hypermedia distribution protocol."

Wow. What. A. Mouthfull.

But what does that really mean? Well, it means we now have a way to store files on a blockchain inspired platform. These files are just as permanent as a transaction on any blockchain network. They are hosted by whats called a swarm, or group of hosts on the IPFS network itself.

But Chivesz, why should I care? You might say to yourself.

You should care because this is the future. If ever we, as a human race, have enough good fortune to make it off of this planet and reach for the stars, you'd better believe that we are going to need a way to communicate and transfer data.

...But the current applications for technology such as this are just as impressive. Believe me when I tell you, there are extremely influential members of our community doing some amazing things with IPFS as we speak. I for one, want to make sure I'm up to speed on this thing!

OK, so clearly, I have your attention. Lets take a quick look at how IPFS works.

Files that are hosted on the IPFS are accessible via the world wide web, to anyone, anywhere.

-Each and every file that is hosted on IPFS has its own hash, not unlike a crypto wallet.
-Files can be obtained by using the following address -