Blockchain newb
New to Hive. New to blockchain. Didn't understand web 3.0, but jumped right in hoped to figure things out along the way. These are my notes taken during my process of learning about the hive blockchain and its applications. Hopefully, this information is of help to other Hive newbs as well.
Disclaimer
As this post is more about me as a new user to this technology, instead of whom I am, it's a bit off-topic as it's posted with the #introduceyourself tag. I tried changing the original first topic, but it seems like that is not possible.
Why?
I have been the search for a decentralized system that can replace platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Blogger etc. The reason for this is that I want to find a place where the few can not censor the many. In recent times the amount of censorship that has happened on the big commercial platforms has been outrageous. It's about time we, the people, take back control of the Internet again. I'm hoping that Hive is the solution. However, as I am new to the technology I do not have the answer, yet.
Too difficult
Unfortunately, I find the entire blockchain concept hard to wrap my head around. As an end-user though you might not need to understand the technical details, as long as you're mainly consuming content. But as a contributor, you should understand the gists of it, at least.
When it comes to Hive I found the signup process confusing. I had questions like:
What are registration providers?
Which is the best registration provider to pick?
Does it make any difference if i pick one registration provider over another?
Why are some registration providers free, while others cost money?
Being new I would like one way to register, not eight. It should be instant, and it should be free. I ended up registering via 3Speak, as it was instant. As I had to pay in crypto it made the process hard for me, as a new user. I needed a Coinbase account, transfer money, buy crypto and transfer crypto. I did manage but without ease. Maybe I could have chosen a much easier way to register via esteem?
When I had registered I didn't get the normal username and password. instead, I got keys, different keys. It felt far too complex. OK, I did manage, but this process must be easy enough for my mum if this shall replace the platforms I want it to replace.
So many questions
I was overwhelmed by questions when I started. Questions like:
What is Hive?
How to use the services?
How to get paid?
Do I own my own content here?
Can my content be taken down?
Can I export my content?
Why did I get the message "unknown account" when visiting my profile?
Etc. etc. etc. I did not know where to start looking for answers. However, I found answers and links and posted them further down in this post.
Work-In-Progress
This post is/was updated along the way, new information as I did/do learn more about Hive.
[update.200507#1]
There must have been some delay in the system that caused my profile page to be unavailable right after account creation. After some minutes my profile was working. I assume this is a result of blockchain technology. Or, maybe it was due to the front end application.
[update.200507#2]
Found the Hive.blog FAQ and the PeakD FAQ. I realised that several of my questions were answered there.
Did register a new account through BlockTrades. As a more experienced user, with an existing Coinbase account, this was now easy.
Note: I first tried registering through HIVE Onboard, but that did not work.
Now I did get one password and realised that this was the same as the "backup password" I got when using 3Speak for registering. A much more explanatory text was given as well:
The following four private keys are derived from your password. You don't need to save these, saving your account name and password is enough to recreate them.
Using the Hive Keychain extension/add-on I could simply add my username and master passwords, and all other keys were derived. Now, this is more like it!
Questions and answers (or not) as I have discovered new information Note: please correct me if any of my answers are wrong!
Services built on top of the Hive blockchain where you can register as a new user.
Why are several registration providers?
You can look at the hive blockchain as a public database. Every service using this blockchain add data to the same database. Hence, you can register on any Hive application/service that has a register system.
Why are some registration providers free, while others cost money?
The services are independent of the blockchain itself. Some services might require money for adding you as a new user to the blockchain, while others might not. It depends on the service.
Which is the best registration provider to pick?
No idea. Not even sure if there is a difference. Maybe you get some advantages to the service you do register. Maybe you're given different "hive power" to start with. Not sure.
Why keys instead of passwords?
Not sure why it would not be enough with one password. Seems like it's due to security, as each key has different access levels.
You get a posting key, active key and an owner key.
UPDATE: You do get one password, and all other keys can be derived from that password.
Where is my content hosted?
It depends. Text is stored on the Hive blockchain. Media, like images and text, are stored on the different site's servers when uploaded. For example, the image added to this post is located at images.hive.blog since I first published this post at Hive.blog.
Do I own my own content?
Not sure. What does it mean to "own" your own content? You post/add it to the blockchain, for everyone to see. You can never "take back" your content as long as it has been published. You can always see your and everyone else's content using the Hive block explorer.
Can I export my content?
Your content is on the blockchain, for everyone to read. Hence, it should be possible to export all your text-based content. Images and videos are stored on the respective servers, depending on where you uploaded it. Not sure if an export service or tool exists today.
The tool didn't work for me, but this might be an option: hive2csv.
Who pays for the servers and the development of these systems? Do the developers get a cut of the token or the crypto? Is that who this works?
Developers are rewarded, with the hive crypto, I believe.
Those who have services on top of the blockchain might take a cut of every crypto transaction to cover their costs. Not sure.
I don't think minds.com is as decentralized as Hive is. I believe the owners of minds.com have more power of what is kept published to that network. I don't even know if the content on minds.com is stored on the blockchain. I'm not sure about this at all.
Why are applications on Hive called dApps instead of apps?
Logging in to Hive dApps you're asked for username and password or WIF. What password? What is WIF?
No idea why I'm asked for a password as I never got a password or got to set a password.
Fo password equal key? If so, it should say key, not password.
WIF stands for "Wallet Import Format" and is the protocol behind encoding the different keys. It can refer to any of your encrypted keys. src
How does HiveSigner differ to normal sign in? There you're asked for username and password or private key. Which key to use?
"HiveSigner is a service to securely manage your wallet, check your activity, and connect to services without giving up your password."
It seems like HiveSigner is an app that stores data locally on the machine it's running on, instead of on a server. You can log into HiveSigner, or assign your posting and active keys to HiveSigner, and then protect those keys with a keystore password. Next time you want to log into a Hive service you can let the HiveSigner do the work for you, instead of using your keys directly with the service. Safer, but a tad cumbersome though, having to add your keys to HiveSigner on every device you're using. Not sure how the keys are stored locally. Uncertain about this as well.
No idea. I like peakd.com's interface better than Blog.hive. I have not tried dBlog, but i guess you then get your own blog, with more layout options. SteemPress is a WordPress plugin. I guess it allows you to post to the Hive blockchain, edit posts and read your posts back from it. Hence, it's a way to have your content stored on Hive, and presented and managed via WordPress.
How can you know that one organisation won't take control over the Hive blockchain?
No idea. Maybe because of witnesses. But, how to make sure the witnesses are all from the same organisation?
Why do @esteemapp keep posting the same comment over again to this post?
No idea. Spam?
Error during 'reply' broadcast: xfx has 601112366 RC, needs 944429473 RC. Please wait to transact, or power up HIVE.
Seems like you use crypto to execute actions on Hive, and if your content is engaging you might gain crypto. Or?
How is your reputation score calculated?
No idea!
What about cross-posting? Should you do it to "cover more ground"? Shouldn't you do it to avoid redundant info? How do the earning model work when cross-posting?
If I am to start adding my drawings to Hive, where should I do that?
@esteemapp keep posting the same comment over again to this post?
