Community
+Connect with us through the following platforms:
+ + +Connect with us through the following platforms:
+ + +Welcome to the About page. Here you can learn more about our mission and values.
+ +This is the Motivation page.
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, April 3rd
+5th April, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, April 12th
+12th April, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, 16th April
+17th April, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, 26th April
+28th April, 2024
+ +Weekly dev meeting - progressing Towards Network Stability, 3rd May, +2024
+3rd May, 2024
+ +Weekly dev meeting - network integration testing and squashing final +bugs, 10th May, 2024
+11th May, 2024
+ +Weekly Dev Meeting - Enhancing Connection Stability and Finalizing +Transport Fixes, 24th May, 2024
+24th May, 2024
+ +Weekly Dev Meeting - Gateway deployment, freenet-chat
+10th June, 2024
+ +Mitigating Sybil attacks in Freenet
+26th June, 2022
+ +Proof-of-Trust: A Wealth-Unbiased Consensus Mechanism for Distributed +Systems
+28th August, 2023
+ +Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Anonymous Reputation in Freenet
+29th October, 2023
+ +Weekly Developer Meeting: Updating State and Performance Optimizations
+22nd November, 2023
+ +This page is built with Kweb, which requires +JavaScript to be enabled.
+::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: section
+ +:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: section
+Weekly Dev Meeting - Gateway deployment, freenet-chat
+10th June, 2024
+ +Weekly Dev Meeting - Enhancing Connection Stability and Finalizing +Transport Fixes, 24th May, 2024
+24th May, 2024
+ +Weekly dev meeting - network integration testing and squashing final +bugs, 10th May, 2024
+11th May, 2024
+ +Weekly dev meeting - progressing Towards Network Stability, 3rd May, +2024
+3rd May, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, 26th April
+28th April, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, 16th April
+17th April, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, April 12th
+12th April, 2024
+ +Weekly developer meeting summary, April 3rd
+5th April, 2024
+ +Weekly Developer Meeting: Updating State and Performance Optimizations
+22nd November, 2023
+ +Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Anonymous Reputation in Freenet
+29th October, 2023
+ +Proof-of-Trust: A Wealth-Unbiased Consensus Mechanism for Distributed +Systems
+28th August, 2023
+ +Mitigating Sybil attacks in Freenet
+26th June, 2022
+::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
+:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
+ +This is the Build on Freenet page.
+ +This is the Build on Freenet page.
+ +This is the Development page.
+ +Freenet is a fully decentralized, peer-to-peer network and a drop-in +replacement for the world wide web. It operates as a global shared +computer, providing a platform for sophisticated decentralized software +systems. Freenet allows developers to create decentralized alternatives +to centralized services, including messaging, social media, email, and +e-commerce. It's designed for simplicity and flexibility and can be +used seamlessly through your web browser. The platform's user-friendly +decentralized applications are scalable, interoperable, and secured with +cryptography.
+Freenet is a global key-value store that relies on small world +routing for +decentralization and scalability. Keys in this key-value store are +WebAssembly code which +specify:
+These webassembly keys are also known as +contracts, and the +values are also known as the contract's state.
+Like the web, most people will interact with Freenet through their web +browser. Freenet provides a local HTTP +proxy that allows data +such as a single-page +application to +be downloaded to a web browser. This application can then connect to the +Freenet peer through a +websocket connection and +through this interact with the Freenet network, including creating, +reading, and modifying contracts and their state.
+For a much more detailed explanation please see our user +manual.
+Freenet was initially developed by Ian Clarke at the University of +Edinburgh in 1999 as a decentralized system for information storage and +retrieval, offering users the ability to publish or retrieve information +anonymously.
+In 2019, Ian began work on a successor to the original Freenet, which +was internally known as "Locutus." This project, a redesign from the +ground up, incorporated lessons learned from the original Freenet's +development and operation, and adapted to today's challenges. In March +2023, the original version of Freenet was separated into its own +project, and what was known +as "Locutus" was officially branded as "Freenet."
+The previous and current versions of Freenet have several key +differences:
+Functionality: The previous version was analogous to a decentralized +hard drive, while the current version is analogous to a full +decentralized computer.
+Real-time Interaction: The current version allows users to subscribe +to data and be notified immediately if it changes. This is essential +for systems like instant messaging or group chat.
+Programming Language: Unlike the previous version, which was +developed in Java, the current Freenet is implemented in Rust. This +allows for better efficiency and integration into a wide variety of +platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, MacOS, etc).
+Transparency: The current version is a drop-in replacement for the +world wide web and is just as easy to use.
+Anonymity: While the previous version was designed with a focus on +anonymity, the current version does not offer built-in anonymity but +allows for a choice of anonymizing systems to be layered on top.
+In 2019, Ian began developing a successor to the original Freenet, +internally named "Locutus." This redesign was a ground-up reimagining, +incorporating lessons learned from the original Freenet and addressing +modern challenges. The original Freenet, although groundbreaking, was +built for an earlier era.
+This isn't the first time Freenet has undergone significant changes. +Around 2005, we transitioned from version 0.5 to 0.7, which was a +complete rewrite introducing "friend-to-friend" networking.
+In March 2023, the original Freenet (developed from 2005 onwards) was +spun off into an independent project called "Hyphanet" under its +existing maintainers. Concurrently, "Locutus" was rebranded as +"Freenet," also known as "Freenet 2023," to signal this new +direction and focus. The rearchitected Freenet is faster, more flexible, +and better equipped to offer a robust, decentralized alternative to the +increasingly centralized web.
+It is important to note that the maintainers of the original Freenet did +not agree with the decision to rearchitect and rebrand. However, as the +architect of the Freenet Project, and after over a year of debate, Ian +felt this was the necessary path forward to ensure the project's +continued relevance and success in a world very different than when he +designed the previous architecture.
+Delegates, contracts, and user interfaces (UIs) each serve distinct +roles in the Freenet ecosystem. Contracts control public data, or +"shared state." Delegates act as the user's agent and can store +private data on the user's behalf, while UIs provide an interface +between these and the user through a web browser. See the user +manual for more +detail.
+Freenet was started by Ian Clarke in 1999 and grew out of his +undergraduate +paper "A +Distributed Decentralized Information Storage and Retrieval System."
+To further the goals of the project, Ian Clarke and Steven Starr +co-founded The Freenet 501c3 non-profit in 2001.
+In 2024, the Freenet non-profit board of directors consists of Ian +Clarke, Steven Starr, and Michael Grube, with Ian serving as President +and Steven as Chief Strategy Officer. Along with Ian, the development +team consists of Nacho Duart and Hector Alberto Santos Rodriguez.
+As of June 2024, we are very close to getting the network up; see our +blog for regular status updates. In the +meantime you can already +experiment with building a +decentralized app to test on your own computer.
+While Freenet is designed to be accessible to most users, approximately +10-20% of users might experience connectivity issues due to being behind +symmetric NATs or restrictive firewalls. These network configurations, +often implemented by ISPs, can prevent direct peer-to-peer connections, +which are essential for Freenet's decentralized network. Users behind +such configurations might also face difficulties with other applications +requiring low-latency connections, such as multiplayer games and VoIP +services. We recommend choosing ISPs that offer less restrictive NAT +configurations to ensure a better overall internet experience and +seamless use of Freenet.
+Yes, you can follow @FreenetOrg on +Twitter/X or discuss r/freenet on +Reddit.
+Founded in 2001, Freenet is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to +the development and propagation of technologies for open and democratic +information distribution over the Internet. We advocate for unrestricted +exchange of intellectual, scientific, literary, social, artistic, +creative, human rights, and cultural expressions, free from interference +by state, private, or special interests.
+Freenet is not a cryptocurrency, but we do accept cryptocurrency +donations. For large donations (over $5,000) please contact us before +sending. For smaller donations, please use the following wallets:
+Cryptocurrency Address
+Bitcoin
+Zcash
+Ethereum
This page is built with Kweb, which requires +JavaScript to be enabled.
+The centralization of the internet poses a fundamental threat to +individual freedom. In 2024, a few corporations control most internet +services and infrastructure. These corporations wield immense power over +most of us with little accountability, enabling them to censor content, +exploit our data, and exclude users from services they depend on ---all +with profound implications for democracy. We need a solution urgently.
+Introducing Freenet --- a decentralized replacement for the world wide +web. Acting as a global, shared, decentralized computing platform, +Freenet can either be accessed via a standard web browser or integrated +into third-party applications.
+Freenet is not merely a tool for developers; it offers a pathway for +anyone seeking greater control and freedom in their digital +interactions. You can build or use decentralized services for messaging, +social media, email, and e-commerce. These applications are designed for +scalability and interoperability, secured through modern cryptographic +techniques.
+Freenet is nearing an initial network launch. At this stage it will +primarily be of interest to developers interested in building +decentralized systems on Freenet.
+Watch Ian's +TalkRead User +ManualChat on +MatrixVisit +GitHub
+The centralization of the internet poses a fundamental threat to individual freedom. In 2024, a few corporations control most internet services and infrastructure. These corporations wield immense power over most of us with little accountability, enabling them to censor content, exploit our data, and exclude users from services they depend on ---all with profound implications for democracy. We need a solution urgently.
+Introducing Freenet --- a decentralized replacement for the world wide web. Acting as a global, shared, decentralized computing platform, Freenet can either be accessed via a standard web browser or integrated into third-party applications.
+Freenet is not merely a tool for developers; it offers a pathway for anyone seeking greater control and freedom in their digital interactions. You can build or use decentralized services for messaging, social media, email, and e-commerce. These applications are designed for scalability and interoperability, secured through modern cryptographic techniques.
+Freenet is nearing an initial network launch. At this stage it will primarily be of interest to developers interested in building decentralized systems on Freenet.
+Watch Ian's Talk
+Read User Manual
+Chat on Matrix
+Visit GitHub