RE: The Blockchain - The 4 Things You Should Know
Perhaps I'm just too demanding, but it seems this just skimmed the surface of explaining the blockchain. It is still all too vague for me. You have all those images of linked computers, but don't explain how the blocks are voted on before being accepted as permanent data. You speak of security but don't say how or why. I still have so many questions. Like how does one access the rights to set up a server? Is it the same as setting up a server for a typical website? How is data routed to the blockchain? A typical website has a domain name that is held in nameservers that direct traffic like a traffic cop and point to the server where that website is stored. How does that differ from the blockchain? Does one have to pay to connect to the network and use its bandwidth? Who collects that money?
You're right on the money, and I approve of your criticism!
Understand this - while I did indeed read the white paper and many other sources, there are still some problems.
Firstly, in what concerns me, I dont quite understand all of this. Most of this content was new to me, and there are still concepts sinking in. I refrain trying to give my spin on topics I'm not quite sure of, so as to not mislead any of my readers. I hope that doesn't come across as uninformed, more like cautious, and intellectually honest with myself.
Secondly, there are many technical details that frankly, kinda divert from the topic. The security part you mention for instance. The white paper covers that part extremely well, but most of the topics are honestly best suited to an article about cryptography, which, as I mentioned, I will take on more thoroughly in the future. Taking them on now would:
1 - Be a significant load for me (I'm on summer vacation right now before I start my thesis, I really should be resting.)
2 - Be boring, distracting, and more confusing for the reader, on what is already a complex subject.
I do speak of the hashing process however, and the untamperable nature of the blocks, which is where most of the security part lies.
Finally, most of your questions lie on a more practical side of the technology. How to set up a blockchain server (which does not quite work like that), how it integrates with the net (not quite the same subject matter), how to collect the money... All things for someone who would want to set up a blockchain technology, instead of just learning about it.
I applaud your criticism though. And you're absolutely right - this was very superficial. I usually like to do my content like that, both because I like to encourage people to check for themselves, and because it's easier to keep this content running smoothly. If I were to go deeper in all my articles, my rhythm would probably decrease, and I'd only do 2 articles a week. I feel like I'd let down my followers like that :(
Tell you what though - I usually like to take the weekends off, but because your criticism was so pertinent, if my agenda allows me, I'll revisit this issue during the weekend, or at a later date, and try to answer every question you made, ok? :)
My comments were not so much a criticism as they were me reaching out to find a simple answer to what seems like very complicated stuff. I tried reading other material and couldn't understand most of it. The terms used meant nothing to me and I had no idea what they were writing. When I opened your post I was hoping to get answers but instead got about as much as I had already figured out. I expect that anyone who would write about such a topic would know more than I do. If the language used is something you can understand then I would be grateful if you could interpret for me. No hurry. Whenever you have the time.
Thanks!