Why Reinvent the Wheel?

A Tale about User Identity

I often receive questions about the need to reinvent the wheel in addressing the challenges of a centralized Internet. Several solutions already exist, such as the Fediverse, which is the largest decentralized social network. It is based on the ActivityPub protocol which is a W3C recommendation. Additionally, there are open-source, self-hosted collaboration platforms like NextCloud.

The Federated Internet

The federated Internet consists of a network of servers operated by various entities, allowing data sharing among their users. You might wonder what the problem is with this model and how the Cloudillo Platform differs.

The primary issue lies in the nature of user identity in these systems. Most federated platforms adopt a model akin to email, where a user’s identity comprises two components: the name of the instance where their profile resides and some sort of username. While this method is effective for locating profiles, it ties a user’s identity to a specific instance. If a user decides to migrate to another instance, they can transfer their data but will lose their original user identity, along with their established network and trust.

A core principle of Cloudillo’s architecture is that a user’s identity is independent of the instance hosting their profile and data. If a user wishes to move to a different instance, they can do so seamlessly without losing any connections.

In the Fediverse, where numerous small servers are operated by individuals without standardized rules, this issue can be particularly problematic. Admins sometimes delete user profiles without giving a reason. Another challenge lies in access control: server operators can control which other servers may connect to their systems, preventing users from communicating with each other. While this can also occur on Cloudillo if you utilize a cloud provider, the key difference is that users can easily switch to another provider or even self-host their data without losing their network.

Isolated on an Island

NextCloud, another platform for exchange of information also has its own limitations. It is a self-hosted collaboration platform that effectively supports teams in organizing and sharing data. However, it operates as an isolated solution. While NextCloud offers some basic federation support, it is limited and can be susceptible to issues similar to the ones previously discussed.

Collaborating with multiple communities requires each one to install its own NextCloud server, hosting data specific to that group. Unfortunately, this necessitates separate logins for each instance, which can be inconvenient.

In contrast, Cloudillo’s architecture allows instances to communicate efficiently and securely. Users can access any information shared across the network without needing to log in to different instances; a simple click on a document and you can view or even edit its content, much like traditional cloud platforms.

Conclusion

Existing decentralized solutions like the Fediverse and NextCloud offer valuable tools for communication and collaboration. But they fall short in addressing key use cases such as maintaining consistent user identity, seamless data sharing, and cross-server communication. Cloudillo aims to overcome these limitations by providing a more flexible and user-centric approach. By decoupling user identity from specific instances, Users can maintain their networks and trust while enjoying a more integrated online experience.