Over, A new birth of freedom(3): DApp with no cost and no risk

Over, A new birth of Freedom.

A new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln

Over is all about championing the highest level of freedom. We stand by the idea that everyone should have the freedom to choose, to pursue their passions, and to avoid anything they don’t wish to do. We’ve translated this belief into the blockchain realm, where we ensure that users can effortlessly access data, contribute to the network, and utilize the blockchain without depending on anyone else.

Our goal at Over is to create a design that empowers every user with freedom. We’re building a blockchain that’s light, user-friendly, and safe, fostering effortless participation. Each aspect of our design has been meticulously crafted to embody a freedom-centric blockchain experience. Our key design principles include 1) Compact blockchain nodes that anyone can operate, 2) Open participation in the consensus process, 3) Risk and cost-free blockchain dapp use. In this “Over: A New Birth of Freedom” blog series, we’ll uncover each principle one at a time. So, welcome to the third step of our journey towards redefining freedom in the blockchain world.

Reliable and easy blockchain — no risk and no cost.

At its heart, Over is designed to provide a blockchain ecosystem that’s easy for anyone to use. The unique technologies of the Over Protocol not only allow for anyone to contribute to Over but also use it and have a secure platform for asset management.

Our focus on safety is exemplified by how Over Protocol manages frontend data on the blockchain. Through a system we call Frontend Embedding, we unify the subject of service hosting. This approach ensures that the stability of the service is dictated only by the blockchain network, thereby reducing associated risks. It empowers node operators to verify frontend data directly, eliminating potential risks that could arise from the architecture of traditional blockchain services.

But that’s not all. Our special technologies enable users to perform essential tasks for service operation directly, which significantly eases the cost burden for service operators. Frontend Embedding allows frontend data to be maintained by the network’s nodes, meaning that service providers only need to cover deployment costs. Plus, with users able to assume the role of nodes directly, the requirement for service providers to provision nodes is minimized. This all comes together to make Over Protocol a revolution in cost-effective, user-centered blockchain services.

How did we interact with blockchain?

As the blockchain ecosystem advances, we’re seeing an array of financial services that leverage smart contracts. These services are often delivered in the form of applications where multiple smart contracts interact organically to perform specific functions. These applications, created with one or more smart contracts, are known as decentralized applications or dApps.

Yet, standalone dApps can often be difficult to use. Consequently, alongside dApp development, separate frontend services are typically developed for easy access to dApp functionalities. These frontend services allow users to interact with the dApp without having to manipulate the dApp directly.

But what about contributing to the blockchain network? This requires becoming a node. A node, which could be a computer or server, is an essential part of the blockchain network as it stores and verifies data for the entire network. To become a node, one needs to download and run a client that adheres to the rules defined by the protocol of the specific blockchain.

Once you’ve set up a node, it starts receiving data from other nodes to synchronize with the state of the blockchain network. From there, the network configuration assigns the node a role that fits the requirements. So, whether you’re using a dApp or running a node, interacting with blockchain offers an exciting range of possibilities.

What was the problem?

The prevalent use of web applications as frontend services for decentralized applications (dApps) has presented several challenges. As web applications download necessary components upon use, users essentially download frontend data each time they access the service. This data, stored on separate servers and distributed based on user requests, leaves the service dependent on the frontend service provider’s state, exposing users to potential risks.

Users primarily access dApps through these frontend services. If the frontend service encounters issues, even a perfectly functioning blockchain network can’t prevent service disruption. For example, a problem with the server hosting the frontend might prevent data download for several hours, or a fraudulent site could pose as a dApp, leading to compromised assets.

Additionally, the financial burden of maintaining frontend services is continual. Unlike dApps, which only require a one-time deployment cost and are then maintained by nodes within the blockchain network, frontend services necessitate separate infrastructures like cloud services. These carry ongoing maintenance costs, sometimes exceeding $1,000 monthly for services like Uniswap, which stores approximately 2 MB of frontend data on IPFS, hosted via CloudFlare.

Operating a node, another form of interaction with the blockchain, also presents cost barriers. Nodes typically require substantial storage space, sometimes in excess of 1 TB for platforms like Ethereum. Such storage requirements can pose a significant burden for average users, making the cost of participation prohibitively high for many.

How do we solve it?

The novel system of Frontend Embedding offers a solution to these issues by using blockchain infrastructure to host frontend services. This system stores web application data directly on the blockchain, managed according to predefined rules. It forms a strong dependency between the smart contracts and the frontend, effectively turning the blockchain infrastructure into a server that manages frontend data.

Decentralized applications (dApps) leveraging Frontend Embedding exhibit several key characteristics:

The system fosters strong connectivity between the smart contract and the frontend. Users request the frontend from the contract, and the contract is responsible for returning the associated frontend. This structure allows users to trust only the contracts they are actively using, creating a trust model that depends on the actual contracts in use.

Furthermore, the service can operate independently. It adopts a structure where it is hosted by the same entity, ensuring that the stability of the service is only influenced by the state of the blockchain.

Finally, the service becomes decentralized. Each node within the blockchain ecosystem becomes a hosting server, enabling a decentralized approach to service hosting. This transformation not only decentralizes service provision but also enhances service stability. With an increased number of service providers, a reliable and uninterrupted operation is ensured.

The Power of Frontend Revolution: Easiest blockchain control

Frontend revolution in the blockchain brings about the easiest control with its secure, stable, and cost-efficient features. Users can directly interact with the frontend that is firmly associated with the smart contract. This direct interaction eliminates the need to search for a trustworthy frontend and safeguards against potential damage from fake sites. Moreover, by operating a node directly, users can independently verify data such as transactions, thereby protecting personal data, privacy, and reducing the risk from malicious nodes.

The revolution also lowers the barrier to entry for node operation, leading to more nodes being integrated into the network. These nodes contribute to a decentralized network and enhance its overall stability. As the service providers are unified through the blockchain, the services remain uninterrupted as long as the blockchain network operates normally. In addition, users gain more independence and control over the services by operating nodes directly, which allows them to run and utilize services without relying on other nodes.

Lastly, this revolutionary approach is cost-efficient. Similar to smart contracts, frontend data is maintained by nodes within the blockchain ecosystem, eliminating additional costs for maintaining the service beyond deployment expenses. Furthermore, when users run their own nodes, service providers are relieved from the financial burden of providing nodes, as users assume this responsibility themselves.

Future of Over Ecosystem

Envisioned as the platform for the safest service, Over empowers anyone to become a node, increasing the number of service providers and providing users with reliable access to services. When users operate their own nodes, they can directly manage and verify data, ensuring a safer and more secure service experience.

Over also aims to be a platform for completely decentralized service. The burden of node operation is significantly reduced, giving users the option to operate nodes themselves. This flexibility results in the potential for running more nodes at the same cost, providing continuous data responses and transaction processing on the blockchain. Consequently, users can enjoy a more stable service experience.

On the financial side, Over is paving the way to be a platform for costless service. In some instances, services may operate additional servers to provide specific functionalities. These functionalities, often based on the utilization of blockchain’s state data or monitoring changes to gather information, can sometimes lead to the operation of separate servers. These servers can be used to implement features that are challenging to implement on the frontend, especially when users are not actively using it. They can also be used to reduce load on a node, as nodes are responsible for responding to user requests using limited resources, leading to a centralized structure where a few nodes handle most of the services.

In Over, however, operating a node directly is not a difficult task for users. By allowing users to run their own nodes, network load can be effectively distributed. If service providers can incorporate the functional aspects that servers handle, the costs of maintaining servers can be eliminated. These aspects are likely to be efficiently resolved through the product itself, further enhancing the Over ecosystem.

A safe and reliable blockchain experience with Over

In summary, the Over Protocol is poised to revolutionize the blockchain services landscape through its innovative Frontend Embedding technology. This novel approach allows for the seamless integration of frontend data with smart contracts, empowering users to directly engage with blockchain services. With a focus on safety, ease-of-use, and cost-effectiveness, Over Protocol redefines user interaction with the blockchain, paving the way for a future where anyone can become a node operator. By decentralizing service provision and reducing dependency on separate frontend service providers, the Over Protocol ushers in a new era of trust, transparency, and accessibility in the blockchain ecosystem.