Publica on Quorum: the FAQ
We are happy to announce that Publica has launched a beta project on Quorum blockchain.
Read the announcement post here:
Why Side Chain?
We decided to use JP Morgan’s Quorum blockchain to tackle several major challenges Publica and users are facing every day.
One of the biggest concerns and hurdles for book readers and authors — high transaction costs and low transaction speed. By replacing Ethereum with our own blockchain (also called Side Chain or Publica on Quorum), Publica was able to eliminate gas payments (transaction fees) and ensure a truly instant token transactions.
By replacing Ethereum with Quorum, Publica will be able to eliminate gas payments (transaction fees) and ensure a truly instant token transactions.
What is Quorum?
Quorum is a blockchain created by JP Morgan’s. It is an enterprise-focused version of Ethereum, ideal for any application requiring high speed and high throughput processing of private transactions.
While Quorum has the same structure and visually look like Ethereum, keep in mind that Publica’s blockchain on Quorum aka “Side Chain” is a separate blockchain.
Do you change a blockchain? Is it a token swap?
No, it is not a token swap. Publica’s platform will remain as it is, for now, however, we are finally able to launch Publica’s platform powered by our own blockchain.
The transition will not happen in one day, though. We understand that such an important decision of switching the blockchains can’t be done without proper testing and gathering feedback from the community, this is why we launched a public testing of Publica on Quorum, a copy of current Publica project running on the Side Chain.
Both current Publica’s platforms and its services and Publica on Quorum will be available for everyone during the public testing period.
Why Quorum?
Leveraging JP Morgan’s Quorum solution to build our own blockchain to tackle several challenges is a logical move, considering how similar it is to Ethereum.
Since now Publica launched a blockchain that is not running on the Ethereum anymore, there are no gas fees, all transactions are instant and free.
Moreover, since Ethereum and Quorum are very similar, Publica’s users can still use great extensions like MetaMask.
What will happen with my PBL tokens / BOOK tokens?
Nothing. Publica on Quorum is running in the public testing mode and will not affect existing PBL tokens or purchased BOOK tokens.
Only after gathering feedback from the community and carefully assessing all the possible options, Publica will announce its plans regarding the migration to a new blockchain.
How can I test the Side Chain?
Here is the list of Publica’s services, that are powered by Publica on Quorum.
Download the Android e-reader app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pblqapp
Publica on Quorum book catalog: https://shop.quorum.publica.com/catalog
Important! Difference between Publica and “Publica on Quorum” blockchains
Although Ethereum (the blockchain that is powering the original Publica's platform) and Quorum (blockchain that is powering the Side Chain) have the same structure:
- Wallets have the same format
- Transaction IDs have the same format
- It is possible to connect both to interfaces like MetaMask
keep in mind these are completely unrelated Blockchains.
During the public testing period of Side Chain (Publica on Quorum), don't try to mix these two separate blockchains/platfroms.
For example:
- Don't send your existing PBL tokens to your Side Chain wallet — you will end up sending tokens to nowhere and will lose them forever.
- Don't try to “withdraw” your Side Chains trial (demo) tokens to Ethereum wallet — these are different blockchains and you will end up sending your Publica on Quorum tokens to nowhere
- You can only transfer tokens within the same blockchain (for instance from an Ethereum wallet to an Ethereum wallet or from a wallet created on the Side Chain to another user's wallet created on the side chain).
- Note, tokens issued on the Side Chain are meant for educational purposes, such tokens can't be (even theoretically) transferred outside to an exchange.
- After the public testing period, all tokens on the Side Chain (Publica on Quorum) will be reset. There's no point and reason to “accumulate” them — instead, we are encouraging you testing the platform by purchasing books and sending books to other users.
Get free tokens to test “Publica on Quorum”
Every user has a chance to get free test tokens for purchasing books on Publica’s Side Chain to test the platform and feel the seamless experience.
In order to redeem your free tokens:
- Download Publica on Quorum Android app
- Click Create Wallet
- Backup your wallet by clicking Backup Wallet and entering a strong password.
- Click Continue
- Your new wallet address is now created! Click Get Trial to get your free tokens.
How to buy books on “Publica on Quorum”?
Read the detailed tutorial here:
How to buy a book in the online catalog (Publica on Quorum)?
Read the detailed tutorial here:
