WordProof Update: June — Phase II has arrived!
During Phase I, we launched the WordProof Timestamp plugin for WordPress — enabling millions of websites to prove ownership and authenticity. However, since two thirds of the web does not use WordPress, Phase II is crucial. In this WordProof Update, we look back at everything that happened in June and look ahead to the future of WordProof.
After weeks in stealth mode, there is no better way to kick the June update off than with Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress, during WordCamp Europe in Berlin:
“I think this is one of the coolest things that I’ve seen [on WordPress and Blockchain] so far.” — Matt Mullenweg, Founder of WordPress
WordProof Timestamp 1.0 is now live
After months of testing (thanks WordProof Testers!) and improving the plugin, WordProof Timestamp 1.0 launched during WordCamp Europe in Berlin. Version 1.0 brings, among other improvements, something new to the table.
Both as an anti-SPAM measurement (to make it impossible to litter the blockchain network with empty / nonsense timestamps) and to make sure people value their timestamps, we are introducing WORD — The digital postage stamp. You can read more about these stamps and why we have added them here.
Think of 1 WORD as 1 digital postage stamp. You need 1 WORD stamp to publish one post or page to the blockchain, but you get 1 WORD stamp back for every timestamp you place — up to 5 per day. In other words: you can timestamp 5 pieces of content per day, without ‘paying’ anything.
WordProof Stamps Portal
To get you started with protecting your content on the blockchain, you can claim your first 100 WORD immediately, without any cost. Use the WordProof Stamp portal to get started: stamps.wordproof.io.
Redesigned connection interface
In addition to WordProof Stamps, we also redesigned the connection interface used to connect to the Scatter wallet. This connection interface will be used across all WordProof products, including the WordProof Timestamp plugin and the WordProof Stamps portal. The WORD balance of the connected account is visible as well.
WordProof Setup Wizard — Updated for Scatter 11
Speaking of Scatter: the popular wallet received a major UI overhaul this month. The wallet looks a lot better and is easier to use. We have updated the WordProof Setup Wizard with new instruction videos to make the on-boarding of new users easier.
Timestamp Checker
Visitors should be able to see whether someone has tampered with the published content, so we added the raw content to the WordProof Timestamp Certificate and launched a new tool, the WordProof Timestamp Check. Enter the blockchain hash and raw content to see whether the content has changed since it was last timestamped.
WordProof Timestamp Premium — Almost!
Last but not least: we have been working hard on WordProof Timestamp Premium and are excited to show you the new revisions feature. Visitors will be able to shift through timestamps, much like the Wayback Machine — with accountable content. The premium plugin will cost € 59 and helps us to continue the development of the WordProof products. With every premium purchase, you receive 590 WORD stamps. That should be enough to timestamp for a while, since you receive up to 5 WORD back per day!
Enter your email address to get an email as soon as WordProof Timestamp Premium can be purchased. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to add additional features to both the free and premium plugins.
WordProof in the Media
It was a busy month with all the developments going on, but also because of the numerous interviews and articles covering WordProof. The entire WordProof team was present at WordCamp Europe in Berlin, the biggest yearly WordPress event in Europe. WordProof founder Sebastiaan van der Lans talked on stage about WordPress and Blockchain. Watch the talk here:
If you don’t have time to watch the entire talk, make sure to have a look at the end: the audience asked some great questions! Everything combined, we were overwhelmed by the support and great feedback. See you next year, WordCamp.
Sebastiaan asked Matt Mullenweg, the founder of WordPress, about his vision on WordPress and blockchain. Watch his response here:
We also did interviews with Torque, MaxDapp, Michael Blu and others. There are three events lined up for July where we will talk about WordProof and the state of WordPress x Blockchain. Get involved and organise your own event by getting in touch. We can provide you with more information, media files and help with workshop ideas.
Roadmap — Phase II
We can finally reveal our plans for the coming months — exciting times ahead. As we have received numerous inquiries from publishers (who don’t use WordPress) that want to get started with WordProof Timestamp. Since these requests are in line with our goal to empower 100% of the web with WordProof Timestamp, we have decided to develop the WordProof Timestamp API.
Although the API is a big area of focus for us right now, we are fully committed to improve the WordPress plugin as well and will continue to do so. An improved (and more concrete) WordProof Roadmap will become available in Q3 2019.
Timestamp documents
In July, WordProof will launch a standalone tool where everyone can timestamp their documents on the blockchain. Whether you need to notarise a PDF or proof ownership of a report — now you can. Join the WordProof Telegram to get notified when the tool launches!
We Stamp For You — WordPress websites
Blockchain technology is daunting. To use WordProof Timestamp, users need to create a blockchain account, manage keys, download a wallet and operate it for every timestamp they publish. All of this makes the blockchain secure, but it also excludes a large number of people: for many, all of this is simply too much to ask.
However, we do think everyone should be able to secure their content on the blockchain. This is why we are working on a service called We Stamp For You. WordProof will (in a way) act as a middle man, but we will make the entire process transparent. More details will be provided in the near future — bear with us.
Support for non-WordPress websites
As stated before, we aim to empower the entire internet with WordProof Timestamp. Two thirds of all websites use other software than WordPress, so it is crucial that we develop tools for these websites as well. To accomplish this, we will build the WordProof Timestamp API.
The API will be available for enterprises first, in combination with We Stamp For You. Afterwards, the API will become public so non-WordPress websites can get started with WordProof Timestamp. As we have received many requests of non-WordPress website owners, we are thrilled to see what tools you will build using the WordProof Timestamp API!
To end this update, we would like to thank all the enthusiastic WordProof testers, the Telos community for kickstarting this journey through the WordProof WPS and the team & volunteers behind WordCamp Europe. We enjoyed every minute of it and can’t wait for WordCamp 2020 in Porto!
Stay updated about WordProof developments
- Visit WordProof.io and sign up for our mailing list;
- Follow us on Twitter;
- Join the WordProof Telegram group.
