Mainframe systems leverage data communications to decentralize and or distribute capacity

updated September 2019

Background

Mainframe OS has been developed over the past 18 months with the unwavering core values of Privacy and Decentralization. The goal is to provide easy access to developing, discovering, and using Unstoppable Dapps that likewise reinforce common values, and to power the platform with MFT. This in turn will lead to greater Freedom, Independence, and Empowerment for all users.

In pursuit of these goals, we have designed a rich and full-featured user experience, integrated with various web3 infrastructure and services, developed and standardized low-level protocols, collaborated with the broader web3 community, and at every layer carefully considered any tradeoffs and compromises necessary to balance user experience, available technology, and adherence to guiding values. We continue to research and discuss at length how to leverage Blockchain technology to power the platform with MFT, with the first contracts already implemented and more already in development. We are proud of the first form released to developers at the end of 2018, the rough alpha version released to users in early 2019, and are currently heads down working hard towards future milestones as outlined below.

Mainframe OS is a new way to experience the potential of decentralization. We are excited about all we've accomplished so far, driven by the possibilities of the future, sobered by the scope of work required to get us there, and sustained by the community's continued support and enthusiasm for the project.

For more information and answers to common questions about Mainframe OS, see the FAQs.

Research projects

These topics are currently being explored by our product and engineering teams, but all include some technical challenges that are not yet resolved. They will progress from "research" to "development" as possible.

Blockchain-based subscriptions

Investigating best way to implement subscriptions on the blockchain. This would lay the groundwork to have Mainframe OS users subscribe (using MFT) to a plan that includes premium features of the platform as well as potentially abstracting Ethereum gas and Swarm storage fees.

Community-moderated apps marketplace

Mainframe OS is a platform for building and using decentralized applications. So far there is very basic discovery (suggested apps list) to help users find and install new apps. This will be expanded in Alpha 4 and Beta 1 but will still be fairly limited in scope and centralized. Ultimately the intent is to create a robust community-driven marketplace to reinforce our core value of decentralization. Needs to include rankings, incentivization, promotion, accountability, and rich filtering tools.

App developer business models

In line with the research on subscriptions and marketplace, we are exploring how to facilitate business models for app developers through the Mainframe SDK, including potentially subscriptions, paid apps and in-app purchases.

Future-proof data structure for Mainframe protocols

This is very important as Mainframe OS moves out of the Alpha phase into a Beta state. We'll need to support compatibility for the various protocols (contacts, identity, communications, storage, payments, etc) between versions, as well as backwards and forward compatibility with the data vault.

Voltaire Release: 2019-Q4 Milestone (Beta 1)

Voltaire's (mis-quoted but oft-attributed) sentiment “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” reflects his free speech legacy.

Mainframe OS protocols & SDK APIs

• Communications: Ability to send and receive private, asynchronous messages between Mainframe OS contacts.
• Files: Ability to upload, access, and manage encrypted files to the decentralized Swarm storage layer, including sharing with Mainframe OS contacts.

Mainframe OS User Features

• Vault management: Ability to backup user data to a specified location and restore from that backup in a fresh installation or new device. Additional option to wipe data and start from fresh vault.
• Multiple user accounts: Ability to create multiple Mainframe OS identities, including separate profile, wallets, contacts, applications, and user data.
• Apps discovery: Ability to share apps with contacts - e.g. explicitly share single app with single contact or option to share list of all installed apps with all contacts.
• Notifications: prompts for various information and activities including contact requests, payments, available Mainframe OS or app updates, or app-driven messages.
• Additional Tokens: Support for DAI, and ability to include other tokens dynamically in system wallet.
• Transfer funds using Wyre or Coinbase: Users can use a credit card to purchase ETH with the integrated Wyre Service; or authorize Mainframe OS to transfer funds from a Coinbase wallet.
• Integrated ETH <> MFT exchange: Built-in access to Uniswap contracts and community-supplied liquidity pool for easy ETH <> MFT exchanges.
• Decentralized file management: Visual file explorer for storing, accessing, and managing files in the decentralized storage layer.
• File sharing: Ability to share encrypted files with contacts

Mainframe apps

• Messenger (v1): Coming full circle back to our Mainframe messaging roots. First iteration of our marquee decentralized messaging app leveraging the all-new communications protocols through Mainframe SDK.
• File sharing (v1): Create, manage, and share files privately and securely with Mainframe OS contacts. Initial version of an app based on decentralized storage protocols available through Mainframe SDK.

2020-Q1 Milestone (Beta 2)

We are still evaluating the features and UX improvements we should prioritize for next year, and how the upcoming Devcon V and its associated news might affect our priorities.

We will publish a roadmap for this milestone soon after the dust settles from Devcon V.

Future Roadmap

We'll continue to plan and update the roadmap to stay two releases ahead. Anything beyond that is unrealistic in this rapidly changing technological landscape.

Projects Backlog

(In no particular order. Subject to change.)

• Usage tracking for platform and dapps
• Mobile version of Mainframe OS
• Shared encryption
• Group communications
• Light-node integration for Ethereum & Swarm
• Integration of Swarm incentivization
• Decentralized database integration
• Multi-chain support
• Decentralized identity integration
• Distributed compute
• Additional integrations for decentralized storage layer
• Publish/index/access decentralized content
• Developer Tools