Interesting question. I looked into "Safe Network" and "ZeroNet" for the first time after reading your post. Having said that, I have some familiarity with the concept, but for the most part, I am a centralized internet user. Anyway, you're asking for opinions on the MAIDSAFE project and comparing it to the ZERONet project. Is assuming that the MAIDSAFE project is newer than ZeroNet, and that ZeroNet has less promise than MAIDSAFE correct?
It looks like the mentioned projects are desktop and mobile applications. Does a project like this exist that is an operating system?
I don't know if a privacy-based internet is the future, but I think that it would be a good idea. And I think the likelihood of that being realized will decrease if, for example, Facebook starts paying it's users for the right to advertise to them.
Actually, MAIDSAFE is older than ZeroNet. It's been under development for quite a long time. The difference between both projects is that one is still experimental, while the other one has a working product. ZeroNet already has a stable release for anyone to enjoy. It makes use of Namecoin-based domain names, as well as, P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technology for a truly wonderful experience. Yet, I believe MAIDSAFE is better as it makes use of a Blockchain to help secure the network (via a cryptocurrency dubbed "Safecoin"). The project is still experimental. But this will ensure the SAFE Network is as stable and secure for everyone as possible.
Believe me, the decentralized Internet is still far from replacing the centralized Internet. There are a lot of issues including (but not limited to) lack of scalability, and high level of complexity. As long as this is the case, the public will continue to rely on the centralized Internet for all of their needs. At least, there's an alternative to the current Internet subject to censorship, manipulation, and fraud. With the latest censorship-related activities such as Twitter closing down accounts, and Parler being shut down by big tech companies, more people will migrate into the decentralized web. It should only be a matter of time before projects like MAIDSAFE and ZeroNet become popular in the mainstream world.
Nonetheless, time will tell us whenever there's a future for MAIDSAFE or not. I believe that it's too late for MAIDSAFE to take the world by storm as other projects are already have a working product. If it wants to make the difference, it's going to need to provide innovation above all else. Something unique, not found elsewhere, will surely attract the masses. Until then, alternatives like ZeroNet, Substratum, and MetaNet (using Bottle Browser on the Bitcoin SV blockchain) will dominate the decentralized Internet. I'm glad that there are hard working developers out there ensuring we can "escape" from the evil clutches of greedy corporations. Just my thoughts
