[2014-05-17] Lighthouse – A Kickstarter Clone Built On Bitcoin

[lyth0s]

Vinumeris has recently announced that they have been working on a Kickstarter-like clone that runs on the Bitcoin blockchain. “It uses simplified payment verification, so even though it synchronises directly with the block chain performance is as good as a web wallet,” states Mike Hearn.

http://www.geekcipher.com/technology/cryptocurrency/lighthouse-a-kickstarter-clone-built-on-bitcoin/

[b!z]

Decentralized kickstarter? Sounds cool, will be watching

[LiteCoinGuy]

interesting, i will have a look on it.

[Este Nuno]

I remember a bitcoin related kickstarter site, not sure if it worked out. I'm interesting in seeing a decentralised one too though.

[lyth0s]

Yeah, basing a new kickstarter that simply uses bitcoin instead of fiat is pretty easy and has already been done with other sites such as a btc loan site. However, having a decentralized kickstarter, now that's cool. Obviously it doesn't fix the problem with the person potentially running with the money, but it does help with incomplete pledges

No trust is needed in the project owner as to partially pledged funds, because everything is handled through the blockchain. In fact, they are only recognized as being valid by the Bitcoin network after there are enough funds, when combined together, to reach the requested goal.

I wish he would through up a beta model on a test network so we could see how it's run.

[Bit_Happy]

To help take things to the decentralized route, Lighthouse offers two methods for doing crowd sourcing:

    Server-less – in this mode, nothing is needed beyond the Bitcoin p2p network and a way to move files. This can be handled on something like a USB stick, and no accounts or signing up is needed. In this case, the project owner is responsible for getting a “contract” file to each pledge, and each pledge is required to get a “pledge” file to the project owner. This can be done through email or any other method
    Server-based – this is for more large scale projects, where people can pledge by clicking a link on a website (or another method), where the pledge is uploaded back to the server. Once there are enough pledges, they will then be combined and be sent to the Bitcoin network


This looks like a winner.
I hope they grow to have enough users to be viable for a wide variety of projects..

[ranlo]

To help take things to the decentralized route, Lighthouse offers two methods for doing crowd sourcing:

    Server-less – in this mode, nothing is needed beyond the Bitcoin p2p network and a way to move files. This can be handled on something like a USB stick, and no accounts or signing up is needed. In this case, the project owner is responsible for getting a “contract” file to each pledge, and each pledge is required to get a “pledge” file to the project owner. This can be done through email or any other method
    Server-based – this is for more large scale projects, where people can pledge by clicking a link on a website (or another method), where the pledge is uploaded back to the server. Once there are enough pledges, they will then be combined and be sent to the Bitcoin network


This looks like a winner.
I hope they grow to have enough users to be viable for a wide variety of projects..

For sure. It's a little confusing as to how the pledge and such all works, but I think in theory the system has a lot of promise.

[Mike Hearn]

Hi guys, thanks for your interest!

I gave a talk at the Bitcoin 2014 conference where I demoed the app. Once it's up on YouTube, I hope that how it works will become clearer.

It's not ready for beta yet: there's still a lot of details missing. For instance, I need to wire up wallet encryption (the backend is already there in bitcoinj but the UI part still needs to be done). It needs auto update. I want to redo parts of the GUI, etc. Put your email address in the box on vinumeris.com and you'll get an email when the project is further along.

[MarketNeutral]

This is a kick-ass idea. Kickstarter needs something like this to kick its ass.

When it's ready, I'll definitely be using Lighthouse.

Hope the development continues to go well.

[nwfella]

Mr. Hearn is certainly a smart fella.  De-centralized kickstarter app sounds like the future to me.

Looking forward to checking this out when available.

[CoinMode]

I remember a bitcoin related kickstarter site, not sure if it worked out. I'm interesting in seeing a decentralized one too though.

https://bitcoinstarter.com/

They have a few projects that got funded, like the youtube show Mad Bitcoins. I am pretty sure it isn't decentralized, but you have to start somewhere.

[bitbouillion]

An ebay clone based on blockchain please.

[Swordsoffreedom]

Well this is an interesting idea
Recall something similar as well but perhaps this one will scale better
Good to see another idea in the bitcoin sphere

[Finchy]

Decentralized kickstarter? Sounds cool, will be watching

It could be, but hopefully it doesnt turn into a scammers paradise.

[LiteCoinGuy]

I remember a bitcoin related kickstarter site, not sure if it worked out. I'm interesting in seeing a decentralised one too though.

i guess you mean this?

https://bitcoinstarter.com