[ANN] CryptoTown On The Ground - Open community project

[papersheepdog]

Blockchain based consensus will help to bring about a better balance between extreme centralization (hierarchies), and extreme decentralization (anarchy). It will allow us to more intelligently and transparently structure or replace certain components of government, business and other social functions like currency. A major advantage of blockchain based consensus is that it can leave no opportunities for our natural behaviour to exploit. Bitcoin is the first proof, that voluntarily participation in such a cryptographically pre-structured rule set, is possible. This is important, because if we are going to accept a particular system as a society, it should be transparent, for the ultimate health of that system.

This initial focus will be on cryptocurrency adoption as we develop a comprehensive guide and the resources necessary for starting and participating in what we call a CryptoMall. A CryptoMall is a directory and network of businesses who accept crypto, investors, and consultants, maintained by a "management" group of volunteers, who act as advocates and consultants on the frontier of cryptocurrency adoption.


The Official CryptoTown Guide (or PDF Version 0.1G)

CryptoTown Website

CryptoTown on Reddit

CryptoTown on Bitcointalk

CryptoTown on Twitter

Development Workshop

on Reddit



on Twitter

[IMZ]

I am here, guys, just head down and tail up, working on the cryptomall Directory -- beta in ten days.

Mark Blair, Australia

[papersheepdog]

Development Workshop - CryptoTown On The Ground

Please also see the Reddit post for further discussion.

This project is an open collaboration between all who wish to participate. In this spirit, we will maintain official development workshops to help capture lessons learned from experiences "on the ground."

This is a persistent post, it will be linked on the SideBar of the /r/CryptoTown subReddit.

Anyone who wants to contribute an idea simply comments on the Reddit post.

The main product of this discussion is The Official CryptoTown Guide.

The project itself may also be discussed or developed here (Reddit post).

Bonus: I will be giving away a total of 100 CGB by the end of the month in tips at the development workshop to participants with the most insightful and constructive contributions to the project.

[paythrough_team]

Open community project,very good idea.

[papersheepdog]

Open community project,very good idea.

Thanks!

[papersheepdog]

How to support CryptoTown as a cryptocoin community.

Please also see the Reddit post for further discussion.

What qualifies a coin community to be considered as backing CryptoTown, is the level of commitment from both dev team and community. As this is a coin neutral project, we intend to list many as possible and gather data sheets in a standard manner for ease of comparison.

So far the CGB Core Team and community have provided material development and discussion to this project. CGB backs CryptoTown. Any community which backs CryptoTown will have a link to their coin placed on the /r/CryptoTown sidebar (and on the website once it's launched). This should help even a small coin which can eloquently convey their coins fundamental advantages.

Software developers are in most urgent need. Part of getting crypto out there is going to be creating simple sofware for business to print out invoices or receipts, with qr code for payment details to customer. This is just one among so many ideas which will require programming skills. We intend to use real world CryptoMall deployments and Business client experience as the test ground to adapt the software tools as needed.

Documentation and editing are very welcome for any areas or material which could use it.

Promotional material is also in demand, any kind of media. I have created most of the work so far, but I am not that great with photoshop. A link in support to the CryptoTown subRedit on official coin websites or subReddits would go a long way. A short analysis of why your favorite coin deserves attention would go a long way.

When thinking about promoting your coin by supporting CryptoTown, remember that its ultimately up to the public as to the awareness and use of each coin. Simply agreeing to accept a coin will not guarantee use of that coin. Also keep in mind that businesses, ultimately, have the final say in which cryptocurrencies they wish to accept.  The best thing you can do for your coin is to assemble all possible stats, pros and cons, etc, and a good case will stand on its own merits.

Most importantly: we need pioneers, like Mark Blair in Australia, who are bringing experience to the methods described in the Official Guide. We are trying our best to make the guide as practical as possible, but in the early stages, it will still require quite a bit of ingenuity. If you wish to start your own CryptoMall, please don't hesitate to speak with Mark, or myself (papersheepdog) about answering your questions as part of a development workshop.

papersheepdog, Canada

[papersheepdog]

Current List of CryptoTown Malls (CryptoMalls)

Please see the Reddit post.

[Hisham]

A virtual digital mall , not bad at all

I believe this is one of the best projects around right now ,  I can participate with some ideas .
Good work guys'll

[papersheepdog]

A virtual digital mall , not bad at all

I believe this is one of the best projects around right now ,  I can participate with some ideas .
Good work guys'll

Thanks Hisham! There is lots of work to be done! Feel free to chime in at the development workshop!

[papersheepdog]

We will be co-hosting a major fundraising event with the CGB community TOMORROW!

Our project has its first major backing provided by the CGB Core Team and community in the form of development and funding.

CGB is celebrating its first birthday tomorrow and is pleased to include the CryptoTown On The Ground project in the celebration! See forum post for more context.

A non-denominational focus aims to include the greater cryptosphere in this project. We need an ecosystem, not a single coin!

Posts will be made tomorrow on this forum topic, CGB's forum topic, /r/CryptogenicBullion, /r/CryptoTown, and /r/CryptoCurrency (and a few other surprises!)

Help us all to move beyond mining and speculation as a primary focus.

Let's get our crypto out into the streets!

Stay tuned!

[FiniteByDesign]

Extremely excited about this project! You have f*D's complete support!

[papersheepdog]

CryptoTown on Twitter

"CryptoTown On The Ground open community project - The cryptosphere is losing cohesion. We need your support! https://i.imgur.com/c6n1Er7.jpg"

Please Retweet!

[papersheepdog]

What problem does it solve?

That businesses have no local support to turn to if they want to accept crypto. They have to go online and talk to "internet people." Your local CryptoMall will have resources and consultants on board to tailor your adoption of crypto to your needs. This is in the spirit of self sufficiency and decentralization. Relying on local support networks.

[papersheepdog]

Another Question on Reddit: would this be a general crypto support or would is there specific stuff for say just the dogecoin community?

It's 100% community driven. It's based off of what your community brings to the project. All official material is completely coin neutral.

It's an interesting question and may be better answered by considering this:

• Businesses cant be forced to accept one crypto or the other, they will chose what they like.
• CryptoMall's will support and recommend which ever cryptocurrency they feel is the best to their clients - and the clients have the last say anyhow!
• Anyone can make a CryptoMall, and they will even compete with each other in some cases for highest quality directory and services.

By participating, a cryptocurrency community will get direct, real world, experience with how their coin is being used by business and enthusiasts. This is the opportunity for a direct feedback loop to better develop Dogecoin to work in such environments.

[elambert]

Fundraising update. We are making progress everyone! Almost there!!!

Current:
Larry 1 BTC
Elambert 1 BTC
CGB Foundation: 2,850 CGB

[elambert]

Fundraiser Update: Good progress over the weekend, we are getting close!

- 2 Bitcoins
- 3,550 Cryptogenic Bullion

[papersheepdog]

Development Workshop - Ham Radio Applications

Please also see the Reddit post for further discussion.

This post is intended to collect information and ideas for how HAM radio can become a standard (though optional) part of CryptoTown communities. In accordance with our open development methods, I will leave a set of links and ideas, and add to them as I find more information. Remember, there is no official leader in a development workshop. Please discuss!

Interesting posts (most from Google search):

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=245086.msg7659744#msg7659744
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137315.0
http://rietta.com/blog/2009/08/17/authentication-without-encryption-for/
http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1zlrns/any_ham_radio_operators_on_rbitcoin/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cbc-kw-sends-bitcoin-over-the-airwaves-1.2503580
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/12/21/former-radio-ham-plans-bitcoin-cubesat/

[papersheepdog]

www.CryptoTown.org Website Launched!

Please also see the Reddit post for further discussion.

[papersheepdog]

Development Workshop - Coin Distribution Methods

Please also see the Reddit post for further discussion.

In some cases where a population may be relatively small such as a small country or an island, it may be possible to organize the creation and distribution of a cryptocurrency in a fair manner. Promotional giveaway may also involve similar methods and benefit from this discussion.  

Although premine and airdrop are two words associated with scam, the purpose of this workshop is to discover the most fair and honest ways to go about them.

This workshop covers both premined, "airdropped" coins, as well as promotional giveaways of traditional cryptocurrencies.  

Discussion was originally prompted by this Muniticoin forum post. A post on the /r/Muniti subReddit was also made.  

[papersheepdog]

CryptoTown Explained - Goals, Roles and Advantages

Please also see the Reddit post for further discussion and updated post.

CryptoTown On The Ground

Project Goals

•     Promote adoption of cryptocurrencies as a part of stronger communities
•     Operate with no single point of failure
•     Use a decentralized "CryptoMall" approach.
•     To engage communities with traditional, offline media and 1on1 contact
•     To use social media to enhance idea persistence and organization
•     To promote sustainability and self-sufficiency
•     Utilize Free Open Source Software and Creative Commons licensing
•     Remain coin neutral while recognizing contribution

Roles & Advantages

The Project:

•    Produce The Official CryptoTown Guide
•    Produce other supporting documentation
•    Open collaboration
•    Reach out to existing groups and "cryptomalls"
•    Curate the official set of tools and resources
•    Collaborate with, but not responsible for, CryptoMall volunteers

CryptoMall (Volunteers):

•    Completely independent from project
•    Pioneer and refine methods for adoption of cryptocurrency
•    Decide which crypto to advocate at their mall
•    Tailor strategies to situation and goals of the CryptoMall
•    Sell or provide promotional material to participating businesses
•    Collaborate with the project to solve problems
•    Comply with and convey local laws
•    Coordinate or guide the local trading of crypto

Businesses:

•    Decide its level of participation
•    Decide which crypto is ultimately accepted there
•    Decide to store of sell excess crypto reserves
•    Decides how to advertise crypto at establishment
•    Becomes part of a stronger, more self-reliant network
•    Access to CryptoMall consultants to solve problems
•    Increase revenue through "cryptotourism"

Coin Communities:

•    Work with volunteers to improve tool suite including coin specific tools
•    Facilitate the actual adoption and use of your currency
•    Display dedication to advancement of cryptocurrencies with material support
•    An opportunity to pool talent towards common development goals

Individuals:

•    Start a local CryptoMall
•    Volunteer at a local CryptoMall
•    Connect with your local crypto community
•    Develop software tools based on real world needs
•    Documentation and Discussion via development workshops
•    Share information to the project about known tools, methods, and existing projects which are similar or may benefit from collaboration.
•    Create and share promotional media (generic or coin specific)
•    A directory to find places that accept crypto
•    Resources for effective crypto advocacy and adoption

Investors:

•    Provide business services and advertising
•    Trade for profit on local exchange
•    A framework to directly drive demand for cryptocurrencies in general or targeted to a specific one