Bitstorage - A distributed, peer to peer, cloud data storage network based on blockchain technology.
Hi Sarchar!
I must say that I really like the proposal. I am currently development something similar: BitWrk - like Bitstorage, but for computing power, not for storage. See this post for reference:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=179948.0At first, I had the same reservations as jspilman:
Is there some mechanism for preventing a single node storing a single copy of the data, and then spoofing multiple identities and claiming payment as-if the data were stored across multiple nodes?
We should probably assume that no direct solution exists for this problem.
There is, however, an indirect solution: A reputation system. Just like eBay's. You basically want to create incentive for
not creating enormous amounts of fake accounts by offering advantages to users with a long, successful trade history.
Then there is the problem regarding proof of existence. How can I, as the original data owner, verify a proof of existence
without being in possession of the original data? When I don't have the original data anymore, that's when I need to verify it the most (otherwise, I would have to accept
any data).
My solution is that I wouldn't verify the proof of existence in this case. Instead, the data would contain a signature issued by my, the original owner. So, by downloading the data, I could verify its authenticity (d'ough!).
But then, assume I have downloaded my original data back from one of the storage peers. If I was malicious, I could claim that the downloaded data wasn't my original data. If I did that, the peer would simply publish the data, containing my signature, making it obvious to everyone that I wasn't telling the truth.
All in all I think it can be done. Great work!
As a user, I would prefer to be compensated in BTC, instead of yet another virtual currency.