Urbit is a decentralized, peer-to-peer network and operating system designed to give users complete control over their digital activities and data, offering a more private, secure, and durable alternative to the current internet.
- Decentralized and Peer-to-Peer: Unlike the traditional client-server internet model, Urbit is built on a peer-to-peer architecture where each user’s computer acts as both a client and a server, allowing direct communication and data sharing between users. [2, 4, 6]
- Operating System and Network: Urbit functions as both an operating system (Urbit OS) and a network, providing a unified platform for computing and communication. [4, 5]
- Urbit ID: Each user has a unique Urbit ID, a short, four-syllable name that they own and control, acting as their digital identity on the network. [3, 4, 7]
- Privacy and Security: Urbit is designed to be more private and secure than the current internet, with data stored locally and communication happening directly between peers, eliminating the need for intermediaries. [2, 4, 6]
- Open Source and Community-Focused: Urbit is an open-source project, allowing for community contributions and development, and is designed to facilitate community-focused networking and collaboration. [4, 5]
- Functional Programming: Urbit utilizes a functional programming language called Hoon, which compiles to the foundational language Nock, enabling a simplified and efficient computing environment. [4]
- Components: Urbit consists of three main components: Urbit OS (Arvo), which functions as a personal computer; Urbit ID (Azimuth), which employs an Ethereum-based PKI for ownership of network identities; and Urbit Network (Ames), which facilitates peer-to-peer communication. [4]
Generative AI is experimental.
In a future article I will expound on how utterly stupid of an idea this is.