Re: I just added use case documents to github repo

Neha,

> most of the push to use the term "digital ledger technology" has come from the financial industry.

True. Very true. That spun from the fact that not all ledgers will be arranged in non-reversable cryptographic chains of blocks.

Chains & blocks is just 1 possible ledger data layout. Dissimilar applications, varying use cases, will have different needs.

Erik Anderson
Bloomberg

From: narula@csail.mit.edu At: May 26 2016 10:14:16
To: public-blockchain-workshop@w3.org
Subject: Re: I just added use case documents to github repo

On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 9:34 AM, Erik Anderson (BLOOMBERG/ 731 LEX) <eanderson20@bloomberg.net> wrote:

Rick,

> Blockchains are useful for things that are not completely dependent on finance.

Like what? Then please contribute, document the use cases before we get together.

Agreed that everyone should contribute use cases, in many different areas!  The more the merrier.
 

I would prefer, before we get together, we have more of a rough use case document format like the below.

http://w3c.github.io/webpayments-ig/VCTF/use-cases/

We need to start use cases early, before the meeting, so we set a level playing field and remove this misconception that Blockchain is magic and will reimage the entire world by sprinkling a little Blockchain voodoo.

Use cases set aside, DLT as it applies to the web will be themes about:
1) Identity
2) Data Security/Privacy. Choice of data protection and signature algoriths.
3) Crypto Key management
4) Standard API to interface to DLT
5) Data Structures and exchange format

Blockchain as it applies to the web is about
1) All DLT above
2) Blocks of non-reversable transactions
3) Concensus algorithms.
4) Auditablility

As it all applies to W3C is all about the 3 below and how the below interact with the above.
1) Standard API and interfaces
2) Data Structures and exchange formats
3) Browser integration points

All Blockchains are DLT but not all DLT are Blockchain. The term Blockchain is way over used and more relevant to financial transactions. DLT is more relevant to a broader list of use cases.

I don't think there's any agreement at all on this characterization.  In fact from what I've seen, most of the push to use the term "digital ledger technology" has come from the financial industry.  

I don't think it's a good use of our time to argue about this or to use the workshop to try to define terms (though I do agree the terms are terrible).
 

Erik Anderson
Bloomberg

From: afd@erisindustries.com At: May 26 2016 08:48:37
To: public-blockchain-workshop@w3.org
Subject: Re: I just added use case documents to github repo

Hi All,

I just skimmed this very quickly, this is all financial stuff. Blockchains are useful for things that are not completely dependent on finance. There are plenty of other forums to discuss finance or payments or whatever. I rather discuss something else here.

-Rick

On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Erik Anderson (BLOOMBERG/ 731 LEX) <eanderson20@bloomberg.net> wrote:

I just added a new directory "use case" to github repo.

https://github.com/w3c/blockchain/tree/master/use%20cases

I also added a large connection of use cases I have been digesting for the last several years.

Having ran a few W3C meetings and events getting use cases into peoples hands early will help.

Erik Anderson
Bloomberg & Co-chairman W3C Web Payments IG/SG


-- 
http://nehanaru.la | @neha