Centralization and Decentralization of the Internet/Web

To clearly understand the Centralization and the Decentralization of the internet let’s look at Computer Networks and Configurations.

What is Computer Network?

A computer network is an interconnected collection of two or more computers (nodes) that are connected together for the purpose of communicating/sharing data/information electronically.

Types of Network

By design and architecture we have these network types:

• Centralized Network
• Distributed Network
• Decentralized Network

Centralized Networks:

They have a Primary,Master Node/Hub (Single Central Server) which handles all major data processing and stores data and user information that other users can access.

In this System, if there is a fault on the network which affects the Central Server (Central Point of Failure), all the nodes on the network will go down…

“Anything that happens to the Father affects the Children”

Distributed Network

Has NO Master/Primary Node. It spreads information-processing Workloads across multiple devices instead of relying on a single central server.

“There is no Central Point of Failure on the network”.

Decentralized Network

Distributes information-processing workloads across multiple devices instead of relying on a single central server.

“There is no Central Point of Failure on the network because each Node on the The network has the exact copy of data/ information from the source”.

“A network must be Decentralized First, before it can be Distributed”

Decentralization births Distribution

Types of Networks

Web3.0 Technology

Web 3.0 is a Decentralized web powered by the Crypto Economy, hence the Fuel, Energy, or Native Currency for payment in the web3 economy are the Crypto-Currencies, and BlockChain Technology is the Hall Mark/Heart of All (Web3 and Crypto). Web 3.0 is a Shared Economy for both Creators and Users

To clearly understand web 3.0 Technology let’s look at the Evolution of Web Technology.

Evolutions of Web Technology

WEB 1.0 (Read-only Web, Information Age)

Web 1.0 is a READ-ONLY web and brought about the information age. Web1.0 is characterized by static websites. You can’t Chat, Like, or Comment, it was basically for information, thus you can only access the information given to you but you can’t Interact (write) with the information.

The experience in web1.0 is similar to the experience you get when you are in a closed WhatsApp group where only the Admin is allowed to send messages...

WEB 2.0 (Read-write Web, Social Media platforms, Centralized Web)

Web 2.0 is a Centralized web powered by Users’ Data. Web 2.0 brought about the Interactivity of the web, thus we now have the opportunity to chat and interact with one another and give feedback. Web 2.0 gave us the opportunity to upload data, transfer data and retrieve it back when needed. Web 2.0 is more like a file storage system and a file transfer system. Because of Users Data on web 2.0, Centralized Servers for data storage came on board.

However, major flaw in web2.0 is that all data is stored on a Centralized server, controlled by the companies, and in the event of a hack, your data will be lost or exposed.

In web 2.0 “Users Are the Product”, Yes If someone is giving you services for free then You are the product.

“The problem of Centralization of information on web 2.0 gave rise to web 3.0”

WEB 3.0 ( Decentralized web/ Shared Economy )

Web 3.0 is a Decentralized web powered by the crypto Economy and BlockChain Technology is the “Hall Mark”. Web 3.0 is a Shared Economy for both Creators and Users. Since web 3.0 is powered by the Crypto Economy if people/s (Creators and Consumers/users) come to the web 3.0 Economy to Create/use values, they will be rewarded for the values they created/used in Crypto (ie you will be paid in crypto for the services you provide or used, instead of in dollars or naira).

When you understand web3.0, then you will understand that Crypto-Currencies that have “Valid Good Use Cases” in the industry are powerful tools that will change the world, not just an ordinary currency that you Buy and Dump.

"Web3.0 is an expression of Blockchain Technology"

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is a Global, Decentralized, and Distributed transactional database or ledger that records the provenance of a digital asset. It is Highly Transparent, Secure, and Immutable.

Let’s Break it Down

Block refers to data and states being stored in consecutive groups known as blocks. If you send ETH to someone else, the transaction data needs to be added to a block to a block to be successful.

Chains refers to the fact that each block Crypto-graphically references its parent. In other words, blocks get chained/linked together (Blockchain). The data in a block cannot change without changing all subsequent blocks (Chain of Blocks), which would require a Consensus of the entire network.

Cryptography is a method of protecting information and communications using codes so that only those that the information is intended for can read and process it.

Use Cases of Blockchain Technology

“Show me the industry that lacks Trust, Transparency, Security, and Privacy and I will show you the Use Cases and the Future of blockchain technology in that industry”.

Some of the use cases of blockchain technology are:

• Government Transparent Budgeting
• Cross-Border Transactions
• Digital Voting System for Elections
• Internet of things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE)
• Wills and Inheritances
• Trucking, Shipment control, and Monitor of Produced Mineral Resource
• Automotive Manufacturing (Travel & Mobility)
• Car Leasing and Sells

My Comprehensive article on the Use Cases of Blockchain Technology

Career Opportunities in Web3-Blockchain Technology

These are some of the high-demand Skills and Career Opportunities in the Blockchain and web 3.0 Ecosystem.

• Blockchain Developers and Blockchain Software Developers

• Smart Contract Developers

• Blockchain Technical writers

• Web Developer (Front-End Dev)

• Community Managers

• Project Managers

• Graphics Designers

• UI/UX Designers

• Product Designers

• Content Creators/writers, Storytellers

• Marketers (Digital Marketers, Growth Markets)

• LawyerCrypto

• Researchers and Analysts

• 2D/3D Artist

• And More…

Road Map to Become Web3-Blockchain Developer/Engineer

If you want to really become a proficient web3-Blockchain Developer/Engineer, then you must have a sound knowledge of Web2 Dev., especially Front-End Dev. is highly recommended.

Learn and Understand HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.JS very well before going into Web 3 and Blockchain Software Dev, because in Blockchain we are Basically building Decentralized Applications (Dapps).

Dapps = Front-End + Smart Contracts

• Learn and Understand how the blockchain works
• Learn and Understand the Use Cases of Blockchain Technology
• Learn and Understand the difference between smart contracts and a blockchain
• Learn and Understand Blockchain Oracles
• Learn and Understand Solidity or Rust for Smart contract
• Understand how cryptography and encryption work in blockchain
• Difference between decentralization and centralization
• Learn and Understand how wallet, Keys, and Address work
• Learn and Understand Web.JS or Ether.Js
• Learn and Understand Hardhat or Truffle
• Learn and Understand the Alchemy
• Join Web3- Blockchain Communities
• Build Projects
• Join Hackathons and More…

“In Summary, if you want to become Web3-Blockchain Developer, Learn and Understand how everything works under the hood in JavaScript and Solidity or Rust and then Every other thing will be added unto you”.

I will be writing in detail about how I have navigated the Blockchain Space so far and possible links to resources that will help me, in my free time in the coming months…

Till next time cheers!!!