The Object Network for goldfish - Part 2
Solving the Blob and Big Tech app traps
In Part 1, I got to this diagram, which shows how an OS with no apps frees our data from the “app trap”:
Aside from freeing our digital stuff, there are two more big problems that such an “OS with no apps” immediately solves - the Blob and the Big Tech problems.
Problem: another funky Blob app to access your data
The calendar handles the same functions in slightly different ways to the to-do list
Functions like create, move, rename, sort, etc. will work differently
You have to learn how the calendar works, then again how the to-dos work
You're at the mercy of each app’s developer to let you manage events and to-dos how you like
And with each app update, to keep letting you work the way that you’ve become used to
And don’t even try asking on a forum for functionality that would suit you better
Solution: an OS with no apps!
In our virtual world, things work much like in the real world:
Your calendar event looks and behaves exactly like mine
Lists of events work exactly the same as lists of to-dos
And all will continue to do so
You can customise the “animation” or behaviour of your events and to-dos
You can customise the way your events and to-dos look
Problem: your data is Big Tech’s “new oil”; your life is theirs
You need two accounts - so two more passwords to manage
And two subtly different profiles to maintain; more personal data given away
You can't trust either app’s developer with your data
The remote techies that built them can read all of your appointments and jobs
They can stop you posting that protest you were going on, to a shared calendar
They sell your data on, once they’ve sucked it dry themselves
If their servers go down, you’re not getting your life done
If they’re hacked your life may be exposed
Sharing to-dos or events usually requires the recipient to be running the same app
Because interoperability conflicts with their business models
And good luck sharing meaningfully across different types of app
It’s often quicker and easier to do a screenshot!
Solution: an OS with no apps!
You only have one identity to manage, tied to your avatar and devices
All your events and to-dos are kept safely on your local devices
We set read and write permissions on our own stuff
Then can share their links
Our data is sent directly from device to device by the shortest route
It’s encrypted the whole way
We can join our virtual spaces together
And I can pin one of your to-dos to one of my events
The Object Network virtual world that we visit through OnexOS is a single, shared, global space where all of our little data objects are linked together across the planet.
I’m building OnexOS right now, and would love to have your feedback on anything you think I should prioritise, or any ideas you have about how this would all fit together on the screen. Drop your thoughts into the comments below!