Overview

Filesharer will allow peers to upload files to managed storage, either on or off Urbit, and share files with each other. It will also allow the user to control access to his files using a whitelist of users and/or groups combined with user defined tags for each file. Integration with the %pals app will allow easy sharing with friends (mutuals).

Implementation details

The app will handle:

• File metadata and sharing of file URLs: Web, IPFS, clay, and is extensible to other formats.

• Permissions by users and (subscribed) groups, tags.

• Adding/removing files to be shared, system save dialog of saved files from 'server' ship, management of file tags

User Stories

As a user, I can:

• Upload files to online storage using Urbit, S3, IPFS.

• Designate access to files by user or by group.

• Organize and fine tune access by file with user defined tags.

Background

I started the Filesharer apprenticeship grant early last year with ~timluc-miptev as my advisor. I implemented a basic functionality in the back-end to share links between peers using a whitelist of users and/or groups. The ability to create user defined tags was included, but does not affect access rules.

The following areas need to be added:

• Adding the ability to differentiate white listing by tag. This will add quite a bit of complexity, but the value should be well worth it.

• Adding a black-list of users and/or groups

• Integration with the %pals app

• Adding scrys that will be usefull to the front end. There are scrys implemented in the current state, but the exact form of scrys needed in the final project may be different.

Milestones

Milestone 1: Add functional web app front end for current filesharer.

Expected completion: 8 weeks

Payment: 1 star

• Rework state and clean up code for implementation of planned features and improving readability.

• Create web interface to allow upload and download of files with %clay and S3 with current (simple) access control.

• Add scrys to allow browsing files by tag, by user (ship), and by file type.

• Finished state should allow some testing with "real world" use.

Milestone 2: Expand features and app integration

Expected completion: 8 weeks

Payment: 1 star

• Add ability to restrict whitelist by tag.

• Add blacklist of users.

• Include IPFS file links. And any other appropriate formats.

• Add integration with %pals app