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1 sat \ 8 replies \ @03bcf114f6 OP 11 Nov 2021 freebie \ parent \ on: squeaknode - decentralized alternative to Twitter with lightning monetization bitcoin
Thanks! Do you have any questions/feedback about the protocol?
Can you give a high level overview of how the network/protocol functions or drop a link to an explanation if it exists?
There are references to block hash in the protocol - is there a notion of blocks/consensus in squeak or is this referencing bitcoin blocks somehow? In either case, what motivated this design choice?
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The docs are very sparse right now, I'm working on improving the docs.
The high level summary of the protocol is:
When you open a connection to another node:
- send "msg_subscribe" containing the list of addresses that you are following (plus block range that you are interested in)
When a node saves a new squeak:
- forward a "msg_inv" containing that squeak hash to all connected peers that have indicated that they are interested in following squeaks signed by that author.
When a node receives a "msg_inv" from another node:
- check if that hash already exists in the local database, and send a "msg_getdata" message back to the other node to get the data if needed.
When a node receives a "msg_getdata" (containing MSG_SQUEAK) from another node:
- send a "msg_squeak" containing the full squeak (encrypted, without the decryption) back to the other node.
When a node receives a "msg_squeak" from another node:
- save the received squeak in the database if it is valid (and in the following list). Send a "msg_getdata" request to get the decryption key for this squeak from all connected peers.
When a node receives a "msg_getdata" (containing MSG_SECRET_KEY) from another node:
- send a "msg_offer" containing a Lightning invoice that will provide the preimage to get the decryption key after being paid.
When a node receives a "msg_offer" from another node:
- save it in the local database (after validation). Now the user has the option to pay the invoice the invoice to get the decryption key and unlock the squeak.
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Oh yeah, I forgot to answer your question. It is referencing Bitcoin blocks.
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The purpose of referencing the Bitcoin block hash is to create a provable timestamp for the creation time of the squeak. It guarantees that the squeak was created at least after the time when the block was mined.
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And blocks are just a way of having a reliable means of providing time in a distributed context?
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Yes. Each squeak has a block hash embedded in it (before it gets signed). So when you download a squeak from another peer, you can verify that it was created after the block time.
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Also, is there such a thing as consensus in squeak or is it strictly a relay network?
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No consensus needed, just relay. It's a layer-3 protocol, so it piggybacks on top of Bitcoin and Lightning for all of the trustless stuff (timestamps, invoice payments)
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