Would Blockchain Operating Systems Ever be a Thing?

The demand for processing universality has led to the development of cloud-based applications and all other related supporting software that caters to the interconnected, multi-device environment we are currently in. This includes operating systems, and there have been several derivatives that attempted to make them “natively” available everywhere.

One such thing is a concept known as a blockchain operating system. Instead of installing locally into a system and having that system communicate with several other authorized platforms, this new OS allows for processing that is instantaneous everywhere, even if part of the system remains local. 

A key advantage of a Blockchain-based operating system is its inherent decentralization.

The Biggest Concerns in Present Operating Systems

In a world where any data can be accessed at our fingertips, the demand for exclusiveness and privacy is at an all-time high. Operating systems are designed for management and control, yet they have access to significant amounts of personal data, raising questions about individual privacy and data security.

In response, many modern operating systems are incorporating enhanced privacy features, such as robust encryption methods, improved user consent settings, and data anonymization techniques to safeguard sensitive information.

Sadly, these measures were never enough and have simply become part of a never-ending technological arms race. Another related issue is each device needs a separate OS to function, leading to a system where individual units operate independently yet connect to facilitate collaborative tasks.

Much like how this modernized our world, this approach is now reaching its limitations in terms of scalability, maintenance, and centralized control. 

This is where individual reviews come in handy, as users will need to be vocal about each and every one of them, letting the community know the pros and cons, especially when it comes to security and privacy

Improvement Areas in the Current OS

We haven’t been idle in addressing these problems, of course, but some of the answers are more like patches, rather than truly treating the real issue:

• Improvements in network protocols enable more seamless communication among disparate systems. These protocols, such as TCP/IP, allow diverse operating systems to interact, share data, and collaborate within a network environment.

• Utilizing virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine. This helps in creating diverse environments for testing, development, and server consolidation, reducing the need for separate hardware for each OS.

• The advent of cloud technology enables the provision of services and resources through the Internet. Users today can usually access some sort of “cloud-OS” remotely, reducing the reliance on local installations.

• Container technology, such as Docker, allows for the isolation and deployment of applications without the need for a separate operating system. This streamlines the development and deployment of applications across various environments.

• Creation of entirely separate operating systems like Tails, or Qubes OS, that attempt to provide complete anonymity while still enjoying all regular OS features. Communication becomes more cumbersome as a result, but only in terms of comparing them with traditional methods that we have now developed.

Blockchain Recap (Simplified)

The blockchain is generally simplified as this sort of global diary. Imagine that this digital diary records things like who owns what or who did what. Then, instead of being kept in one place, it’s shared with lots of people all over the world.

When someone wants to add something new, everyone who has a copy of this diary checks if it’s legit. They make sure the new thing matches what’s in their own copy. If it looks good to everyone, they agree to add it. 

This way, nobody can change the diary or sneak in something fake because everyone’s keeping an eye on it. This diary, or blockchain, is super secure because it’s not controlled by just one person, making it really hard for anyone to mess with it.

What is a Blockchain-based OS?

Blockchain-based Operating System (OS) integrates blockchain technology into the core functions of an operating system. This approach brings several unique features and benefits compared to traditional operating systems:

1. Decentralization: Unlike conventional operating systems, which are centralized and controlled by a single entity (like Microsoft Windows or Apple’s macOS), a blockchain-based OS operates on a decentralized network. This means that it isn’t controlled by a single entity, reducing the risk of censorship or centralized control.

2. Security: Blockchain technology is known for its robust security features. By utilizing cryptographic techniques, a blockchain-based OS can offer enhanced security against hacking, data tampering, and malware compared to traditional systems.

3. Transparency and Trust: Transactions and interactions on a blockchain-based OS are transparent and can be audited, which builds trust among users. This is particularly useful for applications that require high levels of integrity and transparency.

4. Data Integrity and Immutability: Once data is recorded on a blockchain, it cannot be altered retroactively. This ensures the integrity and immutability of data, which is crucial for certain types of applications like financial services or identity management.

5. Smart Contract Integration: Blockchain-based OSs can natively support smart contracts – self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into lines of code. This allows for automated, secure, and direct interactions without the need for intermediaries.

6. Tokenization and Digital Assets: Such operating systems can easily integrate digital assets and tokens, facilitating seamless transactions and interactions within digital economies.

7. Distributed Applications (dApps): A blockchain-based OS can support DApps, which are applications that run on a decentralized network rather than being hosted on centralized servers. This can lead to new forms of applications that are more resilient to downtime and censorship.

Why an Operating System Can Be Built on Blockchain?

Based on this dumbed-down definition of blockchain, we can easily see how it can be the foundation of an operating system. It’s all a matter of tracking and approving instructions. You leverage this anonymous, universal ledge technology to run computer systems with technical scalability.

Once a set of codes and the method of their execution can be developed for a particular blockchain, then in effect computer codes and commands can be used. Ultimately, these combine together to form what we can technically call a blockchain operating system.

One important distinction to be made is that this cannot be directly compared to a traditional cloud-OS, which still adheres to the same network limitations, and is still managed under a first-party development team.

How an Ideal Blockchain OS Would Work

Without delving into specific features, we can imagine a blockchain OS to work like this:

• The user authenticates their identity through a secure login process.

• The user enters a user-friendly blockchain interface, possibly with features like a decentralized app store or blockchain-powered applications.

• If the user is an accountant, blockchain applications could be used for securely managing financial transactions, auditing, and maintaining transparent, immutable records. They can then create and execute smart contracts for automated financial processes, like payroll, invoicing, or auditing.

• If the user is a writer, the blockchain can effectively timestamp original content, ensuring its ownership and protecting against plagiarism. The option is then left for accessing decentralized publishing platforms or markets to directly sell and publish written works.

• Even for idle users, the blockchain OS can simply facilitate occasional cryptocurrency transactions, like buying, selling, or exchanging digital assets directly within its native interface. Maybe add other decentralized applications for learning, socializing, or entertainment?

• While blockchain networks are continuously active, the user might exit the blockchain application or interface, but the underlying blockchain network itself remains operational, processing transactions and maintaining the ledger.

Current Relevant Research

NEAR Protocol is a decentralized platform and blockchain network that allows developers to create decentralized applications (dApps). Initially, the concept of integrating these programs into some sort of blockchain operating system wasn’t fully realized. 

But starting in 2023, the startup has since announced the desire for its system to be developed as one. The latest iteration of their blockchain operating system is available at near.org.

The protocol itself aims to provide a user-friendly and developer-friendly ecosystem, making it easier for developers to create and deploy dApps. It uses a unique sharding technique to scale the network, allowing for high throughput and low transaction costs. Additionally, NEAR’s consensus mechanism is proof-of-stake.

Conclusion: Doable, or Just Another Buzzword Scam?

Given that there is already one experimental blockchain operating system in the works, we can safely conclude that the idea is indeed worth exploring. Widespread competitive adoption, however, is something that is probably impossible at this point for blockchain operating systems.

The global user base is just entrenched too deep into well-established platforms, that it would take an utterly unexpected paradigm shift in computing for it to change. At the very least, it is conceivable for blockchain OS to have its own technical niche, like Linux distro enjoyers.