Reputation-based News and Research Platform [by TrustLevel]

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dominik Tilman

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

4

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

POC of a reputation-based platform based on TrustLevel's reputation model.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The open-source license model will either be the Apache 2.0 license or the MIT license.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

Summary:

In an era of information overload and fake news, establishing a trustworthy news and research platform is crucial. This proposal outlines a Proof of Concept (POC) for a Reputation-Based News and Research Platform built by TrustLevel. The platform aims to enhance user trust by incorporating a robust reputation system, ensuring the credibility of news sources and content.

Objectives:

• Build a Prototype: We will develop a functional prototype of the Reputation-Based News and Research Platform, focusing on core features such as reputation scoring, content curation, and user engagement.
• Reputation Scoring System: We will build on TrustLevel's Reputation system, leveraging its proven framework to evaluate the credibility of news sources and contributors. This system will take into account factors such as accuracy, reliability, and historical performance, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable reputation score.

Features and Functionality:

1. Frontend Development:

• User Interface (UI):
• We will design an intuitive and user-friendly interface using React.js.
• Implementing responsive design to ensure a seamless experience across various devices is part of our approach.
• User Profiles:
• We will develop user profile pages where users can track their contributions and reputation.
• Customization options for user profiles will be included to enhance the user experience.
• Content Display:
• Designing a content display system that showcases news and research articles based on reputation scores is a key aspect of our frontend development.
• Filters will be implemented to allow users to customize their content preferences.

2. Backend Development:

• Server-Side Application:
• We will build the server-side application using Node.js with Express for efficient and scalable backend operations.
• Implementing RESTful APIs to facilitate communication between the frontend and backend is a crucial part of our development strategy.
• Database Integration:
• Utilizing MongoDB for storing user profiles, content data, and reputation scores is a key component of our backend infrastructure.
• Developing database schemas to efficiently organize and retrieve information is a task we will undertake.
• Reputation Algorithm:
• We will integrate TrustLevel's backend or develop a custom algorithm for evaluating and updating reputation scores.
• Ensuring the algorithm considers factors like accuracy, reliability, and historical performance is a priority in our development process.

3. Content Curation:

• Filtering Mechanism:
• Designing a robust content curation mechanism that filters articles based on reputation scores is a critical aspect of our development.
• Allowing users to customize their content feed preferences through effective filtering mechanisms will be a key feature.
• Trust Badges:
• We will develop a system to award and display trust badges to contributors and sources with high reputation scores.
• Including visual indicators on user profiles and content to signify trustworthiness is an integral part of our reputation system.

4. Community Engagement:

• Comments and Ratings:
• Implementing a commenting system that allows users to engage with content is a feature we will integrate.
• Enabling users to provide ratings and feedback on articles will enhance community engagement and is part of our strategy.
• User Reviews:
• Developing a user review system for contributors, promoting transparency and accountability, is a feature we will implement.
• Displaying user reviews on contributor profiles is part of our plan to enhance community interaction.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community.

Value to Cardano Community:

• TrustLevel's integration addresses challenges of misinformation and unreliable sources.
• Enhances Cardano's reputation as a trusted platform for accessing reliable information.

Measurement of Impact:

• User Adoption (quantitative): Number of active users, number of TrustLevel API requests
• User Satisfaction (qualitative): Gather feedback and aim for a user rating of 4 out of 5 or higher; track development of user engagement

Sharing Outputs:

• Website: Create a dedicated subpage for easy access to relevant documents, links, and reports.
• GitHub: Document every step and output in a dedicated GitHub repository.
• Monthly Feedback Sessions: Conduct regular sessions for community interaction and feedback.
• Official Monthly Catalyst Reporting: Share activity board, developer sprint velocity, and updates on budget/timeline during monthly reports.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

1. Team Capabilities:

We have proven our experience in various projects. Our core team consists of professionals with extensive experience in building startups. Each functional area, including business, research, product development and community management, is overseen by dedicated experts.

2. Track Record and Trustworthiness:

Our team members have been actively engaged since Fund 3 in Project Catalyst. We have been involved in multiple funded projects. All proposals are either successfully delivered or on track.

3. Fund Management:

We will use Dework to manage and track the progress of our proposal. This will also include a transparent overview of the received payments from the treasury and the payment to our team. 

[Project Milestones] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

We propose a 5-month timeline for implementation of all milestones, assuming a start date of March 1, 2024.

Frontend and Backend Kickoff with TrustLevel Integration

• Timeline: 8 weeks
• Description: Simultaneously initiate frontend and backend development for the Proof of Concept (POC) version. Design the user interface, incorporating TrustLevel's Reputation system. Develop the backend infrastructure, focusing on the server-side application and initial reputation scoring system. Collaborate with TrustLevel to seamlessly integrate their Reputation system with the frontend and backend components.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Frontend: Basic UI/UX design and initial user interface components with integrated TrustLevel Reputation system.
• Backend: Functional server-side application supporting initial reputation scoring with TrustLevel integration.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful integration of TrustLevel's Reputation system with the frontend UI components.
• Initial reputation scoring functionality operational on the backend

Frontend Refinement:

• Timeline: 4 weeks
• Description: Refine the frontend of the POC based on early user testing and feedback. Implement additional UI components and basic community engagement features, such as comments and user reviews.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Frontend: Improved UI/UX, integrated community engagement features.
• Backend: Continuous development and refinement to support frontend enhancements.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Positive feedback from initial user testing indicating improved UI/UX.
• Successful integration of basic community engagement features with positive user interaction.

Functional Testing and POC Deployment:

• Timeline: 4 weeks
• Description: Conduct comprehensive functional testing on both frontend and backend components to ensure all features operate as intended. Address any outstanding issues or bugs. Prepare for the final deployment of the Proof of Concept (POC) by optimizing the backend infrastructure, conducting security audits, and finalizing the user interface.
• Milestone Outputs:
• Frontend: Successfully tested and refined UI/UX.
• Backend: Functional and optimized for scalability, with security audits completed.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful completion of functional testing, with all features operating without critical issues.
• Finalized and polished POC ready for deployment.

Project Completion

• Timeline: 1 Week
• Outputs: This final milestone includes all close-out and project completion activities. Outputs will include a project completion video and the completion report. Additionally we can demonstrate all deliverables and outputs in a town hall meeting.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Completed and submitted close out video
• Completed and submitted close out report

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

• Dominik Tilman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominikstumpp/

Role: Project Lead and Architecture

Experience: Founder of TrustLevel, 15+ years experience in innovation management and company building.

• Josef Rossa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josef-rossa-213137115/

Role: Frontend and Backend Development

Experience: 10+ years experience in software development (https://gitlab.com/josros)

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1: Frontend and Backend Kickoff with TrustLevel Integration

• Labor Costs (Designers, Developers, Integration Specialist): $15,000
• Technology and Software Tools: $2,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $1,000
• Subtotal for Milestone 1: $18,000

Milestone 2: Frontend Refinement

• Labor Costs (Designers, Developers): $6,000
• User Testing Expenses: $3,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $1,000
• Subtotal for Milestone 2: $10,000

Milestone 3: Functional Testing and POC Deployment

• Labor Costs (Developers, QA): $7,000
• Deployment and Optimization Costs: $2,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $1,000
• Subtotal for Milestone 3: $10,000

Final Milestone: Project Completion

• Labor Costs: $2,000
• Subtotal for Milestone 4: $2,000

Total Budget Allocation: $40,000

Calculated with 1 ADA = 0.4 USD

Total Budget: 100.000 ADA

1. Milestone: 45.000 ADA
2. Milestone: 25.500 ADA
3. Milestone: 25.000 ADA
4. Milestone: 5.000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

• Alignment with industry rates:
• Our project costs and rates reflect competitive rates for freelancers in Western countries, taking into account the full extent of employment overheads.
• Team skills and influence:
• Our pricing is calculated based on the hours required for each milestone to ensure fair compensation for the talent involved.
• Transparency and risk mitigation:
• As a team, we willingly accept the currency risk of being paid in ADA, demonstrating our commitment and adaptability in a dynamic cryptocurrency environment. A decrease in the ADA price is a risk we bear, while any increase allows us to expand the scope.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept