Cardano Academia Chain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

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

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

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

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

We want to create a desktop application to help academics to publish their work on their own websites instead of the traditional publications platforms such as IEEE, and etc.

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

[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?

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

We intend to eventually make the source code of our application publicly available on GitHub. However, this release will occur in stages rather than all at once. Adopting this staggered strategy allows us to safeguard our innovative concepts from being disclosed too early to potential rivals in the industry.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Proposed Solution

Overview

Our project aims to revolutionize the way academic work is published and accessed by developing a cross-platform desktop application. This application will empower academics to create their own static websites hosted on Google Firebase, where they can upload and showcase their scholarly work stored in Google Cloud Storage.

Technical Architecture

Desktop Application:

• User Interface: A user-friendly interface will allow academics to easily set up their websites, manage their content, and monitor interactions.

Google Firebase Integration:

• Website Hosting: Academics will use the platform to create and host static websites, enabling them to present their research and academic contributions effectively.
• Content Management: Integration with Google Cloud Storage for storing and managing academic works securely online.
• All these steps are guided by the desktop application.

Blockchain Integration:

• Smart Contracts on Cardano: Each academic’s website will host a smart contract to handle transactions. Interested parties will pay for access to workshops or publications directly in ADA coin, ensuring transactions are secure, transparent, and directly benefit the content creators.
• ADA Wallet Integration: Integration with ADA wallets to facilitate transactions directly within the application.

Functionality

• Website Creation Tool: Academics can use built-in templates or custom design tools to create their own professional-looking academic websites.
• Content Upload and Management: A straightforward process for uploading and managing academic works.
• Payment Gateway: An integrated payment system using ADA for purchasing access to academic content, enhancing monetization opportunities for researchers.

Benefits

• Decentralization: By leveraging blockchain technology, the project introduces a decentralized model for academic publishing, reducing dependency on traditional publication platforms.
• Monetization and Control: Academics gain full control over the monetization of their work, with the ability to set access fees and receive payments directly in ADA, maximizing potential earnings.
• Enhanced Visibility: Personalized websites increase the visibility of academic work, reaching a broader audience and promoting wider dissemination of knowledge.

This proposed solution harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology to provide academics with the tools they need to independently manage and profit from their work, fundamentally changing the landscape of academic publishing.

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

Broadening Blockchain Utility:

• Increased Blockchain Adoption: By integrating Cardano's blockchain technology into the academic publishing sector, our project not only broadens its applicability but also attracts a new demographic—academics and researchers—to the ecosystem. This increased user base can lead to more widespread recognition and utilization of Cardano’s capabilities.
• Demonstrating Versatility: Our application showcases the flexible use of Cardano’s blockchain beyond typical financial applications, highlighting its potential for managing complex data and access permissions in academic settings.

Economic Advantages:

• Enhancing Monetization for Academics: The platform enables academics to derive more substantial economic benefits from their work by reducing traditional publishing fees and allowing direct monetization opportunities. This can lead to greater economic activity within the Cardano ecosystem as transactions and interactions increase.
• Lower Transaction Costs: Leveraging Cardano’s efficient blockchain technology minimizes transaction costs, making it economically attractive for academics and ensuring that more revenue remains with the content creators.

Strengthening Community Engagement:

• Fostering Collaborations: The platform acts as a catalyst for new partnerships between educational institutions and the blockchain community, bridging gaps and fostering mutual growth.
• Knowledge Contribution: We encourage academics to engage with blockchain technology, potentially leading to innovative research and publications on Cardano, further enriching the community’s intellectual resources.

Promoting Research and Development:

• Facilitating Blockchain Research: By using the platform, researchers can explore new blockchain applications in document management and rights control, spurring further innovation within the ecosystem.
• Enhancing Feedback Mechanisms: Continuous interaction with the academic community provides real-world feedback on Cardano’s blockchain functionality, which can be crucial for ongoing improvements and adaptations.

Ensuring Transparency and Integrity:

• Transparent Operations: Implementing blockchain technology ensures that all transactions and access rights are recorded transparently, boosting trust and integrity within the academic and broader Cardano community.
• Promoting Equitable Access: Our project supports a more equitable model of academic publishing, aligning with the principles of openness and decentralization that are central to blockchain technology.

[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?

Co-Proposer's Profile:

• Role: Software Developer
• Experience: As a proficient frontend developer, I excel in designing interfaces that are both intuitive and user-friendly. My focus on usability and design ensures the application is accessible and easy to navigate.
• Contribution: I bring my expertise to the forefront in creating an application that is centered around the user experience, ensuring it meets the specific needs of academics effectively.
• Software Skills: Proficient in web development, JavaScript, React, and the development of smart contracts on both the Cardano and Ethereum blockchains.

My Profile:

• Role: Software Developer
• Experience: With a deep-rooted background in backend development, he is well-versed in constructing secure and scalable server-side applications. His comprehensive knowledge extends to database management, server configurations, and robust API development.
• Contribution: His skills provide a strong foundation for our project, ensuring the backend systems are both robust and efficient, perfectly aligning with the project's specifications.
• Software Skills: Experienced in web development, backend programming with Node.js and .NET, and crafting smart contracts on the Cardano and Ethereum blockchains.

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

Development of User-Friendly Desktop Application

Objective: Develop a desktop application that assists academics in setting up their Google Firebase accounts and managing their publications.

Tasks:

1. Application Design: Design an intuitive user interface that guides users through the installation of necessary dependencies for Google Firebase.
2. Publication Management: Develop features that allow users to upload and manage their academic works directly to Google Firebase.
3. Testing and Debugging: Perform initial testing to ensure that the application installs correctly and interfaces effectively with Google Firebase.

Integration with Google Firebase

Objective: Fully integrate the desktop application with Google Firebase to ensure seamless management and hosting of academic websites.

Tasks:

1. Integration Development: Implement and refine the backend code necessary for complete integration between the desktop application and Google Firebase services.
2. User Authentication: Ensure secure user authentication processes for accessing and managing Google Firebase functionalities.
3. Data Synchronization: Develop and test data synchronization features to ensure that all uploaded content is properly managed and stored in Google Firebase.
4. Usability Testing: Conduct thorough usability tests to verify that the integration is user-friendly and functions as intended.

Testing on Cardano Testnet and Mainnet

Objective: Conduct comprehensive testing of the desktop application’s smart contract functionalities on both Cardano testnet and mainnet to ensure transactional integrity and system security.

Tasks:

1. Smart Contract Integration: Integrate smart contract functionalities within the application for handling ADA transactions.
2. Testnet Testing: Deploy the application on the Cardano testnet to test all blockchain-related functionalities, including smart contract operations and ADA transactions.
3. Bug Fixing and Optimization: Identify and resolve any issues found during testnet testing; optimize performance based on test results.
4. Mainnet Deployment: After successful testnet validation, deploy the application on the Cardano mainnet and perform final testing to ensure real-world operational stability.

These milestones are structured to systematically address each phase of the development process, ensuring that the application not only meets technical specifications but also provides a smooth, user-friendly experience for academics looking to publish and manage their work independently.

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

We have:

• Me- Backend and Blockchain developer (Buğra Alp Çevikgibi | LinkedIn)
• My co-proposer - Frontend and Blockchain developer (Özgür Bülent Kılıç | LinkedIn)

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

Milestone 1: 10k ADA

Expected Output:Desktop Applicaiton: A functional Desktop Application capable of creating website which is hosted by Google Firebase.

Milestone 2: 10k ADA

Expected Output: Cardano Smart Contract deployment to the website.

Milestone 3: 10k ADA

Expected Output: Integration of smart contracts and proof of successful deployment of the website on Cardano testnets.

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

Cost breakdown:

• Personal Costs: 10k ADA (for the developers of this project)
• Operational Costs: 10k ADA (for cloud infrastructure, web hosting services)
• Marketing Costs: 10k ADA

Our project delivers outstanding value within the Cardano ecosystem by fostering wider adoption and driving innovation. Utilizing Cardano smart contracts to manage academic content not only extends the blockchain's applications but also cuts the operational expenses commonly seen in academic publishing. This strategy eliminates commission fees and boosts efficiency, providing a more economical option compared to traditional approaches. Moreover, the platform motivates increased involvement from the academic community, promoting both development and active participation within the Cardano ecosystem. By allowing academics to directly profit from their research using ADA, our project upholds a sustainable financial model that capitalizes on Cardano’s cost-effective infrastructure to bring enduring advantages to the community. Our initiative thus emerges as a pivotal investment that propels technological progress and cultivates community growth within the Cardano ecosystem. This cost-efficient approach may attract more academics to adopt Cardano Academia Chain.