VYRA - Social Network

[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)

To create a virtual town hall where users can meet, exchange ideas, support each other, and discuss issues and problems. Sometimes there's too much noise out there, and things can quickly get lost.

[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

The tools used by VYRA are already all open source and accessible to everyone.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

There's no need to explain what goes on other social media platforms or how user data is used. Clearly, we use these platforms daily without much thought. Many people aren't concerned about what happens to their data, perhaps because they don't know enough or simply don't care.

A common statement I often hear is, "I have nothing to hide, and I don't mind if they know everything about me." VYRA's fundamental principles are privacy and data protection. Everyone should be able to disclose what they want, whether under a nickname or their real name. The goal is to create a place where users don't have to worry about the aforementioned issues.

Attached are some details about VYRA and its features

Introduction

VYRA is a social network that allows users to connect and share content with each other. It’s free to use!! Users can share links, photos, videos, polls, and projects, creating a dynamic and engaging community.

In addition, users can create their own Rooms, which function as personalized spaces within the network, enabling them to collaborate on projects, share ideas, and discuss topics with others who share their interests.

VYRA also provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily navigate and access the features of the platform.

Login/ Register

VYRA does not require users to provide personal information or email addresses. Instead, users can only log in to the platform using their Cardano wallets, ensuring that user data is secure.

Wallet privacy

Can VYRA see this data and associate the user’s profile with their wallet address?

No, it uses hashes and doesn’t store the addresses from the logins.

Rooms

VYRA allows users to share and collaborate on content through its Rooms feature, enabling users to create personalized spaces where they can work on projects and discuss topics with others who share their interests.

Privacy

We do not store any data and do not use any analytic tools, etc.

By logging in with a wallet, we don’t know who you are, so you’re completely anonymous. Even if you create a login with a “Vyra-Handle” you remain completely anonymous because we don’t receive any information about you there either. This is also a reason why we’re avoiding a traditional app.

Advertising

We will not display any advertisements. In the future, there will be a section for featured projects and partners, but there will never be any traditional advertising.

Supported wallets

Nami, Eternl, Yoroi, Flint, Typhon, GeroWallet, Cardwallet, NuFi, Lace, VESPR.

More will follow.

APP Store/Google Play

No, sorry, we don’t like this approach. Instead, we’ll have a PWA-APP. As a user, you won’t notice the difference, but this way, we avoid all the Apple/Google stuff. After Wallet-Connect, you can create a password and use it to log in to the PWA-APP. If you forget your password, you can simply reconnect via Wallet (using the same one you signed up with) and change your password.

We don’t collect any data from you and don’t want others to either.

If you’re suspicious, which I understand, just use a Wallet account exclusively for VYRA.

Push Notifications

Yes, you can opt in after logging in and receive notifications similar to X for messages, likes, etc.

Reporting function

After 5 reports, the post, user, or room will be temporarily hidden, and the main admin will need to review it. Our goal is to empower users to moderate the site. However, if users report content solely because they don’t like the person, the reporting function will be disabled for that user for a certain period.

My personal thoughts

I see VYRA as a niche product; that was and still is actually my idea.

Once we allow other wallets, we’ll face the same dispersion as on Twitter.

Of course, one could view this negatively and say that VYRA will become an echo chamber, but what’s wrong with that?

Niche products are meant to connect people with common interests. Don’t get me wrong, I am for interoperability, but it doesn’t have to be everywhere.

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

This question is hard to answer, honestly. Ultimately, the community decides how valuable VYRA is to them and how they use it. It's the users who define a platform. We are committed to constantly adding new features and clearly letting the community make decisions.

[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?

Since VYRA is already online, this should demonstrate that it is indeed feasible.

Additionally, I bring many years of experience in Web2. I own a Web2 company that creates websites and solutions for well-known brands and companies in Switzerland.

Personally, working in traditional Web2 has been offering me fewer freedoms, and projects tend to be repetitive, which was why I decided to shift my focus more towards Web3.

There should clearly be a greater focus on privacy and data protection across all areas.

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

This milestone has already been completed because the site has been online since April 11, 2024.

The next step will be to upgrade to a more robust and powerful infrastructure to make the site faster and more efficient. More users require more performance, and since we plan to add many more features, this upgrade is essential.

Continuously integrating new functions. The community will also be involved in deciding on new and existing functions.

I can't answer this because we are already on.

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

Currently, the team consists of just one person. Since VYRA operates without funding, this is the only feasible arrangement.

https://twitter.com/ste_b_

https://vyra.io/steb

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

Please note, the amount of 204'600 ADA is set for a duration of five years, with the price of ADA at $0.50, and covers the following services:

1. Infrastructure and hosting: 24'600ADA / 12'300$ (for 5years)
2. Development+Marketing team : 180'000ADA / 90'000$ (for 5years)

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

The requested amount of 204,600 ADA will enable VYRA to provide a robust infrastructure and build a small team (maximum of 2 people) over the next five years.

The costs for infrastructure/hosting over this period amount to 24,600 ADA, while development and marketing teams will require 180,000 ADA.

The costs for the team may seem high to some and low to others. This often depends on the country in which one lives and their expenses. VYRA is based in Switzerland, which is associated with high costs.

However, we see it from a different perspective; no one forced us to create the platform, it was our decision. VYRA will continue without funding because we believe in the idea and think it is important to offer an alternative to other social media channels. The requested amount would simply accelerate everything, especially regarding the infrastructure, and we could fully focus on adding new features.