Zecwebsite.com Grant

Community Grants
1

Applicant background

I’ve been a website developer for over ten years focused on deploying small and medium size websites build with the Joomla content management system. Demo of the current stage of development: https://vimeo.com/599416176/2510f0dec8

Description of Problem or Opportunity

Challenges:

  1. Access Zcash through an internet connected device with a browser from a website wallet. 2) Allow Joomla internet users to integrate Zcash into websites with easy pre-build tools. 3) Legal & Tax challenges with using Zcash as a digital asset for website owners.
    .Opportunity:
    I1) ncrease Zcash Usability by making a website wallet. 2) Allow Zcash users to use Zec through an internet browser with a website wallet. The website wallet is focused on the Joomla internet community. There have been 100 million Joomla downloads & millions of current websites which use Joomla to power their website. I want to build a website wallet which helps build tools for this user base to use Zcash.

Proposed Solution

  1. Publish all content in this proposal free to access from https://zecwebsite.com
  2. Deliver a free downloadable opensource backup file which internet users can use to restore a pre-build joomla-website-zcash-wallet which powers Zcash. This builds a bridge between the Zcash community with the large Joomla internet community to use and be introduced to Zcash.
  3. To create online video tutorials published free online to help Joomla internet users understand how to restore the backup file onto a server to use Zcash. How to use and interact with Zcash.
  4. Provide fifty live workshops to internet users how to restore and use the website wallet.
  5. Publish a legal & Tax opinion on being an owner of a website wallet.

Solution Format

Development Plan includes:

  1. Redesign the native Zcash wallet to better suit an internet website wallet.
  2. Develop a complete joomla backup file for free download and easy installation.
  3. Develop a better understanding of the cloud infrastructure needed for and optimal web wallet deployment.
  4. Document the installation process and create online video tutorials and live workshops to support the installation of the web wallet.
  5. Better understand the deployment of Zcash payment disclosure for future web wallet shop intergration.

Good to have:

  1. A native joomla Zcash component and supporting modules & plugins
  2. A native custom template for the Joomla community
  3. Support Unified Addresses when NU5 is released
  4. A native backup solution for the web wallet

Technical approach

  1. Build a team of web developers, web designer, cloud architect
  2. Collaborate with ECC developers & designers
  3. Have a full indepenant code audit before release
  4. Target both Joomla 3.10 & joomla 4 releases
    Design Approach:
  5. Focus on creating an easy deployment process for website developers
  6. Conduct user experience survey in order to help with user experience
  7. Create a simple user experience design
  8. Implement Zcash network upgrade five updates for the web wallet
  9. Perform user studies to validate design decisions as well as the installation process

How big of a problem would it be to not solve this problem?

Zcash needs to increase the utility of the software. Not allowing users to connect to Zcash through an internet browser is missing one of the largest components of the digital age. We as a community need to build these tools.

Execution risks

Legal issues with deploying opensource & free software for website wallets, Delays due to unforeseen challenges during development,
Difficulty in understanding the trade-offs in providing Zcash privacy features to a website wallet, Covid-19 restrictions for hosting live workshops

Unintended Consequences

1)Targeting only the Joomla internet community 2) Legal & Tax challenges for website owners operating independent Zcash web wallets
3) User data leaks from using web wallet. 4) Cost overruns in acquiring technical experts.

Evaluation plan

  1. Number of downloads of website wallet. 2) Number of views of the online video tutorials 3) Number of live workshops 4) Number of visits to legal & tax expert document

Schedule and Milestones

First month build team by hiring a web developer, web designer, cloud architect, screencaster, law & tax expert. 2) user study and design for web wallet, complete website code, design UX, cloud design, code audit. 3) Complete Video Tutorials, release content, Live workshops

Budget

$1800 UX/design research, $14700 (210 hrs / $70 per hr) web design, video creation and branding, $25000 (200 hrs / $125 per hr) cloud architect ,$20000 Legal & Tax expert, $108800 (1280 hrs / $85 an hr) web developer, $10000 Cloud environment, $8000 code audit, $20000 50 live workshops, $45000 (1800 hrs / $25 hr) project management. Total $253300

2 Likes
2

Hi, I think there’s definitely the need for libraries that make it easier for websites and apps to integrate Zcash support. It’s great to see interest in this.

Are there any specific reasons you feel Joomla would be best for such a project? From my understanding, relatively few greenfield projects these days use Joomla, and I think it makes sense to go with a stack such as React.js, Node.js or Python; while technical choices are quite subjective, I feel that PHP these days is not so flexible for building SPAs. PHP frameworks like Joomla/WordPress/Drupal are generally considered to be quite bloated, making them vulnerable to XSS. I guess this could be counteracted though with having a secure cloud environment and having automatic updates, together with restricting admins to only installing vetted plugins. I last used Joomla many years ago though, so am unfamiliar with the current state of it.

Also, while there’s definitely a need for online wallet based apps, it would be great to have a modular solution with say Node.js bindings initially, and PHP bindings in the future for WordPress/Joomla users if there is interest.

Does Joomla have a headless JSON API that a fully custom front-end could be built on top of? I know WordPress has one, and it can make for a nice integration with a Gatsby website, allowing for WordPress to be used for content entry.

Which native wallet would that be? Would this be a local browser-based wasm wallet? Or a remote wallet with a JSON/RPC interface?

1 Like
3

I believe Zcash and its community need to build usability. I strongly believe this is through the browser, its open, free and accessible from mobile devices, computers or a sensor. I also believe its hard to build huge crowds, getting in front of already established crowds a little easier.
I agree with you that technical choice directions are subjective. I hope if someone else is inspired to build a web application for Zcash with the suggestions you mentioned in a modular method I would love to see this engagement. I also agree with you that the Content Management Systems you listed are bloated and can have different challenges, no doubt. Joomla4 appears to have options as a headless server.
Zecwebsite objective is to build simple solutions which current Joomla developers or Joomla website owners will be introduced to Zcash and using internet money because I hope they identify with a simple method of using a backup file which their familiar and have the skills to engage with a Zcash website wallet and use Zec.
I hope investing in tools to open Internet Money or the many other use cases for using Zcash memo fields or potentially if the Zcash community adopts Zcash Shielded Assets. will inspire more usability and new Zcash community members.

“Redesign the native Zcash Wallet”
I was referring to Wallet Resources - Electric Coin Company
Trying to use some of their work as a base and make design choices for building a website wallet accessible through the browser from a domain which the owner or user controls.

Thank you for sharing your ideas.

1 Like
4

Hello, Zcash Users an interested community members. Please view and share your ideas on Zecwebsite grant request which has now been opened for public comment on the Zcash Foundations Grant Platform.

2 Likes
5

I don’t understand the ‘download backup file’ part. Is this a custodial setup or is that just like download lightwalletd? Would you elaborate on that a little more please

1 Like
6

Hi @Zecwebsite, I really liked the quality of your grant writing, including the very well done video. It’s a better grant application than we see on average in terms of clarity and specificity.

Unfortunately, we have concerns on a few things (different ones held by different members):

  1. the level of outsourcing that this requires. we are more comfortable when a project lies squarely within applicants’ circle of expertise

  2. whether there is a market/demand for this. BTCpay and Coinpayments exist on other CMS platforms, though they haven’t been very widely adopted. Would you be able to prove there is demand for this service? If you can do so, we (I in particular) would like to take another look.

Thank you again.
ML

2 Likes
7

Great Question: “download backup file”
It is an exact copy, clone or archive which includes files, database and restoration file of Zecwebsite wallet. This means the individual who downloads the backup file to a server, can restore the pre-build Zecwebsite wallet to be able to access zcashd from a browser.
The objective is to build a tool which is one of the most common operational best practises of a website owner or developer which is to have a full backup file of one’s website in order to restore it in a different location or point of time.
In the Joomla internet community restoring a backup file is a well know process, Zecwebsite is targeting this method to encourage the introduction to using a website wallet and more importantly to use internet money and be introduced to Zcash / Zec.
Thank you for sharing your concerns

2 Likes
8
  1. Level of Outsourcing:
    Profile of grantees: Support to teams of all sizes, from the individual hobbyist to specialist teams. Hobbyists and small teams have been the lifeblood of the Zcash ecosystem since Zcash launch in 2016.

1.a) One of the first concerns of introducing Zcash to website owners I’ve experienced has been the concern of the legal & tax issues related to using the new technology. In Zecwebsite’s grant application there is a component to help build more clarity in this concern and help the adoption by the internet community. The need to have an outside Legal and Tax expert opinion is to have one independant view outside of Zecwebsite for using digital assets.

1.b) Independant Code Audit is to reassure users that Zecwebsite has taken best practise to be as secure as possible. Zecwebsite wants to build confidence in using a website wallet.

1.c) cloud architect: creating optimal cloud computing and dynamic infrastructure for website owners and website developers to help adopt Zcash into their digital environment requires moving from, “building one car to building a factory” Zcashd is a large file and growing. Having an additional contract architect understand these needs and build off Zecwebsite current setup is very important for adoption.

1.d) Zecwebsite already has created a working website wallet and presentation material as since in the video link but recognizes the limitations of the code, branding and level of video tutorials in order to get market adoption and increase Zcash user adoption. Zecwebsite is applying to the Zcash Grant Application to take what Zecwebsite has created to the next level with the funds for an additional web developer and designer. Zecwebsite is not pitching a theoretical idea to the Zcash Community but a website wallet which can be used now to make online Zec transfers, donations, purchases, zecpages.com posts.

2.a) Demand
It is estimated seven percent of websites on the internet are powered by Joomla. In order to make Zcash ubiquitious: wherever someone wants to use Zec, they are able to use Zec easily and safely which includes through the browser.
Zecwebsite is not a panacea for accessing zcashd in the browser but it is a tool to help introduce internet user to Zcash. In order to build an active and substantial ecosystem of useful applications build on top of Zcash this must also target deployed technology which includes the Content Management Systems an in this application it focuses on one of those deployed systems.

Following Market Demand outlined in the ZOMG Whitepaper, Zecwebsite wallet believes it is servicing the high priorities outlined below:

2.b.0) ZOMG white paper: Retail Users, Builders and Media are some of the most important categories where urgent gaps are present.
2.b.1) ZOMG White paper: Retail users: Priority High: Browser wallet for Zec
2.b.2) ZOMG White paper: Retail users: Priority High: Convenient ways to spend Zec in daily life with a wide variety of merchants
2.b.3) ZOMG White paper: Builders: Priority High: Service providing an interface to the Zcash blockchain, An easy way to get on-ramped into the Zcash ecosystem and learn how to use Zcash(docs, website, videos)
2.b.4) ZOMG White paper: Media, narrative, and policy advocacy: Priority High: Self Hosted Wallets

Zecwebsite can allow internet users to have clear and immediate benefits for Zcash Community by allowing Zec transfers, payments and messaging in a self hosted online wallet using shielded transactions as seen in the demo video posted for the Zcash community to view. Let’s build tools for internet users outside of the Zcash community.

Thank you for posting your questions

1 Like
9

Hi @Zecwebsite, I’ve watched your presentation video with interest. And I have a few questions for you.
From what I’ve gathered, the project is a bridge between a zcash wallet (looks like you use zcashd) and a website built upon a CMS (Joomla). I was wondering what use case it covers. Is it for a website that wants to receive donations? Is it for e-commerce? Is it for tips?

Thanks,
–h

1 Like
10

Applicant background

I’ve been a website developer for over ten years focused on deploying small and medium size websites build with the Joomla content management system. Demo of the current stage of development: https://vimeo.com/599416176/2510f0dec8

Description of Problem or Opportunity

Challenges: 1) Access Zcash through an internet connected device with a browser from a website wallet. 2) Allow Joomla internet users to integrate Zcash into websites with easy pre-build tools. .Opportunity: I1) Increase Zcash Usability by making a website wallet. 2) Allow Zcash users to use Zec through an internet browser with a website wallet. The website wallet is focused on the Joomla internet community. There have been 100 million joomla downloads & millions of current websites which use Joomla to power their website. I want to build a website wallet which helps build tools for this user base to use Zcash.

Proposed Solution

  1. Publish all content in this proposal free to access on zecwebsite 2) Deliver a free downloadable opensource backup file which internet users can use to restore a pre-build joomla-website-zcash-wallet which powers Zcash. This builds a bridge between the Zcash community with the large Joomla internet community to use and be introduced to Zcash.

Solution Format

Development Plan includes: 1) Redesign the native Zcash wallet to better suit an internet website wallet. 2) Develop a complete joomla backup file for free download and easy installation. 3) Develop a better understanding of the cloud infrastructure needed for and optimal web wallet deployment. 4) Better understand the deployment of Zcash payment disclosure for future web wallet shop intergration.

Good to have: 1) A native joomla Zcash component and supporting modules & plugins 2) A native custom template for the Joomla community 3) Support Unified Addresses when NU5 is released 4) A native backup solution for the web wallet

Technical approach

  1. Build a team of one web developer, brand designer, cloud architect 1) Collaborate with ECC developers & designers 2) Have a full independent code audit before release 3) Target both Joomla 3.10 & joomla 4 releases Design Approach: 1) Focus on creating an easy deployment process for website developers 2) Create a simple user experience design 3) Implement Zcash network upgrade five updates for the web wallet 4) Perform user studies to validate design decisions as well as the installation process

How big of a problem would it be to not solve this problem?

Zcash needs to increase the utility of the software. Not allowing users to connect to Zcash through an internet browser is missing one of the largest components of the digital age. We as a community need to build these tools.

Execution risks

Legal issues with deploying opensource & free software for website wallets, Delays due to unforeseen challenges during development, Difficulty in understanding the trade-offs in providing Zcash privacy features to a website wallet

Unintended Consequences

1)Targeting only the Joomla internet community 2) User data leaks from using web wallet. 3) Cost overruns in acquiring technical experts.

Evaluation plan

  1. Number of downloads of website wallet. 2) Number of zecwebsite visits 3) number of zcash community forum posts and questions

Schedule and Milestones

Stage One: hiring a web developer, brand designer, contract cloud architect, publish zecwebsite.com, conduct user experience of earlier website wallet Stage Two) complete website code, complete design UX, complete code audit, publish backup file for free download

Budget

$5600 (80 hrs / $70 per hr) brand design, $5000 (40 hrs / $125 per hr) cloud architect, $85000 (1000 hrs / $85 an hr) web developer, $10000 Cloud environment, $8000 code audit, $25000 (1800 hrs / $14 hr) project management. Total $138600

1 Like
11

Good Question:
a) Yes to your first statement
b) Use Case:
To increase usability of Zcash. It allows website owners to increase the ease of using zcashd through the browser on any internet connect device with access to the desired domain.
Example:
Li Na finds it difficult each time she wants to use Zcash to log into the zcashd from a terminal to receive Zcash from a friend. She is an owner of https://linastickers.com and decides to create a subdomain https://wallet.linastickers.com to be able to login to her online wallet. She enjoys the confidence of controlling her own online wallet to create a new zaddress and receive zec to her new online wallet through the browser. She also enjoys sending encrypted messages with shielded transactions to online zforums.

c) Currently zecwebsite can be used for shielded Zec transfers, purchases and encrypted messages or importing other publishers content by importing their viewkey. Currently it is not intergrated into a webshop. Pretty sure webshop intergration is on the horizon.

Thanks for helping to create an Open Internet

1 Like
12

Thanks. I see it is a remote access tool that allows website administrators to monitor and operate on their instance of zcashd.
It is not intended to be used by website visitors. Am I correct?

I actually don’t understand why Li Na would need to connect to her zcashd instance to receive zcash. It would be easier for her to use a light wallet app on her mobile phone. In general, I don’t think every user of zcash should have to run his/her own node. If that were the case, it would be a serious barrier to adoption.

Furthermore, the other actions you describe, creating a new address, receive funds, sending shielded transactions online, can all be performed with a phone.

3 Likes
13

Excellent discussion:
Li Na owns her website and can control what she does with it.
“Building Confidence in using internet money and controlling her own online wallet.” Gives her the Confidence that if she wishes to keep the wallet as a private domain for her own use, she can make that decision. If she wishes to publish the received transaction result from a friends transaction to her website and make this public and sends this link for her friend to view, she controls this option.

Furthermore, she has the power to change her mind and publish her contacts in her zaddress book, or publish the content of an imported viewkey from other online publishers because she loves the idea of having an online tool for publishing unmutable content open for others to read online.

You are correct, Lia can visit the online wallet which she owns and controls from her phone. She can use a vpn to protect her encrypted trafffic, clear her browser cache and close the private browser tab. With less of a digital footprint on her phone. Li Na’s confidence grows as the possibility of her roommate viewing her interactions are reduced.

Li Na does not have confidence in installing applications from a walled application garden onto her phone, she’s not sure if her phone is the right model, better yet when she examines the lightwalletd urls it makes her feel uneasy.

Li Na feels much more confidence as a website owner who controls her online wallet and makes her own use cases for her digital choices.

Thanks for posting

1 Like
14

There wouldn’t be an online wallet in a browser if she is using a phone app. No VPN, no browser traffic to clear, etc. She might have concerns with lightwalletd server having knowledge of her transactions ids but this can be mitigated too (see next section).

The wallets are peer-reviewed and are used by thousands of people. If she does not trust about the lightwalletd servers, she can run zcashd and lightwalletd on her own servers.

I understand your use case. I’m just not sure there are many people who would feel like Li Na.

1 Like
15

Creating Usability Options: No walled gardens in the browser

“Li Na does not have confidence in installing applications from a walled application garden onto her phone, she’s not sure if her phone is the right model, better yet when she examines the lightwalletd urls it makes her feel uneasy.”

Software Locks on Cell Phones Stifle Competition and
Cripple Consumers

Hundreds of thousands of cell phone owners have modified
their phones to connect to a new service provider or run
the software of their choosing, and many more would like
to. But the threat of litigation under the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) has driven them
underground.

The DMCA prohibits “circumventing” technical protection
measures used to protect copyrighted works. But many cell
phone manufacturers and service providers build these
software locks to protect their business models instead of
copyrighted material.

"Apple locks its iPhone and prevents users from
installing any software that has not been pre-approved by
Apple," said EFF Senior Intellectual Property Attorney Fred
von Lohmann. “Consumers need a DMCA exemption to lift the
cloud of legal risk that otherwise serves only to reduce
competition and consumer choice.”

“Companies are using the DMCA to threaten customers out of
exercising their consumer rights,” said EFF Civil Liberties
Director Jennifer Granick. “The Copyright Office needs to
hear real stories about how these software locks frustrate
consumers and developers.”

Li Na believes in having the choice of digital tools to build a more free society.

Thanks for sharing your preferences.

1 Like
16

Re walled gardens on smartphone app stores: the App Store and Play Store allow open-source cryptocurrency wallet apps. On iOS, it is possible to sideload apps without a jailbreak using AltStore, and on Android there is official support for sideloading APKs and third party app stores. Jailbreaking or sideloading apps is completely legal, I don’t think DMCA law is relevant here.

I believe zecwallet-lite had a web wallet in the past built with wasm.

1 Like
17

Hi @Zecwebsite, thanks for the back and forths you’ve had on this thread.

We had another debate at our meeting today, and we have unfortunately decided to pass on this application. This is because we haven’t seen convincing proof that there is demand for this service (see my second question). We’re also hoping that we’re helping you avoid building a service that doesn’t get traction after it is launched.

We encourage you to continue to think of valuable projects to build for the Zcash ecosystem, particularly those for which you can prove demand.

1 Like