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Why Forks Of Steem Is Going To Be A Good Thing In The Long Run by taskmaster4450

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hive-167922 · @taskmaster4450 · (edited)
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Why Forks Of Steem Is Going To Be A Good Thing In The Long Run
For obvious reasons, there is a lot of discussion in Steem of late about the concept of forking the [blockchain](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/blockchain).  This has gotten people's attention probably more so than ever before.  If we are honest, more people know about [governance](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-governance) and the workings of Steem at that level than they ever imagined.

Before going any further, we will note that Steem was forked many times before.  Golos and Whaleshares are two such projects.  Thus, we are not discussing something totally new.

Forking is a very good thing.  People need to set aside this idea that a fork sets up an all or none situation.  When a blockchain is forked, it provides individuals with options.  It presents a situation where one is free to make his or her own choice.  The presence of a fork, in and of itself, does not decrease the value of the original chain.  For example, the forking of [Bitcoin](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-bitcoin) into B-Cash did little to affect the trajectory of the original chain.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmb6KJRQfAwHxQdFbAhrqMq2ZdWSQ9v7687tHViG3EEXpD/chain.png
<center>[Source](https://steemitimages.com/DQmb6KJRQfAwHxQdFbAhrqMq2ZdWSQ9v7687tHViG3EEXpD/chain.png)</center>

How is forking even possible?

Welcome to the world of [open source](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-open-source) software.  Since all the code is out there for everyone to see (and use) anyone with the know how can fork a blockchain.  One simply takes the code, makes a few adjustments, and starts running the software.

The key to all this is the community.  Where do people go after the fork?  This is the decision both project [developers](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-developer) and users must make.  In some situations the users' choice might be influenced by where the [application](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-application) goes. If the application is very important to the individual, then he or she will likely continue using it regardless of what blockchain it posts to.

While all of this sounds intense, in the end, I think it vital to remember what a blockchain is.  It is nothing more than a [database](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-database) of information.  The blockchain is a ledger that records [transactions](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-transaction).  At the end of the day, it will matter little to the end users which chain the transactions are recorded.

This does not mean all blockchains are the same.  There are a number of factors to consider such as the technical specs, the ability to scale, and the primary team behind the project.  A blockchain can fail to achieve success if the technical people running it are completely lost. 

Forking is the ultimate defense against tyranny.  What we see on Steem could be an example of this.  Many, if not most, believe Justin Sun entered the picture with the intention of forcing his will on the community.  Simply because he has a large stake, it implies the ability to make decisions for all involved.  After all, this is what we see in the present system.

Bear in mind, in a stake weighted system, there is some truth to this.  Steem is an interesting situation because it brings up an enormous question: is Steem's distribution decentralized enough?  [Decentralization](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-decentralization) is not a either/or proposition.  Instead, it is a sliding scale that is constantly moving.  

@bloacktrades put[ together an excellent article](https://steempeak.com/cryptocurrency/@blocktrades/cryptocurrency-forks-why-do-they-happen-and-what-happens-after) about forking of cryptocurrencies which could serve as a primer for this.  One of the key pieces I took from that was this point:

>value of old coins after the fork + value of forked coins > value of old [coins](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-coins) before the fork.

Certainly, this does not happen in every case and there are many examples of the new chains suffering a lot of setbacks (Whaleshares is an example).  Nevertheless, from a [token](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-token) holder standpoint, it might be to his or her benefit.

There is a logical reason why to totality could be increased:

>This apparent anomaly may be explained in part by the additional promotional efforts by both operators of the original [network](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-network) and the fork network, as they compete to gain user base, which could result in a larger overall user base between the two networks than previously existed in the original network.

As people start to promote the chain they are in favor of, word starts to spread.  Perhaps, as development takes place, the new chain starts to offer applications that are attractive to a new set of users.  Hence, activity on both chains ends up increasing.

The key to remember is users are not stuck in an either/or.  We saw with the tribes, which was a fork of the Steemit.com software.  This resulted in a large number of front ends coming into being almost overnight.  One is free to use anyone of them to post to the blockchain.  A fork could provide a similar situation.  If one wanted to use Steemit.com on the original chain, he or she can.  On the new chain, let us say Steempeak or a tribe switched over, then posting on there could be used.

Or even better from the users perspective, one is able to post on both chains.

Ultimately, forking provides users with more options while also further decentralizing things.  In this instance, instead of one set of [Witnesses](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-witness-hive) (or whatever term is used) running things, there would be two.  Each is running a different version of the software, something that individuals would opt into using.

In the long run, this model is a very good thing.  It is difficult in the short term simply because the entire industry is so small so we see a dilution of the entire user base.  Nevertheless, if one has a long term view while being in favor of the decentralizing of society, we can only hope for many more forks across the entire industry.  

Forking, ultimately, allows us to fine tune our communities.  It also offers the people the right to assemble wherever they want.  If a group does not like what is taking place, they are free to move elsewhere.

In the end, it is the community that determines the value of a network.

___

* [What is Hive](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-what-is-hive)

___
If you found this article informative, please give an upvote and rehive.



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@coinchaos · 
https://media.giphy.com/media/PgzZil32elnoBDy2A7/giphy.gif
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@cryptokos · 
Hi @taskmaster4450
Now people can't register an account in the steem blockchain for free. The second email does not arrive. Is this related to the incentive war? I called my friends to make votes for witnesses and they can't make an account for themselves. All dapps now put a link to registration, via steemit.com but there is no registration. What should we do?
πŸ‘  
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@melinda010100 · 
I believe eSteem app still has a few free accounts. esteem.app/hive-179017/@melinda010100
Use them wisely.
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@curatorcat.ccc · 
There's little doubt that forking *can* be a good thing **@taskmaster4450,** but it strikes me the outcome is more likely dereliction than success, *unless* there are really good reasons for the fork.

Let us go back in time to the good old days of online message board communities. Often, disagreements would arise over certain points of contention, and part of the community would declare something like *"We hate this! We're creating our OWN community!"* In essence, a primitive "fork" of sorts. 

And so, a new community is created, gets off to a roaring start... and then slowly fizzles and dies... *usually* the result of the "forkers" discovering just *how much work* it is to build and nurture a community, especially when you lack the age and resources of the seniority of the *"original"* copy. 

Meanwhile, the *"original community"* tends to live on, almost undisturbed... because of (a) the infamous *"first mover advantage"* and (b) the heavy influence of *"the silent majority."*

Golos, Whaleshares and Weku (to mention a few) are all  forks of the Steem blockchain. And they are all extraordinarily *"diluted"* copies of the original. Activity is low, their tokens are essentially worthless, development is minimal, as is growth. At worst, they become like Weku, a place where all the *"scavengers"* who didn't like getting flagged for plagiarism and scams can do their thing undisturbed... playing to an audience of... *almost nobody.*

That said, I seem *some* hope for a community like SteemLeo, if **@khaleelkazi** and crew can keep up the energy and innovation level till the community hits "critical mass" and the token might even get listed "free standing" on crypto exchanges.

=^..^=

Posted via <a href="https://steemleo.com/">Steemleo</a>
πŸ‘  
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@edicted · (edited)
>unless there are really good reasons for the fork.

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...  
Seriously? 

We've already been admonished by certain Steemit Inc devs for not doing it already. It would be nice if we could get consensus to fork before Sun bricks the chain, but we probably have to wait for him to FUBAR this up even more than it is now. 

This isn't some Podunk garbage fork that a small minority go to.  We are going to scoop the majority of the community.
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@edicted · (edited)
We're going to have to fork soonβ„’ if this stalemate lasts much longer.  This could be the most consensus a sister fork has ever received.  There will be a rally to swap chains and transfer value from Sun's chain to the Sister fork.  

The chance that Sun's chain retains any value is near zero, as the chance that he continues to invest in it further is also near zero, and the community there will be near zero as the price tanks.

Ideally, we will retake the original chain or Sun will brick it will an ill-conceived hardfork. This stalemate is going to get pretty tiresome as time goes on.
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@flak · (edited)
what a useful information concerning forks of steem,i agree with your analysis and i will keep my fingers crossed to see how things will eventually play out....@taskmaster4450

Posted via <a href="https://steemleo.com/">Steemleo</a>
πŸ‘  ,
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vote details (2)
@jankos55 · 
Who knows what may happen. Certainly having a hard fork would be beneficial for the community. Ultimately Justin Sun has bought Steemit and the ninja mined stake. If he wants to he  can take Steemit over to Tron or whatever. At this moment we have plenty of other interfaces like SteemLeo which is my favorite.

Posted via <a href="https://steemleo.com/">Steemleo</a>
πŸ‘  ,
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@melinda010100 · 
Thanks for this explanation. It helps me to understand all this! ❀️
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@olaf123 · 
### According to the Bible, *The Story of Gideon: On Making Choices and the Second Coming.*
### Watch the Video below to know the Answer...
***(Sorry for sending this comment. We are not looking for our self profit, our intentions is to preach the words of God in any means possible.)***
https://youtu.be/9pBCIKcorq8
Comment what you understand of our Youtube Video to receive our full votes. We have 30,000 #SteemPower. It's our little way to **Thank you, our beloved friend.**  
Check our [Discord Chat](https://discord.gg/vzHFNd6) 
Join our Official Community: https://steemit.com/created/hive-182074
πŸ‘  
πŸ‘Ž  , ,
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@pixresteemer · 
<center>![pixresteemer_incognito_angel_mini.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/pixresteemer/8h7BBw1w-pixresteemer_incognito_angel_mini.png)</center><center>Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!</center><center>Week 137 of my [contest](/hive-179017/@pixresteemer/the-re-hive-contest-results-week-136-and-start-week-137) just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!</center><center><sub>13</sub></center>
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@steem-ua · 
#### Hi @taskmaster4450!

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Your **UA** account score is currently 5.800 which ranks you at **#264** across all Steem accounts.
Your rank has improved 3 places in the last three days (old rank 267).

In our last Algorithmic Curation Round, consisting of 87 contributions, your post is ranked at **#5**.
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* Try to work on user engagement: the more people that interact with you via the comments, the higher your UA score!


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root_title"Why Forks Of Steem Is Going To Be A Good Thing In The Long Run"
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