Create galaxy-2.md

[7flash]

Project Abstract

Galaxy is a distributed global knowledge library based on inter-connected whiteboard scenes. This is follow-up proposal on the previously completed milestone: https://github.com/w3f/Grants-Program/blob/master/applications/galaxy.md#overview

Grant level

• [x] Level 1: Up to $10,000, 2 approvals
• [ ] Level 2: Up to $30,000, 3 approvals
• [ ] Level 3: Unlimited, 5 approvals (for >$100k: Web3 Foundation Council approval)

Application Checklist

• [x] The application template has been copied and aptly renamed (project_name.md).
• [x] I have read the application guidelines.
• [x] Payment details have been provided (Polkadot AssetHub (DOT, USDC & USDT) address in the application and bank details via email, if applicable).
• [x] I understand that an agreed upon percentage of each milestone will be paid in vested DOT, to the Polkadot address listed in the application.
• [x] I am aware that, in order to receive a grant, I (and the entity I represent) have to successfully complete a KYC/KYB check.
• [x] The software delivered for this grant will be released under an open-source license specified in the application.
• [x] The initial PR contains only one commit (squash and force-push if needed).
• [x] The grant will only be announced once the first milestone has been accepted (see the announcement guidelines).
• [ ] I prefer the discussion of this application to take place in a private Element/Matrix channel. My username is: @_______:matrix.org (change the homeserver if you use a different one)

[github-actions[bot]]

CLA Assistant Lite bot All contributors have signed the CLA ✍️ ✅

[7flash]

Hi @keeganquigley @Noc2

Excellent question about adoption. We don't have any users right now, at least not anyone I'm aware of. I think it's because we don't have a straightforward onboarding process, and although there might be some people already using our apps, even then we don't have any tracking in place to be aware of it. This leads us to realization of importance in having an actual shared place where users could upload, share, discuss, sell, and connect whiteboards, - GalaxyHub Web App.

There are currently several ways to share whiteboards, - (1) Excalidraw Libraries, (2) Excalidraw-Obsidian-Plugin, (3) Galaxy-Polkadot, and (4) Galaxy-ICP, - but none of them actually provides a way to discover what others create in a way that would resemble something like Figma Community Templates (however, even latter one still missing marketplace features).

Unfortunately, it's challenging to integrate a marketplace into either of those four existing apps, due to existing storage architecture not suitable for it, in each of these cases. Therefore, a complete rewrite of Galaxy Desktop Browser is needed, to fit into the system with GalaxyHub and two new modules: Galaxy Library Database Server and Library Access Management Pallette.

I think will update the document to describe how it works in final version, and then will try to divide it into three milestones, while ensure that first milestone already demonstrates all four modules working together. Let me know if that makes sense.

Regarding Galaxy-Polkadot app, it's stable in its current version as delivered, but please don't hesistate to open any issues you want me to fix. The same with landing website, it's available here: galaxydo/landing

[keeganquigley]

@7flash additionally, could you also please add a registered physical address to the Legal Structure section? Here is the template example for reference. Thanks!

[keeganquigley]

pinging @7flash btw if you don't want to provide a registered physical address on the application, you can send it to us privately by email grants@web3.foundation instead.

[keeganquigley]

@7flash I'm closing this application due to inactivity. Let me know if I should re-open it.

[7flash]

Hi @keeganquigley sorry, the reason I haven't responded earlier, it's actually because I didn't want to steal your attention with notification of my comment, until I actually have something valuable to share.

We've been experimenting with different architectures to advance in, and here today I finally recorded a video, where I described the rationale behind all the components of our system: Galaxy Desktop Browser, Library Database Server, Access Management Pallette, GalaxyHub Web App, and GalaxyEye Browser Extension:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyvInfv3sa8

Please, if you'd like to reopen this PR, then I'll add milestone descriptions shortly.

Regarding legal structure, we don't have any entity registered yet. We're open to it once needed for any reason, but following hypha-inspired approach until then.

[keeganquigley]

Sounds good, thanks for the update @7flash will re-open.

[keeganquigley]

Hi @7flash any updates? Please note if we don't see any changes we will close the PR again in a few days due to inactivity. If you aren't ready to apply yet, I suggest we wait until you have something valuable to share, as you mentioned above, and re-open it then.

[7flash]

I have read and hereby sign the Contributor License Agreement.

[7flash]

Hi @7flash any updates? Please note if we don't see any changes we will close the PR again in a few days due to inactivity. If you aren't ready to apply yet, I suggest we wait until you have something valuable to share, as you mentioned above, and re-open it then.

I have switched grant level to 1 and condensed deliverables into a single milestone. I'll update the document later today, to describe following components:

(1) Polkadot Payments Firewall, it's delivered as a separate program, and can be used independently, whenever you want to limit access to your server only to owners of wallets whitelisted in a smart contract.

(2) Galaxy Vault, it's a database of whiteboards, powered by git and sqlite, running on your server behind the firewall.

(3) Galaxy Browser Desktop App (4) Galaxy Web Hub, as originally described.

(5) Telegram Integration allows you to drop images from your phone into remote galaxy vault canvas.

[7flash]

Thanks @7flash I see that Galaxy Browser v1.1.1 has been the only release since September 2023. Has the app gained any traction yet, and how do you plan to maintain it moving forward?

Hi! Even though I don't have any analytics enabled, I think it would be safe to assume, that version of app is not being used by anyone but maybe a few people, whom I had to guide personally in the onboarding process. The reason behind my assumption, it's simply because it requires too much effort to start using the app, more effort than potential users would be willing to invest. Therefore, in the following iterations, I'm focusing to bridge this gap, at one side simplifying user experience by introducing familiar workflows and integrations (telegram, github), and on other side producing educational/entertaining content (galaxy academy, visual debates show) and other initiatives far beyond the scope of current milestone, speaking of which, I would like primarily to focus on "Polkadot Payments Firewall" as main deliverable for this grant, since it can be used outside of galaxy project, yet its crucial part of galaxy architecture.

[keeganquigley]

Thanks @7flash sounds good, feel free to update the application with the reduced scope and costs. Make sure to indicate level 1 at the top as well. Let us know when we should take another look.