git.iko.soy/urbit.org
on master help sign in
UU Copy mostly finalized (needs a link audit) + basic bottom CTA on all pages

All of the copy elements of the site are up to parity with the author documents — the only remaining thing to do is check that each link links appropriately and to the correct/intended location, as I had to populate each link myself based on the context of the writing. Secondly, I've updated the CTA previously only located in "Project History, and it now lives on every UU page. I'd like to visually update this post-release, so consider this version an MVP. The remaining task is to get the imagery up, bar any issues that come up in review.

commit3db5c737f4207f2edc350df4623c0143f022a6ff authoré <edouard@urcad.es> dateWed 18 Dec 2019, 19:19 (7 years ago) parent9444be3
6 files changed+266−90
compare with master
unifiedsplit
content/understanding-urbit/history-people.md+17−14 content/understanding-urbit/roadmap.md+42−7 content/understanding-urbit/urbit-id.md+51−16 content/understanding-urbit/urbit-os.md+44−9 content/understanding-urbit/urbitos1-osn.md+46−9 templates/understanding-urbit/list.html+66−35
content/understanding-urbit/history-people.md+17−14
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
11+++
2−title = "History, People"
2+title = "People + History"
33description = "Where we've been and were we are now"
44weight = 5
55[extra]
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ hide_previous_title = "true"
99image = "https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/project-history/project-status-landscape-earth%402x.png"
1010+++
1111
12−So who builds this thing? Where does it come from?
12+So who builds this thing? Where does it come from? What’s the history?
1313
1414Today, Urbit is built and maintained by two companies, a community of contributors and core developers, infrastructure (star) operators, and governance (galaxy) node owners.
1515
@@ -17,27 +17,27 @@ Let’s talk first about these individual groups within the Urbit community, the
1717
1818![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
1919
20−There are currently two independent companies that work on building Urbit full-time: [Tlon]() and [urbit.live]().
20+There are currently two independent companies that work on building Urbit full-time: [Tlon](https://tlon.io/) and [urbit.live](https://urbit.live/).
2121
22−Tlon has been around since 2013 or so, and is primarily focussed on the development of Urbit OS and its user experience. Urbit.live was started in 2018 to make the onramp into Urbit as easy as possible.
22+Tlon has been around since 2013 or so, and is primarily focussed on the development of Urbit OS and its user experience. Urbit.live was started in 2018 to make the onramp into Urbit as easy as possible. Both companies contribute regularly to the code base.
2323
24−Tlon was originally granted about half of the Urbit ID address space, and has used that to fund its operations so far. Over time, Tlon plans to offer hosting and services to make using Urbit as easy as possible. Both companies contribute regularly to the code base.
24+Tlon was originally granted about half of the Urbit ID address space, and has used that to fund its operations so far. Over time, Tlon plans to offer hosting and services to make using Urbit as easy as possible.
2525
2626Tlon is also working to set up an urbit.org foundation. This is still in process, and is expected to happen in 2020.
2727
2828Urbit.live started selling Urbit IDs very early once that became possible, and also plans to offer services within the Urbit ecosystem.
2929
30−The community of contributors and core developers can primarily be found on Urbit itself, in `~dopzod/urbit-help`, the [urbit-dev mailing list]() and on [GitHub]().
30+The community of contributors and core developers has been steadily contributing to the code base since before Tlon existed, and they’re still going strong. They can primarily be found on Urbit itself, in `~dopzod/urbit-help`, the [urbit-dev mailing list](https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&id=be143888d2) and on [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit/urbit/issues).
3131
3232When the Urbit ID address space went on-chain in early 2019 there were about 2,000 star holders and 70 galaxy holders – that number has since grown steadily. For the most part, the best way to connect with them is through Urbit itself.
3333
3434![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
3535
36−Given how new and unusual Urbit is, it attracts a wide variety of interesting people — both technical and non-technical. The community is generally happy to talk to people about what Urbit is, what we’re up to, and where we’re going. The best way to get involved is to simply join `~dopzod/urbit-help` — which our [setup instructions]() can help you do.
36+Given how new and unusual Urbit is, it attracts a wide variety of interesting people — both technical and non-technical. The community is generally happy to talk to people about what Urbit is, what we’re up to, and where we’re going. The best way to get involved is to simply join `~dopzod/urbit-help` — which our [setup instructions](/using/operations/using-your-ship/) can help you do.
3737
38−For those interested in contributing there are some simple instructions on [GitHub](), but we also run a [grants program]() where we reward contributors with Urbit ID address space. Grants aren’t solely for pre-determined projects, either. If you have something you’d like to propose, we’d love to hear from you.
38+For those interested in contributing there are some simple instructions on [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit/urbit/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#contributing-to-urbit), but we also run a [grants program](https://grants.urbit.org/) where we reward contributors with Urbit ID address space. Grants aren’t solely for pre-determined projects, either. If you have something you’d like to propose, we’d love to hear from you.
3939
40−We also run a bi-monthly course called ‘Hoon School’ to teach people about the system. Hoon School is designed for anyone with the most basic technical skills — you don’t have to be an expert programmer. If you’re interested, you should [apply](). We accept everyone we can and only close the class when it gets too big.
40+We also run a bi-monthly course called ‘Hoon School’ to teach people about the system. Hoon School is designed for anyone with the most basic technical skills — you don’t have to be an expert programmer. If you’re interested, you should [apply](community/hoonschool). We accept everyone we can and only close the class when it gets too big.
4141
4242![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
4343
@@ -81,15 +81,16 @@ Tlon spends the year stabilizing Arvo and building OS 1.
8181
8282Building Urbit is about building a future where technology doesn’t control us. Instead, we look forward to a future where technology is simpler, more reliable and less invasive.
8383
84−Keep in touch while we make build this vision into reality by [joining our mailing list]() or following us on [twitter/urbit]() or [github/urbit]().
84+Keep in touch while we make build this vision into reality by [joining our mailing list](https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&id=be143888d2) or following us on [twitter/urbit](https://twitter.com/urbit) or [github/urbit](https://github.com/urbit).
8585
86−If you’re somewhat technical and you’d like to help and contribute, [install urbit]() and consider [applying for a grant]().
86+If you’re somewhat technical and you’d like to help and contribute, [install urbit](/using/install) and consider [applying for a grant](https://grants.urbit.org/s).
8787
88−If you’re interested in homesteading a community when OS 1 comes out, [apply here]().
88+If you’re interested in homesteading a community when OS 1 comes out, [apply here](community/community-grants).
8989
90−Or if you’re curious to try hoon school, [let us know]().
90+Or if you’re curious to try hoon school, [let us know](/community/hoonschool).
9191
9292<iframe name="nothing" style="display:none;"></iframe>
93+<p class="mt5">If you’d like to follow our progress, we send monthly updates via email:</p>
9394<form
9495action="https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&amp;amp;id=be143888d2"
9596method="post"
@@ -117,6 +118,8 @@ novalidate>
117118 </button>
118119 </div>
119120</div>
121+</form>
120122
121123You can also follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/urbit) or [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit).
122−</form>
124+
125+Or, preferably, on Urbit itself in `~dopzod/urbit-help`
content/understanding-urbit/roadmap.md+42−7
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ hide_previous_title = "true"
1010
1111Today, we call Urbit an ‘OS 0’. It’s an evolving open source project with a live network. In 2020, we’re planning to ship OS 1 — the first minimal but complete release of Urbit.
1212
13−As we discussed in the [last post](), we see Urbit’s primary advantage as bringing together groups to share a set of modules for communication and collaboration. As Urbit matures, the set of available modules grows and expands, and the system both stabilizes and becomes more secure.
13+As we discussed in the [last post](/understanding-urbit/urbitos1-osn), we see Urbit’s primary advantage as bringing together groups to share a set of modules for communication and collaboration. As Urbit matures, the set of available modules grows and expands, and the system both stabilizes and becomes more secure.
1414
1515Let’s walk through the sequence of milestones we have planned for 2020 and 2021.
1616
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ Let’s walk through the sequence of milestones we have planned for 2020 and 202
1919OS 0
20202019
2121
22−Today, Urbit OS is an evolving prototype. Brave explorers, open-minded systems software nerds and those who want the future to arrive as fast as possible should [install Urbit](), [check it out](), and potentially [enroll in Hoon School]().
22+Today, Urbit OS is an evolving prototype. Brave explorers, open-minded systems software nerds and those who want the future to arrive as fast as possible should [install Urbit](/using/install), [check it out](https://urbit.org/using/operations/), and potentially [enroll in Hoon School](/community/hoonschool).
2323
24−Urbit has evolved a lot during OS 0. We deployed the Urbit ID system to Ethereum and made huge strides toward the stability of Urbit OS (detailed [here]()). OS 0 has been all about refining our interface goals and making sure our system works as well as possible.
24+Urbit has evolved a lot during OS 0. We deployed the Urbit ID system to Ethereum and made huge strides toward the stability of Urbit OS (detailed [here](/blog/stable-arvo)). OS 0 has been all about refining our interface goals and making sure our system works as well as possible.
2525
2626Urbit is a community project, and the community hangs out on OS 0 to communicate and coordinate about developing the system. Come join us if you’d like to help, or just want to follow along as the system progresses.
2727
@@ -30,17 +30,17 @@ Urbit is a community project, and the community hangs out on OS 0 to communicate
3030OS 1
3131Q1 2020
3232
33−OS 1 is the first minimal but complete release of Urbit. We think of it as the [Nokia 3310]() of cloud computers.
33+OS 1 is the first minimal but complete release of Urbit. We think of it as the [Nokia 3310](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_3310) of cloud computers.
3434
3535OS 1 is a simple system to publish notes, chat and share links with groups of friends all in one place. OS 1 is stripped down, but open for anyone to extend and build on top of. It’s easy to onboard a group of friends into OS 1 via email and there will be hosting available to select groups.
3636
3737OS 1 is aimed first and foremost at communities looking to homestead a new platform they can truly make their own. We’ve been using Urbit ourselves over the years, and OS 1 is what we’ve been looking forward to using for our own daily communication and collaboration.
3838
39−While we’re excited about what OS 1 is, there are also plenty of things that it isn’t. OS 1 doesn’t have an exceptional notification system, it still lives in a browser, and it lacks great tooling for distributing new modules. While we aren’t inventing any new cryptography, Urbit also hasn’t been audited, so we aren’t calling it secure just yet.
39+While we’re excited about what OS 1 is, there are also plenty of gaps. For example, OS 1 doesn’t have an exceptional notification system, it still lives in a browser, and it lacks great tooling for distributing new modules. While we aren’t inventing any new cryptography, Urbit also hasn’t been audited, so we aren’t calling it secure just yet.
4040
4141If OS 0 is for explorers, OS 1 is for tinkerers. More like car camping than backpacking.
4242
43−Tlon is also planning to provide free hosting to a limited number of groups who want to homestead the system. (Although you can always host Urbit yourself, of course.) If you’re interested in trying OS 1 with your group of friends, [let us know]().
43+Tlon is also planning to provide free hosting to a limited number of groups who want to homestead the system. (Although you can always host Urbit yourself, of course.) If you’re interested in trying OS 1 with your group of friends, [let us know](community/community-grants).
4444
4545OS 2 is where Urbit gets easier for a broader audience to try out.
4646
@@ -75,4 +75,39 @@ OS 3 is ready for a small law firm, or an extended family, or the crypto syndica
7575
7676Where will Urbit be in 2022 or 2023? We can’t be sure exactly. We do have our eyes set on 2030 — when Urbit should be the primary platform for people to communicate and collaborate. We think our next steps are clear and we’re on the right path.
7777
78−By this point you might be wondering, who built this thing? Where did it come from? That’s next.
78+By this point you might be wondering, who built this thing? Where did it come from? That’s next.
79+
80+<iframe name="nothing" style="display:none;"></iframe>
81+<p class="mt5">If you’d like to follow our progress, we send monthly updates via email:</p>
82+<form
83+action="https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&amp;amp;id=be143888d2"
84+method="post"
85+id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
86+name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
87+class="validate form"
88+target="_blank"
89+novalidate>
90+<div class="input-group" id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
91+ <div class="mc-field-group w-100 relative">
92+ <input
93+ class="bg-white black b--black ba pa3 w-100 mb2 br0 wk-appearance-none"
94+ type="email"
95+ name="EMAIL"
96+ id="mce-EMAIL"
97+ placeholder="your@email.com"/>
98+ <button
99+ id="mc-embedded-subscribe"
100+ class="dib bn absolute bg-transparent"
101+ style="font-family: 'Inter UI', san-serif; right: 3px; top: 15px; -webkit-appearance: none;"
102+ type="submit"
103+ name="subscribe"
104+ onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Mailing List', 'Subscribe'])">
105+ <span class="fr pr1">-></span>
106+ </button>
107+ </div>
108+</div>
109+</form>
110+
111+You can also follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/urbit) or [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit).
112+
113+Or, preferably, on Urbit itself in `~dopzod/urbit-help`
content/understanding-urbit/urbit-id.md+51−16
@@ -9,27 +9,27 @@ hide_previous_title = "true"
99image = "https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/urbit-id/urbit-id-cards%402x.png"
1010+++
1111
12−Even assuming if Urbit OS is simple enough for an ordinary user to own and operate, how do they log in? How do people identify one another on this new network? When people want to get data, files and messages to one another, how do they do it? And how do you prevent spam?
12+Assuming Urbit OS is simple enough for an ordinary user to own and operate, how do they log in? How do people identify one another on this new network? When people want to get data, files and messages to one another, how do they do it? And how do we prevent spam?
1313
1414Urbit ID is the answer to all these questions. Urbit ID is a decentralized addressing and public key infrastructure designed for Urbit OS.
1515
16−Let’s talk first about what an Urbit ID is and does. Then we’ll cover its design goals and how the system works overall.
16+Let’s talk first about what an Urbit ID is and what it does. Then we’ll cover our design goals and how the system works overall.
1717
1818![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
1919
20−Your Urbit ID is a short, four-syllable name like `~ravmel-ropdyl` that you own with an eight-syllable master passkey like `~palfun-foslup-fallyn-balfus`. This name and key lets you log into Urbit OS, and it’s used to encrypt packets you send over the Urbit network. Soon it will also be the master key for a keychain that allows holding and sending of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Your Urbit ID and passkey belong to you like any other cryptographic assets. No one can take them away from you — just make sure to store the key safely.
20+Your Urbit ID is a short, four-syllable name like `~ravmel-ropdyl` that you own with an eight-syllable master passkey like `~palfun-foslup-fallyn-balfus`. This name and key lets you log into Urbit OS, and it’s used to encrypt packets you send over the Urbit network. Soon it will also be a master key that allows holding and sending of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Your Urbit ID and passkey belong to you like any other cryptographic assets. No one can take them away from you (just make sure to store the key safely).
2121
22−The Urbit ID registry is live and deployed to the Ethereum blockchain. Urbit ID isn’t specifically wedded to Ethereum – someday we’d like it to be hosted by Urbit OS itself. Also, Urbit ID is the only component of the stack using Ethereum – your Urbit OS node is hosted wherever you choose. Anyway, the Urbit ID registry keeps track of who owns what, which keys are associated with which names, and enforces the rules of address distribution. We’ll get into the details a bit more below.
22+The Urbit ID registry is live and deployed to the Ethereum blockchain. Urbit ID isn’t specifically wedded to Ethereum – someday we’d like it to be hosted by Urbit OS itself. Also, Urbit ID is the only component of the stack using Ethereum – your Urbit OS node is hosted wherever you choose. The primary function of the Urbit ID registry is to keep track of who owns what, to specify which keys are associated with which names, and to enforce the rules of address distribution. We’ll get into the details a bit more below.
2323
2424First, let’s talk about Urbit ID’s implementation and design goals, then about where we envision it going in the future.
2525
26−If you’re curious to see exactly how this system works, the code is of course [open source](). Including the source for our [phonemic naming system]() and the [visual representations](). There’s even a [Figma plugin]() for using them. There’s also an interface for interacting with Urbit ID whose source is [open too]().
26+If you’re curious to see exactly how this system works, the code is of course [open source](https://github.com/urbit/urbit). Including the source for our [phonemic naming system]() and the [visual representations](https://github.com/urbit/sigil-js). There’s even a [Figma plugin](https://github.com/urbit/sigil-figma-plugin) for using them. There’s also an interface for interacting with Urbit ID whose source is [open too](https://github.com/urbit/bridge).
2727
28−Since the Urbit ID registry is live and deployed you can even [look at the chain]().
28+Since the Urbit ID registry is live and deployed you can even [look at the chain](https://github.com/urbit/azimuth#live-contracts).
2929
3030![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
3131
32−Each Urbit ID is really just a number. From that number we generate a pronounceable name and a visually identifiable sigil. ~dalwel-fadrun is 3,509,632,436, for example.
32+Each Urbit ID is really just a number. From that number we generate a pronounceable name and a visually identifiable sigil. `~dalwel-fadrun` is `3,509,632,436`, for example.
3333
3434Urbit IDs are distributed by a sponsorship tree. At the top of the tree are 2^8 (256) galaxies. Each galaxy issues 2^8 stars, making a total of 2^16 (65K). Stars then each can issue 2^16 planets, making for 2^32 (~4B). As you might expect, each planet issues 2^32 moons.
3535
@@ -41,28 +41,63 @@ And that's it. It's a simple system. What's important is why it is the way it is
4141
4242At a high level, there are three important things to understand about the overall Urbit ID system design.
4343
44−First, scarcity: there are only 2^32 (~4B) Urbit IDs, so they cost something. Since they cost something, people are less likely to use them to spam or abuse the network. And, when you meet a stranger with an Urbit ID, you know they have some skin in the game (even without leaking personal data in either direction). Each Urbit ID is purely pseudonymous. `~dalwel-fadrun`, for example, is only proof of some stake in the network.
44+First, scarcity: there are only 2^32 (~4B) Urbit IDs, so they cost something. Since they cost something, people are less likely to use them to spam or abuse the network. When you meet a stranger with an Urbit ID, you know they have some skin in the game (even without leaking personal data in either direction). That said, each Urbit ID is purely pseudonymous, so `~dalwel-fadrun` for example, is proof of some stake in the network, but not much more.
4545
46−Second, decentralization: Urbit IDs are distributed by a sponsorship tree. Each sponsor issues a fixed number of addresses. Since there are lots of sponsors, there are lots of ways to get an Urbit ID — not just one central authority.
46+Second, decentralization: Urbit IDs are distributed by a sponsorship tree. Each sponsor issues a fixed number of addresses. Since there are lots of sponsors, there are lots of ways to get an Urbit ID — not just one central authority. Once you get one, it’s yours forever.
4747
48−Urbit IDs need a sponsor even after they’re issued (primarily for peer discovery on the Urbit network), but you can always change sponsors and sponsors can always reject children. This means bad actors can be banned and abusive sponsors can be ignored. We think this strikes a nice balance between accountability and freedom.
48+One point that’s useful to understand about sponsors is that while Urbit IDs always need a sponsor, or parent node on the network (primarily for peer discovery), it’s always possible to change sponsors and sponsors can always reject children. This means bad actors can be banned and abusive sponsors can be ignored. We think this strikes a nice balance between accountability and freedom.
4949
50−Finally, governance: galaxies (the top of the sponsorship tree) form a senate that can upgrade the logic of the Urbit ID system by majority vote. We think Urbit ID will last for quite a long time, but if it ever needs to be changed, the galaxies can vote to approve, reject, or propose changes to the contracts. Code may be law, but ultimately we acknowledge that human judgment can’t be factored out.
50+Third, governance: galaxies (the top of the sponsorship tree) form a senate that can upgrade the logic of the Urbit ID system by majority vote. We think Urbit ID will last for quite a long time, but if it ever needs to be updated, the galaxies can vote to approve, reject, or propose changes to the contracts. Code may be law, but ultimately we acknowledge that human judgment can’t be factored out.
5151
52−The Urbit ID sponsorship tree is not intended to be a social system in any way. Interactions between people and communities on the Urbit network are peer-to-peer, entirely organic and completely uncontrolled by the address hierarchy. Urbit ID is simply an authentication substrate upon which reputation and communication systems can be built.
52+The Urbit ID sponsorship tree is not intended to be a social system in any way. Interactions between people and communities on the Urbit network are peer-to-peer, entirely organic and completely uncontrolled by the address hierarchy. Urbit ID is simply an authentication substrate upon which reputation and communication systems can be built. (We’ve even considered renaming stars and galaxies ‘infrastructure’ and ‘governance’ nodes, respectively).
5353
54−For this reason, we’ve even considered renaming stars and galaxies ‘infrastructure’ and ‘governance’ nodes, respectively. Your relationship with your sponsor should be sort of like your ISP or a utility provider: a passive, non-invasive relationship. If it isn’t to your liking, moving to a new one should be very easy.
54+Your relationship with your sponsor should be sort of like your ISP or a utility provider: a passive, non-invasive relationship. If it isn’t to your liking, moving to a new sponsor is very easy.
5555
5656![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
5757
5858Urbit IDs are property, and we think of the entire registry of Urbit IDs as a vast territory of digital land.
5959
60−The scarcity of Urbit ID address space gives it value and in turn helps bootstrap decentralization even while the project is young. Broad distribution is important – If Urbit is going to last a long time and succeed as neutral infrastructure, it has to be owned and controlled by a wide variety of people.
60+The scarcity of Urbit ID address space gives it value and that in turn helps bootstrap decentralization even while the project is young. Broad distribution is important – If Urbit is going to last a long time and succeed as neutral infrastructure, it has to be owned and controlled by a wide variety of people.
6161
62−When we launched the Urbit ID system, in January of 2019, there were a couple thousand different star and galaxy holders acting as stewards of this digital land. Since then, that number is steadily on the rise.
62+When we launched the Urbit ID system, in January of 2019, there were a couple thousand different star and galaxy holders acting as stewards of this digital land. Since then, that number has been steadily on the rise.
6363
6464![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
6565
6666Ultimately, we want your Urbit ID to feel like a civilizational key. If your Urbit ID were a piece of hardware, you could tap it to unlock a door, swipe it to buy a coffee, and plug it into any computer to log in. Your Urbit ID should be a unique, beautiful object that’s both an address and a wallet. It’s a key to a secret club and the ticket to your digital life.
6767
68−Moving on, let’s talk about what we want this whole stack to feel like as a user experience.
68+Moving on, let’s talk about what we want this whole stack to feel like as a user experience.
69+
70+<iframe name="nothing" style="display:none;"></iframe>
71+<p class="mt5">If you’d like to follow our progress, we send monthly updates via email:</p>
72+<form
73+action="https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&amp;amp;id=be143888d2"
74+method="post"
75+id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
76+name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
77+class="validate form"
78+target="_blank"
79+novalidate>
80+<div class="input-group" id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
81+ <div class="mc-field-group w-100 relative">
82+ <input
83+ class="bg-white black b--black ba pa3 w-100 mb2 br0 wk-appearance-none"
84+ type="email"
85+ name="EMAIL"
86+ id="mce-EMAIL"
87+ placeholder="your@email.com"/>
88+ <button
89+ id="mc-embedded-subscribe"
90+ class="dib bn absolute bg-transparent"
91+ style="font-family: 'Inter UI', san-serif; right: 3px; top: 15px; -webkit-appearance: none;"
92+ type="submit"
93+ name="subscribe"
94+ onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Mailing List', 'Subscribe'])">
95+ <span class="fr pr1">-></span>
96+ </button>
97+ </div>
98+</div>
99+</form>
100+
101+You can also follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/urbit) or [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit).
102+
103+Or, preferably, on Urbit itself in `~dopzod/urbit-help`
content/understanding-urbit/urbit-os.md+44−9
@@ -9,21 +9,21 @@ hide_previous_title = "true"
99image = "https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png"
1010+++
1111
12−For the most part, we use our laptops simply as access points to MEGACORP services. Our phones are the same way. These services are amazing and convenient. But for that convenience we’ve traded away control, ownership and privacy. The way we live our digital lives is completely out of our hands.
12+For the most part, we use our laptops simply as access points to MEGACORP services. Our phones are the same. These services are amazing and convenient. But for that convenience we’ve traded away control, ownership and privacy. The way we live our digital lives is completely out of our hands.
1313
1414![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
1515
16−Today’s MEGACORP monopolies retain their control because of one central technical advantage: they make the server side usable. In exchange, they mine your data.
16+Today’s MEGACORP monopolies retain their control because of one central technical advantage: they make the server side usable.
1717
18−Urbit OS is built to break these monopolies at this central point of control. Urbit OS makes the server side usable for individuals and cuts out the MEGACORP.
18+Urbit OS is built to break these monopolies at this central point of control. Urbit OS makes the server side usable for individuals without the need for MEGACORP to run their software.
1919
20−In 1974 a computer was the size of a room and was shared by hundreds of people. By 1984 a computer was the size of a desk and everyone had their own. With the rise of the internet, the PC has slowly become irrelevant.
20+We’ve already been through this before. In 1974 a computer was a mainframe the size of a room and was shared by hundreds of people. By 1984 a computer was the size of a desk and everyone had their own PC. The PC was more flexible and more fun, so it won by a wide margin. Then, with the rise of the internet, the PC’s flexibility slowly became irrelevant.
2121
22−Today, MEGACORP runs giant server farms that everyone shares. We’re basically back to the timesharing model of the 70s. If everyone had their own Urbit OS we could talk directly to one another, shape our communities and explore what networked, multiplayer computing should look like.
22+Today, we’re more or less back to the timesharing model of the 1970s. Urbit OS is the PC to MEGACORP’s mainframe. It’s more flexible, more fun, and most of all, poised to capture the everyday creativity of the individual.
2323
2424Let’s talk about how we think we’re going to pull this off from a technical standpoint, and our vision for using Urbit.
2525
26−If you’d like to skip ahead to exactly what Urbit will be like to use [go ahead](). Or if you’re someone who just wants to head to the source, [it’s here](). In that case you may also want to [read the docs]() to get up and running.
26+If you’d like to skip ahead to what Urbit will be like to use [go ahead](/understanding-urbit/urbitos1-osn). Or if you’re someone who just wants to head to the source, [it’s here](https://github.com/urbit/urbit#urbit). In that case you may also want to [read the docs](https://urbit.org/docs/) to get up and running.
2727
2828![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
2929
@@ -49,10 +49,45 @@ This sounds like a lot — but the whole stack is incredibly compact. The whole
4949
5050But why did we build all this technology?
5151
52−First and foremost, to deliver a better user experience. Urbit OS alone is just a new layer for personal computing in the cloud. But with this new layer we open up the possibility of building a completely unified interface for people to compute in the cloud. (If you’d like to skip to how we envision that interface [go for it]().)
52+First and foremost, to deliver a better user experience. Urbit OS alone is just a new layer for personal computing in the cloud. But with this new layer we open up the possibility of building a completely unified interface for people to compute in the cloud. (If you’d like to skip to how we envision that interface [go for it](/understanding-urbit/urbitos1-osn).)
5353
54−From a broader perspective, it’s clear that connected computing is important, and here to stay. We just want it to be as calm, simple and reliable as possible. And we think it’s impossible to get there using existing technology.
54+From a broader perspective, it’s clear that connected computing is important and that it’s here to stay. We just want it to be as calm, simple and reliable as possible, and we don’t think can happen using existing technology.
5555
5656All of Urbit is built to function as a single stack, and we think that building a useful product is the best way to mature the system as a whole. That said, each component of this system can be used on its own. Don’t like our client? That’s okay, you can build your own. Don’t want to use Urbit OS? No problem — you can use Urbit ID as an authentication system for some other OS, or for anything, really.
5757
58−Speaking of Urbit ID, let’s talk about what that actually is.
58+Speaking of Urbit ID, let’s talk about what that actually is.
59+
60+<iframe name="nothing" style="display:none;"></iframe>
61+<p class="mt5">If you’d like to follow our progress, we send monthly updates via email:</p>
62+<form
63+action="https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&amp;amp;id=be143888d2"
64+method="post"
65+id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
66+name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
67+class="validate form"
68+target="_blank"
69+novalidate>
70+<div class="input-group" id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
71+ <div class="mc-field-group w-100 relative">
72+ <input
73+ class="bg-white black b--black ba pa3 w-100 mb2 br0 wk-appearance-none"
74+ type="email"
75+ name="EMAIL"
76+ id="mce-EMAIL"
77+ placeholder="your@email.com"/>
78+ <button
79+ id="mc-embedded-subscribe"
80+ class="dib bn absolute bg-transparent"
81+ style="font-family: 'Inter UI', san-serif; right: 3px; top: 15px; -webkit-appearance: none;"
82+ type="submit"
83+ name="subscribe"
84+ onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Mailing List', 'Subscribe'])">
85+ <span class="fr pr1">-></span>
86+ </button>
87+ </div>
88+</div>
89+</form>
90+
91+You can also follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/urbit) or [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit).
92+
93+Or, preferably, on Urbit itself in `~dopzod/urbit-help`
content/understanding-urbit/urbitos1-osn.md+46−9
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
11+++
2−title = "Urbit OS1 –> OSN"
2+title = "Urbit OS¹ -> OSⁿ"
33description = "A quick tour of the technology"
44weight = 3
55[extra]
@@ -8,19 +8,21 @@ hide_next_title = "true"
88hide_previous_title = "true"
99+++
1010
11+# Urbit Interface
12+
1113We started at the bottom of the stack, years ago, with the VM. We’re just now getting to the top: the interface. Urbit ID and Urbit OS are great tools — but technology on its own isn’t enough. As far as we’re concerned, if people don’t actually use this thing, it doesn’t matter.
1214
1315Urbit, VM to UI, is meant to feel like the a desktop OS for a networked world: a single, unified system where you can interact with, update and archive all of your personal data; communicate with your friends and family; and collaborate with the people you work with.
1416
15−One way to imagine Urbit is as the Western answer to WeChat: a seamless, multi-purpose, vastly extensible social network, but without the surveillance. As a platform anyone can extend, we see Urbit as the ultimate productivity tool: no more frankenstack of apps and services needed for companies and collaborators – because everything lives in one interface. With the power to build whatever you want on top of Urbit, you can bring everything together in one place.
17+One way to imagine Urbit is as the Western answer to WeChat: a seamless, multi-purpose, vastly extensible social network, but without the surveillance. As a platform anyone can extend, we see Urbit as the ultimate productivity tool: no more frankenstack of apps and services needed for companies and collaborators, because everything lives in one interface. With the power to build whatever you want on top of Urbit, you can bring everything together in one place.
1618
1719In early 2020, we’ll release what we’re calling OS 1 — the first minimal but complete user experience for Urbit. OS 1 brings together the whole Urbit stack into a single interface. OS 1 is simple in the extreme. It’s a calm, ad-free, privacy-respecting environment to homestead new digital communities.
1820
19−We’ve got a pretty clear picture of OS 1, 2 and 3 which we’ll explain in [the roadmap](). Here, we’ll focus on the vision for Urbit as a user experience.
21+We’ve got a pretty clear picture of OS 1, 2 and 3 which we’ll explain in [the roadmap](/understanding-urbit/roadmap). Here, we’ll focus on the vision for Urbit as a user experience.
2022
2123![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
2224
23−In the current world of apps and services, there’s no operating system in any meaningful sense. Our laptops and phones just let us switch between services. Our communities, co-workers and lives are spread between these services — the work of combining them is left to the user. You have to remember all your passwords, who sent what message where, what files are on which platform, and so on.
25+In the current world of apps and services, there’s no operating system in any meaningful sense. Our laptops and phones just let us switch between services. Our communities, co-workers and lives are spread between these services — and the work of combining them is left to the user. You have to remember all your passwords, who sent what message where, what files are on which platform, and so on.
2426
2527The most severely lacking thing about our digital lives today is that they lack a sense of place or a sense of home.
2628
@@ -38,13 +40,13 @@ In Urbit, there are two building blocks: groups and modules. A group is exactly
3840
3941Think of a module like a particular way of communicating. Usually, groups have a few different ways they want to communicate. Urbit makes this simple and straightforward. With one group, you may decide to chat and share photos. Another might share annotated research, watch the markets, and manage payments on a blockchain.
4042
41−Bringing together a group and customizing the modules it shares is easy. Building a new module is pretty straightforward, no more difficult than building an iOS app — although you do have to learn about the Urbit stack.
43+Creating a group and customizing the modules it shares is easy. Building a new module is pretty straightforward as well, no more difficult than building an iOS app — although you do have to learn about the Urbit stack.
4244
4345![](https://media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/your-last-computer/your-last-computer-waves%402x.png)
4446
4547We think this basic metaphor can scale, over time, to be useful in many different contexts.
4648
47−For example, parents might give their young children an Urbit that’s locked, at first, to only two groups: family and friends from school. It might also be limited to one module: chat.
49+For example, parents might give their young children an Urbit that’s locked, at first, to only two groups: family and friends from school. It might also be limited to one module: chat.
4850
4951A broader group of siblings, parents and grandparents might create a group with a few more modules to share photos, chat and coordinate events.
5052
@@ -58,6 +60,41 @@ Centralized services are great at replacing broadcast media: distributing conten
5860
5961Urbit is for everything else. That is, Urbit is for actual two-way communication: keeping a group of friends connected, staying in touch with your family, or working with a group of collaborators.
6062
61−We designed Urbit to become the best tool for communicating with friends and family or collaborating with peers. It’s a social network, but much calmer and more purposeful. It’s a productivity tool, but much more secure and powerful.
62−
63−How do we get to this future? By staying focussed, writing code, and iterating through design. We have a rough outline of this process — let’s walk through it.
63+We designed Urbit to become the best tool for communicating with friends and family, or collaborating with peers. It’s a social network, but much calmer and more purposeful. It’s a productivity tool, but much more secure and powerful.
64+
65+How do we get to this future? By staying focussed, writing code, and iterating through design. We have a rough outline of this process — let’s walk through it.
66+
67+<iframe name="nothing" style="display:none;"></iframe>
68+<p class="mt5">If you’d like to follow our progress, we send monthly updates via email:</p>
69+<form
70+action="https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&amp;amp;id=be143888d2"
71+method="post"
72+id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
73+name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
74+class="validate form"
75+target="_blank"
76+novalidate>
77+<div class="input-group" id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
78+ <div class="mc-field-group w-100 relative">
79+ <input
80+ class="bg-white black b--black ba pa3 w-100 mb2 br0 wk-appearance-none"
81+ type="email"
82+ name="EMAIL"
83+ id="mce-EMAIL"
84+ placeholder="your@email.com"/>
85+ <button
86+ id="mc-embedded-subscribe"
87+ class="dib bn absolute bg-transparent"
88+ style="font-family: 'Inter UI', san-serif; right: 3px; top: 15px; -webkit-appearance: none;"
89+ type="submit"
90+ name="subscribe"
91+ onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Mailing List', 'Subscribe'])">
92+ <span class="fr pr1">-></span>
93+ </button>
94+ </div>
95+</div>
96+</form>
97+
98+You can also follow us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/urbit) or [GitHub](https://github.com/urbit).
99+
100+Or, preferably, on Urbit itself in `~dopzod/urbit-help`
templates/understanding-urbit/list.html+66−35
@@ -32,48 +32,79 @@
3232
3333</nav>
3434<!-- content -->
35−<h1 id="introduction" class="mb4 full mt4 c4-10-lg">What Urbit Is</h1>
36−<section class="full-bleed full grid12">
37− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We think the internet can’t be saved. The way things are going, MEGACORP will always control our apps and services because we can no longer run them ourselves.
38−
39− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">The only way out of this mess is with a completely new platform that’s owned and controlled by its users.</p>
35+<section class="c4-10-lg">
36+ <h1 id="introduction" class="mb4 full mt4 ">What Urbit Is</h1>
37+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We think the internet can’t be saved. The way things are going, MEGACORP will always control our apps and services because we can no longer run them ourselves.</p>
38+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">The only way out of this mess is with a completely new platform that’s owned and controlled by its users.</p>
39+ <img class="full mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
40+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit is a new OS and peer-to-peer network that’s simple by design, built to last forever, and 100% owned by its users. Under the hood, Urbit is a clean-slate software stack compact enough that an individual developer can understand and control it completely.</p>
41+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We built this new stack to give people a single integrated tool for communicating and building communities – a tool they can trust, control, and extend to their liking. We want to do away with the terrible user experience of the current ‘frankenstack’ of apps and services that we all use today. </p>
42+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit is designed to become an effective, customizable productivity tool for collaborators, and a calm noninvasive communication tool for friends and families.</p>
43+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">This probably sounds crazy, so let’s get concrete and talk about (1) Urbit as a piece of technology and (2) Urbit as a user experience.</p>
44+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy b">1 - Technology</p>
45+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Technically, Urbit is two components: Urbit OS and Urbit ID.</p>
46+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Both are completely <a class="bb" href="/understanding-urbit/urbit-os">open</a> <a class="bb" href="/understanding-urbit/urbit-id">source</a> and MIT licensed.</p>
47+ <img class="full mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
48+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit OS is a new, carefully architected software stack: a VM, programming language and kernel designed to run software for an individual. </p>
49+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit OS is a program that runs on almost any cloud server, most laptops and many phones: anything with Unix and an internet connection. Urbit OS is completely sealed from the system it runs on, sort of like WASM or the JVM. We sometimes call it an ‘overlay OS’.</p>
50+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">In an Urbit world, each person has their own Urbit OS node, or ‘urbit’. Your urbit is secure and private to you and entirely under your control. When you want to connect with others, you connect to their urbit directly — rather than going through a centralized service. </p>
51+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">If you’re curious to dive even deeper into Urbit OS, feel free to <a class="bb" href="/understanding-urbit/urbit-os">skip ahead</a>.</p>
52+ <img class="full mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
53+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit ID is an identity and authentication system specifically designed to work with Urbit OS. When you boot or log in to Urbit OS, you use your Urbit ID. </p>
54+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Your Urbit ID is a short, memorable name (like </code>~ravmel-ropdyl</code>) that’s a username, network address and crypto wallet all in one. It’s registered on a blockchain, you own it with a key and no one can take it away from you. Urbit IDs are cryptographic property. </p>
55+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit IDs aren’t money, but they are scarce, so each one costs something. This means that when you meet a stranger on the Urbit network, they have some skin in the game and are less likely to be a bot or a spammer.</p>
56+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">The Urbit ID system is live and deployed, and we don’t plan to change it all that much. It works well. If you’re curious to dive further into the details, jump ahead to <a class="bb" href="/understanding-urbit/urbit-id">this post</a></p>
57+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy b">2 - User experience</p>
58+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We want Urbit to be a single, simple interface for your whole digital life.</p>
59+ <img class="full mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
60+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Over the years, Urbit has been built in public as an open source project. Anyone can <a class="bb" href="/using/install/">join the network</a> and check out what we’re up to. It’s a bit like signing on to IRC in the early 90s. </p>
61+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">In early 2020, we’ll release Urbit OS 1: a minimal interface for group communication, and our first complete interface. OS 1 is a tool to chat, share notes and links, and stay connected. </p>
62+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">OS 1 is the first step toward a truly complete OS for a networked world. </p>
63+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Over time, Urbit will grow into a system that can bring together all our different modes of communicating: chat, payments, documents, images, biometric data. We want individuals and their communities to be able to both control their software in fact, through the source code, and in action, through a simple interface.</p>
64+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We want to leave behind a world of apps and services for one where we can bring everything together in one place. And, in doing so, ordinary users can create customized digital environments for their friends and communities.</p>
65+ <img class="full mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
66+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">To see how we’re going to get there, let’s walk through these two pieces of new technology individually, Urbit OS and Urbit ID. We’ll then talk about our vision for the future and how we’ll get there.</p>
67+ <p class="full mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">For technical people, it’s important to note that Urbit as a stack is in no way required to be used together. Don’t like our client? Feel free to build your own. Just like the Urbit ID system? No problem — use it! Ultimately, we think that new technology is most likely to get adopted if it can provide a much, much better user experience. So that’s what we’re focussing on creating.</p>
4068
41− <img class="full c4-10-lg mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
42−
43− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit is a new OS and peer-to-peer network that’s simple by design, built to last forever, and 100% owned by its users. Under the hood, Urbit is a clean-slate software stack compact enough that an individual developer can understand and control it completely.</p>
44− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We built this new stack to give people a single integrated tool for communicating and building communities – a tool they can trust, control, and extend to their liking. We want to do away with the terrible user experience of the current ‘frankenstack’ of apps and services that we all use today. </p>
45− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit is designed to become an effective, customizable productivity tool for collaborators, and a calm noninvasive communication tool for friends and families.</p>
46− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">This probably sounds crazy, so let’s get concrete and talk about (1) Urbit as a piece of technology and (2) Urbit as a user experience.</p>
47− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy b">1 - Technology</p>
48− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Technically, Urbit is two components: Urbit OS and Urbit ID. Both are completely [open]() [source]() and MIT licensed.</p>
49− <img class="full c4-10-lg mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
50− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit OS is a new, carefully architected software stack: a VM, programming language and kernel designed to run software for an individual. </p>
51− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit OS is a program that runs on almost any cloud server, most laptops and many phones: anything with Unix and an internet connection. Urbit OS is completely sealed from the system it runs on, sort of like WASM or the JVM. We sometimes call it an ‘overlay OS’.</p>
52− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">In an Urbit world, each person has their own Urbit OS node, or ‘urbit’. Your urbit is secure and private to you and entirely under your control. When you want to connect with others, you connect to their urbit directly — rather than going through a centralized service. </p>
53− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">If you’re curious to dive even deeper into Urbit OS, feel free to [skip ahead]().</p>
54− <img class="full c4-10-lg mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
55− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit ID is an identity and authentication system specifically designed to work with Urbit OS. When you boot or log in to Urbit OS, you use your Urbit ID. </p>
56− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Your Urbit ID is a short, memorable name (like ~ravmel-ropdyl) that’s a username, network address and crypto wallet all in one. It’s registered on a blockchain, you own it with a key and no one can take it away from you. Urbit IDs are cryptographic property. </p>
57− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Urbit IDs aren’t money, but they are scarce, so each one costs something. This means that when you meet a stranger on the Urbit network, they have some skin in the game and are less likely to be a bot or a spammer.</p>
58− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">The Urbit ID system is live and deployed, and we don’t plan to change it all that much. It works well. If you’re curious to dive further into the details, jump ahead to [this post]().</p>
59− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy b">2 - User experience</p>
60− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We want Urbit to be a single, simple interface for your whole digital life.</p>
61− <img class="full c4-10-lg mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
62− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Over the years, Urbit has been built in public as an open source project. Anyone can [join the network]() and check out what we’re up to. It’s a bit like signing on to IRC in the early 90s. </p>
63− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">In early 2020, we’ll release Urbit OS 1: a minimal interface for group communication, and our first complete interface. OS 1 is a tool to chat, share notes and links, and stay connected. </p>
64− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">OS 1 is the first step toward a truly complete OS for a networked world. </p>
65− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">Over time, Urbit will grow into a system that can bring together all our different modes of communicating: chat, payments, documents, images, biometric data. We want individuals and their communities to be able to both control their software in fact, through the source code, and in action, through a simple interface.</p>
66− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">We want to leave behind a world of apps and services for one where we can bring everything together in one place. And, in doing so, ordinary users can create customized digital environments for their friends and communities.</p>
67− <img class="full c4-10-lg mb4" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/media.urbit.org/site/understanding-urbit/intro/intro-0.jpg"/>
68− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">To see how we’re going to get there, let’s walk through these two pieces of new technology individually, Urbit OS and Urbit ID. We’ll then talk about our vision for the future and how we’ll get there.</p>
69− <p class="full c4-10-lg mt0 mb4 mb4-xl lh-copy">For technical people, it’s important to note that Urbit as a stack is in no way required to be used together. Don’t like our client? Feel free to build your own. Just like the Urbit ID system? No problem — use it! Ultimately, we think that new technology is most likely to get adopted if it can provide a much, much better user experience. So that’s what we’re focussing on creating.</p>
69+ <iframe name="nothing" style="display:none;"></iframe>
70+ <p class="mt5">If you’d like to follow our progress, we send monthly updates via email:</p>
71+ <form
72+ action="https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&amp;amp;id=be143888d2"
73+ method="post"
74+ id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
75+ name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form"
76+ class="validate form"
77+ target="_blank"
78+ novalidate>
79+ <div class="input-group" id="mc_embed_signup_scroll">
80+ <div class="mc-field-group w-100 relative">
81+ <input
82+ class="bg-white black b--black ba pa3 w-100 mb2 br0 wk-appearance-none"
83+ type="email"
84+ name="EMAIL"
85+ id="mce-EMAIL"
86+ placeholder="your@email.com"/>
87+ <button
88+ id="mc-embedded-subscribe"
89+ class="dib bn absolute bg-transparent"
90+ style="font-family: 'Inter UI', san-serif; right: 3px; top: 15px; -webkit-appearance: none;"
91+ type="submit"
92+ name="subscribe"
93+ onclick="_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Mailing List', 'Subscribe'])">
94+ <span class="fr pr1">-></span>
95+ </button>
96+ </div>
97+ </div>
98+ </form>
99+ <p class="full mt3 mb3 mb3-xl lh-copy">You can also follow us on <a class="bb" href="https://twitter.com/urbit">Twitter</a> or <a class="bb" href="https://github.com/urbit">Github</a>.</p>
100+ <p class="full mt0 mb3 mb4-xl lh-copy">Or, preferably, on Urbit itself in <code>`~dopzod/urbit-help`</code></p>
70101
71102</section>
72103
73104<footer class="relative mt4 c4-10-lg full">
74105 {% set posts = get_section(path="understanding-urbit/_index.md") %}
75106 {% for directorypage in posts.pages | slice (end=1) %}
76− <a class="bb-0" href="{{directorypage.permalink}}">
107+ <a href="{{directorypage.permalink}}">
77108 <nav class="previous absolute right-2 t-right">
78109 <p data-flat="true" class="mt5 mb6">{{directorypage.title}}</p>
79110 </nav>