@@ -9,18 +9,32 @@ hidetitle = "true"
10### What is Urbit? {#what-is-urbit}
10### What is Urbit? {#what-is-urbit}
12−Urbit reimagines the internet as a peer-to-peer network designed to stay that way. Previous attempts to "decentralize" the internet have only attempted to solve certain corners of the problem. Urbit proposes that only a new stack, built from the ground up as a tightly integrated system, can realize a great user experience for people using a peer-to-peer web.
12+Urbit reimagines the internet as a peer-to-peer network designed to stay that
13−
13+way. Previous attempts to "decentralize" the internet have only attempted to
14−Combining a deterministic operating system (Urbit OS / Arvo) and a secure, global identity layer (Urbit ID / Azimuth), the Urbit project has created something that’s never existed before: an encrypted peer-to-peer network where you can be sure that messages are never tampered with or surveilled, and where strangers on that network can be trusted by default.
14+solve certain corners of the problem. Urbit proposes that only a new stack,
15+built from the ground up as a tightly integrated system, can realize a great
16+user experience for people using a peer-to-peer web.
18+Combining a deterministic operating system ([Urbit OS](#what-is-arvo) / Arvo) and a secure,
19+global identity layer ([Urbit ID](#what-is-urbit-id) / [Azimuth](#what-is-azimuth)), the Urbit project has created
20+something that’s never existed before: an encrypted peer-to-peer network where
21+you can be sure that messages are never tampered with or surveilled, and where
22+strangers on that network can be trusted by default.
16The connected world anticipated by Urbit is a much friendlier one, much like the early Internet, where collegial discussion and collaboration was the norm. Problems that are unsolvable without large-scale political centralization in our current internet – data breaches, spam, fake reviews, malware-spreading, harassment – become tractable when individuals control their computing again. You have one login for everything. You own and control all of your software and all of your data by default. Software is designed around the friendships, families, communities, and organizations you're already a part of – not the other way around.
24The connected world anticipated by Urbit is a much friendlier one, much like the early Internet, where collegial discussion and collaboration was the norm. Problems that are unsolvable without large-scale political centralization in our current internet – data breaches, spam, fake reviews, malware-spreading, harassment – become tractable when individuals control their computing again. You have one login for everything. You own and control all of your software and all of your data by default. Software is designed around the friendships, families, communities, and organizations you're already a part of – not the other way around.
18### How secure is Urbit right now? {#how-secure-is-urbit}
26### How secure is Urbit right now? {#how-secure-is-urbit}
28+[Urbit ID](#what-is-urbit-id) / [Azimuth](#what-is-azimuth), Urbit's identity
20−Urbit ID / Azimuth, Urbit's identity layer, is live on the Ethereum blockchain
29+layer, is live on the Ethereum blockchain and has been audited by Open Zeppelin,
21−and has been audited by Open Zeppelin, Blockchain at Berkeley, and Bloctrax.
30+Blockchain at Berkeley, and Bloctrax.
32+In late 2020, Urbit's [Ames](@/docs/glossary/ames.md) networking protocol was
33+audited by [Leviathan Security](https://www.leviathansecurity.com/). You can
34+read about this milestone [here](@/blog/security-and-continuity/).
23−Urbit OS / Arvo is still an early beta. Arvo is safe to play with, but it’s not yet a place to store or share private information. Urbit's cryptographic protocols have not been professionally audited, and the OS itself doesn't provide protection from attackers on the network — although we haven't seen any yet.
36+Looking to the future, Tlon has plans to begin working to make Urbit secure
37+against attacks from quantum computers in 2021.
25### How can I contribute to Urbit? {#contribute}
39### How can I contribute to Urbit? {#contribute}
@@ -44,7 +58,13 @@ The community of people who build Urbit have widely varied ways of thinking and
45### Why aren't there more planets? {#more-planets}
59### Why aren't there more planets? {#more-planets}
47−Urbit is designed to be as simple as possible. The sponsorship tree for Urbit ID simply expands by squaring the size of the last tier. That is, there are <span class="mono">2<sup>8</sup> (256)</span> galaxies, <span class="mono">(2<sup>8</sup>)<sup>2</sup> = 2<sup>16</sup> (~65K)</span> stars, <span class="mono">(2<sup>16</sup>)<sup>2</sup> = 2<sup>32</sup> (~4B)</span> planets. There are <span class="mono">2<sup>64</sup></span> moons — but moons are tethered to their planet, unlike stars and planets.
61+Urbit is designed to be as simple as possible. The sponsorship tree for Urbit ID
62+simply expands by squaring the size of the last tier. That is, there are <span
63+class="mono">2<sup>8</sup> (256)</span> [galaxies](@/docs/glossary/galaxy.md), <span
64+class="mono">(2<sup>8</sup>)<sup>2</sup> = 2<sup>16</sup> (~65K)</span> [stars](@/docs/glossary/star.md),
65+<span class="mono">(2<sup>16</sup>)<sup>2</sup> = 2<sup>32</sup> (~4B)</span>
66+[planets](@/docs/glossary/planet.md). There are <span class="mono">2<sup>64</sup></span> [moons](@/docs/glossary/moon.md) — but moons
67+are tethered to their planet, unlike stars and planets.
49This pattern exists because it’s a simple way to enforce the scarcity of addresses and build a friendly network. When a tier of the address space begins to be populated, we start populating the next tier down. When Urbit nears the limit of <span class="mono">2<sup>32</sup> (4B)</span> planets, we’ll figure out a way to populate the <span class="mono">2<sup>64</sup></span> moons. The galaxies that govern the Urbit ID contracts can always vote to upgrade them — and we expect that they will.
69This pattern exists because it’s a simple way to enforce the scarcity of addresses and build a friendly network. When a tier of the address space begins to be populated, we start populating the next tier down. When Urbit nears the limit of <span class="mono">2<sup>32</sup> (4B)</span> planets, we’ll figure out a way to populate the <span class="mono">2<sup>64</sup></span> moons. The galaxies that govern the Urbit ID contracts can always vote to upgrade them — and we expect that they will.
@@ -56,51 +76,82 @@ It’s also worth noting that, while there are almost 8B people on Earth, there
57### Why do you use Ethereum? {#why-eth}
77### Why do you use Ethereum? {#why-eth}
79+As of 2019 (when [Azimuth](#what-is-azimuth) was launched), Ethereum is the most widely deployed,
59−As of 2019, Ethereum is the most widely deployed, most secure, and best documented general purpose blockchain. Using Ethereum is a practical engineering choice. It’s the best way to bootstrap real cryptographic ownership. We’re not specifically interested in Ethereum one way or the other.
80+most secure, and best documented general purpose blockchain. Using Ethereum is a
81+practical engineering choice. It’s the best way to bootstrap real cryptographic
82+ownership. We’re not specifically interested in Ethereum one way or the other.
61−One day we’d really like the Urbit ID registry to be hosted on Urbit OS itself. But the first challenge is getting Urbit OS to be completely secure.
84+One day we’d really like the Urbit ID registry to be hosted on [Urbit
85+OS](#what-is-arvo) itself. But the first challenge is getting Urbit OS to be
63### Why is Hoon so weird? {#why-hoon}
88### Why is Hoon so weird? {#why-hoon}
65−There are things about Urbit that are weird by design, and some that are weird because we haven’t gotten around to cleaning them up. Hoon, for the most part, is weird by design, but there are a few things about it we’d like to clean up.
90+There are things about Urbit that are weird by design, and some that are weird because we haven’t gotten around to cleaning them up. [Hoon](@/docs/glossary/hoon.md), for the most part, is weird by design, but there are a few things about it we’d like to clean up.
67The runes are, once you get the hang of them, pretty nice. Your mileage may vary, of course, but many talented engineers have spent many, many hours writing Hoon. It’s a simple, practical language. But the learning curve can be a bit high.
92The runes are, once you get the hang of them, pretty nice. Your mileage may vary, of course, but many talented engineers have spent many, many hours writing Hoon. It’s a simple, practical language. But the learning curve can be a bit high.
69The standard library and naming is something we’ve discussed changing, and it could happen. It’s definitely up for debate whether or not the four-letter naming convention works well. The vanes (kernel modules) have largely moved away from this convention.
94The standard library and naming is something we’ve discussed changing, and it could happen. It’s definitely up for debate whether or not the four-letter naming convention works well. The vanes (kernel modules) have largely moved away from this convention.
96+The right way to think about Hoon is as the ‘C of Urbit’. It’s a bare bones
97+language that gets you pretty close to Nock. Eventually, we’ll probably
71−The right way to think about Hoon is as the ‘C of Urbit’. It’s a bare bones language that gets you pretty close to Nock. Eventually, we’ll probably implement more expressive languages that compile to Urbit. But for now, satisfy your curiosity and [sign up for Hoon School](/hoonschool/).
98+implement more expressive languages that compile to Urbit. But for now, satisfy
72−
99+your curiosity and [sign up for Hooniversity](https://hooniversity.org/), a
73−### What is the point of Nock? {#why-nock}
100+community led Hoon educational organization.
75−The primary technical reason we can’t run our own computers already is that they don’t all compute the same way. Nock solves this problem. It provides a single computing foundation for the whole network. It’s also deterministic — which is an important feature for anything you’re going to put sensitive data into.
102+Another option is to treat [Urbit as an API](@/using/integrating-api.md), which
103+allows one to use common languages such as Python and Javascript to build
104+userspace programs. For now this option is not as powerful as Hoon, but
105+there is still a lot that a developer without the time or inclination to learn
77−It’s true that Nock, without jets, is slow. With the ability to call out to a native function, it’s not so bad. We’ve been working on a new Nock interpreter for Grall Truffle that’s about 10x faster than the current one — so we’re not all that worried about performance for the time being.
108+### What is the point of Nock? {#why-nock}
79−### Can I really host my Urbit with someone else? {#why-hosting}
110+The primary technical reason we can’t run our own computers already is that they
111+don’t all compute the same way. [Nock](/docs/glossary/nock.md) solves this
112+problem. It provides a single computing foundation for the whole network. It’s
113+also deterministic — which is an important feature when designing a personal
114+server with the objective of being as simple to manage as a personal computer.
81−As a rule, anyone that has physical access to your computer owns you. They can steal your secrets and read its contents. There’s no way around that. We can’t prevent anyone hosting your Urbit from inspecting it — but we think it’s much nicer to host an Urbit than to run a web service for two reasons:
116+It’s true that Nock, without jets, is slow. With the ability to call out to a
117+native function, it’s not so bad. This is done by our runtime,
118+[Vere](@/docs/glossary/vere.md), a Nock interpreter written in C.
83−One, you own your Urbit ID with a key that you never have to give your host. Your host only gets an operating key, and you can always revoke that key remotely. So, you might lose your data but it’s up to you to take good care of your identity.
120+### Can I host my Urbit with someone else? {#why-hosting}
85−Two, your Urbit runs inside a VM. There’s a very clear line over which a host should never step: your event log. This is not unlike the way that cloud hosting works today. Netflix is hosted on AWS — one of their biggest competitors. Luckily, the AWS terms of service protects Netflix from a legal standpoint.
122+Yes, [Tlon](@/blog/hosting.md) and [a few others](@/blog/providers.md) began [accepting
123+signups](https://tlon.io) for our hosting service in 2020. Under this
124+arrangement, Tlon does all the work of setting up cloud infrastructure and
125+getting your planet up and running, making getting started with Urbit as simple
126+as signing up for an ordinary online service.
87−At the end of the day, if you’re really worried about security, it’s quite easy to host Urbit yourself. This means that people who care a lot about privacy can still get the same usability as those who want the convenience of hosting.
128+Should you one day wish to run your Urbit yourself, any hosting provider ought
129+to offer you the ability to download your [ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md)'s [pier](@/docs/glossary/pier.md)
130+to your own device and do so. This is a very low frction process thanks to
131+Urbit's deterministic design.
89## Urbit ID
133## Urbit ID
91### What is Urbit ID? {#what-is-urbit-id}
135### What is Urbit ID? {#what-is-urbit-id}
93−Urbit ID is a general-purpose PKI ("public key infrastructure") that Urbit uses as an identity system. This system is implemented as a suite of smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, and it determines which Ethereum addresses own which Urbit planets, stars, or galaxies. In Urbit OS, a single identity is called a "ship", whereas in Urbit ID a single identity is just an "identity."
137+Urbit ID is a general-purpose decentralized PKI ("public key infrastructure")
138+that Urbit uses as an identity system. This system is implemented as a suite of
139+smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain, and it determines which Ethereum
140+addresses own which Urbit [planets](@/docs/glossary/planet.md),
141+[stars](@/docs/glossary/star.md), or [galaxies](@/docs/glossary/galaxy.md). In
142+[Urbit OS](#what-is-arvo), a single identity is called a
143+"[ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md)", whereas in Urbit ID a single identity is just
95### What are stars, galaxies, and planets? {#stars-galaxies-planets}
146### What are stars, galaxies, and planets? {#stars-galaxies-planets}
97Urbit IDs come in three classes: galaxies, stars, and planets. The length of an identity’s name will tell you its class. Galaxies are 8-bit and have names like `~mul`. Galaxies issue 16-bit stars (`~dacmul`), which can themselves issue 32-bit planets (`~laptel-holfur`).
148Urbit IDs come in three classes: galaxies, stars, and planets. The length of an identity’s name will tell you its class. Galaxies are 8-bit and have names like `~mul`. Galaxies issue 16-bit stars (`~dacmul`), which can themselves issue 32-bit planets (`~laptel-holfur`).
99−Planets are intended for everyday use by individuals, and there are 4.3 billion of them (two to the 32nd power). Stars and galaxies, on the other hand, are meant to act as network infrastructure: on the Urbit OS network they provide routing and are responsible for distributing software updates.
150+Planets are intended for everyday use by individuals, and there are 4.3 billion of them (two to the 32nd power). Stars and galaxies, on the other hand, are meant to act as network infrastructure: on the [Urbit OS](#what-is-arvo) network they provide routing and are responsible for distributing software updates.
101### What is Azimuth? {#what-is-azimuth}
152### What is Azimuth? {#what-is-azimuth}
103−Azimuth is what we call the set of Ethereum contracts that make up Urbit ID. It's also kind of a [cool astronomical concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azimuth).
154+[Azimuth](@/docs/glossary/azimuth.md) is what we call the set of Ethereum contracts that make up Urbit ID. It's also kind of a [cool astronomical concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azimuth).
105### How many planets, stars, and galaxies are active? {#how-many-planets-stars-galaxies}
156### How many planets, stars, and galaxies are active? {#how-many-planets-stars-galaxies}
@@ -110,29 +161,55 @@ You can also inspect and execute functions in the [azimuth.eth](https://ethersca
111### What are comets and moons? {#comets-moons}
162### What are comets and moons? {#comets-moons}
113−In addition to the three classes of identities mentioned above, there are two other kinds of Urbit ships that are _not_ registered in the Urbit ID / Azimuth contracts.
164+In addition to the three classes of identities mentioned above, there are two other kinds of Urbit [ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md)s that are _not_ registered in the Urbit ID / Azimuth contracts.
166+[Moons](@/docs/glossary/moon.md) are 64 bits, issued by
167+[planets](@/docs/glossary/planet.md), and have names like
115−Moons are 64 bits, issued by planets, and have names like `~doznec-salfun-naptul-habrys`. Moons are meant for connected devices: phones, desktops, smart TVs, digital thermostats, and other IoT devices. Moons are subordinated to their parent planet.
168+`~doznec-salfun-naptul-habrys`. Moons are meant for connected devices: phones,
169+desktops, smart TVs, digital thermostats, and other IoT devices. Moons are
170+subordinate to their parent planet. A strong analogy here is that ordinary
171+social media sites are somewhat like planets, and your account on them is a
172+moon. Urbit elevates everybody to the level of planet.
117−Comets are 128 bits and have no parents. They can be launched by anyone. They are temporary, disposable identities. Being disposable and essentially unlimited, they will likely not be trusted by default by others on the Urbit OS network, though you shouldn't have any problem until the network grows much larger. They have long, hard-to-memorize names, like `~racmus-mollen-fallyt-linpex-watres-sibbur-modlux-rinmex`.
174+[Comets](@/docs/glossary/comet.md) are 128 bits and have no parents. They can be launched by anyone. They are temporary, disposable identities. Being disposable and essentially unlimited, they will likely not be trusted by default by others on the [Urbit OS](#what-is-arvo) network, though you shouldn't have any problem until the network grows much larger. They have long, hard-to-memorize names, like `~racmus-mollen-fallyt-linpex-watres-sibbur-modlux-rinmex`.
119### What is a `@p`? Why is my username generated for me? {#what-is-patp}
176### What is a `@p`? Why is my username generated for me? {#what-is-patp}
121−A `@p` (pronounced *pat-pee*) is a name like `~zod` or `~lodleb-ritrul` composed of pronounceable, three-letter phonemic elements like `zod`, `lod`, `leb`, `rit` and `rul`. Shorter names, such as `~zod` and `~marzod`, are assigned to ships with special duties on the Arvo network stars and galaxies, respectively. Longer names like `~palfun-foslup` are identities for typical users.
178+A `@p` (pronounced *pat-pee*) is a name like `~zod` or `~lodleb-ritrul` composed
179+of pronounceable, three-letter phonemic elements like `zod`, `lod`, `leb`, `rit`
180+and `rul`. Shorter names, such as `~zod` and `~marzod`, are assigned to
181+[ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md)s with special duties on the
182+[Arvo](#what-is-arvo) network stars and galaxies, respectively. Longer names
183+like `~palfun-foslup` are identities for typical users.
123These names map directly to a corresponding number in the Urbit ID address space. Galaxies occupy the 8-bit address space, so any galaxy is actually a number between zero and 255. Stars occupy the 16-bit address space, and planets occupy the 32-bit address space.
185These names map directly to a corresponding number in the Urbit ID address space. Galaxies occupy the 8-bit address space, so any galaxy is actually a number between zero and 255. Stars occupy the 16-bit address space, and planets occupy the 32-bit address space.
187+Your name is generated for you as a solution to [Zooko's
188+triangle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooko%27s_triangle), which roughly
189+states that names on a network protocol can only be two of (i) human-meaningful,
190+(ii) secure, and (iii) decentralized. Urbit chooses (ii) and (iii), which
191+something like DNS chooses (i) and (ii).
193+Regardless, you can always choose to
194+set your nickname in [Landscape](#what-is-landscape), so if you wish for a
195+different name to displayed then you have the freedom to do so.
125### Can I change my `@p`? {#change-my-patp}
197### Can I change my `@p`? {#change-my-patp}
127Nope. There is a 1:1 mapping between name and identity. Think of your `@p` sort of like a phone number. It's just a random synthetic name that doesn't leak any personal information about you.
199Nope. There is a 1:1 mapping between name and identity. Think of your `@p` sort of like a phone number. It's just a random synthetic name that doesn't leak any personal information about you.
129### How do I get an identity? {#get-an-identity}
201### How do I get an identity? {#get-an-identity}
131−The easiest way is to find a friend who can give you one. They're out there — just ask around.
203+The easiest way is to find a friend who can give you one. They're out there —
132−
204+just ask around. You'll have a good chance of meeting one if you join Urbit
133−Or, if you must, try an ERC-721 (NFT) exchange (Google or Twitter should help you with this). This will probably involve a purchase and a transfer to an Ethereum address that you own. We recommend using [Bridge](https://bridge.urbit.org) to access the address that the identity is transferred to.
205+Community, the default group for new [ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md)s at `~bitbet-bolbel/urbit-community`,
206+as a [comet](@/docs/glossary/comet.md) and contribute pleasantly to the conversation.
135−If you don't want to use Bridge, a tool like [Etherscan](https://etherscan.io) will allow you to execute functions in the [ecliptic.eth](https://etherscan.io/address/ecliptic.eth#code) contract.
208+Or, if you must, try an ERC-721 (NFT) exchange (Google or Twitter should help
209+you with this). This will probably involve a purchase and a transfer to an
210+Ethereum address that you own. We recommend using
211+[Bridge](@/docs/glossary/bridge.md), available at
212+[https://bridge.urbit.org](https://bridge.urbit.org), to access the address that the identity is transferred to.
137### How do I transfer an identity to someone else? {#transfer-identity}
214### How do I transfer an identity to someone else? {#transfer-identity}
@@ -142,44 +219,83 @@ Access the Ethereum address that holds the identity you wish to transfer via [Br
143We recommended using [Bridge](https://bridge.urbit.org) for all Urbit ID-related operations. It’s great for managing your identities, as well as for viewing information about identities you don’t own.
220We recommended using [Bridge](https://bridge.urbit.org) for all Urbit ID-related operations. It’s great for managing your identities, as well as for viewing information about identities you don’t own.
145−Be careful about using hosted versions of Bridge not hosted on urbit.org. Since Bridge touches your private keys, it can also steal them.
222+Be careful about using online versions of Bridge not hosted on urbit.org. Since Bridge touches your private keys, it can also steal them.
147## Urbit HD Wallet
224## Urbit HD Wallet
149### What is the Urbit HD Wallet? {#urbit-hd-wallet}
226### What is the Urbit HD Wallet? {#urbit-hd-wallet}
151−The Urbit Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) Wallet is a custom Ethereum wallet based on BIP39 and BIP44 – the same underlying technology used by wallet providers like Ledger, Trezor, Metamask, and MyEtherWallet. You can think of the Urbit HD wallet as a wallet of wallets, which lets you keep a single passphrase for all of your Urbit ID keys. Urbit ID uses multiple keys with different capabilities – a bit like permissions – so that you can keep the more valuable keys in cold storage while keeping less valuable keys, used in day-to-day operation, more easily accessible. If you're only operating a planet, you shouldn't have to worry about this: you can simply think of your "master ticket" as the password to your Urbit ID. If you're operating a star or galaxy, the Urbit HD Wallet allows you to implement a multi-tier key custody scheme.
228+The [Urbit Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) Wallet](@/docs/glossary/hdwallet.md)
229+is a custom Ethereum wallet based on BIP39 and BIP44 – the same underlying
230+technology used by wallet providers like Ledger, Trezor, Metamask, and
231+MyEtherWallet. You can think of the Urbit HD wallet as a wallet of wallets,
232+which lets you keep a single passphrase for all of your Urbit ID keys. Urbit ID
233+uses multiple keys with different capabilities – a bit like permissions – so
234+that you can keep the more valuable keys in cold storage while keeping less
235+valuable keys, used in day-to-day operation, more easily accessible. If you're
236+only operating a planet, you shouldn't have to worry about this: you can simply
237+think of your "master ticket" as the password to your Urbit ID. If you're
238+operating a star or galaxy, the Urbit HD Wallet allows you to implement a
239+multi-tier key custody scheme.
153If you're interested, you can read the spec here: [Urbit HD Wallet Spec (UP 8)](https://github.com/urbit/proposals/blob/master/008-urbit-hd-wallet.md).
241If you're interested, you can read the spec here: [Urbit HD Wallet Spec (UP 8)](https://github.com/urbit/proposals/blob/master/008-urbit-hd-wallet.md).
155### What is a master ticket? {#master-ticket}
243### What is a master ticket? {#master-ticket}
157−The "master ticket" is the entropy seed from which your other Urbit ID keys are derived. It should be treated like a master password: **you should never share it with anyone, and you must store it very securely (see our practices below).** This ticket is used to derive the Ethereum wallet that holds your ownership keys, your Urbit OS key – used to boot your Urbit – and the other keys associated with your identity. You’ll have a ticket if you used the Urbit Wallet Generator or claimed a ship on our hosted version of Bridge.
245+The "master ticket" is the entropy seed from which your other Urbit ID keys are
246+derived. It should be treated like a master password: **you should never share
247+it with anyone, and you must store it very securely (see our practices below).**
248+This ticket is used to derive the Ethereum wallet that holds your ownership
249+keys, your [Urbit OS](#what-is-arvo) key – used to boot your Urbit – and the other keys
250+associated with your identity. You’ll have a master ticket if you used the Urbit
251+Wallet Generator or claimed a [ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md) on our hosted version of Bridge.
159If you're operating a planet, you can use your master ticket to authenticate with Bridge.
253If you're operating a planet, you can use your master ticket to authenticate with Bridge.
161### What is an ownership address? {#ownership-address}
255### What is an ownership address? {#ownership-address}
163−An ownership address is an Ethereum address that owns one or more of your Urbit IDs. The Urbit Wallet Generator creates one Urbit HD Wallet and associated addresses for each of your identities. Using the ownership key associated with your ownership address, you can transfer identities to other people, meaning that it’s very important to store securely.
257+An ownership address is an Ethereum address that owns one or more of your Urbit
258+IDs. The Urbit Wallet Generator creates one [Urbit HD
259+Wallet](@/docs/glossary/hdwallet.md) and associated addresses for each of your
260+identities. Using the ownership key associated with your ownership address, you
261+can transfer identities to other people, meaning that it’s very important to
165### What are proxies? {#proxies}
264### What are proxies? {#proxies}
167−Proxies are seeds derived from your master ticket used to generate sub-wallets, which in turn are used to generate keys that have the ability to execute different Urbit ID functions associated with your Urbit identity. Proxies generally have more restricted capabilities than your ownership seed. These capabilities include spawning child identities, voting, and setting networking keys.
266+[Proxies](@/docs/glossary/proxies.md) are seeds derived from your master ticket
267+used to generate sub-wallets, which in turn are used to generate keys that have
268+the ability to execute different Urbit ID functions associated with your Urbit
269+identity. Proxies generally have more restricted capabilities than your
270+ownership seed. These capabilities include spawning child identities, voting,
271+and setting networking keys.
169- Transfer proxy: Can transfer your identity to another Ethereum address.
273- Transfer proxy: Can transfer your identity to another Ethereum address.
170−- Spawn Proxy: For stars and galaxies only. Can create new child identities.
274+- Spawn Proxy: For [stars](@/docs/glossary/star.md) and [galaxies](@/docs/glossary/galaxy.md) only. Can create new child identities.
171−- Management Proxy: Can configure or set networking keys and conduct sponsorship related operations.
275+- Management Proxy: Can configure or set networking keys and conduct sponsorship
277+- Voting Proxy: [Galaxies](@/docs/glossary/galaxy.md) only. Galaxies are the part of the [galactic senate](@/docs/glossary/senate.md),
172−- Voting Proxy: Galaxies only. Galaxies are the part of the galactic senate, which means they can cast votes on new proposals including changes to the "Ecliptic" contract, which defines the operations of Azimuth.
278+ which means they can cast votes on new proposals including changes to the
279+ "[Ecliptic](@/docs/glossary/ecliptic.md)" contract, which defines the operations of [Azimuth](@/docs/glossary/azimuth.md).
174### What are seeds? {#seeds}
281### What are seeds? {#seeds}
176−All Ethereum key-pairs in the Urbit wallet system, including proxies, are produced by 128-bit cryptographically random values called seeds. These seeds are the equivalent of the BIP39 mnemonic of an Ethereum wallet and are yours alone. An ownership key pair is derived from an ownership seed and, likewise, the various proxy key pairs are generated from their respective proxy seeds.
283+All Ethereum key-pairs in the Urbit wallet system, including
284+[proxies](@/docs/glossary/proxies.md), are produced by 128-bit cryptographically
285+random values called seeds. These seeds are the equivalent of the BIP39 mnemonic
286+of an Ethereum wallet and are yours alone. An ownership key pair is derived from
287+an ownership seed and, likewise, the various proxy key pairs are generated from
288+their respective proxy seeds.
178For detailed information see the [Urbit HD Wallet Spec (UP 8)](https://github.com/urbit/proposals/blob/master/008-urbit-hd-wallet.md).
290For detailed information see the [Urbit HD Wallet Spec (UP 8)](https://github.com/urbit/proposals/blob/master/008-urbit-hd-wallet.md).
180### What does it mean to “set public keys”? {#set-public-keys}
292### What does it mean to “set public keys”? {#set-public-keys}
182−This means registering the public keys of your identity's encryption and authentication key pairs (together known as "networking keys") with Urbit ID / Azimuth, so that others can discover them. The corresponding private keys can then be used to, for example, run a ship on the Urbit OS network.
294+This means registering the public keys of your identity's encryption and
295+authentication key pairs (together known as "networking keys") with Urbit ID /
296+[Azimuth](@/docs/glossary/azimuth.md), so that others can discover them. The
297+corresponding private keys can then be used to, for example, run a
298+[ship](@/docs/glossary/ship.md) on the [Urbit OS](#what-is-arvo) network.
184You want to reset these keys if they are compromised, or if your ship has sunk. This is of little practical significance today, but resetting your networking keys resets your relationship with other ships on the network.
300You want to reset these keys if they are compromised, or if your ship has sunk. This is of little practical significance today, but resetting your networking keys resets your relationship with other ships on the network.
@@ -236,25 +352,36 @@ There are two kinds of release schemes for locked up assets: linear and conditio
237In either scheme, you start out being able to take one star out of lockup, regardless of the terms set around the lockup as a whole. This way, you get to participate with a star right away. Go do something cool!
353In either scheme, you start out being able to take one star out of lockup, regardless of the terms set around the lockup as a whole. This way, you get to participate with a star right away. Go do something cool!
239−If your lockup involved a galaxy, all of its stars will be locked up, but you will have immediate, lock-free control of the galaxy. You will likely need it to use that star.
355+If your lockup involved a [galaxy](@/docs/glossary/galaxy.md), all of its [stars](@/docs/glossary/star.md) will be locked up, but you will have immediate, lock-free control of the galaxy. You will likely need it to use that star.
241Note that the "releasing" of stars just means that they become available for you to claim. They don't automatically get transferred to you; you have to withdraw them from the appropriate lockup contract.
357Note that the "releasing" of stars just means that they become available for you to claim. They don't automatically get transferred to you; you have to withdraw them from the appropriate lockup contract.
243Linear release is the simplest: your stars will be released linearly over a period of time. Most often this is a period of four years. If you have four stars in lockup, that means you will be able to withdraw one star per year. In many cases, there is also an initial windup period which has to pass before linear releasing begins, typically one year. Since Azimuth launched in January 2019, the linear release will begin in January 2020.
359Linear release is the simplest: your stars will be released linearly over a period of time. Most often this is a period of four years. If you have four stars in lockup, that means you will be able to withdraw one star per year. In many cases, there is also an initial windup period which has to pass before linear releasing begins, typically one year. Since Azimuth launched in January 2019, the linear release will begin in January 2020.
245−Conditional release is a bit more complicated. If your stars are in conditional lockup, they're likely divided over three so-called tranches. Each of these unlocks only after a unique condition is met. Since it's difficult to verify things about the real world using smart contracts, the Galactic Senate verifies that they've been met. Once the Senate marks a condition for a tranche as cleared, it starts releasing linearly over the period of a year.
361+Conditional release is a bit more complicated. If your stars are in conditional
362+lockup, they're likely divided over three so-called tranches. Each of these
363+unlocks only after a unique condition is met. Since it's difficult to verify
364+things about the real world using smart contracts, the [Galactic
365+Senate](@/docs/glossary/senate.md) verifies that they've been met. Once the
366+Senate marks a condition for a tranche as cleared, it starts releasing linearly
367+over the period of a year.
247## Urbit OS
369## Urbit OS
249### What is Urbit OS? {#what-is-arvo}
371### What is Urbit OS? {#what-is-arvo}
373+Urbit OS, also called [Arvo](@/docs/glossary/arvo.md), is our functional and
251−Urbit OS, also called Arvo, is our functional and deterministic software stack. Arvo is written in Hoon, our purely functional programming language, which compiles to Nock, a compact bytecode language.
374+deterministic software stack. Arvo is written in [Hoon](@/docs/glossary/hoon.md), our purely functional
375+programming language, which compiles to [Nock](@/docs/glossary/nock.md), a compact bytecode language.
377+Instances of Urbit OS / Arvo, called '[ships](@/docs/glossary/ship.md)',
378+communicate as peers on what we refer to as “the [Ames](@/docs/glossary/ames.md)
253−Instances of Urbit OS / Arvo, called 'ships', communicate as peers on what we refer to as “the Urbit OS network.” Using Urbit ID, Urbit OS ships can prove their identities to one another.
379+network.” Using Urbit ID, Urbit OS ships can prove their identities to one
255### What is unique about Urbit OS / Arvo? {#what-is-unique-about-arvo}
382### What is unique about Urbit OS / Arvo? {#what-is-unique-about-arvo}
257−Arvo is different from other operating systems in many ways. One notable way is that it is completely deterministic. Processing in the system happens in a unique way: when an event happens, a transition function takes that event and the old state of Arvo, and produces an effect and a new state of Arvo. To visualize:
384+[Arvo](@/docs/glossary/arvo.md) is different from other operating systems in many ways. One notable way is that it is completely deterministic. Processing in the system happens in a unique way: when an event happens, a transition function takes that event and the old state of Arvo, and produces an effect and a new state of Arvo. To visualize:
259`[event, old state] -> [effects, new state]`
386`[event, old state] -> [effects, new state]`
@@ -262,13 +389,19 @@ All events are logged to disk, so you can always restore the system to a previou
263### How is Urbit OS / Arvo connected to Ethereum? {#arvo-ethereum}
390### How is Urbit OS / Arvo connected to Ethereum? {#arvo-ethereum}
392+When an [Arvo](@/docs/glossary/arvo.md) ship (instance) is started for the first
393+time you must use a "[keyfile](@/docs/glossary/keyfile.md)" containing the
265−When an Arvo ship (instance) is started for the first time you must use a "keyfile" containing the private keys for your identity's networking keys. Urbit ID uses the Ethereum blockchain as its decentralized ledger.
394+private keys for your identity's networking keys. Urbit ID uses the Ethereum
395+blockchain as its decentralized ledger.
267−See our [Getting Started](@/using/install.md) guide to learn how to get your ship onto the Urbit OS / Arvo network.
397+See our [Getting Started](@/using/install.md) guide to learn how to get your
398+ship onto the Urbit OS / [Ames](@/docs/glossary/ames.md) network.
269### Will the Urbit OS network survive if Ethereum dies? {#if-ethereum-dies}
400### Will the Urbit OS network survive if Ethereum dies? {#if-ethereum-dies}
402+Yes. It would be annoying, but Urbit ID / [Azimuth](@/docs/glossary/azimuth.md)
271−Yes. It would be annoying, but Urbit ID / Azimuth could be ported to another decentralized ledger, or hosted on Urbit OS / Arvo itself.
403+could be ported to another decentralized ledger, or hosted on Urbit OS /
404+[Arvo](@/docs/glossary/arvo.md) itself.
273### How do I install Urbit OS? {#install-urbit-os}
406### How do I install Urbit OS? {#install-urbit-os}
@@ -284,13 +417,16 @@ Your sponsor, a star or galaxy that your ship is connected to, may send you new
285### What is Landscape? {#what-is-landscape}
418### What is Landscape? {#what-is-landscape}
420+[Landscape](@/docs/glossary/landscape.md) is an experimental Urbit OS web
287−Landscape is an experimental Urbit OS web interface that includes social functions such as chat and publishing. You can access Landscape by navigating to `http://localhost:PORT`, where PORT is typically 80, 8080, or 8081 (check your boot messages).
421+interface that includes social functions such as chat and publishing. You can
422+access Landscape by navigating to `http://localhost:PORT`, where PORT is
423+typically 80, 8080, or 8081 (check your boot messages).
289### I have an Urbit ID, now what? {#now-what}
425### I have an Urbit ID, now what? {#now-what}
291Follow our guide on how to boot a ship [here](@/using/install.md).
427Follow our guide on how to boot a ship [here](@/using/install.md).
293−Get on the [mailing list](https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&id=be143888d2). Learn [Hoon](@/docs/tutorials/hoon/hoon-school/_index.md). Sign up for [Hoon School](@/community/hoonschool.md). [Make stuff](https://grants.urbit.org).
429+Get on the [mailing list](https://urbit.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=972a03db9e0c6c25bb58de8c8&id=be143888d2). Learn [Hoon](@/docs/tutorials/hoon/hoon-school/_index.md). Sign up for [Hooniversity](https://hooniversity.org/). [Make stuff](https://grants.urbit.org).
296## Urbit Grants
432## Urbit Grants