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Topic: BitDrop (or ShadyDeliveryNetwork), a non-robotic courier system (Read 30329 times)

newbie
Activity: 63
Merit: 0
Non-robotic courier system. You mean traditional delivery?
hero member
Activity: 960
Merit: 514
There is a system like this that I've thought.

It's centralized. But people can order one thing to be sent to another anonymously. All they need is an anonymous phone number
staff
Activity: 4256
Merit: 1203
I support freedom of choice
Maybe this discussion should be moved to "Project Development" Smiley
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1035

If it doesn't involve parkour over building rooftops, they're not doing it right Smiley
staff
Activity: 4256
Merit: 1203
I support freedom of choice
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1035
Final reply

Quote
Hi!

Right now our hands are so full of urgent matters that any distraction from the main service would be disastrous. However, we have plans to open certain aspects of our platform, so utilizing some parts of our platform (reputation system and location databases etc.) in other kind of services are not completely out of question in longer term. Basically we would provide API or something like that, and community could use these to build their own services.

Br,
Nikolaus
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1035
Got a reply saying they love the idea, but that they don't have the resources or manpower. I replied asking for clarification on whether they mean they lack resources to get it coded and set up, or to deal with the resulting po-po fallout afterwards.
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1035
I would still really love to see this idea become a reality, and just thought that one of the biggest obstacles to making that happen is establishing a network (same problem as establishing a mesh network). Easiest way to get over that problem is to piggy-back on an already established network. And then I remembered that we already have an established P2P physical network: LocalBitcoins.com.
Opinions on whether we should start bugging the localbitcoins guys, and get some coding done to incorporate exchange of stuff along with exchange of bitcoins?
I'd guess that would stand a good chance of getting off the ground, imho establishing a platform for the network to run would come first though. Been keeping an eye on whats happening with Open Transactions as that might make a good platform and it looks like its developing fast. Once something anyone can just download and use is running there then similar bounties towards integrating a courier network into the phone app might work.

Maybe, but, again, that's just piggy-backing on the OT network, which may be a bit more difficult, since a lot of OT will be for anonymous type stuff.The reason I thought of LocalBitcoin is because they already have a network within physical space. Should I go ahead and contact the guy running it to see what he thinks?
legendary
Activity: 1680
Merit: 1035
I would still really love to see this idea become a reality, and just thought that one of the biggest obstacles to making that happen is establishing a network (same problem as establishing a mesh network). Easiest way to get over that problem is to piggy-back on an already established network. And then I remembered that we already have an established P2P physical network: LocalBitcoins.com.
Opinions on whether we should start bugging the localbitcoins guys, and get some coding done to incorporate exchange of stuff along with exchange of bitcoins?
hero member
Activity: 668
Merit: 501
a guy in austria is actually launching a professional p2p transport system, though not based on bitcoin yet.

http://www.checkrobin.com/

Hannes Jagerhofer is behind this idea, he also launched the very successful checkfelix.com (flight search engine)

let him know this is is a good idea and he should implement bitcoin support Wink
member
Activity: 96
Merit: 10
A few months ago. Where have you been  Grin
420
hero member
Activity: 756
Merit: 500
why Nefario a scammer?

going up norcal->Socal back a few times coming up if anyone needs deliveries

Legal stuff
why is Nefario a scammer LOL

He closed down GLBSE.

oh. i didn't lose anyting to that

how long was that up?
vip
Activity: 1316
Merit: 1043
👻
why Nefario a scammer?

going up norcal->Socal back a few times coming up if anyone needs deliveries

Legal stuff
why is Nefario a scammer LOL

He closed down GLBSE.
420
hero member
Activity: 756
Merit: 500
why Nefario a scammer?

going up norcal->Socal back a few times coming up if anyone needs deliveries

Legal stuff
sr. member
Activity: 312
Merit: 265
Please note that there is 500 LTC in this account,

https://booster.io/tipjar/0c8xe2g

Who put it in there ? It is now a solid amount.
sr. member
Activity: 457
Merit: 250
Look for the bear necessities!!
I have a feeling that the primary reason for the success of this delivery network will be the option to have "dark packages" delivered.  Meemeep and other "legitimate" businesses would never do this, and thus will never be as successful as this could.  I think many of the silk road sellers would love to use something like this, and if you plan on partnering up with anyone SR would be a good place to
hero member
Activity: 588
Merit: 500
Interesting new service which a P2P delivery network could utilize for pickups and dropoffs:

BufferBox Offers Open Platform Alternative to Amazon Lockers
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4358708
hero member
Activity: 686
Merit: 500
Wat
https://www.meemeep.com/  this is a similar idea.

new plan

1. convince meemeep to use bitcoins

2. done
Not had a chance to read through all their info yet but if it looks like bitcoin could work with what they're doing then I'll probably get in touch with them in the next few days. I'm not a good spokesman though, if this is to be anything more than just brain farts it could do with someone taking lead and approaching them with a clear plan to discuss (I'm not volunteering, I'm no leader either).

The thread title suggests an underground courier service that knows its taking a risk, if thats whats wanted then approaching legitimate businesses is a bad idea. If a legitimate distributed courier network is the plan then the likelihood of infiltration by the cops is the same as any other courier system (postal service, UPS etc) and the couriers  legal liability for package contents is the same, ie. none.
I emailed them awhile ago asking about bitcoin but they said they had no plan to use it. Maybe if a few people ask they will reconsider.
420
hero member
Activity: 756
Merit: 500
I heard some noises about an insurance program which would take some of the stress out of that.

Perhaps something along the lines of a Surety bond could help?  The couriers each put up an amount of money (BTC) as collateral for carried packages.  This may also help with the repudation problem as it is easier to prove that money has been put in escrow than it is to check a person's honesty.  Also should help with bootstrapping repudation.  Not quite sure how it would work if a third-party grabs the package at a dead drop.

The risk of an unrelated third-party stealing the package should be small, and easier to deal with.

The main problem for which I haven't yet seen a good answer is infiltrated law enforcement, particular those wanting to build reputation before attacking. Suppose they don't care about giving some money to the system (escrow that would be taken from them). And suppose they are willing to deliver a few packages before attacking.
How do you protect your runners from them when they decide to drop traps?

maybe a copy of the Constitution
hero member
Activity: 630
Merit: 500
I heard some noises about an insurance program which would take some of the stress out of that.

Perhaps something along the lines of a Surety bond could help?  The couriers each put up an amount of money (BTC) as collateral for carried packages.  This may also help with the repudation problem as it is easier to prove that money has been put in escrow than it is to check a person's honesty.  Also should help with bootstrapping repudation.  Not quite sure how it would work if a third-party grabs the package at a dead drop.

The risk of an unrelated third-party stealing the package should be small, and easier to deal with.

The main problem for which I haven't yet seen a good answer is infiltrated law enforcement, particular those wanting to build reputation before attacking. Suppose they don't care about giving some money to the system (escrow that would be taken from them). And suppose they are willing to deliver a few packages before attacking.
How do you protect your runners from them when they decide to drop traps?
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