What is this? These pages started as a detailed straw-man proposal to flesh-out what it would take to realize our vision of a free and open cloud. They now serve as examples of the technology needed to implement the different facets of open cloud services. Here's how we are going to get there.

A cloud for the people, by the people, & of the people.

In which we own and control the web services that our lives depend on.

OneCommons is a cloud platform for hosting open source web applications — like Amazon's or Google's but cooperatively run — with built-in data sharing and a participatory funding model.

The Premise

More and more our lives are dependent on web services run by large corporations like Google and Facebook. What we read and watch, what we buy, and how we do business is determined in large part by self-interested entities.

Can we apply the principles of openness, collaboration, and decentralization upon which Linux, Wikipedia, and Bitcoin were built to create a alternative platform — one that guarantees security, privacy, and user control?

How it works

Developers

Run open source applications for free. Data and users are a shared resource. Developers can reuse and remix other services running on the platform.

Users

Create an account to get access to all services running on the OneCommons cloud. Basic access is free, pay a monthly fee for enhanced service.

Everyone

All participants, including end-users, earn a share of subscription fees based on their contributions. As the platform grows so does the value of everyone's share.

Architecture
a cloud with nodes

Cloud Infrastructure

Cooperatively build a reproducible cloud with reusable building blocks using decentralized DevOps.
DataCommons logo

DataCommons

Decentralized, ubiquitous data that gives the user control over their data. Mix in the reproducible cloud for live app forking powers!
commoncents currency symbol

CommonCents currency

A funding mechanism that aligns economic incentives with the project's core values and goals, and provides fair compensation.
gear with puzzle piece elements

Decentralized Governance

A collaboration model for managing online services akin to open source development, with democratic, not-for-profit governance.
Principles

Free and open source

Open source from end-to-end.

Privacy and security guaranteed

Privacy and security guarantees must be verifiable and intrinsic to the design.

Decentralized

Minimize central points of control both technically and in governance.

Democratic, collective decision-making

All participants have a say.

Open to all, available to all

No arbitrary barriers to participation, strive to provide access for anyone.

Aligned Interests and Incentives

Strive to build a system that aligns individuals' economic incentives with the project's core values and goals.

"Unfair" Competitive Advantage.

Idealism is not enough. We must provide functional and economic advantages over proprietary alternatives.

Not just for apps

Long-term mission to extend the platform to support all manner of creative endeavors such as music, journalism, and the arts.

Status and Roadmap

OneCommons has recently graduated from crazy idea to moonshot!

Learn how we are going to get there.