Back to our Developer Showcase Series to learn what developers in the real world are doing with Hyperledger technologies. Next up is Sam Curren, Architect at Indicio.
Give a bit of background on what you’re working on and how you got into blockchain
Three things keep me busy: I am co-chair of the Hyperledger Aries working group, I lead the DIDcomm v2 working group, and I’m an architect for Indicio. I’ve been involved in various aspects of Identity prior, but I got into blockchain by working at the Sovrin Foundation. I was there when Indy became a Hyperledger project and later for the spin out of the Aries and Ursa projects. The Agent and Cryptographic aspects of Indy were applicable outside of the Indy project, and establishing them as independent projects allowed an expansion of their use.
What Hyperledger frameworks or tools are you using in your projects? Any new developments to share? Can you sum up your experience with Hyperledger?
I use Hyperledger Indy and Hyperledger Aries day to day, looking forward to the finalization of Didcomm v2 and helping the Aries community adopt it. I am also excited about the upcoming work with the did:indy method Indicio will be implementing as part of a BCGov project.
What do you think is most important for Hyperledger to focus on in the next year?
Keep up the good work in helping to boost projects through both bringing together developers and marketing. Also continuing to help educate the average person is super important.
What advice would you offer other technologists or developers interested in getting started working on blockchain?
Make sure you are using the right tool for the job. Carefully select a ledger when you need the features of a ledger, and stick with more traditional approaches when a ledger is not necessary. Understanding the technology and using it in the correct way is more important than trying to force a popular solution onto your project for bragging rights.
As Hyperledger’s projects continue to mature, what do you see as the most interesting technologies, apps, or use cases coming out as a result?
I am most excited by projects that get this technology into the hands and lives of regular people. It doesn’t matter how cool we make something – if it doesn’t positively impact people’s lives, I think we’ve fallen short of our goal.
What’s the one issue or problem you hope blockchain can solve?
I believe that properly deployed blockchain technology has the power to make people first-class citizens on the internet again.
Where do you hope to see Hyperledger and/or blockchain in five years?
Widely deployed
What is the best piece of developer advice you’ve ever received?
I have two. First, your contributions and insights are valuable; dont assume that people that have been in the industry a while are the ones who have all the answers. Secondly, just try it. Your solution will work more often than not, and you’ll learn plenty of useful stuff in the process.
What technology could you not live without?
Noise canceling headphones
