I’m excited to finally share my latest idea with you all. This post is intended to outline the project in detail and start a conversation around it’s potential in the Steem ecosystem. I have created an initial prototype that I hope helps users see a glimpse at the opportunity this platform may have but is in no way intended to represent a final product.
Please leave your thoughts and ideas in the comments.
The Vision
The Finally platform will be multi functional but it’s initial focus will remain small to kickstart the development. The overarching aim is to allow speedy website creation for Steem users.
Creators of all types use Steem but are fairly restricted to the current platforms which may or may not best suit their content. Finally aims to create specific themes that suit different styles of content. Creators will have more control over the way their content is views and can choose a theme that best fits with their style.
The best way to imagine what Finally is aiming to do is think of a Squarespace type platform than can instantly setup a website for any Steem account. Combine the website with features that can help support creators/content similarly to how you can with Patreon, all powered by the Steem blockchain.
Finally will grow to support enhanced features users expect from a website platform creating custom pages, feeds and other options.
Why Create This Platform?
Having your own website and being part of a blogging platform are two different things. Platforms help with discovery and make publishing content significantly easier. Your own website can be customised completely but may be more complicated to setup and update. Finally aims to sit in the middle allowing users to leverage all of the current Steem eco-system while still allowing theming and customisation on their own web domain.
Open source
Initial beta repository - https://github.com/code-with-sam/finallynetwork
As with all my projects I believe in keeping them open source where I can. The primary focus for creating an open code base is to share knowledge and allow collaboration. While Finally may be hosting the platform and leading it’s development it is open in nature and will encourage and accept contributions and ideas from outside.
This repo is not intended to represent the full project but to act as an MVP and testing ground for the ideas. Based on feedback the structure/framework of the platform may change largely to reflect the core features. Feel free to submit any issues.
The initial repo holds the prototype platform and a script for checking Steem transactions for unlocking the beta.
Beta Platform & Current Progress
Check out the current progress - https://finally.network/
The main aim of the current prototype is to help users get an idea of how the platform will work and show investors that this is a project with real potential.
Three starter themes show how quick it can be to change the look and feel of existing content that exists on the Steem blockchain.
Themes
Campfire
Campfire theme is great for telling stories, perfect for medium to long form content that includes beautiful photography. Ideal use might be a travel blog but is general enough to work with any photo heavy style of content. This is an adaption of a theme I previously sold on Themeforest.
hckr
A barebones basic theme purposefully left with minimal stylistic choices. Simple choices such as a feed with title only helps to keep the focus on writing good content. Would work well as a technical blog.
Lens
You may recognise this design as an adaption of photofeed.club the beginnings of a project I made to help support the @photofeed/#photofeed community. The code has been repurposed to allow Steem user to create their own version of this site. Perfect for photographers on Steem to show off their work.
There are many more theme ideas in the current roadmap. Thoughts on current themes and future themes are welcome.
Pro Version
To create a sustainable project finally aims to support a pro version with enhanced features. The primary reason for Pro membership will be the use of custom domains. Having your content accessible on 'example.com' instead of 'steemit.com/@example' etc allows greater control of the user experience.
Pro can be supported with delegation or a small monthly fee in STEEM/SBD. The aim is to give back to supporters and creators who are using the Finally platform with vote support.
The pro features for setting a custom subdomain and domain are currently supported by contact only. If you’re interested please send a message, this will be released with automated features in the near future.
Roadmap
There are many ideas for expanding the platform. The first step is to create a number of templates and test which are most beneficial to the Steem community.
Ideas for next Themes to test
- D.tube/Video focus
- Portfolio - Ability to select X number of posts or specific recent posts to highlight as portfolio items
- Magazine/editorial style - Option to make use of resteem as a multi author style blog
An important addition to the platform will be the ability to add custom pages and customisation options. Users may wish to add extra pages that are not blog posts such as an about page.
Future Idea Potential
- Support a theme API and allow custom theme upload
- Support packaging and downloading template for users to use externally
- Theme marketplace for third party developers
Finally Systems
With Finally the aim is to combine a number of projects and ideas I’ve been working towards into a cohesive set of functionality.
- Finally Network - Website Creation
- Finally Comments - Comments Plugin
- Finally Button - Embeddable steem like button
- Finally Share - share to steem embed plus browserextention
- Finally Feed - Human curated content Feed + Support
Help Support Finally
Finally is aiming to support content creators and create a system to make Steem blockchain content shine. If you are interested in seeing this project come to life and can spare Steem delegation please delegate to @finallynetwork. SP on FinallyNetwork will be used to support users of the platform who create meaningful content. Any supporters who delegate over 300SP will automatically get Pro features when available.
Your feedback is appreciated
I’m keen to hear your thoughts and ideas about this project.