Freed

Short description - Freed: Where talent meets empowerment in a decentralized embrace.

Motivation: At Freed, our driving force is to liberate freelancers and clients from the constraints of traditional centralized platforms. We recognize the inherent flaws in the current system, where intermediaries often dictate terms, impose fees, and compromise security. Our vision is to foster a community where independence reigns supreme, enabling direct peer-to-peer interactions without the interference of third parties. By embracing decentralization, we aim to create a platform where freelancers and clients can connect seamlessly, engage in transactions securely, and retain full control over their work relationships.

Problem Solved: Freed addresses the fundamental issues plaguing the freelancing industry by providing a decentralized solution. Traditional platforms often impose high fees, lack transparency, and compromise user data security. Moreover, they operate within a centralized framework, leading to dependence on intermediaries. Freed disrupts this paradigm by eliminating the need for intermediaries altogether. With direct peer-to-peer interactions facilitated by smart contracts, users can enjoy fair, transparent, and secure transactions without incurring hefty fees or compromising their privacy.

Fit for Cartesi: Freed's decentralized model aligns perfectly with Cartesi's mission to empower decentralized applications (DApps) with real-world computations. By leveraging Cartesi's infrastructure, Freed can ensure scalability, security, and efficiency in executing smart contracts, thereby enhancing the user experience. Additionally, Cartesi's support for off-chain computations enables Freed to handle complex tasks, such as dispute resolution and payment processing, off the blockchain, ensuring optimal performance and cost-effectiveness. With freelancers and clients accessing Freed using their wallet addresses, Cartesi's integration enables seamless interactions while maintaining the integrity and security of the platform.

Tools & Technology Stack Used:

1. Figma: Figma is utilized for designing the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) of the Freed platform. It enables collaborative design among team members and provides a seamless workflow from design to implementation.

2. React: React.js is employed for building the frontend of the Freed platform. It allows for the creation of dynamic, interactive user interfaces through its component-based architecture, enhancing the overall user experience.

3. Tailwind CSS: Tailwind CSS is used for styling the components of the Freed platform. Its utility-first approach enables rapid development and customization, ensuring a consistent and visually appealing design across the application.

4. Cartesi: Cartesi is incorporated into the architecture of the Freed platform to provide off-chain computation capabilities. It allows for complex computations to be executed off-chain, enhancing scalability, reducing transaction costs, and ensuring the efficiency of smart contracts.

Architecture:

The architecture of the Freed platform is designed to be scalable, secure, and user-friendly, leveraging the following components:

1. Frontend (React): The frontend of the Freed platform is built using React.js, providing a dynamic and responsive user interface. It communicates with the backend server and interacts with the Cartesi network for off-chain computations.

2. Backend Server: The backend server is responsible for handling user authentication, managing database operations, and facilitating communication between the frontend and Cartesi network. It is built using Node.js and Express.js, ensuring robustness and reliability.

3. Cartesi Network: Cartesi is integrated into the architecture to enable off-chain computations for complex tasks such as dispute resolution and payment processing. Smart contracts deployed on the blockchain interact with Cartesi's off-chain computation layer, enhancing the scalability and efficiency of the platform.

4. Database:  The database,  MongoDB, is utilized to store user data, transaction history, and other relevant information securely. It ensures data integrity and facilitates seamless retrieval and manipulation of data.

Figma File: https://www.figma.com/file/m4IjiWg2yBEf0EK1mjF9Iw?type=design

Challenges:

Throughout the development cycle of our freelancing decentralized platform, our team encountered several challenges and received valuable feedback, which helped shape our approach and improve our processes:

1. Scarcity of Experienced Developers for Cartesi Integration: The challenge of finding experienced developers for Cartesi integration prompted us to explore alternative solutions. We leveraged online communities and networking events to connect with potential collaborators and sought partnerships with educational institutions to train junior developers in Cartesi technology.

2. Difficulty Using Node.js with Cartesi Due to Poor Documentation: The lack of comprehensive documentation for using Node.js with Cartesi was a recurring challenge. To address this, we actively engaged with the Cartesi community, providing feedback on the documentation and suggesting improvements. Additionally, we organized internal training sessions and knowledge-sharing sessions to bridge knowledge gaps within our team.

3. Limited Timeframe for Frontend UI Implementation: The tight timeframe for implementing the frontend UI necessitated efficient project management and collaboration. We regularly solicited feedback from stakeholders, including designers, developers, and end-users, to prioritize features and streamline the UI development process. Additionally, we utilized rapid prototyping techniques to gather early feedback and iterate on design iterations quickly.

4. Network Issues Impacting GitHub Workflow: Network issues affecting our GitHub workflow highlighted the importance of robust version control practices and contingency plans. We implemented redundancy measures, such as utilizing multiple internet connections and cloud-based backup solutions, to mitigate the impact of network disruptions. Additionally, we established clear communication channels and escalation procedures to address technical issues promptly.

Feedback:

Despite the challenges faced during the hackathon, including scarcity of experienced developers, Node.js documentation issues, limited UI implementation time, and network disruptions on GitHub, we're determined to complete this project. We would love more support from the Cartesi community to overcome these hurdles. We'll invest in team training, prioritize UI functionality, and implement contingency plans for network issues. With perseverance, collaboration, and commitment, we're confident in our ability to build this freelancing decentralized platform powered by Cartesi.