TL;DR
Introducing Noun Computers! I propose to fund the development of credit card-sized computers that would be ideal for Ethereum staking.
NounsDAO's commitment to making individual staking fun and popular would be a net plus for the whole network and ecosystem's well-being.
In my opinion, focusing on the public good would increase the recognition and respect for NounsDAO, which is the best strategy for proliferation.
Description
A lot of good single-board computers are available on the market, and the competition is stiff. However, the purpose of Noun Computers is not to dominate the market or make good profits. It is about a mission to do public good and unite like-minded developers, which will propel the nounish culture and memes. Of course, the key to success is a sustainable model. I believe Noun Computers will be successful because NounsDAO has an amazing culture, a better understanding of community, and connections in the blockchain circles.
I propose the development of Noun Computers, which would run Linux operating system. These computers would be designed specifically for convenient Ethereum stacking, blockchain development, and practical programming learning. By doing so, we can establish a vibrant community of software and hardware developers who will eventually become good supporters and contributors to NounsDAO.
Just imagine, the next thousand ethereum stakers (potential nouners) are mingling somewhere at blockchain conferences at this very moment! A cool gadget like Noun Computer would make for a great conversation starter. It has the potential to attract the attention of numerous high-profile individuals. We will be able to onboard many people to buy our Noun Computers and run Ethereum nodes.
Noun Computers
Noun Computers will provide affordability, versatility, and the best price/performance/user experience within its category. I will design the Noun Computers from scratch. I majored in electrical engineering and computer science and have experience developing similar computer boards. Noun computers will be perfectly suited for running Ethereum nodes, software/hardware hacking, and teaching programming.
Once the project is completed, I will deliver PCB designs, blueprints, bill of materials, and estimated costs for mass production. In the future, NounsDAO will have the ability to order large batches of computers at wholesale prices. Additionally, we can develop expansion modules, interesting interfaces, and manufacture nounish cases to further enhance the product line.
In this project, I will focus on developing state of the art prototypes and estimating manufacturing cost. The limited supply of 50 prototypes will be used to create visibility and promote NounsDAO at conferences.
- A Noun Computer equipped with a 1.5GHz CPU, 8GB RAM, and a 2TB M.2 SSD for running an Ethereum node will cost around $80 to $110.
- A light version of Noun Computer with less memory can cost as low as $50
- If there is significant demand and Noun Computers are produced in large quantities (3,000-5,000 units), the manufacturing cost can be further lowered, making Noun Computers a sustainable model for proliferation. The proceeds from sales could then be utilized to manufacture more computers and introduce additional accessories.
Deliverables
- Design blueprints, schematics, and a plan for mass production of Noun Computers
- 50 units of Noun Computer prototypes with aluminum head-crt-bsod case
- 10 units - distributed to Nouns' auction winners (starting with the first auction on the opening day of ETH Global NY or Istanbul)
- 10 units - showcase and distribute at conferences
- 30 units - organize ETH Global Hackathon competition centered around Noun Computers
Timeline
Phase I - Prototyping (4~6 months)
- [Jun~Aug 2023] Design and Manufacture Noun-Computer prototypes
- [Sep or Nov 2023] Bring Noun Computers to ETH Global hackathon and organize hacking competition
Outsourcing companies
I have many years of experience working with two great companies KS Technology and Hansaem digitec.
- KS Technology https://altium.kr/
- Hansaem digitec https://www.hsdgt.com/main/main.html
Future opportunities
- [Proliferation] We can sponsor ETH hackathons and supply Noun Computers for hardware hackathons. Expansion modules such as camera, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and others would open doors for new, fun, and practical blockchain applications. In the long term, we can grow a community of developers around Noun Computers.
- [Onboarding] We can manufacture Noun Computers in large quantities and offer them at affordable prices. By doing so, we could onboard the Ethereum community and encourage their contribution to the decentralization of the Ethereum network by running Ethereum nodes.
- [Public Good] We can allocate 20%~30% of the future supply of Noun Computers to NounsDAO Public Good Fund. Nouners will be able to request computers via an on-chain proposal and send them to developing countries and minority groups. Noun Computers can be used to teach practical programming at schools and universities. It is a good way to put resources into the hands of people.
Person In Charge
Twitter: fiveoceans_dev Hey! You might know me as a sailor and proposer of Nouns Sailing events. However, I am also a passionate technologist. I majored in electrical engineering and computer science and during my Ph.D. years I developed a few microcontroller boards. Please support my new initiative to build Noun Computers and kickstart nounish movement to decentralize ethereum network.
Budget
**Phase I (7 months) - Noun-Computer prototype schematics and design ** $60,000 - fiveoceans_dev's compensation (I will use these funds to work full-time on Nouns-Computers project)
- Circuit design
- Power management
- CPU & DRAM layout
- Signal routing
- firmware
- I/O interfaces integration
- USB-C data & power
- Audio
- HDMI
- Camera
- MicroSD
- M.2
$160,000 - schematics peer review fees, bill of materials, test samples, and prototypes manufacturing cost
- Schematics peer review
- signal length matching and tuning
- design rules verification
- antenna design
- Bill of materials
- Electric components (connectors, interconnectors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, filters, oscillators, leds etc)
- Manufacture PCB samples for tests (3 versions)
- PCB manufacturing
- PCB assembly
- Manufacture computer board prototypes for distribution
- 50 units of Noun Computers boards
- 50 units of aluminum head-crt-bsod cases with monitors
$15,000 - Prize money for ETH global hackathon
- $15,000 Best Ethereum app using Noun Computer (For example, staking node, hardware wallet, blockchain game, camera app, or NFC app)
$15,000 - Hackathon organizational expenses.
- Travel and accommodation expenses for competition organizers and judges (to be selected from nounish community)
TOTAL: $250,000 or 140 eth
4/7 Multi-sig
- Upon reception of funds, $25,000 of compensation and $75,000 of prototyping expenses will be sent to fiveoceans_dev.
- The rest of the funds will be kept in a 4/7 multi-sig safe and transferred to fiveoceans_dev upon completion of prototype designs.
gnosis-safe: 0xFA85bcbDcDAE9113E81C8e0eC25DA9600c73a625
Signers:
- 1. Modrovsky.eth: 0xb8a9Ed8D008FA1F161809f15a11F4161FB8b717e
- 2. JoelCares.eth: 0x281eC184E704CE57570614C33B3477Ec7Ff07243
- 3. Brennen.eth: 0xf8A065F287d91d77cD626AF38ffA220D9B552A2b
- 4. Adrianmcli.eth: 0xE7304bA0f157f2Ade94015934284b6704BC72911
- 5. Niftynaut.eth: 0xB47A70dF538b9a3B591bC5D75Da66A04c879b291
- 6. signed.benbodhi.eth: 0x80826180A2629206E3499B5167aaC8440E3F87f6
- 7. Fiveoceans_dev.eth: 0xDf6e59c6DF1E9500fd35A76FF4C62F9901E90019
Proposed transactions
$100,000 to Fiveoceans : 0xDf6e59c6DF1E9500fd35A76FF4C62F9901E90019
$150,000 to Noun-Computers Multi-sig: eth:0xEC33F935A436d704cB50C4d94aFe49Fa253B53fd