Show HN: Octosphere, a tool to decentralise scientific publishing
Octosphere is a new 'Show HN' tool designed to decentralize scientific publishing by bridging open science platform Octopus with the AT Protocol social network. Born from a creator's frustration with traditional academic publishing, it aims to increase research visibility and public engagement. This project resonates with the HN community's interest in practical applications of decentralized technology to address real-world academic pain points.
The Lowdown
Octosphere emerges as a novel solution poised to disrupt traditional academic publishing by integrating open science with the decentralized social web. Conceived by a "burnt-out semi-academic" weary of the current publishing landscape, this project aims to broaden the reach and impact of scientific research by connecting existing platforms.
- Octosphere functions as a connector, linking academic publications from Octopus.ac, an open-access research platform, to the AT Protocol (the "atmosphere"), a decentralized social network used by apps like Bluesky.
- Its primary goal is to automatically sync researchers' published works, allowing them to reach wider audiences, foster public engagement, and extend the visibility of their research beyond conventional academic channels.
- The setup process is streamlined, requiring users to authenticate via ORCID, connect their AT Protocol account (e.g., Bluesky), link their Octopus author profile, and then choose between a one-time or continuous automatic synchronization of their publications.
By leveraging the synergy between open science principles and the expansive reach of decentralized social media, Octosphere offers an intriguing experiment in creating a more accessible and widely disseminated scientific discourse, appealing to those seeking innovative solutions in academic communication.