Software

## Open source

In Heliosia it is widely considered safest to stick to software that was written by someone you trust or is popular enough to have lots of eyes on its source code. If software is distributed as obfuscated machine code then an AI can disassemble it, clean up the code, answer any questions you have about it and make changes that may or may not break something. It is however easy for a skilled programmer to hide a vulnerability so that it slips past both these AIs and a small niche community of users.

Whenever you see a piece of content there is normally a quick way to copy it or open it in an editor.

## Business models

Services are one of the two common business models. Businesses and institutions are expected to pay for support and customization to reduce the risk of software-related problems.

The other common business model is cosmetics. Copying a cosmetic does not convince the network to show others that you own it. Mainstream cosmetics are non-transferrable and sold directly in unlimited editions for a fixed price. For those that are looking for something more exclusive, there are also unique or limited-edition cosmetics that can be gifted or resold. These are popular crowdfunding rewards.

## Online features

Apps typically support both a remote browser interface and local installation. Because of this there are no websites, those are just weird apps that only support the remote interface option.

Apps in general and editors in particular that support both a local single-user mode and an online persistent real-time collaboration mode are more popular than those that only support one of those options.

Many apps have their own democratic social media platform that is customized to the needs of each app's users and developers.

## Blockchains

The main currencies have stable value and instant blockchain transactions. Physical banknotes are popular in some contexts but many Heliosians see them so rarely that they are unsure of how to tell a real one from a fake.

A blockchain-powered digital ID is used as your signature, passport, driver's license, login credential and social media profile. There are also physical backup alternatives for all of these functions that come in handy in many situations.

It is important to be aware that blockchain signatures and payments can be rolled back if enough of an account's trusted contacts attest that the account was hacked, coerced or scammed. If this happens to a legitimate transaction then you usually have a straightforward legal case against everyone who vouched for the rollback.

Server hosting and wireless connectivity is provided by a blockchain that charges users a small fee to pay those who contribute servers, access points, parts of the network in between and previously unseen content that becomes popular.

It is common practice to have everything automatically encrypted and backed up both offline and to a blockchain that specializes in storing large blobs of data reliably for a small annual fee.

## Marketing

Digital marketing is all about producing or sponsoring content that people want to see and share. Everyone has spam filters and call blockers, and if an app displays ads then people just use other alternatives instead.

There are a few ads in public spaces, live events, traditional broadcasts and print media. These do however also tend to follow the digital trend of making sure the content is something people actually want to see.