The Basedrive Project was undertaken between 2000-2. Whilst the project failed and i left in fairly miserable circumstances with shared IP rights for the works done; there are some aspects to the description of the work back then, that continue to echo more modern designs now - some 20 years later...

BaseDrive

• Consumer Based Content Management System -

The Technical Infrastructure Overview: 

This report identifies the technological progression of BaseDrive and its online environment service offerings.

The BaseDrive Platform

The BaseDrive platform, which is presented to the user in the form of a GUI is written as a Java application. Utilising Java technology, the GUI can operate readily across the network and integrate third party applications, such as:

• • Macromedia

  • • Flash
  • • Shockwave

  • RealNetworks

  • • RealPlayer

  • ICQ

  • • Instant Messaging

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Basedrive access will initially be gained via the BaseDrive home page, www.basedrive.com. Once the user has chosen to enter BaseDrive, the BaseDrive Virtual Private Network (BVPN) is initiated. The Basedrive environment appears to the user as a GUI. The GUI environment operates

Independently of the operating system, and is therefore extremely portable, yet, can interact fully with the operating system, and all peripherals. This process is managed via the BVPN.

Design philosophy

The BaseDrive GUI has been developed to be practical for any Internet enabled device (Personal Computers, Personal Data Assistants, Set-Top-Boxes etc). Its primary function is to act as an easy to use, content navigation and categorisation tool. It allows multiple sessions based on multi-view and picture-in-picture technologies. The development of the GUI confronts a number of issues:

• Decision Making Paralysis

• • Simple Content Navigation
• • Personalisation
• • Multiple Device / Single Account / Unlimited Resources
• • Media and Content Categorisation
• • Maximising the Users Online Experience.

BaseDrive enables personalised content to be accessed from any Internet enabled device, through a simplistic personalised management system. It is an “Anywhere, Anytime” proposal.

Content Distribution Throughout the Basedrive VPN

The BaseDrive network’s main focus is content distribution. Content may in the form of text, video, audio or an application. Within this environment, the content is subjected to global balancing, digital rights management and encryption. The content provider may use the BVPN to handle distribution in its entirety or simply manage certain aspects such as billing. The content provider may decide to use a specific form of digital rights management, this will still be compatible with the BaseDrive network.

Basedrive Digital Distribution Rights Management Network Service

Offerings:

• Content owner facilitates Storage and Streaming Provisions for networked data provided to consumers via the B.O.A.T. network

• Content owner provides basedrive with content, for internal Data Management Services, also providing data to consumers via the B.O.A.T. / Basedrive Network.

• Content owner provides basedrive with data for internal Data Management & external Network services.

Basedrive Distribution Rights are automated within the BVPN. Basedrive will provide the follow services to all content distributed throughout the basedrive network.

• • Centralised Authentication Processes
• • Secure Digital Rights management
• • Data-transfer Management / accounting

- Source to output user identification

• • Virus Protection
• • Web Payment Accessibility
• • DRM functionality / synchronisation throughout existing provisional markets

Basedrive’s approach for Incorporating Companies / content, is to establish a global distribution system. Additional BaseDrive services offered initially to companies include:

• • Online File Storage
• • Portal Management services
• • Data Transaction Reporting
• • User Demographic Reporting
• • Advertising Channels
• • Content Exposure

Basedrive will facilitate a Virtual Private Network Storage solution, this storage solution will be offered to all content contracted to be securely managed by basedrive and our affiliated companies. As mentioned above Basedrive provides the security logging, navigation systems, billing, and content exposure throughout the B.V.P.N.

A third party, open A.P.I. (application program interface) content solution, provides additional facilities for Basedrive to associate additional navigation solution programming to any existing online web-based content.

The Basedrive Virtual Private Network (BVPN):

BaseDrive’s backend creates the “basedrive network operating system”. This will be slowly furthered as enabling proprietary technologies, are distributed throughout the basedrive worldwide I.P. infrastructure.  Through these preliminary technology enablers, basedrive aims to further world standards, in commercial I.P. data transmission layers. Enabling content & other data owners, simplistic avenues to providing worldwide distribution, within a secure billing / auditing system. This communication layer incorporates third party technologies, and is automated through the basedrive proprietary V.P.N technology network.

Basedrive’s complete end-to-end networked system will be administrated within the secure Basedrive VPN (BVPN). Basedrive Specific Transport layers will be incorporated within this Network. This V.P.N. will be created to accomplish the following criteria;

The BVPN environment will administer and manage all communications performed over the Internet through the basedrive platform. The integrated security protocols / mechanisms run within this environment.

The foundation technologies of the BVPN are:

• • VPN (Virtual Private Network) Technologies
• • Java, HTML & XML Interface Technologies (client side)
• • TCP/IP (Internet based communication layers)
• • SSL (Secure Socket Layers)
• • “Server side” Data Access / Digital Rights Management (DRM)
• • Secondary A.P.I Interfaces

Basedrive will create and facilitate “Secure Gateway systems”, throughout the Basedrive V.P.N (BVPN), and outsourced / marketplace, “web based” solutions Basedrive will incubate & cultivate, an “open spectrum” of “network operating tasks”, to eventuate into a turnkey solution, to a network operating system environment.

Content distribution throughout database

Data-distribution throughout the Base-Drive network becomes a pinnacle service provided by the Basedrive network. A.S.P (application service providers) / M.S.P (media service providers), can automate the distribution of their data throughout the Basedrive associated network.  Within this environment (B.V.P.N), the data is distributed / balanced with backbone digital rights management, encrypted with users session details (for once only data streaming qualities), and data access records, automated / complied for every data request facilitated throughout the Basedrive network.

Optionally the A.S.P / M.S.P, can automate the records, but choose to use current methods of transport, however this does not ensure global-reach, as it depends on the 3rd parties online database / global structure.  Basedrive is designed to “sync” with such technologies automatically.

Content providers have the following options when presenting data, to be relayed throughout the B.O.A.T network layer,

Basedrive Digital Distribution Rights Management Network Service

Offerings:

• Content owner facilitates Storage and Streaming Provisions for networked data provided to consumers via the B.O.A.T. network
• Content owner provides basedrive with content, for internal Data Management Services, also providing data to consumers via the B.O.A.T. / Basedrive Network.
• Content owner provides basedrive with data for internal Data Management & external Network services.

Content security & distribution

B.D.R = Basedrive Distribution Rights

Basedrive Distribution Rights

Basedrive will create secure data-gateways, Integrating consumer identification process / address information data services.

Basedrive distribution rights are automated within the BVPN. Basedrive will provide the follow services to all content distributed throughout the basedrive network.

• Centralised Authentication Processes
• Secure Digital Rights management
• Data-transfer Management / accounting

Source to output user identification

• Virus protection
• Web-payment accessibility
• D.R.M. functionality / synchronisation throughout existing provisional markets

Basedrive’s approach for Incorporating Companies / content, is to establish a global distribution system. Additional basedrive services offered initially to companies include;

• • Storage
• • Portal Management services
• • Data transaction reporting
• • User Demographic reporting
• • Advertising channels
• • Content exposure

Basedrive will facilitate a Virtual Private Network Storage solution, this storage solution will be offered to all content contracted to be securely managed by basedrive and our affiliated companies. As mentioned above Basedrive provides the security logging, navigation systems, billing, and content exposure throughout the B.V.P.N.

A third party, open A.P.I. (application program interface) content solution, provides additional facilities for Basedrive to associate additional navigation solution programming to any existing online web-based content.

Security

Basedrive operates a Secure Data Access/storage – Gateway Network. This network identifies data requests, and then produces a QSA (Quality of Service Agreement) receipt. This digital receipt becomes a “challenge” key, for the output of any “basedrive enabled” content / content provider. Basedrive enabled content can only be “consumer evident”, within the following criteria;

• User must have basedrive account

• User must have suitable financial details entered

• Appropriate accessible funding for transaction request.

• Basedrive will facilitate secure data Storage solutions for all tiers of the Networks Personal, inclusive to;

• End-Users

• Content / online data Providers

• Corporate

Basedrive has a multi-level security policy

Level 1:  email address & password identification

Level 2: Email & password identification, user device ownership identification

Level 3: email & password, hardware key identification

EG:     Terminal authenticated via T.A.P – home location SmartCard account identification)

Hardware identification / Device identification

Within the hardware integration, Basedrive is designed to identify the cpu identification number, the hdd and system configuration (device snapshot technology).  The registry identification process will also identify (optionally) all system installed programming, and there ownership status. Through these processes basedrive aims to provide

End-User Data Storage

Basedrive provides consumers with a virtual library of content, software & services, that can be accessed Anywhere Anytime on any device. Transactional histories are all filed, within the B.D. system,

File storage however is provided to users via internal & external infrastructure.

The specific functions provided by this Data Storage network include;

• Secure Data storage
• Basedrive data security integration services
• Automated file saving functionality (no basedrive save button)
• Data access (anywhere anytime)

Basedrive will integrate the storage solution to the workstation A.S.P (application service providers) and to the interface.

Content Data Storage

Content data storage streams into two categories, internal and external.

Internal – Basedrive provides storage, management, and distribution solutions

External – A means for users / content provider stores and manages their data, basedrive provides secure Gateways to distribute, throughout secure basedrive network

Content Data storage is the element within Basedrive that provides the content producer with the option for complete online data management, including storage, personalisation and maintenance services.    Basedrive will initially create relationships with several external data-storage / associated service providers that will facilitate with Basedrive;

• Secure Data Storage

• Data balancing / availability worldwide

• Secure Interface to Basedrive System

There is an option of creating file format data-storage solutions, whereby the Basedrive G.U.I. integrates all the data-storage providers, to create the end-user file directory structure

External Data storage Providers

Data storage is the element within Basedrive that provides the consumer with the option to store, personalise and maintain, a Virtual library of content & software that can be accessed “Anywhere Anytime”.  Basedrive will initially create relationships with several external data-storage providers that will provide Basedrive with;

-       Secure Consumer Data Storage -       Data balancing / availability worldwide -       Interface template with Basedrive G.U.I

There is an option of creating file format data-storage solutions, whereby the Basedrive G.U.I. integrates all the data-storage providers, to create the end-user file directory structure

BVPN Information Management Architecture

BOAT = Basedrive Ownership Access Terminal Protocol

TAP = Telecommunications Account Provider

Incorporating:

OCPIS = Online Consumer Profile Integration System

LIS = Locality Integration System

BPIP = billing provider integration platform

LMCS = Last Mile Certification System

DRPMS = Digital Rights Provider Management System

The Basedrive Ownership Access Terminal Protocol (BOAT)

The BOAT functions within the BVPN. It is a Peer-To-Peer transport channel, automating security, locality, billing, and authentication systems. The Basedrive GUI and the BOAT Protocol layer are co-habitational systems within Basedrive.

Telecommunication Access Provider (TAP)

A TAP is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) whom provides BaseDrive’s digital services to their customer base.

Digital Rights Provider Management System (DRPMS)

This system enables cross compatibility between differentiating Vendor DRM strategies.  This data then becomes enabled to the basedrive consumer via OCPIS. DRPMS is an integrated database using current D.R.M systems / data as content.  This enables holistic digital data rights protection. This system is integrated within the BVPN and enables  / automates BOAT features such as;

• Personal Digital Signatures  – BVPN – Database Integration
• Expired or existing licences for third party data to consumer
• Expired or existing licence associations to personally created data
• All other associated information.

Online Consumer Profile Integration System (OCPIS)

The OCPIS system is designed to integrate the users Basedrive profile with his/her third party user accounts (Eg Blockbuster, Foxtel & Telstra). It creates a common means of communication between different DRM systems (Enabled by the DRMMS). This information can be used for data mining and for personalising the users BaseDrive sessions.

Locality Integration System           (LIS)

The LIS identifies the geographical position of the user and integrates this information with a form of DRM. This allows us to place the user and to associate regional information. This system interacts with the Digital Rights Integration Systems, to automate associated regional information such as:

• Territory Licence Details.

• Release Dates (Movies, CD’s, Games etc)

• Regional  – International Content Version Details

• Laws / Government Regulations

• Transaction Certification

• This is a form of security. If a user was to log in from two very distant locations within a short time, there may be a security breach.

• Localised Advertising

Billing Provider Integration platform (BPIP)

This platform integrates third party billing gateways into the BVPN. The following account services can then be provided as Plug-ins to BaseDrive users. For example:

• Pre-Paid (Optus Express, U etc)
• Credit Card
• BPay
• Direct Debt (Cheque or Savings)

Personal Data Storage Resource Allocation Map (PDSRM)

Basedrive provides its users with personal online file storage space. BaseDrive facilitates this service in-house as well as being able to outsource to various online storage vendors (X-Drive, I-Drive etc). Basedrive therefore needs to provide a centralised directory structure, enabling the basedrive consumer to browse all data associated to their account. This is the purpose of the PDSRM and is presented within the basedrive GUI through an application programme interface.

BaseDrive presents the PDSRM in the form of a resource allocation map for “BaseDrive Enabled” data storage vendors which automates the file storage  / LIS system, integrating any network or “selected” locally stored data, to the consumer, via the Basedrive File Navigation System. The storage providers must be “Basedrive Approved”, therefore contracted to a Service Level Agreement (SLA) maintaining services through the BVPN.

Digital History Folder

The digital history folder provides basedrive consumers with a DRM. – Access history. (Need visual example)

 Electronic Address Information

The electronic address system automates consumer communication services, to user-available services. For example:

Eg. If a BaseDrive user is at home, then, another person dialling their mobile phone will be automatically diverted to the BaseDrive users home number, and if busy, re-divert to voicemail or to any other available pre-selected “voice active” appliance.

If the BOAT enabled phone call was diverted to voice mail, the message will be made available to the BaseDrive users online account system and accessible as a feature, through suitable enabled devices.

Communication Account systems (CAS)

This system integrates the systems as given below

Unified communications services:

• Telephone / Integrated Services

  • Copper-Wire (Local Loop)
  • ISDN
  • PABX

• Mobile

• GSM

• CDMA

• GPRS

• Etc

• Messaging

  • POP / SMTP
  • HTTP
  • SMS

Personal Device Map

This feature enables BaseDrive, to only list features relevant to the consumer.

Example of possible device centric basedrive facilities provided:

• PC

  •  P.C. based software
  • Internet connectivity
  • Email etc. 

• WAP Phone

  • Ring tones downloads,
  • Email- S.M.S integration,

• Sony PDA.

  • Via infra-red system / blue tooth connectivity
  • Remote integration
  • Control device integration.
  • Content map (DRM)

Topics to be discussed further:

• Bandwidth utilisation – management
• Load balancing
• On Demand Data Distribution
• Data Security Services
• Virus protection
• Digital rights protection
• Automated “real-time” billing
• Universally secure I.P. Access
• Network Bottleneck minimisation
• Bandwidth Compensation / Secondary load balancing
• Portability & 3rd party Basedrive Gateway provisions.
• End-to-end D.R.M data parameters
• Consumer protection from viruses & dangerous material,
• Protection from personally identified levels of offensive / “unsightly” e-based materials.
• Data Gateways for 3rd party content providers
• Digital Rights Data-management database integration modules (proprietary protocol specific)
• User – Content Database Interface
• Data transmission / Q.O.S. transactions

Example of external data storage provider;

Music files / Media files

Stored on        www.myplay.com

My Play provides a end to end network solution for the storage, purchase / sourcing, streaming, of data files to and from the MyPlay database.  Consumers upload their mp3’s to the site, whereby if the D.R.M (digital rights management) allows the user to:

Email the track to be played on the recipience terminal, however cannot be stored.

Share personally created mixes / music

Allow the sale of personally created material, etc.

The files are able to be uploaded to the web (3gb of storage provided for free) or downloaded for use on mp3 devices.

This is a totally server-based technology, aimed at the Internet appliance market

The real asset will not be realised until broadband becomes more widely accepted.

Alliances (preposed & existing)

Below is a description of 3rd party BaseDrive services providers that enable the growth and facilitation our goals

• Sun Microsystems – www.sun.com
• Interpath Australia – www.interpath.com.au
• Real-networks – www.realnetworks.com
• Iplanet – www.iplanet.com
• Emc – www.emc.com
• Oracle – www.oracle.com
• Cisco – www.cisco.com
• Veritas – www.veritas.com
• Apple – www.apple.com
• Sony – www.sony.com
• Panasonic – www.panasonic.com

Current technologies enabling part-basedrive processes

Hotjava browser

http://java.sun.com/products/hotjava/3.0/

Java browser technology

Providing the front-end “browser engine” technology.

Java web start

http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/

This is the beginning of the applications manager

Billing interface, wallet technology.

FINAL NOTES

There's a bunch of other related assets / works that are 'in the archive somewhere', and are not as yet uploaded - although i'm not sure its a priority.

One of the main documents was the: Basedrive IM yet perhaps more illustratively, the work of Brett Kiteley as a graphic designer through his business called stroke to produce an interface, that was later made into a shockwave file (at the time, macromedia flash didn't support databases); provides a fairly epic illustration of the TV / hand-held device controller concept - long before anything like it was created later...

In 2001 - when these works were done, there was no such thing as a smartphone. Indeed the first generation of the iPhone was released (on my birthday) in 2007

Controller Graphics

!

Functions Interfaces

Games

Movies

TV Stations

Educational Content

TV Episode Search

Final Remarks

The biggest issue with this first attempt, as has continued to be an issue since; is that it became an all encumpassing 'aggregation' system, that set aside the foundational desire (when i started designing an information bank iBank whereby the concept of basedrive was that base - was your stuff, and drive - was the network available resources); to seek to ensure that people were provided SupportForHumanAgency; that they owned their own 'data' which was the kind of simplified concept that made sense at that time... Rather than being 'possessed' via a platform operator or similar, as does in-turn relate to the issues related to the SocialAttackVectors and in-turn SafetyProtocols. The ability to deliver HumanCentricDigitalIdentity support, is very hard and the methods sought to be usefully applied now, decades later, quite sophistocated.

These sorts of underlying issues ( DigitalSlavery ); have been a prevailing problem since the advent of the web 2.0 era; and the amount of very complex processes that have needed to be undertaken in a particular way as to provide an opportunity to create something that might actually do what i sought to achieve, now so long ago - is neither easily able to be demonstrated to exist, and still a fairly remarkable challenge overall.

Hopefully this time, i manage to get the stuff like the WorkProject done, so that people can benefit from TheValuesProject and related activities, if that's something they want.