Feedet

Feedet is a term used to describe a lightweight data interchange concept designed for distributing small, append-only items across distributed systems. The central idea is to provide a simple, verifiable feed that can operate on resource-constrained devices and in intermittent network conditions, while allowing optional privacy through encryption. In typical descriptions, a feedet item contains a unique identifier, a timestamp, a topic or type, a payload with the content, and cryptographic fields such as a signature or a key reference to enable integrity checks.

Format and serialization commonly propose JSON or CBOR as the encoding for feedet items, with a separate feed that aggregates items into a sequence or graph. Fields may include an optional parent reference to express lineage, a sequence number, and a payload digest for quick validation. Because feedets emphasize verifiability, many proposals advocate for public-key signatures or similar mechanisms tied to a trust model, enabling recipients to confirm authorship and detect tampering.

Architecture and usage scenarios focus on interoperability and resilience. Feeds can be distributed through pub/sub or gossip-style networks, cached offline, and merged with other feeds to form larger event streams. Applications cited in speculative discussions include IoT sensor networks, event sourcing in microservices, and lightweight content distribution where low bandwidth and latency are concerns.

Reception to feedet concepts ranges from curiosity in academic and open-source circles to skepticism about the lack of formal standards and widespread adoption. It is often discussed in relation to other feed and protocol ecosystems such as RSS, JSON Feed, and ActivityPub, serving as a comparative point for simplicity and verifiability in distributed feeds.