One Website Can Index Your FIPS Drives
A Nostr identity can turn files held across several FIPS-connected computers into one browsable index without moving them into a hosted repository.
Developed from a conversation between Pete Winn and Andy David
Pete’s FIPS drive concept separates the website people visit from the computers that hold their files. A user signs in to a public website with a Nostr identity, which the site can use to find that person’s FIPS drives. It can then bring several computers into one view, showing what’s available on each machine through a single interface.
The files don’t have to be uploaded to the website first. The site can build its index in the browser and retrieve a selected file from the computer where it already lives. Any computer that’s switched on can contribute to the virtual file system, so a laptop, desktop or other machine becomes a source rather than merely a device for viewing data stored elsewhere.
The same public interface can therefore serve many people without owning their underlying data. Nostr supplies identity and permissions, while FIPS connects the interface to each user’s machines. Pete’s practical example was file sharing. He could grant Andy access through his existing Nostr identity and send a link, without creating another account, copying the file into cloud storage or paying for a third copy.