In the Quad Cities region, which includes five cities across the Iowa-Illinois border, residents can access news from various sources, including the Quad Cities Times, The Dispatch Argus, WQAD (the local ABC station), KWQC (the local NBC station), and WVIK (the local NPR station). Interestingly, the Quad-City Times has amassed 76,000 followers on Facebook, while the community-driven group What’s Going on Quad Cities, founded by Harold DeFrieze, boasts 106,000 followers. This indicates that a significant portion of the community engages with news through a Facebook group rather than traditional media outlets.
### Emergence of a New Platform
DeFrieze, alongside Ryan Segura, who is a co-founder of Dig-A-Hash, has launched a website for What’s Going on QC, which evolved from their popular Facebook group. The website aims to provide local news and updates, expanding their reach beyond social media.
### Dig-a-Hash: Innovating with NFTs
Dig-a-Hash positions itself as a decentralized application (Dapp) that specializes in dynamic NFT metadata. The firm also offers web development services and cost-effective web hosting through their design studio. Segura, the technical director for What’s Going on QC, has a background in the crypto industry, having previously worked as a senior backend web 3 developer for Blockchains, Inc., a company that aimed to develop a smart city using blockchain technology in Nevada.
### Leadership and Focus
Joshua DeDecker, another key figure at Dig-a-Hash, has less experience in cryptocurrency, concentrating more on real estate ventures. He describes Dig-a-Hash as a company dedicated to resolving issues faced in real estate operations and property management by integrating modern technologies to enhance outdated processes. In discussions, Segura has expressed his belief in the broader applications of their technology beyond real estate, emphasizing a current focus on utilizing NFTs in web development.
### AI and NFTs: Core Components
What’s Going on QC integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as essential elements of its framework. Segura explained that AI plays a significant role in various aspects of the website, from correcting grammar and generating cover images to verifying claims through in-depth web searches. Furthermore, AI is vital for the development of smart contracts, with Segura highlighting its proficiency in Solidity, the programming language commonly used for Ethereum-based projects.
### The NFT Integration Explained
While the website does not explicitly mention the use of NFTs, it was revealed in a prior interview with the Quad City Times that each article published on the site is also represented as an NFT on the Polygon layer-2 network. A thorough inspection of Dig-a-Hash’s website indicates that What’s Going on QC was established using NFTs as foundational elements. Additionally, DeFrieze’s other venture, The Dog Plex, is involved in tokenizing dogs into NFT formats. Segura demonstrated the process of creating new entries, showcasing how various attributes can be added and modified.
### The Role and Purpose of NFTs
A crucial question arises regarding the rationale behind using NFTs in the What’s Going on QC project. Currently, these tokens are not being utilized for fundraising purposes, and their presence is not prominently featured on the website. Notably, Dig-a-Hash emphasizes the capability to modify NFT metadata, indicating that these tokens do not rely on the blockchain’s immutability, apart from serving as a record of creation. In his conversation with Protos, Segura expressed uncertainty about the appeal of purchasing these NFTs.
### Cost-effectiveness of NFT Storage
Segura elaborated on the benefits of storing content as NFTs on Polygon, asserting that it is a more economical alternative to maintaining individual databases through Amazon Web Services (AWS). He highlighted that the ability to generate numerous records at a low cost—25 cents—ensures their longevity on the blockchain. Despite recognizing some limitations of Polygon, including its slower transaction speeds, he underscored the compelling nature of their web hosting services.
### Future Considerations for NFT Storage
The sustainability of low storage costs on Polygon will hinge on demand dynamics for the platform. Segura voiced concerns about the broader adoption of cryptocurrency, considering it one of the primary challenges facing the sector. He also noted that many blockchain networks, including Ethereum, are perceived as overpriced, hinting at potential market adjustments ahead.
