The metaverse is still a somewhat nebulous concept for the vast majority of the population, and amidst Facebook's announcement about the future of the giant, now Meta, many questions arise about how this concept will actually interfere with life as we know it today. 

Hardware, VR, AR, AI, Blockchain, Smart Contracts, DLT, open source, sidechains, immersive meetings, NFTs, and various other elements are an initial idea of ​​what is part of... Metaverse universeAnd several companies are gradually creating tools to be part of that universe.

Niantic, the company behind Pokémon Go, has just launched the Niantic Lightship, an Augmented Reality Development Kit (ARDK) that will allow for on-site augmented reality (AR) experiences, enabling users to understand the 'scenes' of the moment, identifying the sky, trees, ground, and even the shape of buildings and the distances between each element.

Open Source Technology in the Metaverse

Open Source It is a term that refers to open source software (OSS) that has a open code To be easily accessible to the general public. It is decentralized, collaborative, and can be reviewed and produced by the community. Because it is a cheaper option, it eliminates the need for owners and tends to be more durable, precisely because it is not produced by a single company or author.

The Open Source concept was created by Eric Raymond and other founders of the OSI with the goal of developing free software for businesses in a more commercial way.

For software to be considered open source, it needs to have free distribution, source code, derivative works, integrity of the source code author, non-discrimination against individuals or groups, non-discrimination against areas and activities, distribution of the license, a license that is not specific to a product, a license that does not restrict other programs, and a technology-neutral license.

Some of the best-known Open Source projects are LinuxAnsible and Kubernetes. 

Until then, projects of open-source metaverse They had never actually taken off. "There wasn't much enthusiasm surrounding the interconnection, partly because there really wasn't a reason for it.""said Philip Rosedale, founder of Second Life's Linden Lab publisher."

Although the Facebook, now Meta, to currently be the biggest promoter of the concept Open Source MetaverseOther companies also have projects that are gradually migrating to this concept, such as Epic Games, Microsoft, and Roblox.

Blockchain in the Metaverse

The technology Blockchain It is very connected to the Metaverse. cryptocurrencies and NFTs They allow users to buy and sell these virtual assets online, without any physical contact. Cryptocurrencies have been used for various things, including buying virtual land, creating NFTs, and much more. All these blockchain technologies are creating a metaverse that can be experienced as an evolution of the internet. 

Before blockchain technology, the metaverse was incomplete because everything was stored on a centralized network. Through blockchain, it's possible to work globally as a digital resource where cryptography enables decentralization. 

The basic foundation of the Metaverse is explained below: 

• InternetThe Metaverse uses a decentralized network of computers where no centralized government authority is needed. 
• Open media standardsIt uses 3D items, audio, text, images, geometric figures, sequences, vectors, and any other combination of other digital media. 

• Open programming language standardsLanguage standards such as JavaScript, HTML, WebXR, WebAssembly, GPU web shader language, etc. 

• HardwareExtended reality (XR) and mixed reality (MR), such as smart glasses.

The Metaverse is the future, and people will use these virtual spaces to interact, communicate, do business, and even build virtual communities to connect. However, they must also be mindful of issues related to excessive immersion in these environments so as not to be psychologically affected or become vulnerable to their problems. data and privacy. 

Balance in this process is essential to be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.