The NFT space continues to evolve, but with it comes a host of technical challenges that may leave many collectors and artists scratching their heads. Recently, Ani of NFTRebels highlighted key issues with NFTs, specifically the KnownOrigin (KO) art token on Etherscan. What are the main concerns? The art files associated with these coins are not as secure as many believe, and for those who are not tech-savvy, working with the technology can be daunting.
Question: Where is the art?
When you look for unsold KO Art KODA tokens on Etherscan, you’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. There is no artwork, no artist’s name, no image – just token data and a link to a file of the artwork stored on IPFS (Interplanetary File System). But even with that connection, the process was far from smooth. As Ani pointed out, the actual artwork, metadata, and cover images are stored in these IPFS archives, but accessing them requires some digging.
Understand the importance of IPFS and pinning
IPFS is a decentralized file storage system that reminds those who still remember Napster. It’s decentralized, meaning your files are stored in a network of nodes rather than in a single location. While this means your artwork won’t be stored directly on the blockchain, it can still “live forever” on IPFS as long as the file is pinned.
Pinning is the process of keeping files accessible on the IPFS network. If a file is not pinned and not accessed frequently, it may eventually disappear. This is a big problem for NFTs; if the associated files disappear, your NFT may lose its artwork and metadata, leading to broken links, confusion for collectors, and panic for artists.
SoulKeeper: A simple solution for artists and collectors
To solve this problem, Ani and Rick developed Soul Guardian. This tool is designed specifically for KO artists and collectors to keep their art files accessible and secure. You don’t need to be a technical expert to use it; all you need is your KO wallet address. SoulKeeper will find all KnownOrigin art files linked to your KODA tokens and assist you in downloading them for manual pinning or automatically pinning them using the popular pinning service Pinata.
The best part? SoulKeeper is free to use. Arnie and Rick created this tool out of a genuine desire to help communities preserve their art. This is an easy-to-use solution that will save you a lot of headaches later.
why this is important
The launch of SoulKeeper is more than just a new tool; it reminds us of the importance of understanding the technology behind NFTs. As the space expands, so does the need for tools that make it easier for artists and collectors to protect their investments. With SoulKeeper, you can ensure your art remains safe, even in the decentralized and sometimes unpredictable world of IPFS.
Long story short:
SoulKeeper is a new tool designed to help KnownOrigin artists and collectors easily pin their NFT art files to IPFS, ensuring they remain accessible and secure. It’s free to use and simplifies technical processes, making it a must-have tool for anyone in the KO community.