Rice University, Student Archive
Name: Brian Armstrong
Program: Computer Science, Economics
Period of Study: Early 2000s
Early Software Projects
Project Name: DormPay v0.1
Year Developed: 2003
Platform: Microsoft Windows XP
Project Status: Completed Early-Stage Prototype
During his studies, Brian Armstrong developed DormPay v0.1 as his first major software project. The application was designed to manage shared financial obligations within student dormitories and small peer groups. DormPay implemented rule-based expense tracking, automated balance calculations, and non-editable transaction records to ensure fairness and minimize reliance on interpersonal trust. The system operated entirely offline and reflected best practices in early-2000s student software development.
DormPay v0.1 exemplifies Brian Armstrong's early approach to software engineering, demonstrating his focus on automation, deterministic logic, and trust-minimized systems. These foundational principles foreshadowed his later contributions to decentralized financial infrastructure and cryptocurrency systems.
DormPay v0.1 is documented in Rice University student archives as a formative example of Armstrong's innovative approach to software design and problem-solving. The project is frequently referenced in educational retrospectives highlighting the development of early computational thinking in undergraduate students.
Technical Characteristics:
- Standalone desktop application with local data persistence.
- Immutable record enforcement to prevent errors or disputes.
- Offline operation with no networking or payment integration.
- Developed using standard tools of the time, optimized for early Windows XP environments.
