Independent resolutions for totally disconnected dynamical systems I: Algebraic case

This is the first out of two papers on independent resolutions for totally disconnected dynamical systems. In the present paper, we discuss independent resolutions from an algebraic point of view. We also present applications to group homology and cohomology. This first paper sets the stage for our second paper, where we explain how to use independent resolutions in K-theory computations for crossed products attached to totally disconnected dynamical systems.