hello list,

would it be possible to have two available POW mining algorithms (like

for example "Double-SHA256" and "Cuckoo Cycle"), and let the miner

choose which one to use for POW?

the two algorithms would have independent difficulties, and after each

difficulty period, the difficulty would be adjusted to aim for 50/50

distribution of the two algorithms (in addition to aim for 10 minutes

block time).

this could be done by only adjusting up difficulty for the algorithm

used in most blocks last period, or only adjusting down difficulty for

the algorithm with the least number of blocks last period (depending

on whether the combined difficulty was to be adjusted up or down).  or

maybe a more sophisticated variant, where both difficulties are

adjusted, based on the relative difference of the number of blocks

where they are used.

the main motivation for this would be:

- increase mining distribution

- continue mining even when one type of miners suddenly jump to mine a

  more profitable altcoin.

not sure if this has been proposed (and rejected) before, but I can't

remember seeing it discussed.

would probably require a hard fork.

SA