From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Received: from sog-mx-1.v43.ch3.sourceforge.com ([172.29.43.191] helo=mx.sourceforge.net) by sfs-ml-2.v29.ch3.sourceforge.com with esmtp (Exim 4.76) (envelope-from ) id 1SPZWB-0008B0-Ac for bitcoin-development@lists.sourceforge.net; Wed, 02 May 2012 13:22:55 +0000 Received-SPF: pass (sog-mx-1.v43.ch3.sourceforge.com: domain of gmail.com designates 74.125.82.53 as permitted sender) client-ip=74.125.82.53; envelope-from=mh.in.england@gmail.com; helo=mail-wg0-f53.google.com; Received: from mail-wg0-f53.google.com ([74.125.82.53]) by sog-mx-1.v43.ch3.sourceforge.com with esmtps (TLSv1:RC4-SHA:128) (Exim 4.76) id 1SPZW5-0007Yy-5d for bitcoin-development@lists.sourceforge.net; Wed, 02 May 2012 13:22:55 +0000 Received: by wgbfm10 with SMTP id fm10so554859wgb.10 for ; Wed, 02 May 2012 06:22:43 -0700 (PDT) MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.180.102.3 with SMTP id fk3mr14288276wib.9.1335964963009; Wed, 02 May 2012 06:22:43 -0700 (PDT) Sender: mh.in.england@gmail.com Received: by 10.216.71.135 with HTTP; Wed, 2 May 2012 06:22:42 -0700 (PDT) In-Reply-To: References: <1335808239.18613.YahooMailNeo@web121006.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> <1335810663.39838.YahooMailNeo@web121007.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 15:22:42 +0200 X-Google-Sender-Auth: sFJTM7Ww9DuKInFGgw9_yr6zQa0 Message-ID: From: Mike Hearn To: Alan Reiner Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=f46d044518070d755604bf0d95d4 X-Spam-Score: -0.5 (/) X-Spam-Report: Spam Filtering performed by mx.sourceforge.net. See http://spamassassin.org/tag/ for more details. -1.5 SPF_CHECK_PASS SPF reports sender host as permitted sender for sender-domain 0.0 FREEMAIL_FROM Sender email is commonly abused enduser mail provider (mh.in.england[at]gmail.com) -0.0 SPF_PASS SPF: sender matches SPF record 1.0 HTML_MESSAGE BODY: HTML included in message 0.1 DKIM_SIGNED Message has a DKIM or DK signature, not necessarily valid -0.1 DKIM_VALID Message has at least one valid DKIM or DK signature X-Headers-End: 1SPZW5-0007Yy-5d Cc: "bitcoin-development@lists.sourceforge.net" Subject: Re: [Bitcoin-development] new bitcoin.org clients page X-BeenThere: bitcoin-development@lists.sourceforge.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.9 Precedence: list List-Id: List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 02 May 2012 13:22:55 -0000 --f46d044518070d755604bf0d95d4 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 We're debating the descriptions on the thread. I provided rewritten descriptions that try and keep with the "theme per client" goal, whilst being less technical. I think it's unclear how best to run this page. It's clear we need one though. If everyone can just submit whatever they like then we'll end up with 4 or 5 "pick me! pick me!" type descriptions, which avoids a lot of arguing but doesn't really help our users make a decision. If we have a Benign Dictator model we might end up with descriptions that are wrong or don't highlight the strengths / weaknesses of each client properly. So although it's messy I think the right path is probably the middle one - have some descriptions that try to be neutral, then improve them based on feedback from users and developers. They need to be flexible and evolve over time as the clients evolve too. At some point every client will support deterministic wallets so "easy backups" won't be worth mentioning any more, but there'll be new distinguishing features. And we all need to try and be honest about our own work. Here is the current content. Like I said, the descriptions are *not* set in stone at all. Bitcoin-Qt The original software written by Satoshi Nakamoto, the project's founder. If you aren't sure which program to pick, this is a good bet. This application is a peer-to-peer client that builds the backbone of the Bitcoin network. It is suited for enthusiasts, merchants, miners, developers and people who want to help support the project. People who run Bitcoin-Qt are first class network citizens and have the highest levels of security, privacy and stability. However, it can be very resource intensive and you should be willing to leave it running in the background so other computers can connect to yours. If your computer is low powered or you aren't willing to tolerate a 24-hour+ initial start time, you should consider other clients. Cutting edge features tend to be implemented in other clients first. Website: bitcoin.org Platforms: MultiBit MultiBit's primary focus is being fast and easy to use, even for people with no technical knowledge. It has a YouTube channel to help you learn the software, and includes helpful features such as an exchange rate ticker. MultiBit supports many languages such as German, Spanish and Greek. MultiBit synchronizes with the network much faster than Bitcoin-Qt and should be ready for you to use within a few minutes. This is a good choice for non technical users who want an easy to use experience, especially if you use a Mac. Website: multibit.org Platforms: Armory Armory focuses on advanced wallet management features, such as the ability to construct transactions whilst disconnected from the internet. It operates in conjunction with a Bitcoin-Qt install. It requires a large amount of RAM to operate and if you use Windows, it requires a 64 bit version. It is a good choice for tech-savvy enthusiasts or merchants who want to try out cutting edge ideas in the Bitcoin world. Armory was partly funded by a community donation drive which raised over $4000. Website: bitcoinarmory.com Platforms: Electrum Electrum's focus is speed, with low resource usage and making wallet backups easy. It operates in conjunction with remote servers that handle the most complicated parts of the Bitcoin system, which is why it's fast. However, by running this client you don't contribute your computer's resources to the core network, and the remote servers that help give it good performance have the ability to see all your transactions and tie them together. Whilst you need provide no personal information to use Electrum (as is true for all Bitcoin clients), this means the privacy level is lower than for other clients. Merchants are recommended to use other p2p clients. Electrum is not quite user friendly yet - currently it is more suited for tech-saavy individuals. Website: ecdsa.org/electrum Platforms: --f46d044518070d755604bf0d95d4 Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable We're debating the descriptions on the thread. I provided rewritten des= criptions that try and keep with the "theme per client" goal, whi= lst being less technical.

I think it's unclear how best to run t= his page. It's clear we need one though. If everyone can just submit wh= atever they like then we'll end up with 4 or 5 "pick me! pick me!&= quot; type descriptions, which avoids a lot of arguing but doesn't real= ly help our users make a decision. If we have a Benign Dictator model we mi= ght end up with descriptions that are wrong or don't highlight the stre= ngths / weaknesses of each client properly.

So although it's messy I think the right path is probably the middl= e one - have some descriptions that try to be neutral, then improve them ba= sed on feedback from users and developers. They need to be flexible and evo= lve over time as the clients evolve too. At some point every client will su= pport deterministic wallets so "easy backups" won't be worth = mentioning any more, but there'll be new distinguishing features. And w= e all need to try and be honest about our own work.

Here is the current content. Like I said, the descriptions are not=C2=A0set in stone at all.



Bitcoin-Qt

Th= e original software written by Satoshi Nakamoto, the project's founder.= If you aren't sure which program to pick, this is a good bet. This app= lication is a peer-to-peer client that builds the backbone of the Bitcoin n= etwork. It is suited for enthusiasts, merchants, miners, developers and peo= ple who want to help support the project. People who run Bitcoin-Qt are fir= st class network citizens and have the highest levels of security, privacy = and stability. However, it can be very resource intensive and you should be= willing to leave it running in the background so other computers can conne= ct to yours. If your computer is low powered or you aren't willing to t= olerate a 24-hour+ initial start time, you should consider other clients. C= utting edge features tend to be implemented in other clients first.

= Website:=C2=A0bitcoin.org

= Platforms:=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=

MultiBit

Mult= iBit's primary focus is being fast and easy to use, even for people wit= h no technical knowledge. It has a YouTube channel to help you learn the so= ftware, and includes helpful features such as an exchange rate ticker. Mult= iBit supports many languages such as German, Spanish and Greek. MultiBit sy= nchronizes with the network much faster than Bitcoin-Qt and should be ready= for you to use within a few minutes. This is a good choice for non technic= al users who want an easy to use experience, especially if you use a Mac.

= Website:=C2=A0multibit.org

= Platforms:=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0= =C2=A0

Armory

Armory= focuses on advanced wallet management features, such as the ability to con= struct transactions whilst disconnected from the internet. It operates in c= onjunction with a Bitcoin-Qt install. It requires a large amount of RAM to = operate and if you use Windows, it requires a 64 bit version. It is a good = choice for tech-savvy enthusiasts or merchants who want to try out cutting = edge ideas in the Bitcoin world. Armory was partly funded by a community do= nation drive which raised over $4000.

= Website:=C2=A0bitcoinarmory.com

= Platforms:=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0


Electrum

Elec= trum's focus is speed, with low resource usage and making wallet backup= s easy. It operates in conjunction with remote servers that handle the most= complicated parts of the Bitcoin system, which is why it's fast. Howev= er, by running this client you don't contribute your computer's res= ources to the core network, and the remote servers that help give it good p= erformance have the ability to see all your transactions and tie them toget= her. Whilst you need provide no personal information to use Electrum (as is= true for all Bitcoin clients), this means the privacy level is lower than = for other clients. Merchants are recommended to use other p2p clients. Elec= trum is not quite user friendly yet - currently it is more suited for tech-= saavy individuals.

= Website:=C2=A0ecdsa.org/electrum

= Platforms:=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=

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