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Bitcoin was created to reduce the level of trust required for the operation of monetary systems. Everytime I see another centralized interface to Bitcoin it de

by nullc 13y ago

Bitcoin was created to reduce the level of trust required for the operation of monetary systems. Everytime I see another centralized interface to Bitcoin it depresses me. Centralized interfaces on top of Bitcoin are sort of a worst of all worlds, gaining all of the disadvantages of both centralized and decentralized approaches.

wyager 13y ago
Exactly. Why can't people release packages for examining local copies of the blockchain? The blockchain isn't exactly hard to acquire.
- _pius 13y ago
  Why can't people release packages for examining local copies of the blockchain? "People." Why don't you write one instead of just criticizing theirs from the sideline?
  - simoncarter 13y ago
    Maybe because he is to busy. Or maybe because of a 100 different other reasons. Whatever his excuse, the fact that someone could be to busy to implement some software doesn't mean they can't critique something they don't like, or suggest ideas for things they do.
  - qq66 13y ago
    It takes a lot more skill and capability to be a creator than a consumer. I would like someone to make a movie about two time travelers who chase each other through time like a car chase. However I have zero filmmaking skill and I don't really know how to even start such a thing. My skills are best applied elsewhere, that doesn't mean I can't cross my fingers and hope that a talented filmmaker makes that movie.
- vbuterin 13y ago
  Because nobody wants to store and maintain a local copy of the blockchain. Simple as that. That's why I use blockchain.info for everything and not bitcoind.
  - nwh 12y ago
    You really, really don't want to be doing that. Use a proper SPV client.
    - vbuterin 12y ago
      Works fine for me right now. When someone creates a competitor to BCI that provides SPV proofs in an API, I'll be the first to include fully validating support into pybitcointools. Until then, sorry, convenience and zero loading time (yes, even SPV clients are not instant) win out.
      - nwh 12y ago
        Electrum is within a second, instant.
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
Rygu 13y ago
I see it differently. To me there's a parallel between open source software and decentralized systems. Both have two sides. On one side you'll have the low-profile hackers and early/autonomous adopters who act as the driving forces executing and developing the innovative ideas of the project. On the other side, service-oriented companies provide consultancy and their experience to help other companies or individuals adopt the project. Open source, decentralized, don't mean service-less. As long as your service provides some value, then there will be a market. Sometimes companies need enterprise support, service level agreements, and outsourced business processes in order to focus on their core businesses. We will be seeing lots of non-currency related Bitcoin startups who sell services related to the blockchain. Either crawling it, or utilizing it for contracts / trades.
axefrog 13y ago
The difference here is that with Bitcoin, it is impossible for any centralized service to monopolize the space or take away a user's power to manage their own money. Unlike banks and so forth, if you want to make a transaction or take the reins on the management of your own finances, you can, and nothing and nobody can stop you, nor can they take your money from you. Introducing new paradigms are not always as simple as changing the playing field in one step. These centralized services are a good thing. They introduce to the playing field an entry point for the layperson who doesn't want to deal with the headaches, learning curve and stresses of doing things themselves. When they feel a burning need to take the reins, they will be able to, and will take the time to learn how, and no bank or government will be able to stop them.
mappum 13y ago
It's surprising to me that this project can get so much positive attention from developers, and even investors (according to their website). It is pretty critical that the people building the future Bitcoin ecosystem learn what sort of services they should stay away from. Also, I wonder how much they paid for that domain.

by nullc 13y ago

wyager 13y ago

Exactly. Why can't people release packages for examining local copies of the blockchain? The blockchain isn't exactly hard to acquire.

_pius 13y ago
Why can't people release packages for examining local copies of the blockchain? "People." Why don't you write one instead of just criticizing theirs from the sideline?
- simoncarter 13y ago
  Maybe because he is to busy. Or maybe because of a 100 different other reasons. Whatever his excuse, the fact that someone could be to busy to implement some software doesn't mean they can't critique something they don't like, or suggest ideas for things they do.
- qq66 13y ago
  It takes a lot more skill and capability to be a creator than a consumer. I would like someone to make a movie about two time travelers who chase each other through time like a car chase. However I have zero filmmaking skill and I don't really know how to even start such a thing. My skills are best applied elsewhere, that doesn't mean I can't cross my fingers and hope that a talented filmmaker makes that movie.
vbuterin 13y ago
Because nobody wants to store and maintain a local copy of the blockchain. Simple as that. That's why I use blockchain.info for everything and not bitcoind.
- nwh 12y ago
  You really, really don't want to be doing that. Use a proper SPV client.
  - vbuterin 12y ago
    Works fine for me right now. When someone creates a competitor to BCI that provides SPV proofs in an API, I'll be the first to include fully validating support into pybitcointools. Until then, sorry, convenience and zero loading time (yes, even SPV clients are not instant) win out.
    - nwh 12y ago
      Electrum is within a second, instant.

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

Rygu 13y ago

I see it differently. To me there's a parallel between open source software and decentralized systems. Both have two sides. On one side you'll have the low-profile hackers and early/autonomous adopters who act as the driving forces executing and developing the innovative ideas of the project. On the other side, service-oriented companies provide consultancy and their experience to help other companies or individuals adopt the project. Open source, decentralized, don't mean service-less. As long as your service provides some value, then there will be a market. Sometimes companies need enterprise support, service level agreements, and outsourced business processes in order to focus on their core businesses. We will be seeing lots of non-currency related Bitcoin startups who sell services related to the blockchain. Either crawling it, or utilizing it for contracts / trades.

axefrog 13y ago

The difference here is that with Bitcoin, it is impossible for any centralized service to monopolize the space or take away a user's power to manage their own money. Unlike banks and so forth, if you want to make a transaction or take the reins on the management of your own finances, you can, and nothing and nobody can stop you, nor can they take your money from you. Introducing new paradigms are not always as simple as changing the playing field in one step. These centralized services are a good thing. They introduce to the playing field an entry point for the layperson who doesn't want to deal with the headaches, learning curve and stresses of doing things themselves. When they feel a burning need to take the reins, they will be able to, and will take the time to learn how, and no bank or government will be able to stop them.

mappum 13y ago

It's surprising to me that this project can get so much positive attention from developers, and even investors (according to their website). It is pretty critical that the people building the future Bitcoin ecosystem learn what sort of services they should stay away from. Also, I wonder how much they paid for that domain.