He may have sent most, but I don't think he has sent all of the alerts he could also send out an override making that failsafe a double-edged sword. Didn't Gavin send out the alert yesterday?
He cannot override the failsafe. The alert key compromised alert has a fixed message and cannot be canceled. The message is specifically "URGENT: Alert key compromised, upgrade required" From this code block at line 178 in alert.cpp // alert.nID=max is reserved for if the alert key is
// compromised. It must have a pre-defined message,
// must never expire, must apply to all versions,
// and must cancel all previous
// alerts or it will be ignored (so an attacker can't
// send an "everything is OK, don't panic" version that
// cannot be overridden):
int maxInt = std::numeric_limits<int>::max();
if (nID == maxInt)
{
if (!(
nExpiration == maxInt &&
nCancel == (maxInt-1) &&
nMinVer == 0 &&
nMaxVer == maxInt &&
setSubVer.empty() &&
nPriority == maxInt &&
strStatusBar == "URGENT: Alert key compromised, upgrade required"
))
return false;
} Even if he did send out this failsafe alert, it wouldn't do him any good. People would check the bitcoin.org website where they got the client and not go to Gavin for the client. If Gavin committed code to change the alert key and put the new client on the bitcoin.org website, other committers can revert that change and remove his commit privileges thus preventing Gavin from changing the alert key to something that only he has. The other core devs can then change the alert key, put up the message about alert key compromised on the network status page (don't need to send the message, Gavin already did it) and put up the new client on bitcoin.org without Gavin's interference. Thank you for this information. --  -- I guess this would mean that whomever owns the domain bitcoin.org is the ruling controller of Bitcoin. |
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If that were to happen, then as gmaxwell said, there would be a new alert that cannot be canceled and cancels all previous alerts that states "Alert Key Compromised" ...
Since no current member of core has been reported to have this key, that could become an awkward and most troublesome task. Your knowledge is quite wrong. There are most certainly people on the core dev team that have the key. I'm pretty sure that gmaxwell has the alert key because he said this I'm using 0.10.2 and still got the message, it's not a version specific announcement.
The message was briefly up for 0.10.2 because 0.10 had failed to increment the protocol version and I failed to account for that. The there are two alerts which are active right now covering everything prior to 0.9 plus the specific subversion strings for 0.9.0-0.9.5. about the recent blockchain fork. He is referring to the alert sent out. Note the "I" There is in fact an override option that makes an alert cancel proof. Go look in the code. alert.cpp, line 178 https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/master/src/alert.cppgmaxwell said it too. More or less incorrect on both counts. Yes, someone can send a message-- but that message can be disabled, locked out, and replaced with a key compromised method by anyone with the alert key. For security reasons everyone who has the alertkey is not enumerated (so that someone can't attempt to suppress use of the alert key by targeting multiple people). Multiple people currently active in the project have the key, and there are also other security measures in place.
Yes. I just found this: http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/2dz9ri/why_in_the_world_does_theymos_have_the_private/cjuu360But since Gavin sends out all alerts, he could also send out an override making that failsafe a double-edged sword. Didn't Gavin send out the alert yesterday? In my view, the entire alert system should be stripped from the client. It is a point of unnecessary centralization with abuse potential. |
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I plan investing altcoin  what is most important you think ? The biggest unknown is which names and brands consumers will be drawn towards. I think the best qualities when looking for an altcoin investment are name, developer, and community. Find an altcoin with a great name, talented and dedicated developer, and a community that doesn't look like a revolving door, and you've found your winner. |
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If that were to happen, then as gmaxwell said, there would be a new alert that cannot be canceled and cancels all previous alerts that states "Alert Key Compromised" ...
Since no current member of core has been reported to have this key, that could become an awkward and most troublesome task. |
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Dat spin!
Why is that this microguy constantly seems to post negatively spun articles on Bitcoin? I was thinking the same thing, this microguy is a fraud. This article is open for corrections like all other stories on Altcoin press. This story has solid sources with links. |
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There is only one alert key and it is held by multiple people, not just Gavin, and I wouldn't be surprised if more core devs had them. I know that Theymos has a key as well as Gavin. I'm fairly certain that waldimir has one too and probably more if not all of the core devs.
 The list of people with access to the alert key is listed here: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/AlertsNone of the current active core developers is on that list. I think these issues are relevant and worthy of discussion. For example, why should someone what vanished 5 years ago still have that all-powerful access yet at the same time no current core member apparently does? Seems like a valid concern. |
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~~ Sunday Follow-up for the Week of 6/28/2015Altcoin = SexcoinTicker = SXCWebsite = http://www.sexcoin.info/ [Sunday Recap]We had another strong week this week with SXC moving up 30% from 317 Satoshis on Tuesday to 451 Satoshis today. That's a solid gain of 29.7% and three straight weeks of winners for all you altcoin investors following this thread. The great thing about this coin is how it has no obvious alt competitors in the multi-billion dollar adult market. Whereas cannabis themed currencies for example have a much greater level of competition (potcoin, cannabiscoin, dopecoin, maryjane, etc.) and a smaller target market. This lack of competition and the fact the currency is still priced as "dead" makes this an altcoin worth keeping on the radar. Be sure to tune back in at the "same thread time, same thread channel" this Tuesday @ precisely 8:00PM ( see thread OP for details), when I'll be releasing my FREE altcoin pick of the week for 7-05-15. Let's keep this perfect winning streak alive! This week's pick promises to be my best pick ever! ~~ |
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As we all know at the moment Bitcoin is not quite ready to be a payment system for everyday use. Many people put their efforts towards that direction (including myself) but it didn't work that well. Bitcoin still remains merely investment and speculation tool. I analysed what could be the main obstacle in this process for Bitcoin. My conclusion appeared that exchange rate to local currency is the main problem here. There is no fully "trusted" source of the rate. We do have rates from the leading stock exchanges, we do have average or weighted aggregates of those rates. But still that sources are "points of weakness" in the system. We can't trust them that way like we trust blockchain information. Therefore I came out with an idea to add to the blocks exchange rate information. Not necessary for all available currencies, world reserve currencies would be enough (USD, EUR, GBP). A peer will collect exchange rate from any available source or sources (or establish its own). Then miners averages and confirm such rate in the block (dropping obviously rubbish values). It becomes an "official" rate like Central Bank's rate in each country. Though commercial entities are free to add their own margins as commercial banks do now. It should not be integral part of the Bitcoin protocol but kind plugin functionality. We can drop it when turn the world to Bitcoin economy. Pleas give your thought on the idea and its technical implementation possibility. Strike everything you just wrote. The issue is that the community at large can't understand that wage integration is paramount to success. Educate the bitcoin masses and you will see Bitcoin inch closer to general adoption. Employees must rise up and demand BTC as their payment currency. You solve that riddle and fiat currencies around the globe will fall. |
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If you want to worry about something, worry about the fact that bitcoin core can't send an alert without the consent of a third party.
Your remaining worries are tiny in comparison.
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We can read this both ways: "At least one of the Core Devs should have the alert keys" and "Alert system still works when no Core Dev has the key".
Yes. If the core team is able to locate someone with the key they can indeed send out alerts, as long as this third party can be found and agrees to comply. |
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 Late last night something went horribly wrong somewhere in the darkness of Bitcoin’s deepest mining wells. A rig drilling for bitcoins incorrectly validated a bad block spawning the creation of a secondary bitcoin blockchain chock-full of fake bitcoins. These vapor coins are worthless and will never become “real bitcoins”, yet many hard working miners are still furiously drilling away on the wrong chain, collecting bushel baskets full of unspendable play tokens. According to a red alert notice posted today on Bitcoin.org, the currency’s official website, mining losses thus far have reached into the five figures. Note that the roughly 50% of the network that was SPV mining had explicitly indicated that they would enforce the BIP66 rules. By not doing so, several large miners have lost over $50,000 dollars worth of mining income so far.The message also warns that a double spend window has opened whereby an attacker could potentially spend 1 bitcoin on both chains thereby doubling its value. To make sure you don’t fall victim to this exploit, you are encouraged to wait for at least 30 confirmations before considering a payment valid. Web wallet users should wait an additional 30 confirmations more than you would normally wait, unless you know for sure that your wallet is secured by Bitcoin Core 0.9.5 or later.Luckily, Bitcoin’s core development team noticed the situation early and was able to track down a living alert key holder. An alert key is a secret key that allows its owner to broadcast security alerts and update notices to every bitcoin client. This is the first time the alert system has been used since April, 2014. Gavin’s recent departure left Bitcoin’s core team without a working key. You can continue monitoring this emergency situation live at Bitcoin.org. Full Story: http://altcoinpress.com/2015/07/blockchain-bug-rocks-bitcoin-world-losses-continue-mounting-for-victims/ |
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I'm not impressed, the biggest day's trading in the last 3 months only had a volume of $1244, and most of the other days only had a small fraction of that kind of volume. It doesn't take much money to pump a coin with a market cap of $20,000. I'll wait to find out of it falls back down to earth in the next week.
I understand. The other thing I like about this coin is how it has no obvious alt competitors in the multi-billion dollar adult market. Whereas cannabis themed currencies for example have a much greater level of competition (potcoin, cannabiscoin, dopecoin, maryjane, etc.) and a smaller target market. This lack of competition and the fact the currency is priced as "dead" makes this an alt worth keeping on the radar. In addition, I have a good source telling me that members of the Sexcoin team are making inroads into forming partnerships with established adult entertainment businesses. It's tough for me not to like a coin that's priced as dead but that's really very much alive and kicking. |
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That's cool but what about Shapeshift, when are you guys gonna get added to shapeshift? TIA. That's a good idea. I think after we get this feature rolled-out it will be a good time to seek additional exchange listings. |
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ok..a bit heavy..sorry dudes.. maybe I should stay off the booze and get back on the good stuff
Rehydrate and Rebong.  |
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I'll have a word with them.
Ahmed
500 lashes with a wet noodle should do the trick! |
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Without a super majority there will be no change. So there isn't going to be any drama. Sorry.
Hearn has already articulated exactly how he intends to fork Bitcoin without majority consensus by using checkpoints (if needed). And if I'm not mistaken, his partner in crime has the bitcoin core alert key which means that might actually work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9goUDBAR0 |
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well im sure you must put some part of it into the bitcoin world and do some trades into altcoins
Diversification seems like a viable option at this juncture. Don't go "all in" Bitcoin until they figure out who is the developer and who can push out update alerts. This needs to be the same person(s), otherwise all you have is one big accident waiting to happen. |
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Yet, to the best of my knowledge, no remaining core dev has this key.
If that is true also and no other core dev holds the keys then things need certainly to change there. This can't stay this way. Yes. Having an active core dev with the alert key might be a good idea. It's tough to justify everyone having the key except them. lol |
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Though i wonder if it really is so useless. Didnt it help once with the alert when accidentally a fork was happening? The results werent so impressing?
Here are the past alerts:  Basically, the person(s) with the alert key possesses the authority to instruct bitcoin users to update. So strangely, at the moment, a man that vanished 5 years ago has that authority as does a developer that has apparently broken away from core. Yet, to the best of my knowledge, no remaining core dev has this key. Rhetoric alone cannot solve this problem. |
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