Thanks. There's a bit of a dilemma with releasing the updated source code. Kobocoin is open source but I'm not sure the dev who developed the EM code would like me to make it freely available at this moment in time (I can see why and I don't blame him). I'd like to respect that.

It may mean that a number of Linux wallets need to be compiled. With the Linux wallet the main dependency issue is the libboost package. I've already built 2 Linux daemons and wallets.

1. kobocoin-qt v2.1 for libboost 1.54
2. kobocoin-qt v2.1 for libboost 1.55

I think most people are running one of these 2 versions of libboost (if at all). I could release them all and see how it goes for now. If you're a Linux user please goto /usr/share/doc and check what version of libboost-system1.xx.0 you're running.

I've released the kobocoin-qt for libboost 1.55 (and updated the update, and the OP). If anyone downloads the Linux wallet please let me know if you experience any issues.

You can send me a message if you want to test EM (don't expect an immediate response pls - I might be away, or asleep):

KOBOCOIN PLATFORM UPDATE: v2.1.0

** Recommended Wallet Update - Please backup your wallet.dat before starting **

Click here to download the v2.1.0.1 WINDOWS wallet (full Installer)
Click here to download the v2.1.0.1 WINDOWS wallet (binaries/zipfile - no installer)
Click here to download the v2.1.0.1 MAC OSX wallet
Click here to download the v2.1.0.1 LINUX wallet

DETAILS:

New DNS Seeders

dns1.kobocoin.com (Los Angeles, USA)
dns2.kobocoin.com (Frankfurt, Germany)
dns3.kobocoin.com (Abuja, Nigeria) - not yet implemented
dns4.kobocoin.com (Darwin, Australia) - not yet implemented

DNS seeders dns1 and dns2 are already implemented and online. All 4 DNS seeders have been hardcoded into the v2.1 wallet code.

This new infrastructure (and seeders embedded in the wallet code) mean there is no longer any need to edit, or even maintain, a Kobocoin.conf on your machine. I've been running my own personal v2.1 kobocoin wallet for the last day with no kobocoin.conf on my machine. It's been stable with 7 connections to the network for over 24 hrs. The Kobocoin.conf file is now only needed for users discovering the joys of advanced crypto configurations.

*Although no longer required, it is still prudent and recommended to maintain your own copy of Kobocoin.conf. You can add the new entries to your existing Kobocoin.conf file*

Updated Desktop Wallets



The v2.1 desktop wallets contain the following new features:

1. Updated look and feel (including denomination modifications)
2. Full Windows Installer
3. DNS Seeders hardcoded - Kobocoin.conf only needed for advanced users
4. QR Support
5. Encrypted Messaging - Using Sidechains and RPC technology
  
How To Setup Encrypted Messaging

1. Select an address to use
2. Open Help > Debug window > Console
3. At the prompt, type smsggetpubkey <address>
4. Send both the kobocoin address AND the public key, securely, to the person you wish to communicate with
5. With this information, the other party can start a secure session with you.

Linux Wallets

It's very hard to produce a common distributable for all Linux flavours. The Linux v2.1.0.1 wallet released is dependent on libboost 1.55. It's possible a lot of systems are still using libboost 1.54. Once the full v2.1.0.1 source code is released, linux users will be able to compile their own wallets.

What's next

Ironically, because of the delays, we're now much further ahead with the desktop wallet and infrastructure than was anticipated. The current features were expected towards the end of the year. This now leaves time to concentrate on getting the X15 hashing issue resolved and the android wallet built. The platform is now ready for it's introduction.

For the next day or two, I'll be updating the Kobocoin website, and using social media to start encouraging people to download the desktop wallets now we have something more user friendly and relevant to offer. After that, it's back to getting the X15 and Abe issue resolved!

I'll keep you updated with progress.

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes. I will post an update soon.

Lol. Running away is not an option. The only option is ANDROID WALLET!!!!
 

I hear you loud and clear.
 

WEEKLY ROUNDUP:

So where are we now?

DNS Seeders
It's been decided that 2 DNS seeders will be built:
dns1.kobocoin.com (US based)
dns2.kobocoin.com (EU based)
The servers are online and by the end of the weekend the names should be resolving to the right IP addresses. There's plans for a 3rd DNS server based in West Africa once suitable hosting is found.

Abe Explorer
The X15 hashing issue still exists and there's now a few people actvely helping me to crack what's going on. I've tried 10+ different X15 algos with no luck. I even built a special X15 hashing module based on the sgminer X15 hash algo that was used during PoW (surely THAT would work??? - no, it didn't). I wouldn't say we're close on the issue, I'd say that we're 'right there'. All that's needed is the key to unlock the door.

Android Wallet
The android wallets depend on the DNS seeders and Abe. The basics of the wallet are built. All that's needed is for the DNS seeders to come online and the Abe explorer to be completed. Once those things happen then it's full steam ahead on getting the wallet released.

Desktop Wallet
The updated desktop wallets (v2.1.0) are scheduled for release late next week. The wallets are scheduled for the release with the following updates:
1. Windows Installer
2. Barcode Support
3. Encrypted Messaging
4. Updated fonts/icons

Others
We are still actively promoting the brand to West African people and instituions. We've been discussing advertising on billboards etc, but that comes after the infrastructure is finally live.

At the moment it's all work in progress. Analogy is that we're in the middle of building a house. It's a building site right now.

Again, apologies are necessary for the delay in getting the android wallet out, but the positives of the delay outweigh the negatives for me. The delay means that plans that we had for later in the year are now being implemented ahead of schedule. Multiple DNS seeders, encrypted messaging and branded applications.

For the people who've held onto their KOBO during this period, thanks for the support. There should be rewards once Kobocoin moves into the public arena.

Apart from the delays(!), I'm still very positive and excited about the future of Kobocoin. We will prevail!

 

yes
 

UPDATE:

No words needed I hope!



If all's well, then next week.
 

UPDATE:

I've taken a bit of a break from tech today, but there may be good news regarding the desktop wallets. I've been in touch with a few devs over the last few days. They've been very helpful with many issues and questions. I'm in touch with one now and in the process of arranging for the new kobocoin desktop wallets to have Encrypted Messaging (EM) included. If EM requires too much new infrastructure then it might be put off till a later date, but it's something that we'd already planned for the future. If it's possible to get it included in this update then we'll do it.

Ill let you know when things are confirmed. The updated wallets are scheduled for release late next week. If including EM looks like causing a delay, then it might be put off for the next update. There's been enough delays.

The Kobocoin Abe explorer is back up.

http://167.160.36.102:2750

The challenge is that the hash calculation (as it stands now) means that no blocks after block 4005 are recognised or displayed. The entries for all blocks after 4005 do exist in the Abe DB, but certain important block properties have NULL entries (and are therefore not displayed by the explorer).

If you have a kobocoin address from the first 3 days after launch then you can check it on the explorer (testing purposes only), but results will also be from the first 3 days only unfortunately.

It's nice to be able to see block 0 though. I'm looking at how the hashing calculations work.

Yes, that address now contains 3 inputs (including 0.0005 sent from me as a test). Let us know if it's reached C-CEX OK.

Also, the DNS seeder will be online soon so the peers issues hopefully will be resolved. I'll post details once it shows up.

0.00050000

Sent you a PM

I'm looking into this.

No issue with the struggle. I knew exactly what I was taking on.

The delay is a massive silver lining for me. It's shown me that skills I have, that I didn't think mattered, are actually worth something when it comes to crypto software. I'm still learning, but I'm more comfortable with the code now I've seen and played with it. Without the delay I'd be none the wiser.

This is the error I get when I'm testing the android wallet against the blockchain:

Caused by: org.apache.maven.plugin.MojoFailureException: There are test failures.

I'm really not happy with that message
 

UPDATE:

I've completed the following basic installations. Basic installation means that the software starts correctly, or that the code being compiled compiles without compilation errors.

1. Abe explorer basic install - Completed
2. Kobocoinj basic build - Completed
3. Android wallet basic install - Completed
4. DNS seeder basic install - Completed

What does it all mean?

I've been able to install the Kobocoin PoS Android wallet on my phone, but it crashes. I'm still very happy with this progress because it means that the process flow of building, upgrading, packaging and installing the wallet is valid.

There are still errors in the main apps. The challenge is that there are no other full X15 PoS Android wallets (probably why the original android developer ran away), so the X15 hashing calculation for Abe and Bitcoinj (cloned to Kobocoinj) is still being worked out. There is a very well know dev currently looking at this so it will reach resolution soon. It's just about numbers and calculations(!).

Once the hashing issue is sorted then the wallet can be released. I'm still working on both Abe and Kobocoinj myself. They're the 2 apps affected by the hashing issue. I've been trying different settings to see what effects it has on the system. If I can get it to a point where the Android wallet doesn't crash (the embedded Kobocoinj is what's crashing) then I'll post a screenshot.

The next step is to get dns1.kobocoin.com resolving to the DNS seeder (should take 24-48hrs before being available). That way as soon as there's a resolution we also have the basic infrastructure ready.

I'm going to start the process of getting dns1.kobocoin.com resolving to the seeder and then get back to the desktop wallets. The Android issue stalled me getting the updated wallets out. I'm still keeping my eye on everything else as well.

I'll update you as I progress with things.

Very interesting. Good move by BitPesa.

Not at all. Tomorrow morning at 7am GMT we'll be 1 month in on a project that will hopefully last well into the future. It's been an eventful month. We've had a bit of a setback but it's being resolved.

The price has been back and forth but it's been less volatile, in the first month, than I thought it would be.

Why do you ask?

UPDATE:

We're almost there. Just a few bugs to sort out, but you can view the first 4005 blocks (testing purposes only) on the ABE explorer while those issues are resolved:

http://167.160.36.102:2750 (I hope it doesn't crash)

I'm also looking into the DNS seeder on the server. I'll start the process on moving a kobocoin.com subdomain over once the ABE issues are resolved and the explorer is a bit more stable. The front end is fine but the back end is flaky stuff.

Once I'm happy with the state of the software I'll get started on the Android wallet.