Bittrex updated their announcement with a specific time they are closing their ZCL wallets for maintenance:

https://bittrex.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000201171-Support-for-the-ZEN-Hardfork

Support for the ZEN Hardfork
Note: The estimated time of the fork block is now 8 hours earlier due to increased hash power on the network.  We've also updated the time we are shutting down the market and wallet.

The ZenCash (ZEN) network is anticipated to launch on May 23rd at 5pm PDT (0:00 UTC) as a hard fork from Zclassic (ZCL).  Bittrex users will be credited 1 ZEN for each Zclassic (ZCL) held in their exchange accounts at Zclassic block 110,000.  The block is estimated to occur at approximately 11:10 PDT (18:10 UTC)  5/18/2017.

Bittrex will credit the ZEN tokens and enable the market when we and the ZEN team agree the new proof of work mining network is stable. The ZCL market will be re-enabled and all orders cancelled within 24 hours after the fork block. 

Note: Bittrex will be closing our ZCL wallet and market within two hours of the fork block to take accurate snapshots of balances. If your deposits are not settled (e.g. marked as pending) by 09:00 PDT 5/18/2017, you may not be credited with ZEN.

Please note that the full 3 day gap between block 110,000 and the May 23rd launch will be used to generate and distribute the ZenCash genesis block, which importantly implements replay attack mitigation in the new client release.

We would like to thank the ZEN team for working closely with us and addressing our concerns.  Distribution through hard forks like this one are not typically supported by Bittrex but strong replay protection and a commitment by both teams to maintain the ZCL and ZEN forks and their independent missions swayed our decision making.

It's called a Secure Node in ZenCash lingo. 42 Zen is required, and so are some other things.

Part 1 of setting up a Secure VPS is here: https://blockoperations.com/build-zencash-secure-node-part-1-prepare-vps/

Here is a quick guide on setting up a secure node. If you want a more detailed guide you will have to wait until I write it up. That will take a day or so:
   Setup a secure ubuntu 16.04 LTS system
   Make sure you have more than 4G memory, use swap
   Install an SSL certificate and script it to be available to regular user
   Clone and install ZenCash zen application
   Configure .conf files
   Run Zencash zen application
   Set up Zencash to restart automatically
   Send >=42 ZenCash to a t_address on the node
   Set up GNUnet publishing and test by publishing something on GNUnet
   Create a script to check a z_address channel for new information. When there is new info, create a z_transaction and send it. The have the script publish some information to GNUnet
   Set up a cronjob to run the script every 2 minutes.

The main software is ready, you can find it here: https://github.com/zencashio/zen

It's a good thing there are multiple wallets. There are some bugs with the Eleos wallet. Right now the lead developer @movrcx is focused on the zencash node software, and will work on the wallet updates soon.

If anyone is a node.js developer and wants to get a head start on getting familiar with the wallet code, after the ZenCash the DAO will have the ability to pay for development and support. Github for it is right here:
https://github.com/zencashio/eleos

There are issues, many are identified, and they'll get worked soon.

The eleos wallet will probably be the first one to support ZenCash. It currently supports Zcash and Zclassic. You can see how to use it here.

https://blog.zencash.io/transfer-zclassic-to-eleos-wallet-and-copy-private-keys/

There should be a version released that supports ZenCash next week. You will definitely be able to use it to view your ZenCash on the blockchain after the launch on May 23rd.

I expect you will need to upgrade your Eleos wallet installation to add the ZenCash capability, and it will need to download the blockchain before you will see your ZenCash.

You should be able to use either transparent or shielded address for getting zencash from the zclassic. If you use transparent you will be able to verify the zencash on block explorer also not just your wallet.

Right on! I'm going to do the same thing on my own. I started and used to own a Cisco Gold partner in Atlanta and the data networking background helps a lot in this business.

I run a zclassic mining pool using the z-nomp software, mostly for my own mining rigs. The lead developer for z-nomp (movrcx) is also the lead developer for Zencash and the eleos Zcash/Zclassic/ZenCash GUI wallet.

Z-nomp is a good way to start a mining pool. It's a little basic on the front end, and the pool aspect is really good.

not beyond the blog post I just wrote on the status:

Here is an update on where we are at with Bittrex support. They want to make sure the ZenCash node software has protection from replay support before talking further. The good news is these changes are currently being tested by the team.

More details at the blog post here:

https://blog.zencash.io/statement-from-bittrex-about-zencash-support-on-may-6/

Here is an update on where we are at with Bittrex support. They want to make sure the ZenCash node software has protection from replay support before talking further. The good news is these changes are currently being tested by the team.

https://blog.zencash.io/statement-from-bittrex-about-zencash-support-on-may-6/

The ZenCash team is actively working with Bittrex to have them do the swap automatically. As soon as we have a definite answer we'll update all communication channels.

Yes that is correct. The entire Zclassic blockchain up to the fork will be copied so ZenCash will start with a blockchain that already has value in it.

Hold the Zclassic until after the ZenCash launch, happening at 7 pm EDT (2300 UTC) on May 23, 2017.

You will be able to access your ZenCash by exporting your Zclassic private keys our of your Zclassic wallet, then importing the Zclassic private keys into your ZenCash wallet, which will be available after the launch.

There is already a version of the ZenCash wallet that supports Zcash and Zclassic, and will support ZenCash after the launch. See how to use it here:
https://blog.zencash.io/transfer-zclassic-to-eleos-wallet-and-copy-private-keys/

I'll be doing a video and posting it on the ZenCash YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ0v_lUnZHIKUQUXJzfgqOg
and the ZenCash blog at: https://blog.zencash.io/

You can already do this with the Eleos wallet between Zcash and Zclassic now. Export the Wallet file from Eleos in Zclassic and import it into Eleos in Zcash. That will pull your Zclassic private keys into Zcash.

The Eleos GUI wallet currently support Zcash and Zclassic, and will support ZenCash in the future. These wallets are in active development by @movrcx, and are available at this site for download:

https://github.com/zencashio/eleos

I am currently running the Linux and Windows version of the Eleos wallet, and they work great. I'll be testing the Mac version as well, and as far as I can tell from what people are saying on the ZenCash slack, it works well also.

You can export your private keys from your ZCL wallet, then import those same keys into the Zen wallet. You will then have the same amount of Zen that you had ZCL at the time of the chain split.

This information is incorrect. There is nothing happening at block 100,000.

There is still time for all the details and specifics for anyone who is interested. Thank you to everyone who is telling the zencash team what to do - all suggestions are helpful and appreciated by the team.

Zen will not split or fork from zclassic until May 23. There will be more information and details coming out in the next few weeks, and there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes. We are not asking for anyone to join an ICO, not asking for any funds or investment, just letting you all know what we are doing.

We would still love to have people help and contribute to the project. Look at the official sites of https://zencash.io, https://wiki.zencash.io, https://blog.zencash.io, and join the slack and ask questions at https://slackinvite.zencash.io/

Should have that information posted this week. It is not going to be too much different than setting up a zclassic node. Will also need a valid certificate, hold 42 Zen on the node, and be able to send a shielded transaction every few minutes to verify the Secure Node is meeting requirements and keep it active in payment queue.

Practice right now by setting up a zclassic node, getting a cert from letsencrypt, and receiving and sending z_transaction on the node. You should be able to do this on a $5 per month VPS by using swap to get memory above 4GB.

depends on the cards you put into it. Did you look at the post and see the hash rate using RX470 and RX480 cards on zclassic? It's doing about 1650 H/s with the RX470 and 1800 H/s with the RX480. Zen will use the same mining algorithm as zclassic and zcash.

important hotfix about to be posted to zlcassic for version 1.08a.

Anyone running a zclassic node should update ASAP. This includes mining pools, wallet users, and exchanges!

Quick directions for updating your node as soon as the fix is posted:
upgrade zclassic node to 1.08a

go to zclassic directory
git pull
follow directions here: https://github.com/z-classic/zclassic

./zcutil/build.sh -j$(nproc)
zcash-cli stop
./src/zcashd or copy zcashd and zcash-cli to your preferred locations and run your start scripts

Zencash is going to be launched on May 23, not in April. There is a lot of work to do to make this a fully working and supported cryptocurrency. The main zencash.io website also links to the wiki and blog, where there is further information.

If you want to get ready to mine Zen, you can build a 6 GPU mining rig and mine zclassic right now to make sure you are ready. Here is a guide I built with parts, directions, and troubleshooting for AMD RX470 and EthosDistro mining operating system
https://blockoperations.com/gpu-mining-zcash-ethereum-ethosdistro-amd-rx470/

I just posted a new mining rig build howto. This one for RX470's and Ethosdistro running Claymore miner. All the steps, from ordering, to setting up BIOS, to configuring Claymore on EthosDistro:

https://blockoperations.com/gpu-mining-zcash-ethereum-ethosdistro-amd-rx470/

zstratum+tls://