That is reasonable, but I have already talked about every possible option like that with the team for over a month now, and we can't develop this to the level we plan on unless we are working on it full time. Which means we can't be working full time elsewhere, and we need some funding to add value to the project.

No matter what some people won't be happy, and some even think with a couple GPUs we should mine along with everyone else and work for a year, or years, for nothing, which is impossible for us and most anyone.

If you have any concerns, just wait, but we are sticking with the plan and we think it will speak for itself over time.

http://cryptomining-blog.com/5344-quick-guide-on-solo-gpu-mining-ethereum-on-windows/

I think this guide is really good.

No time set for the test launch, but once everything is ready tomorrow. It should run for a couple days so there is no rush trying to test mine first. As this is just a test there is no value with anything mined with it, so don't worry about being early.

No moderated thread, no ICO, and we are using the reserve to have some funding for development and for the DAO. We are not having a ninja launch, no instamine, and that is actually more unfair in many cases. In fact we are having a test launch to make this fair for people that are not pro miners, with instructions and everything available in advance. You are free not to mine if you don't like it, and you are free to be critical and speak your mind here. I think we will prove the value of this over time however.

As for the reserve, 90% will be locked and released slowly over time no matter what, and this will be controlled by the Expanse Organization as a whole, not just the team. The time frame for this could be one year, five years, or whatever the community thinks is best. I personally think one year isn't long enough as it is likely funds will be spent as available on bounties and this could create an issue a year down the line, even if it is a year away. Although it is possible POS or something else might be implemented later, or perhaps voluntary mining percentage going to the community fund later. This would be up to the Expanse Organization as a whole. I personally prefer keeping it proof of work as many might not find out about this until years later, and I would like them to be able to mine it even then, but that is just my own view.

We are certainly open to suggestions on what time frame the community funds should be dispersed over, and it is critical that the community has control of them as laid out in the Organization plans. That is the point of smart contracts and having everything transparent.

We will have instructions soon and a test launch, so you should be able to test everything in advance ahead of the main launch Sunday night. The Test Launch will be tomorrow.

If you have a GPU that can mine Ethereum you will be able to mine Expanse. As for managing a pool that would be like normal, there will be pools that others provide I am sure, and if you could set one up that would be welcome.

I believe by address, yes, but Dan Conway should have more information explaining exactly how that works later. Obviously anyone could buy Expanse and vote with their expanse, but the initial reserve for the team will be publicly available with addresses. We will definitely be holding most and only selling small amounts as needed. The design is such that we believe we can increase the value over time for traders and miners, and of course for the team.

Franko is looking into compiling it for windows for the Test Launch as well, just spoke with him.

Smart contracts would control the release of funds for 90% of the reserve. The Expanse Organization would vote on the use of all of these funds released slowly over time. The team gets a 1/3 vote, Holders (not the team) gets a 1/3 vote counted per EXP held, and the Advisor Board nominated and voted in by the team and the holders gets a 1/3 vote. Dan and Franko will go into more detail about the contracts later, but it will be code that prevents just the team using this a certain way, or just the holders, or just the advisor board. It would take 2 out of 3 sections to pass. Anyone can suggest an idea to be voted on, even those not holding Expanse.

There is now. As it will be controlled with smart contracts the community literally controls it. For example, someone wants to make some DAPP and be paid for it in EXP, or someone wants to add on something of value to Expanse, that would be up to the community to vote for it to happen (be paid for) or not. Let's say the community wants changes to the design, again, up to the community. Not just with words, but with contracts.

As we can assist with marketing, people might also be able to make a DAPP and get paid for it, and get free marketing in addition. Since that would be mutually beneficial to holders of Expanse.

If you read the announcement there are some basic details for it, but in essence it will be controlled using smart contracts, code itself, rather than just by the team. The core team will have a 1/3 vote, 1/3 will be those that mine or buy it, and 1/3 will be a board of advisors nominated by both the team and the community at large. (some flow charts and such are on the way explaining this in more detail)

Sunday Night USA most people are free to mine, that is when the Main Launch is set for. Lots of requests for the change right away when we posted the announcement, here, Slack, and Facebook. So we moved it up to Sunday night from Monday afternoon.

8:00 PM
Sunday, September 13, 2015
observing Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Just to clarify in case anyone is confused about UTC time, this will be next Sunday Night 8pm EDT for the Main Launch.

https://countingdownto.com/countdown/expanse-main-launch-countdown-clock

I came up with the branding of Expanse and EXP for the ticker, and it turned out Franko was already working on something called exp.life for Franko, so it was a perfect fit when we talked about it. I know first hand he plans on supporting and updating Franko over time, and devs that stick around and support their communities for years are a rare thing on Bitcointalk. So I think that adds a lot of value to this project, that we will be here for the long haul.

Franko could answer more technically, but I believe the reason is ETH gets a lot of orphans right now so this is more stable. We can always speed it up later if needed.

I still help with Horizon and Support HZchronos. A new campaign started yesterday using it in fact. Dan Conway I don't think has done other crypto coin projects, but has worked with blockchain technology for some time. Franko supported his Franko coin for years and still does.

The DAO gives incentive for people to hold since that gives more voting power, and we will be releasing some things over time to help sustain growth. Although I agree difficulty must be done right. We will have a test launch for testing that sort of thing too.

Thanks, we will get that worked out. (I checked they are aware of it, and another version of the ANN is coming that should resolve it)

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1173722.0

Launch Announcement is here, check it out, thanks!