AYN is a possible way of helping new people get a grasp on BTC. It's a shipped USB stick. I'd guess an informal organization could pop up with representatives in large countries. The original idea for AYN (roughly 10 minutes before posting this) was to reduce the Internet bandwidth load required to download the blockchain. Everything else is just dressing since there's not really any reason NOT to include it, though I think it's important to show Bitcoin is more than just a simple payment network, showing users the usefulness of implemented ideas like m-of-n keys, paper wallets, and message signing, along with some of the even more cutting-edge stuff being released.
AYN would be on a 32GB USB 3.0 stick and contain the following:
*bootstrap.dat for QT no more than 7 days old at time of shipment.
*Autoplay will point to a GUI program which is able to do the following inside itself:
--Play videos (all informational videos we're able to, categorized more like a "help" file)
--Display in-depth, categorized, and searchable FAQ/"help" documents compiled from community insight, the wiki, and contributor knowledge.
--Install categorized software (full and lite clients, BTC-related tools like BtcAddress, mining software with a list of pools, browser plugins, and phone .apks [or equiv.]) while displaying text describing what the software is, both in short form and long form.
Over-reach goals:
*Self-update capability through comparing version numbers with central server, with user able to select which files they want updated, or allow them to update them all automatically. Organization should maintain server and test updated software before allowing it onto the organization's update server.
*Bootstrap files and client software for major and/or innovative altcoins.
*Reformat bootstrap file into segmented files which can be added to on-the-fly so you don't need to re-download the entire blockchain just to get your bootstrap file up-to-date.
-->Alternately (or in addition), a batch file installing all necessary components to create your own bootstrap file with one mouse click.
AYN drives will likely cost ~$30 shipped in continental US, slightly higher for elsewhere in N.A., and outside North America, other regional organizations should pop up to keep shipping costs from being insane. It may be possible to get AYN drives down to a competitive price with retail 32GB USB drives (~$20) just for the Hell of it. Compressed well, the current Bitcoin blockchain only takes ~10GB (maybe less -- I didn't spend much time trying). For particularly cheap users, we could probably shove everything into a 16GB drive for a few dollars off, though it'd be slower than a legless badger stuck to a hundred glue traps (uncompressed on 3.0, it should take ~25-30 minutes to get the massive bootstrap file onto the PC... compressed, probably around 1-3h).
It's possible AYN could be subsidized with marketing partnerships. AYN may include some extra proof-of-concept gifts, such as blank bitcoin checks and/or coins. AYN should operate without intent to profit and offer the software package for free online through a torrent file. Team members and non-associated software developers should be paid through donations.
Just some thoughts. No idea if it's even viable (that's a who-ole lotta permission to ask), much less worth the time and effort.
sounds like a great idea. well done.
