BFL Requests Input

[bitlane]

My vote goes to yochdog for a visit.

The last thing this should turn into is a visit from fanboys running 10x MiniRigs already.
It should be done by unbiased current users of the hardware, but not by any means those that are already 'well versed' thanks to the drinking of the BFL 'kool-aid' already.

[1714827112]

1714827112

[reeses]

Having held a TSSCI security clearance myself, I'm gonna have to call bullshit on your story, thanks for trying though.

Having held a TSSCI clearance, you should understand then the impact that, say, a credit score, financial inquiries, etc. have on your eligibility to maintain that clearance.  The point of the clearance is to assess the risk of compromise of privileged information.  If you have money problems, drug problems, or criminal associates, you are not going to maintain that clearance except under, oh yeah, SCI terms.

Otherwise, this is another of your attempts at misdirection.

You're right, I understand it very well, that's why I am calling your story bullshit.  Either you don't hold a clearance or you have no understanding as to how that clearance works.  In either case, your reasoning is bullshit... but that's neither here nor there for the purposes of this discussion, since the end result is the same.

You turned this into an emotional ad hominem discussion (other than the relevant and material topics of Sonny's probation).  I'm merely stating my reasons why I couldn't go.  You think I'm using some sort of reverse psychology?

[AndrewBUD]

I'll go,,, I am very biased and horny so ? when do I leave?

[Glasswalker]

I have no idea if the community "trusts" me at all, but I may be willing to do this, for the sake of the community as a whole. I've been fairly sceptical of BFL from the beginning. Came very close to buying some Singles back at their launch, but ended up going the other route. And now I'm fairly well aligned with "the other camp" (ie the other more open FPGA manufacturers). But if BFL is making a legitimate attempt at being open, I'm willing to help with that, to hopefully improve professionalism in this space as a whole. BFL is one of several players that is in a position to have a major impact on Bitcoin soon, and if they can be convinced to be a lot more open about things it will be good for everyone (I think).

Not saying I'll buy their product I'm already fairly invested in alternative products right now, but I think that, combined with my decent exposure to most of the recent dedicating mining tech, along with real Electronics Engineering, and FPGA Development knowledge and experience, makes me "qualified" if you will, to judge....

I think that you Glasswalker would be a good choice BUT if I remember right... you are working for one of the BFL competitors. So your visit would be a conflicting of interests. Correct me if I'm wrong.

+1 vote for yochdog

I don't "work for" competition. I developed an opensource bitstream, with some incentive from Enterpoint (but mostly funded through a community bounty). I'm also open to porting that bitstream to other boards. It's fully open-source.

I did say in my post I'm currently "aligned" with their competition though. But I can be professional and impartial. It's hardly a conflict of interest. More open manufacturers in the ASIC space is good for bitcoin. Period. I may not trust BFL very much right now, but that's because some of their practices earlier on have been questionable to be honest (in my opinion of course). But this is an opportunity for them to set the record straight, and I am willing to help (if they are honest about being open). But as I said, I won't "hide" information.

Whoever ends up going, (if anyone) I would highly suggest someone already sceptical of BFL though. Proving yourself to an existing supporter means nothing. Proving yourself to a sceptic carries a LOT more weight.

In addition I would  reccomend whoever ends up going open up to the community for a list of "proof" they would like to see. such as
- Questions to get answers to
- Specific technical details
- Things to photograph
and so on. The list can then be compiled, and reviewed by BFL. If they don't feel comfortable disclosing some of the points on the list, they can offer explanations why up front. That way the trip has defined expectations up front. If someone goes, with a list of things to find out, then gets stifled by an NDA of some kind or whatever, or can't find the answers to half of the questions the community wants, it's worth nothing to BFL, and it's a waste of the traveller's time. (and a waste of time for the community).

[sLide.]

This thread has gone off the deep end...please lock this... thanks. 

[OneMINER]

I'd like to hear about any limitations that BFL may put on the visit too. Will all of the facility be open for inspection? Can a video/audio recorder be used and are there any areas off limits for photography. I'm sure that between all of us we can compile a pretty comprehensive list of things to ask. How long will the visit be? Who will be available to answer questions and for how long?

[AndrewBUD]

Why not release some video of the facility instead of doing all of this? Quick 5 minute tour for everyone to see, Easy for you guys to blur out certain things....


2 people would be pretty easy to buy off..

[Inaba]

I will have to confer with a few other people, but I don't think there will be any limits put on anything, nor do I want there to be.

As for who will be available to answer questions and for how long - as long as is required and at least myself and Sonny along with some of the customer service people at the very least.

[crazyates]

I'd like to hear about any limitations that BFL may put on the visit too. Will all of the facility be open for inspection? Can a video/audio recorder be used and are there any areas off limits for photography. I'm sure that between all of us we can compile a pretty comprehensive list of things to ask. How long will the visit be? Who will be available to answer questions and for how long?

http://gizmodo.com/5810501/hd-spy-glasses-let-you-stalk-future-plaintiffs-in-720p

[eroxors]

Why not let bitcoin magazine do a write-up?

[mufa23]

Casascius and Yochdog

All those who say nay... ?

[OneMINER]

Inaba let's hope nothing is off limits. Please let us know if there are any restrictions. Another thing that comes to mind is that I'd like to see a randomly selected chip installed on a board. Then the visitors could run it for a couple of minutes on their own personal hardware (laptop) using their own software. If BFL doesn't object to that, it would seem like a pretty good way to verify everything. A power meter should be used too. I own a consumer grade power meter.

[robocoin]

I would enjoy reading a review by David Perry (what is his forum name?)and watching a video from gigavps

[Inaba]

Yeah, whoever ends up coming should bring their own Kill-A-Watt or similar at the very least.

[yochdog]

Yeah, whoever ends up coming should bring their own Kill-A-Watt or similar at the very least.

If selected for the visit, I will gladly bring the following:

-Kill-A-Watt meter
-HD video camera
-Rebel T2i DSLR
-Laptop for independent testing of ASIC veracity

[crazyates]

Yeah, whoever ends up coming should bring their own Kill-A-Watt or similar at the very least.

If selected for the visit, I will gladly bring the following:

-Kill-A-Watt meter
-HD video camera
-Rebel T2i DSLR
-Laptop for independent testing of ASIC veracity

Sounds like you already started packing

[reeses]

Yeah, whoever ends up coming should bring their own Kill-A-Watt or similar at the very least.

If selected for the visit, I will gladly bring the following:

-Kill-A-Watt meter
-HD video camera
-Rebel T2i DSLR
-Laptop for independent testing of ASIC veracity

If you need any gear, let me know.  I can participate to that level.

[SgtMoth]

DrHaribo, death and taxes, or gigavps would be fine with me

[mufa23]

Yeah, whoever ends up coming should bring their own Kill-A-Watt or similar at the very least.

If casascius doesn't go, then I will gladly take his place. I'm all set.

[ColdHardMetal]

Yochdog makes sense. Long time miner, rational, level headed, non mouth frothing poster. We've done some transactions with no problems, and I think his opinion would be respected.