John (John K.)'s escrow service (previously known as johnthedong)

[Vycid]

My apologies for the delay - my restore of a secure operating system took longer than I expected, and am back for good now.

Hi John, can you define what you did for a secure operating system?

Like, what OS, what computer or laptop, what major important software ... if that is permanently offline or online or whatever it is that you do, and any other thing you think is important. Why GPG version 1 instead of GPG version 2, or why not yet moved to a different hash (SHA1 vs SHA256 or SHA512).

As you know, you are the number one escrow provider, and we other bitcoin escrow agents would like to either emulate or closely follow your security procedure. In fact, I've already copied your style of contract with appropriate modifications.

Thanks for being a good role model.

By the way, I did my first escrow for Amazon Gift Cards, and its good that I can easily verify the value of a gift card, and if it has been claimed already or not.

I think it would be very unwise for an escrow provider to hand out details about the system he is using for escrow...

[ninjaboon]

My apologies for the delay - my restore of a secure operating system took longer than I expected, and am back for good now.

Hi John, can you define what you did for a secure operating system?

Like, what OS, what computer or laptop, what major important software ... if that is permanently offline or online or whatever it is that you do, and any other thing you think is important. Why GPG version 1 instead of GPG version 2, or why not yet moved to a different hash (SHA1 vs SHA256 or SHA512).

As you know, you are the number one escrow provider, and we other bitcoin escrow agents would like to either emulate or closely follow your security procedure. In fact, I've already copied your style of contract with appropriate modifications.

Thanks for being a good role model.

By the way, I did my first escrow for Amazon Gift Cards, and its good that I can easily verify the value of a gift card, and if it has been claimed already or not.

I think it would be very unwise for an escrow provider to hand out details about the system he is using for escrow...

If you want JohnK to share his skills, you should tip him.
He's still pretty busy with his midterms and I've been in constant contact with him (we're on the same trader group in Whatsapp)

[Arvicco]

JohnK is currently non-responsive and lapsed on at least one of his escrow contracts: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=322809.0

Anyone who has any information about his RL situation and whereabouts, please contact either Chainsaw or theymos.

[Dabs]

I think it would be very unwise for an escrow provider to hand out details about the system he is using for escrow...

I think that depends on the system. If he is using some form of offline system, it does not matter as much what he is using for his online system.

The attack vector is negligibly small (what? the USB flash drive used to sneakernet the transaction info, maybe?)

[bassclef]

Oh John K, where are thou?

He hasn't logged on since 11/3, we're still waiting on refunds from a group buy totaling 260 btc.

I sure hope he's ok. I suppose the better question is, does he regularly disappear for this long without checking in?

[bobsag3]

I think it would be very unwise for an escrow provider to hand out details about the system he is using for escrow...

I think that depends on the system. If he is using some form of offline system, it does not matter as much what he is using for his online system.

The attack vector is negligibly small (what? the USB flash drive used to sneakernet the transaction info, maybe?)

Security thru obcurity is no longer applicable with the widespread penetration of the internet. Its not about how someone finds out now.. its when.

[bassclef]

Still waiting, not a peep. I've PMed and emailed him personally with no response. Two weeks is a really long time for the most trusted member of the forum to be incommunicado.

[Mentaso]

Thats what happens when greed steps in.

I hope I am wrong and I hope everyone gets their escrows completed

[Dabs]

I don't think it's greed. He's had the chance to keep thousands of bitcoins before. I think he really just can't come online.

He's also stated he refused to go on this forum without being on his secure laptop or computer. He also does almost all (if not all) of his bitcoin transactions on an offline computer. Your coins aren't going to be stolen. (In fact, they just appreciate in value.)

[bassclef]

I don't think it's greed. He's had the chance to keep thousands of bitcoins before. I think he really just can't come online.

He's also stated he refused to go on this forum without being on his secure laptop or computer. He also does almost all (if not all) of his bitcoin transactions on an offline computer. Your coins aren't going to be stolen. (In fact, they just appreciate in value.)

He actually answered an email of mine yesterday. He's busy with midterms but will be back online soon to release outstanding escrows.

[ninjaboon]

Still waiting, not a peep. I've PMed and emailed him personally with no response. Two weeks is a really long time for the most trusted member of the forum to be incommunicado.

This happens when you are dealing with an human escrow that has midterms.
If your escrows were done automatically (like my sig), then you won't have to wait.

[DannyHamilton]

This happens when you are dealing with an human escrow that has midterms.

It's unprofessional and inappropriate.  I'm really disappointed in John K.

If you are going to be too busy, then you shouldn't be taking on the escrow in the first place.  Tell the people contacting you for escrow that you expect to be quite busy and can't take on any additional escrow right now.

If you are suddenly unexpectedly busy, you can take 30 seconds to come to the forum and put peoples minds at ease.  Let them know that something has come up and let them know when you'll be back.  Better yet, find another trusted member and see if escrow can be turned over to them to handle for you.

Anyone you are holding escrow for should be supplied with some way to contact you outside the forum as well (in case the forum becomes unavailable before the transaction is completed).

[dserrano5]

If you are suddenly unexpectedly busy, you can take 30 seconds to come to the forum and put peoples minds at ease.

This.

[Noitev]

Left him neg as well. still owes me a bit under 1 btc. Others in my group buy are still witing and for a 10 btc escrow fee, you think he'd sit down and send these transactions...

[John (John K.)]

Sorry for my untimely hiatus - had a really rough month and was forced to be away from the forums. This is probably the longest hiatus yet so far I've taken over the years.

Refund 3 for alle.sello: (sent out about 2 days ago, didn't update here)
https://blockchain.info/tx/6cd8d662c200c582bba51899d7c9dd52bb10bf33e80e7be911173748da74907c

Refund 4 for most transfers that I have addresses for:
https://blockchain.info/tx/5df128d44a2593ae46432bfe05bc3f3314b8110807189fc34b6a57e6e9ee8cd4

Refund 5 for Egon : (missed him on the original list as it was a partial transfer)
https://blockchain.info/tx/ec47b663213303dedd1d9a5ee8a5d46e848ccc4eb30b3470d427d672a35b2a7b

Updated sheets:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiYcEqkgyjc_dHdIRGhHMG43N21raXJVSjA4dk5nUVE&usp=drive_web#gid=0

[John (John K.)]

The problem with me not logging to give status updates is that I do not access the forums until I am sure I am in a sterile environment - I just got a dedicated tablet for this so that I can be sure I can access the forums when I need to.

On retrospect, I should've cleared this refund up around the end of last month when life was starting to show signs of being really busy. I didn't do so as I was forever waiting for everyone to clarify their addresses and stand forward to claim their funds - there is still about 20-30 BTC (not counting ragingazn and prodigits' claim here) unclaimed as their owners were still away.

[DannyHamilton]

The problem with me not logging to give status updates is that I do not access the forums until I am sure I am in a sterile environment

Is there nobody from the forum that you communicate with outside the forum?

Would it not be possible for you to contact someone and ask them to post on your behalf that you are in communication with them, having a problem with maintaining a sterile computing environment, and offering an estimated date of return?

[ninjaboon]

The problem with me not logging to give status updates is that I do not access the forums until I am sure I am in a sterile environment - I just got a dedicated tablet for this so that I can be sure I can access the forums when I need to.

On retrospect, I should've cleared this refund up around the end of last month when life was starting to show signs of being really busy. I didn't do so as I was forever waiting for everyone to clarify their addresses and stand forward to claim their funds - there is still about 20-30 BTC (not counting ragingazn and prodigits' claim here) unclaimed as their owners were still away.

Johnk, glad to see you back in action.
Please check my whatsapp message.

[John (John K.)]

The problem with me not logging to give status updates is that I do not access the forums until I am sure I am in a sterile environment

Is there nobody from the forum that you communicate with outside the forum?

Would it not be possible for you to contact someone and ask them to post on your behalf that you are in communication with them, having a problem with maintaining a sterile computing environment, and offering an estimated date of return?

There is no one I physically know that well outside of the forums (barring those I've dealt with via physical mail for collaterized escrows and trades), and although I can ask ninjaboon here via Whatsapp to help me clear things up it is really hard to pinpoint a timeframe for when I am available to finish this up. It would be pointless and problematic to give a timeframe which then I break it myself.

[John (John K.)]

The problem with me not logging to give status updates is that I do not access the forums until I am sure I am in a sterile environment - I just got a dedicated tablet for this so that I can be sure I can access the forums when I need to.

On retrospect, I should've cleared this refund up around the end of last month when life was starting to show signs of being really busy. I didn't do so as I was forever waiting for everyone to clarify their addresses and stand forward to claim their funds - there is still about 20-30 BTC (not counting ragingazn and prodigits' claim here) unclaimed as their owners were still away.

Johnk, glad to see you back in action.
Please check my whatsapp message.

Replying, sorry again for the delays.