Atlas was right, why was he attacked so much?

[marcus_of_augustus]

Bitcoin community needs to fess up here and widen their minds, imho.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119566.msg1287467#msg1287467

When you change the format of data, couldn't it be altered if an error is made in implementing the new format?
Wouldn't bad data being verified into the blockchain mistakenly be a problem?

[bbit]

Bitcoin community needs to fess up here and widen their minds, imho.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119566.msg1287467#msg1287467

When you change the format of data, couldn't it be altered if an error is made in implementing the new format?
Wouldn't bad data being verified into the blockchain mistakenly be a problem?

Atlas....who would have thunk!

[misterbigg]

A Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day

[gyverlb]

Bitcoin community needs to fess up here and widen their minds, imho.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119566.msg1287467#msg1287467

When you change the format of data, couldn't it be altered if an error is made in implementing the new format?
Wouldn't bad data being verified into the blockchain mistakenly be a problem?

Nothing to do with what happened here. The problem is that there is a bug in 0.7 that isn't present in 0.8: 0.7 refuses good data, 0.8 doesn't put bad data in the blockchain...

[Severian]

Walter: Am I wrong?

The Dude: You're not wrong Walter. You're just an asshole.

-The Big Lebowski

[bbit]

Walter: Am I wrong?

The Dude: You're not wrong Walter. You're just an asshole.

-The Big Lebowski

ahaha toucheee!

[marcus_of_augustus]

Bitcoin community needs to fess up here and widen their minds, imho.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119566.msg1287467#msg1287467

When you change the format of data, couldn't it be altered if an error is made in implementing the new format?
Wouldn't bad data being verified into the blockchain mistakenly be a problem?

Nothing to do with what happened here. The problem is that there is a bug in 0.7 that isn't present in 0.8: 0.7 refuses good data, 0.8 doesn't put bad data in the blockchain...

Semantics ... in essence he was absolutely correct and got abused for suggesting it ... maybe he is an asshole but so are some of the devs imho, they are just better at hiding it.

[MysteryMiner]

0.7 refuses good data, 0.8 doesn't put bad data in the blockchain...

What is good and bad data is determined by majority of nodes and miners. Basically Atlas was right on spot about new database engine breaking things, even if it broke them by fixing what already was broken... If it works don't fix it!

And now few of the finest quotes ever!

Bitcoin community needs to fess up here and widen their minds, imho.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119566.msg1287467#msg1287467

When you change the format of data, couldn't it be altered if an error is made in implementing the new format?
Wouldn't bad data being verified into the blockchain mistakenly be a problem?

Atlas....who would have thunk!

A Broken Clock Is Right Twice A Day

0.8.0: Am I wrong?

0.7.x version: You're not wrong 0.8.0. You're just an asshole.

[gyverlb]

Semantics ... in essence he was absolutely correct

Your grasping at straws. He was very clear about what he feared: that the different storage format would somehow corrupt the data it stored. This is exactly the opposite that happened: the previous storage format had a flaw and couldn't store data everyone supposed was valid.

In fact this very bug is an argument to promote alternative clients instead of refraining from implementing different ones like Atlas did.

[justusranvier]

0.7 refuses good data, 0.8 doesn't put bad data in the blockchain...

What is good and bad data is determined by majority of nodes and miners. Basically Atlas was right on spot about new database engine breaking things, even if it broke them by fixing what already was broken... If it works don't fix it!

A majority of the hashing power was on 0.8 before they decided to downgrade. By your definition at the moment of the fork the 0.8 version was the good version.

[MysteryMiner]

0.7 refuses good data, 0.8 doesn't put bad data in the blockchain...

What is good and bad data is determined by majority of nodes and miners. Basically Atlas was right on spot about new database engine breaking things, even if it broke them by fixing what already was broken... If it works don't fix it!

A majority of the hashing power was on 0.8 before they decided to downgrade. By your definition at the moment of the fork the 0.8 version was the good version.

Even if it was from standpoint of correctness and majority of miners, the current network was broken... by 0.8.0 fixing previously unknown flaw in database engine. These unforeseen consequences is what Atlas feared, so technically Atlas was right.

[gyverlb]

These unforeseen consequences is what Atlas feared

So Atlas feared the unknown? This fact surely deserved to be dug out of the archives to celebrate his wisdom.

[marcus_of_augustus]

Semantics ... in essence he was absolutely correct

Your grasping at straws. He was very clear about what he feared: that the different storage format would somehow corrupt the data it stored. This is exactly the opposite that happened: the previous storage format had a flaw and couldn't store data everyone supposed was valid.

His contention was that the database upgrade would cause a hard fork, which is exactly what just happened.

No straws needed to see that.

[gyverlb]

Semantics ... in essence he was absolutely correct

Your grasping at straws. He was very clear about what he feared: that the different storage format would somehow corrupt the data it stored. This is exactly the opposite that happened: the previous storage format had a flaw and couldn't store data everyone supposed was valid.

His contention was that the database upgrade would cause a hard fork, which is exactly what just happened.

I don't see a hard fork. I see would be orphans which is quite different in both concept and consequences...

[MysteryMiner]

So Atlas feared the unknown? This fact surely deserved to be dug out of the archives to celebrate his wisdom.

This thread and Atlas still delivers the Lulz! No, he did not fear the unknown, he wanted to be sure that Bitcoin protocol will not change by accident with new database implementation. In original thread Atlas at some unknown point got high on ganja so the proposed solution was not the best.

I don't see a hard fork.

Majority of 0.7.x and earlier relay users being permanently unable to accept new 0.8 blocks built upon unacceptable one is a hard fork.

I see would be orphans which is quite different in both concept and consequences...

Orphans happen from time to time as a normal operation. This fork was caused by one database implementation rejecting blocks that was valid in another implementation.

[benjamindees]

Your concerns have been duely noted, Atlas.  However, you have little knowledge of what is really going on here, so I consider your perspectives discounted.  Just don't upgrade yourself, and if others do and are harmed by it, you will be able to say "I told you so" because you have.

I haven't followed the trials and tribulations of Atlas.  But, yeah, you can't go wrong by promoting caution in upgrading Bitcoin.

Personally, I am glad that the developers and the mining community decided to do the right thing, and to scuttle the upgrade fork.  Pushing ahead with 0.8.0 would have called their judgment into question in my opinion.

[marcus_of_augustus]

Your concerns have been duely noted, Atlas.  However, you have little knowledge of what is really going on here, so I consider your perspectives discounted.  Just don't upgrade yourself, and if others do and are harmed by it, you will be able to say "I told you so" because you have.

I haven't followed the trials and tribulations of Atlas.  But, yeah, you can't go wrong by promoting caution in upgrading Bitcoin.

Personally, I am glad that the developers and the mining community decided to do the right thing, and to scuttle the upgrade fork.  Pushing ahead with 0.8.0 would have called their judgment into question in my opinion.

It is not over yet ... they are going to be pushing extremely hard to rush everyone onto 0.8 ASAP ... https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=152030.msg1615347#msg1615347