Update: Website opened for test-runFolks, we are almost on schedule. The website for collecting the shipping addresses is ready and going to be launched after a first test run.
As outlined in the OP, the order processing is solely based on features we have inherently provided with Bitcoin, namely the blockchain as indisputable log of trades and the address signing mechanism to undeniably claim ownership of payments. You all had enough time to learn how to address sign - if you missed, now is a good time to get used to it.
The design I had in mind was implemented by user
maxmint - Kudos to him for the realization of a 'reduce to the max' approach and an overall great result.
Process StepsAccess to the site is provided (as usual) in two steps: you need to register and get associated with the order data first, then perform further tasks after login.
RegisteringThe first step requires you to identify yourself with the account name you used to order chips. Along with entering basic user information, you need to sign a message with the address you paid from (or select one of them if you used different ones for multiple orders). Once your signature is verified, you can log in with the credentials you provided.
Security note: there is a 2-level security throughout this site: logging in with your credentials gives read-only access, while modifying shipping data always requires address signing. Therefore, getting your password hacked is not critical, while your shipping data is as secure as your private keys are.
Setting shipping addressesThis is the core functionality of the site. You can select the shipping destination of your chips, which can be either your own address, or select from a list of board manufacturers you want your chips be shipped to for assembly (please let me know if you miss some project there). If you have more than one orders, you are given the choice to either ship all of them to a common address, or enter individual ones for each order. Every modification of shipping addresses requires you to sign with the associated Bitcoin address.
Note that so far there is no choice for shipment methods or a selection of parcel services to chose from. In the first stage, I want to focus on collecting the shipping addresses to get some rough figures on the shipping methods needed. If required, I will offer you to select those options at a later time, but most probably I will take what I think works best.
Alongside the address, you can attach some comment to each order if you think there is something I need to know about (like you sold this order to someone else).
You are free to change the shipping addresses as often as you like, which allows you to enter a manufacturer as destination now, and change later when you found a better one. Once you made up your mind, you can finalize shipping addresses by setting the related check-box. This will lock the data and you will not be able to change it any more. Use this as a security feature, or for special applications (like after-sales trades, see below).
Getting a receiptAt any time you can download a text file containing your data on file, that is address signed with 13esx3hBktobmw2CWHKdboqDE8oZbwkbxp. As soon as your address is locked, you can use this confirmation to claim your boards from manufacturers you sent your chips to. Same goes for after-sales trades (see below).
Getting supportThe website was designed with simplicity and functionality in mind and was tested thoroughly before launch. If you still face problems or have some suggestions, please use the Contact feature to direct your input to me. I'll try to process your feedback within 48h, but depending on how well everything goes, I can only promise to do it as fast as possible.
Special Case: after-sales tradesFor orders re-sold after the sales to new buyers, the original buyer needs to process the following steps:
- register to the site
- set shipping address to what was agreed with new buyer
- add a comment that chips were sold from original to new user (include nick names)
- lock the shipping address
- download receipt and provide to new buyer
- the new buyer can release escrowed funds
Test-runWhile basically open for everyone, I like to ask the users who have orders in the first batch to give it a try. If it works flawlessly, I'll announce it as generally usable. If something unpredicted happens, worst case outcome would be that 1st batch users would need to re-enter their information again.
Sitehttps://verify.wpengine.comThanks
