BitClip: Now with concept drawings!

[natman3400]

If you want to build from the ground up, might be worth looking into a crypto chip like this:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/7277

It has built-in hardware ECDSA, which is what bitcoin uses to sign transactions, it has a true random number generator, and it's designed to be secure. If you can do this with a crypto chip, a cheap microprocessor and interface with a mobile phone or computer via bluetooth for an easier GUI, you might be able to get this really cheap and super secure.

The big problem with this is, it is not an arm micro-controller. If I want to port bitcoin to arm, all i have to do is open up linux in an ARM virtual machine and compile it. This would take a lot more.

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[ben-abuya]

If you want to build from the ground up, might be worth looking into a crypto chip like this:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/7277

It has built-in hardware ECDSA, which is what bitcoin uses to sign transactions, it has a true random number generator, and it's designed to be secure. If you can do this with a crypto chip, a cheap microprocessor and interface with a mobile phone or computer via bluetooth for an easier GUI, you might be able to get this really cheap and super secure.

The big problem with this is, it is not an arm micro-controller. If I want to port bitcoin to arm, all i have to do is open up linux in an ARM virtual machine and compile it. This would take a lot more.

That's true, you can't run bitcoin on that crypto processor, it's only good for storing, generating and signing. But it appears to be very secure. If you don't use it, you'll have to make sure that you have a good source of random bits. Another question is how much you want this device to do. It could just securely verify, hash and sign transactions that are handed to it, meaning it won't have to run the full bitcoin client, or it could do everything, which means it would need to connect to the internet and require a serious user interface. That would make it a lot more of a challenge to lock down and probably raise the price quite a bit.

[natman3400]

Its going to run a full custom client. Its still really easy to lock everything out but the list of approved nodes if we use an inclusive method.

[natman3400]

And as for the good source of random numbers, I'm sure we will come up with something if we need it.
Again, I'm not going very far beyond where I currently am on this until more people join.

[natman3400]

As it appears that no one wants to help make these, I'm going to change the way I go about this.
What I am going to do is to take the project entirely into my hands.
However, I will host a talk on the new BitClip Freenode IRC channel: #bitclip weekly (or close to) about what is going on in the development of these devices.
The rest of this post will now consist of the formal announcement of the First BitClip IRC Congress.
First BitClip IRC Congress:
Topics of discussion:
- How to go about BitClips
- Official BitClip IRC congress protocol
- Formation of goals of BitClip
- Project funding

How to be in this Congress:
-Be on #bitclip on freenode at 5PM EST, Friday July 8th 2011

[EhVedadoOAnonimato]

Such a device would be great. Count me as a potential client!

A few suggestions:

• I think you should go for a light-weight client, not a full one.
• Instead of having a whitelist of bitcoin nodes to connect to, why not connect to any node but behind an anonymisation proxy?

[natman3400]

Such a device would be great. Count me as a potential client!

A few suggestions:

• I think you should go for a light-weight client, not a full one.
• Instead of having a whitelist of bitcoin nodes to connect to, why not connect to any node but behind an anonymisation proxy?

Firstly, the plan on having two models solves this, and it would be easy to just make multiple versions of the OS/Client combo and just ask them which one they want. And another way to go about the problem of possible network attacks against the device would be to have it locked into a VPN, and have the user choose encrypted or unencrypted (for auditing reasons), and have a dynamic list of white-listed nodes (anything that is not know to associate with anything bad, so pretty much all of them).
We will cross that bridge when we come to it (which will probably be the first thing after making the actual OS).
Also, updated the title.

[kjj]

As it appears that no one wants to help make these, I'm going to change the way I go about this.
What I am going to do is to take the project entirely into my hands.
However, I will host a talk on the new BitClip Freenode IRC channel: #bitclip weekly (or close to) about what is going on in the development of these devices.
The rest of this post will now consist of the formal announcement of the First BitClip IRC Congress.
First BitClip IRC Congress:
Topics of discussion:
- How to go about BitClips
- Official BitClip IRC congress protocol
- Formation of goals of BitClip

How to be in this Congress:
-Be on #bitclip on freenode at 5PM EST, Friday June 8th 2011

Pretty sure you mean July.

[natman3400]

Pretty sure you mean July.

Herp Derp. That was my bad there, wasn't thinking straight.

[natman3400]

Also, added one more thing to the announcement.

[natman3400]

Anybody got any ideas about how I should go about the IRC congress?

[natman3400]

The first official BitClip IRC congress is in session at #bitclip on freenode
Get in now!

[RandyMarsh]

For Prototyping models use www.shapeways.com, you'll have access to pretty much any materials you might be considering and any prototyping methods. Its great value.

Also would these devices be just for storing wallets? or would they be capable of sending and receiving payments too? if so, how would one input an address? manually?

[natman3400]

Also would these devices be just for storing wallets? or would they be capable of sending and receiving payments too? if so, how would one input an address? manually?

No, yes, and either manually, with a qrcode, or possibly first bit.
If you want to join the IRC and discuss this, but don't have an irc client:
http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=#bitclip

[natman3400]

In an effort to support the project, and to get some good concept designs going, I am starting a contest for the best concept drawings for both the device and the GUI! (note all fees go to project support)
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1



The rules are as follows:
- - Concept must be feasible to make
- - No obscene material
- - Design must be easy to use
- - Design must not be exceedingly intricate
- - Everything I say on the matter of the contest is final

Entry categories and fees are as follows (all fees subject to change):
- - Device body concept (0.05 BTC entrance fee)
- - Device GUI concept (0.05 BTC Entrance fee)
- - BitClip Logo (0.05 BTC Entrance fee)

How to enter:
- - Send me a PM saying you would like to enter
- - Tell me what category you would like to enter
- - I will provide you with a bitcoin address to send your fee to
- - Send me the bitcoins and the drawings

How the winner will be selected:
- - I will choose some finalists form each category
- - We will vote on the winner

What the winner will get:
- - There design produced
- - Fifty (50) percent of the bitcoins from entrance fees

All entrance fees are half of what is displayed until Friday, July 22nd 2011
Cutoff for entries is Sunday, July 31st 2011
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[natman3400]

Note: Cut of for entries on the concept design contest is 7-30-11. Thank you

[natman3400]

Morning update:
I am compiling an exact list of parts I think I am going to need to buy, that would allow me use what ever final form factor I please.

[jaakkop]

Great project idea, I'm supporting this

I was thinking for as a security measure if the password is typed wrong many times, the device would lock itself and transfer all the bitcoins to a certain pre-defined address, which is configured in the device.

Just a thought.

[natman3400]

Great project idea, I'm supporting this

I was thinking for as a security measure if the password is typed wrong many times, the device would lock itself and transfer all the bitcoins to a certain pre-defined address, which is configured in the device.

Just a thought.

I was thinking that I could provide multiple OSs for the devices, and you just choose which one you want on it based on your needs. This could defiantly be an option in one of the higher security OSs. I defiantly plan to do find some way to make the device do this upon opening the case, maybe include a bank card with the device that contains such data as the private key its sent to, the unique device identifier, and other things needed for device recovery and security functions. And does anyone know of any flash storage solution that has something along the lines of SMART monitoring? I would love to do a software raid across two of them, and have this as a failsafe should one of them fail, or become near failing.

[natman3400]

I've started to assemble a nice pile of parts for this project. I'm still waiting to hear back form most of the suppliers i have curreently chosen for samples.