Apart from the obvious and severe lack of communication (As someone said, would it have killed someone to send out an email to the GB user list? We all know you've got it) because having to check back here to find out the reason I haven't seen a share payout was because the entire thing's been delayed by months.
I (and I assume anyone else actually aware of the issues and staying in the GB) would like to know:
Other than the 25% boost to hash rate we'll be granted by remaining in the group buy (assuming you're still passing that on) will anyone staying in the group buy be entitled to the additional 10% discount on all BlackArrow based hardware group buys run by DZMC in the future (until the offered period expires, so 2015)?
Another issue with the 25% boost to hash rate - BA doesn't seem to realise that it's not really a fix, it's obviously just covering their arses because if it was 25% additional hardware it might actually be worth it because then the GB will still have the resale option at the end of the life of the miner (for BTC mining anyway).
25% additional mining with their 'hosting' doesn't really cover a thing, as... oh wait that's right, a month after they were due that 25% will be worthless, (based on the fact that difficulty rises have slowed) and by the time they're received we'll probably be down to 50% or less BTC output.
A second thought with the 10% discounted hardware - will that include the existing order eg. covered under the price protection that was apparently offered? (Unless I've mistakenly mixed up two threads I was reading regarding hardware)
As an aside: As previously stated Matt (Bobsag) being a reseller and running all the purchases through himself to BA causes a major conflict of interest without complete transparency (I understand it's the only way it could be done, but the TRANSPARENCY is the key word), previous requests for costs/sales have gone unanswered so for all we know there's money being taken off the top as well during this entire thing.
(And before ANYONE says 'oh but it was at-cost' I've seen plenty of people state 'at cost' but that's at the cost TO THEM, which they can fudge the numbers on any way they see fit, whether it be labour, time, expertise etc, not just the sale price of the hardware + shipping)
We're also unaware as to how the BTC was moved, as it may have been cashed out at some point at a higher USD value, then cashed back in now in order to refund people (Which could either cause a massive bonus or a massive loss depending on value changes) so for all we know there's additional funds being skimmed off the top again without the end user really being aware.
The way you run a proper co-op is to have the group run it, to have transparency, to allow people access to information. While I understand we didn't vote for you to be our leaders, you're there and doing it because you can, you want to etc, we all (generally) benefit from that while I repeatedly see the people running it stating they end up at a loss at some points (That is NO way to operate, because if your operators start making losses it adds a certain underlying level of contempt to their userbase for 'costing' them something)
The fact that your website's been drastically altered and no updates have been provided also shows a severe lack of professionalism on the entire part of the co-op operators.
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On a different note: While people investigating each other to keep them honest is all nice and useful to the end user... who gives a flying fuck if the guy smokes or grows or deals in pot? Provided it doesn't interfere with what he/she/it does here it shouldn't damn well matter.
If you've got that much of an issue with people being 'seedy' and 'underworld' and operating in BTC... get a grip on reality, it happens everywhere. Your next door neighbour could be a drug kingpin for all you know, but it you don't have any idea on that because they don't let it affect how they interact with you.
I was planning on asking exactly these questions so thanks for saving me the time of articulating these thoughts and typing them up. I agree 90% because I think they are trying their best but I would like to know what happens with people like us who are still waiting it out!
Any compensation given by BA will be passed on to those who stay, the only difference is any compensation offered that is for future orders is given to the coop (meaning if you wanted to place an order for a BA product you wouldn't get the discount but the coop would if it ran a GB for it).
We have been posting updates, when there isn't an update there is no reason to post "There is no update today"
Here is the last update.
1.Global Foundries has informed us that Minion wafer manufacture is starting tomorrow. This is 1 week ahead of schedule, therefore we’ve recovered the 3 days delay in tapeout and we’re 4 days ahead of schedule.
2.We have completed the minion substrate package design
3.Received confirmation that probe card wafers will be completed next week and sent to packaging house
4.X1 backplane size was corrected and re-sent to the factory
5.Completed re-design of the X3 hash board, pending review
6.We have visited the heatsink factory, approved the X1 & X3 heatsink design and have started the moulds.
7.We have met with power supply factory representatives and have signed the final documents to start the manufacturing
8.X3 case review came back from the case factory, we still need to address some minor details for improved performance
9.Completed thermal simulations for X3 case, now running thermal simulations for X1 case
10.Completed CS-CART payment processor for LTC, BTC and PPC, pending final review to get it online
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