nvK c0inkite c0ldacrd is Anti-OpenSource nutcase

[dkbit98]

I am calling everyone to STOP using all c0inkite c0ldard products that are owned by a mental case nvK.
This guy is against open source code and he proved that it with his c0ldcard crap license shenanigans.
Just when I thought he can't go any deeper in his pile of crap, he ''surprised'' me with a cease and desist and shutdown of open source project BTCclock!
From now on I am considering nvk to be enemy of open source and I don't trust him.
This is another attack on Open Source!

You can find more information about BTCclock and latest news in this topic:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5333523.msg63482005#msg63482005

nutcaseVK profile:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=152074

[Amphenomenon]

People being against open source projects is one of the ironic thing I have come know now to be honest. I thought everyone would definitely support all open source projects because even the closed sources projects dev still get things to learn from the open source, since there are more numbers of dev working on such projects. Also this doesn't really stop closed source projects from not making their money, people should at least still have freedom to choose in regards to this. Also I'm highly curious on what legal rights or schemes did he used to shutdown this project.

[DireWolfM14]

a cease and desist and shutdown of open source project BTCclock!

Source?

Honestly, you're not going to convince me to stop using his products.  They are among the best hardware wallets on the planet.  So what if he wants to retain control of his code, and doesn't want others profiting off of his work.  It's his work and his choice.  And to be clear, his code is posted on Github and available for anyone to review.  The licensing doesn't allow others to copy his code for their own financial benefit.  That's a far cry form "closed source" so stop with the fear mongering.

In reality, your single-sided feud with nvK is making you look like you're the one with mental problems.  You've been attacking him for years now, and it hasn't hurt his reputation in the slightest bit.  He certainly doesn't seem to give a shit about your opinion of him, his product, or his choice of licensing for his software.

[Vod]

And to be clear, his code is posted on Github and available for anyone to review.  The licensing doesn't allow others to copy his code for their own financial benefit.  That's a far cry form "closed source" so stop with the fear mongering.

So he makes the code available for review but doesn't want it forked?   Sounds very reasonable.  One shouldn't ask everyone to stop using something just because one can't copy it.

[ABCbits]

a cease and desist and shutdown of open source project BTCclock!

Source?

One of post on thread mentioned by OP mention the source.

Coinkite issued a cease and desist (and GitHub complied):

- https://x.com/BitsagaRob/status/1857353170768253170
- https://x.com/btcqna/status/1857142583065264385

Honestly, you're not going to convince me to stop using his products.  They are among the best hardware wallets on the planet.  So what if he wants to retain control of his code, and doesn't want others profiting off of his work.  It's his work and his choice.  And to be clear, his code is posted on Github and available for anyone to review.  The licensing doesn't allow others to copy his code for their own financial benefit.  That's a far cry form "closed source" so stop with the fear mongering.

I mostly agree with you. They still create decent hardware wallet and common clause isn't exactly crap license, although OP never say "closed source".

[dkbit98]

Source?

If your eyes are working correctly you can clearly see the link I posted and there you have links with confirmation.
I am not trying to convince you in anything, but if you want to support this asshole and his crap products than go ahead, it's your life and I don't care.
And you giving him positive feedback now is making me think that you are connected with him in some way.

nvK

2024-11-16

Reference

Manufacturer of one of my favorite hardware wallets. Makes a great, reliable, and safe product. I've been using my ColdCard Mk4 as my primary hardware wallet for the last couple of years, and it's been absolutely perfect.

So he makes the code available for review but doesn't want it forked?   Sounds very reasonable.  One shouldn't ask everyone to stop using something just because one can't copy it.

Because he is a nutcase, and his code is not open source.
Nobody should be crazy enough to trust this asshole after this latest anti-os stunt.
This BTCclock was not using his code or any of his crap at all.


Just a few examples of nvk LIES and deceptions:

Clearly deceiving to everyone for months that his crapware is open source when it's not:



Blatant lie that his crapware is one and only airgapped device that is not connected to computer.


https://web.archive.org/web/20240731203008/https://coldcard.com/

Luckily, internet remembers and archives stuff, so do I.

[DireWolfM14]

One of post on thread mentioned by OP mention the source.

The OP includes two links; one to nvK's profile and another to his own review of the "open source" (I'll get to that in a minute) blockclock.  No mention of the cease and desist without me digging, and still no proof other than the claims of someone who's trying to profit off nvK's code.  If this thread is really about the cease and desist, why didn't dkbit98 provide a link directly Mitchell's post?  Could it be because he's merit hunting like usual?

Coinkite issued a cease and desist (and GitHub complied):

- https://x.com/BitsagaRob/status/1857353170768253170
- https://x.com/btcqna/status/1857142583065264385

Common Clause allows anyone to download and use the code, a true "DIY" project wouldn't be restricted from using the code.  What the licensing doesn't allow is someone to sell kits that require the code.  That's a direct violation of the licensing.  The licensing chosen by Coinkite is there business and their business alone.  No one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to buy their product.  In fact, you could build your own ColdCard and use nvK's code to operate it.  You just can't sell them.

although OP never say "closed source".

Note the post right below the OP.  There are many on this forum who aren't proficient in English and haven't learned to read between dkbit98's lines.  He has been spreading fear and misinformation about ColdCard for years by using phrases like "anti-open-source."  He won't correct anyone who then refers to them as "closed-source" because his beef with nvK is more important than facts.

And you giving him positive feedback now is making me think that you are connected with him in some way.

I'm not, but so what if I was?  Are you going to also give me a red-tag based on your biases and lack of understanding?  One of us based our review on experience with his products and the other based it on butthurt.  I'll leave it to the community to determine which is more helpful.

But let me ask you a question; how have you contributed to bitcoin?  Making a bunch of comparison threads on the forum?  No matter how much merit you earn here, nvK has done more for the growth of bitcoin than you could ever dream.  Your dogmatic view of "open source" as some holey grail, and opinion that all participants need to strictly adhere to your religion only demonstrates your lack of technical knowledge and a lack of understanding of how businesses are operated.

[DireWolfM14]

nvK

2024-11-16

Reference

Manufacturer of one of my favorite hardware wallets. Makes a great, reliable, and safe product. I've been using my ColdCard Mk4 as my primary hardware wallet for the last couple of years, and it's been absolutely perfect.

Lol, you are a malicious, sneaky piece of shit, you know that?  If you're going to quote my review, and accuse me of being linked to someone for whom I've left a positive, at least have the balls to leave my REAL reference link intact.  Or, are you such a coward that you don't want anyone to notice how you derailed my review of the ColdCard?

For those of you who care, here's the actual reference I left along with nvK's review: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5405919.0

I'm sorry I insulted you, dkbit98, and jumped to conclusions. 

[nutildah]

He actually changed your reference link in the quote to this thread. That's not a very honest honest practice now is it.

I don't care about this dispute either way but altering a reference link suggests a screw is loose somewhere in the head region.

[ABCbits]

Coinkite issued a cease and desist (and GitHub complied):

- https://x.com/BitsagaRob/status/1857353170768253170
- https://x.com/btcqna/status/1857142583065264385

Common Clause allows anyone to download and use the code, a true "DIY" project wouldn't be restricted from using the code.  What the licensing doesn't allow is someone to sell kits that require the code.  That's a direct violation of the licensing.  The licensing chosen by Coinkite is there business and their business alone.  No one is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to buy their product.  In fact, you could build your own ColdCard and use nvK's code to operate it.  You just can't sell them.

Sorry, but i don't get your point. Those X/Twitter link doesn't mention anything about violation of Common Clause. And AFAIK BTCClock doesn't re-use BlockClock's code, but i can't verify it since BTCClock's GitHub no longer exist and i don't have copy of BTCClock repository.

P.S. I'm not logged in to X, so i didn't read any reply or mention.

although OP never say "closed source".

Note the post right below the OP.  There are many on this forum who aren't proficient in English and haven't learned to read between dkbit98's lines.  He has been spreading fear and misinformation about ColdCard for years by using phrases like "anti-open-source."  He won't correct anyone who then refers to them as "closed-source" because his beef with nvK is more important than facts.

Fair enough, without sufficient knowledge some people would assume anti open source equal pro closed source.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

He actually changed your reference link in the quote to this thread. That's not a very honest honest practice now is it.

I don't care about this dispute either way but altering a reference link suggests a screw is loose somewhere in the head region.

I have no dog in this fight, so my question is asked innocently here:  could he have somehow done that by mistake?  Whatever you might say about dkbit98, he isn't stupid and I'd certainly think he'd have enough forum savvy to know that changing a reference link (for whatever reason) would be picked up on and also that it'd be a black mark against him for doing so. 

And is there anything for him to gain from doing that, aside from concealing your link to the ColdCard Mk4 review? 

I'd no idea there was this drama going on, and I don't think I've ever seen dkbit98 gangbanged like this before.  IMO his position does seem just a wee bit extreme, and for what it's worth (likely nothing) I'm finding his arguments to be much weaker than everyone else's; I wouldn't be convinced to boycott the ColdCard or any other product based on the "anti-open source" accusation as it's presented here.  Anyway, popcorn is a-popping.

[nutildah]

I'd no idea there was this drama going on, and I don't think I've ever seen dkbit98 gangbanged like this before.  

Its been known to happen




Edit: Just to add something constructive, its not really a good idea to leave red trust for the crime of "killing open sourced software", because its not really indicative of trustworthiness (whether they manufactured a product that can be trusted).

[DireWolfM14]

And AFAIK BTCClock doesn't re-use BlockClock's code, but i can't verify it since BTCClock's GitHub no longer exist and i don't have copy of BTCClock repository.

I didn't spend a lot of time researching it either, but if Github shutdown the BTCClock repository, it's likely because they found significant similarities between that code and BlockClock's code.  Enough so that it violated the licensing.

And is there anything for him to gain from doing that, aside from concealing your link to the ColdCard Mk4 review?

I assume this question is directed at me (you quoted uncle nutildah.)  The reason might be found in my review the thread.  Not so much because I gave the ColdCard good marks in my thorough and unbiased review, but because of how unhinged dkbit98 became as he derails it to attack nvK.

[NotATether]

To be clear, I'm not taking any sides here.

So he makes the code available for review but doesn't want it forked?   Sounds very reasonable.  One shouldn't ask everyone to stop using something just because one can't copy it.

The exact license is here.

It's an MIT license with an anti-sell clause:

...MIT License squabble omitted...

"Commons Clause" License Condition v1.0

The Software is provided to you by the Licensor under the License,
as defined below, subject to the following condition.

Without limiting other conditions in the License, the grant of
rights under the License will not include, and the License does not
grant to you, the right to Sell the Software.

For purposes of the foregoing, "Sell" means practicing any or all
of the rights granted to you under the License to provide to third
parties, for a fee or other consideration (including without
limitation fees for hosting or consulting/ support services related
to the Software), a product or service whose value derives, entirely
or substantially, from the functionality of the Software. Any license
notice or attribution required by the License must also include
this Commons Clause License Condition notice.

Software: All Coldcard associated files.
License: MIT
Licensor: Coinkite Inc.

I'll admit, I've never heard of the BTCclock before. And I haven't found the original repo so it might have a different license. But it looks like @dkbit98 is reselling it according to the ANN post? So that would not be allowed under this license.

But I guess you can simply re-upload to a Gitea server somewhere that can't be taken down, or host your own, and then not sell it but just provide the repo for free access and then you'd be compliant with the license.

[DireWolfM14]

But it looks like @dkbit98 is reselling it according to the ANN post? So that would not be allowed under this license.

What ANN post?  Do you mean the thread in Project Development, or is there another ANN thread?  Is dkbit98 selling these kits himself?  I was unaware of that, but BIG if true.

[dkbit98]

Lol, you are a malicious, sneaky piece of shit, you know that?  If you're going to quote my review, and accuse me of being linked to someone for whom I've left a positive, at least have the balls to leave my REAL reference link intact.  Or, are you such a coward that you don't want anyone to notice how you derailed my review of the ColdCard?

For those of you who care, here's the actual reference I left along with nvK's review: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5405919.0

I don't know on what drugs you are, and what gives you the right to insult and accuse me, but I guess you are in the same camp with nvK.
Welcome to my ignore list, and I wish you good mental health in future.

He actually changed your reference link in the quote to this thread. That's not a very honest honest practice now is it.

Changed what exactly?
All I did is copy-pasted link from nvK profile trust page via BPIP extension.
Here I will do it again:

DireWolfM14

2024-11-16

Reference

Manufacturer of one of my favorite hardware wallets. Makes a great, reliable, and safe product. I've been using my ColdCard Mk4 as my primary hardware wallet for the last couple of years, and it's been absolutely perfect.

If this is me ''changing'' anything than I guess you are wrong.


Back on topic with nvK.
Let me just remind everyone that he also attacked another great open source project Seedsigner.
As if they are creating more and more open source enemies every day

[nutildah]

He actually changed your reference link in the quote to this thread. That's not a very honest honest practice now is it.

Changed what exactly?
All I did is copy-pasted link from nvK profile trust page via BPIP extension.
Here I will do it again:

DireWolfM14

2024-11-16

Reference

Manufacturer of one of my favorite hardware wallets. Makes a great, reliable, and safe product. I've been using my ColdCard Mk4 as my primary hardware wallet for the last couple of years, and it's been absolutely perfect.

If this is me ''changing'' anything than I guess you are wrong.

You have once again altered the reference link.

Check the link on the trust page versus the link you have posted in the quote.

This is what it should be:

Reference

This is what you have posted:

Reference

Do you still guess I am wrong?  

Back on topic with nvK.
Let me just remind everyone that he also attacked another great open source project Seedsigner.
As if they are creating more and more open source enemies every day

Not a fitting reason to leave a negative trust by any stretch of imagination.

[DireWolfM14]

I don't know on what drugs you are

Clean and sober, unfortunately.

and what gives you the right to insult and accuse me

Freedom of speech.

but I guess you are in the same camp with nvK.

Is that your only way to cope?  People are capable of having options that differ from yours without having ulterior motives.  Your opinions aren't infallible, get over it.

Welcome to my ignore list

Ouch!  You hurt my feeling.

I wish you good mental health in future.

I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane.
 - Waylon Jennings

All I did is copy-pasted link from nvK profile trust page via BPIP extension.

Just to give you the benefit of the doubt, I did a little test.  I figured it could have been a bug with the BPIP extension, but every time the quote included the correct reference link.  I'm still open to you proving me wrong, but so far all the evidence suggests you purposefully edited the link.  Prove me wrong, and you'll have my sincere apology.

[NotATether]

What ANN post?  Do you mean the thread in Project Development, or is there another ANN thread?  Is dkbit98 selling these kits himself?  I was unaware of that, but BIG if true.

This post

Not exactly an ANN thread, but I had the impression that he was behind the project. I'd appreciate it if someone clarified the details (as now I recall reading somewhere that this BTCclock build is produced by someone else).

[WhyFhy]

What ANN post?  Do you mean the thread in Project Development, or is there another ANN thread?  Is dkbit98 selling these kits himself?  I was unaware of that, but BIG if true.

This post

Not exactly an ANN thread, but I had the impression that he was behind the project. I'd appreciate it if someone clarified the details (as now I recall reading somewhere that this BTCclock build is produced by someone else).

He does seem very invested based on the emotional responses. Simple(est) solution is to rebrand reword and repurpose. Seems the cnd was about it being a copied patented product. See the switch and steam deck looked the same but Nintendo couldn't sue them due to them being entirely different products. Same purpose yes, different means of delivery though. Btclock and block clock are similar products shit they even kinda look the same.


NVK response

I gotta say I agree with his paradigm.