[announce] Namecoin - a distributed naming system based on Bitcoin

[khal]

Namecoin TLS support - first implementation from biolizard89

http://dot-bit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4285#p4285

I've tested it with a patched nmcontrol (to avoid updating the blockchain for now) and it works !
We don't need untrusted Certificate Authorities anymore :p

With the help of biolizard89, we have discovered that the support of SNI (several certificates on 1 ip) is currently broken in the Convergence plugin.
But it is really really promising

Good work biolizard89

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[phelix]

Important Update:

Fixed name_firstupdate crash in GUI console, and another important bug with encrypted wallet. Upgrade highly recommended. Version 3.57

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt
(mac bin not updated atm)

Is there a windows makefile? I can't seem to find it.


To speed up downloading of the blockchain we might consider this patch:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/964/files   dbcache option    Maybe even change default to 100MB

[snailbrain]

Important Update:

Fixed name_firstupdate crash in GUI console, and another important bug with encrypted wallet. Upgrade highly recommended. Version 3.57

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt
(mac bin not updated atm)

Is there a windows makefile? I can't seem to find it.


To speed up downloading of the blockchain we might consider this patch:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/964/files   dbcache option    Maybe even change default to 100MB

Yes, makefile for namecoin-qt is in "project"
Makefile for namecoind is in "src".
requires MinGW.

[khal]

I've merged namecoin-qt in the official repository.
It is currently on a separated branch : https://github.com/namecoin/namecoin/commits/namecoin-qt

Code:

#How to build from sources :

git clone https://github.com/namecoin/namecoin
git pull origin namecoin-qt:namecoin-qt
git checkout namecoin-qt

#Make namecoin-qt
cd project; qmake; make

#Make namecoind
cd src; make

If people don't report critical bugs, we will make an official release
So, please, test it.

ps : we will release it as version Namecoin v4.0 as proposed by snailbrain (lots of new rpc commands + the GUI)

[phelix]

Important Update:

Fixed name_firstupdate crash in GUI console, and another important bug with encrypted wallet. Upgrade highly recommended. Version 3.57

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt
(mac bin not updated atm)

Is there a windows makefile? I can't seem to find it.

Yes, makefile for namecoin-qt is in "project"
Makefile for namecoind is in "src".
requires MinGW.

thanks.



To speed up downloading of the blockchain we might consider this patch:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/964/files   dbcache option    Maybe even change default to 100MB

Tried it on a machine with a relatively fast hard disk drive (but not my regular machine with ssd). Downloading the blockchain is thrashing the disk so hard I can barely stand it. Really think this option is necessary for the next release or only people with ssd can use it.

[marcus_of_augustus]

I'm hosting a full namecoin node on a raid0, but still this would be nice.

The switch to LevelDB in Bitcoin 0.8 really helped... but I guess it's a lot of work.

Hopefully not too much ... since bitcoin already did it and it is open source

[maco]

I would be more than happy to help out with that, and contribute. Unfortunately, phpBB is a huge target for SEO backlinks and spam. I've studied SEO for a while, and I am totally against the (without permission) backlink submissions/spam type of SEO.

Some choose to be black hat, and some choose white hat. Most of the spam is bots, but either way..
it must be dealt with manually. I thought PHPBB had spam bot detectors to delete them now?

We currently need some people to moderate the namecoin forum, because there is too much spam and I've not the time to clean the forum regularly.
People interested can postulate here.

[ninjarobot]

Downloading the blockchain is thrashing the disk so hard I can barely stand it. Really think this option is necessary for the next release or only people with ssd can use it.

+1 for the dbcache patch or LevelDB suggestion.

I'm downloading the blockchain with namecoin-qt 0.3.57 on my windows 7 laptop with regular (5400RPM) hard disk and at this rate it will take me 4+ days to synchronize with the network. Not because downloading blocks is slow but because my HDD is going crazy.

[nelisky]

Bounty #2:

Based on snailbrain's latest namecoin-qt I have the following problem:
- manually create and submit a tx to send full balance of addr1
  -> part to addr2
  -> part back to addr1 (think change back to sending address)
- The transaction is sent correctly but the wallet is updated only for the debit of addr1 and credit of addr2. For some reason the credit of addr1 is ignored, even when the the tx is included in a block
- restarting namecoind with -rescan gets that balance back

I need the above to work as in bitcoin, i.e. when sending to the address the output belongs to, both debit and credit to that address get processed by the wallet.

I have 1 BTC up for grabs for that fix, and I'll also try to fix it myself time permitting.

Yesterday I asked for pointers on #bitcoin-dev and instead of tech advice I got a "you shouldn't do that"... oh well.

maybe try the update..

testing "seemed" to show the correct amounts?

I have just tried again updated to commit 8166101ae213932a3f1aa095514eb682b3afb10e, and the behaviour still exists.

Code:

$ namecoind getrawtransaction 9846d830e40493c0c72147e959a66d2769589d69dd3d05946868f1a48649fd9e 1
{
    "hex" : "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",
    "txid" : "9846d830e40493c0c72147e959a66d2769589d69dd3d05946868f1a48649fd9e",
    "version" : 1,
    "locktime" : 0,
    "vin" : [
        {
            "txid" : "d1c65f9653ddc4a1f3556c2fd123dcd13060759274a1491c7075912fda086b80",
            "vout" : 1,
            "scriptSig" : {
                "asm" : "3046022100dc04b4e883bb15e46743c1298998223174fa73a175a1b4b461a366767282acf2022100ae2a7be906546f11a27f4d111e63aa585d0d7298a38c4de8ee07360aec13589d01 043cadb089ec6f22fafe75e859b593dc6ef9d896a2960254f847c1ab9009b9e9880e4ef55db17d7f17bdaeb523c7290e34f4c5e8779147b5d236562f794ab0426d",
                "hex" : "493046022100dc04b4e883bb15e46743c1298998223174fa73a175a1b4b461a366767282acf2022100ae2a7be906546f11a27f4d111e63aa585d0d7298a38c4de8ee07360aec13589d0141043cadb089ec6f22fafe75e859b593dc6ef9d896a2960254f847c1ab9009b9e9880e4ef55db17d7f17bdaeb523c7290e34f4c5e8779147b5d236562f794ab0426d"
            },
            "sequence" : 4294967295
        }
    ],
    "vout" : [
        {
            "value" : 20.00000000,
            "n" : 0,
            "scriptPubKey" : {
                "asm" : "OP_DUP OP_HASH160 6f577163208cbc1b624d248bc768bcdb49e0dce6 OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG",
                "hex" : "76a9146f577163208cbc1b624d248bc768bcdb49e0dce688ac",
                "reqSigs" : 1,
                "type" : "pubkeyhash",
                "addresses" : [
                    "N6j5xaeunEBQmDtZ5XzXH8TyWaqMWKdmFz"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "value" : 10.00000000,
            "n" : 1,
            "scriptPubKey" : {
                "asm" : "OP_DUP OP_HASH160 bc744a8542b08214d604efefafc5cf743e369c8c OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG",
                "hex" : "76a914bc744a8542b08214d604efefafc5cf743e369c8c88ac",
                "reqSigs" : 1,
                "type" : "pubkeyhash",
                "addresses" : [
                    "NDkpYkwmfPeS5hTqiSm2E4YQp1XrEu8j4y"
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "blockhash" : "4545e816172b83a89fffc93c691f1ec4c48a0b4f1549b2e05b2a2149dbc33ce5",
    "confirmations" : 1,
    "time" : 1371119317,
    "blocktime" : 1371119317
}

Code:

$ namecoind listunspent 0 9999999 '["N6j5xaeunEBQmDtZ5XzXH8TyWaqMWKdmFz"]'
[
    {
        "txid" : "9846d830e40493c0c72147e959a66d2769589d69dd3d05946868f1a48649fd9e",
        "vout" : 0,
        "scriptPubKey" : "76a9146f577163208cbc1b624d248bc768bcdb49e0dce688ac",
        "amount" : 20.00000000,
        "confirmations" : 1
    }
]

$ namecoind listunspent 0 9999999 '["NDkpYkwmfPeS5hTqiSm2E4YQp1XrEu8j4y"]'
[
]

Code:

$ namecoind listaddressgroupings
[
    [
        [
            "N6j5xaeunEBQmDtZ5XzXH8TyWaqMWKdmFz",
            20.00000000,
            "\"\""
        ],
        [
            "NAoLHrukBrGH8NbSMyL9sw4kBAyDN2s31L",
            0.00000000,
            ""
        ],
    ]
]

[snailbrain]

Important Update:

Fixed name_firstupdate crash in GUI console, and another important bug with encrypted wallet. Upgrade highly recommended. Version 3.57

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt
(mac bin not updated atm)

Is there a windows makefile? I can't seem to find it.

Yes, makefile for namecoin-qt is in "project"
Makefile for namecoind is in "src".
requires MinGW.

thanks.



To speed up downloading of the blockchain we might consider this patch:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/964/files   dbcache option    Maybe even change default to 100MB

Tried it on a machine with a relatively fast hard disk drive (but not my regular machine with ssd). Downloading the blockchain is thrashing the disk so hard I can barely stand it. Really think this option is necessary for the next release or only people with ssd can use it.

added this

Bounty #2:

Based on snailbrain's latest namecoin-qt I have the following problem:
- manually create and submit a tx to send full balance of addr1
  -> part to addr2
  -> part back to addr1 (think change back to sending address)
- The transaction is sent correctly but the wallet is updated only for the debit of addr1 and credit of addr2. For some reason the credit of addr1 is ignored, even when the the tx is included in a block
- restarting namecoind with -rescan gets that balance back

I need the above to work as in bitcoin, i.e. when sending to the address the output belongs to, both debit and credit to that address get processed by the wallet.

I have 1 BTC up for grabs for that fix, and I'll also try to fix it myself time permitting.

Yesterday I asked for pointers on #bitcoin-dev and instead of tech advice I got a "you shouldn't do that"... oh well.

maybe try the update..

testing "seemed" to show the correct amounts?

I have just tried again updated to commit 8166101ae213932a3f1aa095514eb682b3afb10e, and the behaviour still exists.

Code:

$ namecoind getrawtransaction 9846d830e40493c0c72147e959a66d2769589d69dd3d05946868f1a48649fd9e 1
{
    "hex" : "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",
    "txid" : "9846d830e40493c0c72147e959a66d2769589d69dd3d05946868f1a48649fd9e",
    "version" : 1,
    "locktime" : 0,
    "vin" : [
        {
            "txid" : "d1c65f9653ddc4a1f3556c2fd123dcd13060759274a1491c7075912fda086b80",
            "vout" : 1,
            "scriptSig" : {
                "asm" : "3046022100dc04b4e883bb15e46743c1298998223174fa73a175a1b4b461a366767282acf2022100ae2a7be906546f11a27f4d111e63aa585d0d7298a38c4de8ee07360aec13589d01 043cadb089ec6f22fafe75e859b593dc6ef9d896a2960254f847c1ab9009b9e9880e4ef55db17d7f17bdaeb523c7290e34f4c5e8779147b5d236562f794ab0426d",
                "hex" : "493046022100dc04b4e883bb15e46743c1298998223174fa73a175a1b4b461a366767282acf2022100ae2a7be906546f11a27f4d111e63aa585d0d7298a38c4de8ee07360aec13589d0141043cadb089ec6f22fafe75e859b593dc6ef9d896a2960254f847c1ab9009b9e9880e4ef55db17d7f17bdaeb523c7290e34f4c5e8779147b5d236562f794ab0426d"
            },
            "sequence" : 4294967295
        }
    ],
    "vout" : [
        {
            "value" : 20.00000000,
            "n" : 0,
            "scriptPubKey" : {
                "asm" : "OP_DUP OP_HASH160 6f577163208cbc1b624d248bc768bcdb49e0dce6 OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG",
                "hex" : "76a9146f577163208cbc1b624d248bc768bcdb49e0dce688ac",
                "reqSigs" : 1,
                "type" : "pubkeyhash",
                "addresses" : [
                    "N6j5xaeunEBQmDtZ5XzXH8TyWaqMWKdmFz"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "value" : 10.00000000,
            "n" : 1,
            "scriptPubKey" : {
                "asm" : "OP_DUP OP_HASH160 bc744a8542b08214d604efefafc5cf743e369c8c OP_EQUALVERIFY OP_CHECKSIG",
                "hex" : "76a914bc744a8542b08214d604efefafc5cf743e369c8c88ac",
                "reqSigs" : 1,
                "type" : "pubkeyhash",
                "addresses" : [
                    "NDkpYkwmfPeS5hTqiSm2E4YQp1XrEu8j4y"
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "blockhash" : "4545e816172b83a89fffc93c691f1ec4c48a0b4f1549b2e05b2a2149dbc33ce5",
    "confirmations" : 1,
    "time" : 1371119317,
    "blocktime" : 1371119317
}

Code:

$ namecoind listunspent 0 9999999 '["N6j5xaeunEBQmDtZ5XzXH8TyWaqMWKdmFz"]'
[
    {
        "txid" : "9846d830e40493c0c72147e959a66d2769589d69dd3d05946868f1a48649fd9e",
        "vout" : 0,
        "scriptPubKey" : "76a9146f577163208cbc1b624d248bc768bcdb49e0dce688ac",
        "amount" : 20.00000000,
        "confirmations" : 1
    }
]

$ namecoind listunspent 0 9999999 '["NDkpYkwmfPeS5hTqiSm2E4YQp1XrEu8j4y"]'
[
]

Code:

$ namecoind listaddressgroupings
[
    [
        [
            "N6j5xaeunEBQmDtZ5XzXH8TyWaqMWKdmFz",
            20.00000000,
            "\"\""
        ],
        [
            "NAoLHrukBrGH8NbSMyL9sw4kBAyDN2s31L",
            0.00000000,
            ""
        ],
    ]
]

it's ok with fresh wallet it seems.. maybe it's something to do with your wallet.. looking again though

[nelisky]

it's ok with fresh wallet it seems.. maybe it's something to do with your wallet.. looking again though

All addresses in this wallet are without privkey (from importaddress), so maybe that's one problem.

On the other hand, even using only imported addresses without priv keys this works perfectly if I send from one address to two others (i.e. no address reuse). I will try with a fresh wallet and importaddress, and if that still fails I'll try a fresh wallet and importprivkey.

[jonytk]

are you trying this on namecoin.exe or "namecoin.exe - testnet" ?

i got no idea of code but i can sure test gui's,
if someone can send me some nmc's testnet in my direction i can try reproduce the bug.

myTH1TgaSsJ2SsVpwTjXMaKKEzuoWahEB9

maybe create a thread where people can test this, receive nmc testnets and links to latest binaries and  qt download.

i assume nmc testnet will be forked soon? make sure to say if present .exe should be used in real or testnet.
nmc regular blockchain downloads fine in my ssd laptop, nmc testnet is super-slow.

[nelisky]

are you trying this on namecoin.exe or "namecoin.exe - testnet" ?

i got no idea of code but i can sure test gui's,
if someone can send me some nmc's testnet in my direction i can try reproduce the bug.

myTH1TgaSsJ2SsVpwTjXMaKKEzuoWahEB9

maybe create a thread where people can test this, receive nmc testnets and links to latest binaries and  qt download.

i assume nmc testnet will be forked soon? make sure to say if present .exe should be used in real or testnet.
nmc regular blockchain downloads fine in my ssd laptop, nmc testnet is super-slow.

I'm not sure if you mean the bug I'm reporting or just generic testing, but if the former you'll not be able to test using the GUI as there's no means to controlling the change address there.

[nelisky]

it's ok with fresh wallet it seems.. maybe it's something to do with your wallet.. looking again though

All addresses in this wallet are without privkey (from importaddress), so maybe that's one problem.

On the other hand, even using only imported addresses without priv keys this works perfectly if I send from one address to two others (i.e. no address reuse). I will try with a fresh wallet and importaddress, and if that still fails I'll try a fresh wallet and importprivkey.

Ok, so with a fresh wallet and importaddress it fails still, but with importprivkey it works fine.

[snailbrain]

it's ok with fresh wallet it seems.. maybe it's something to do with your wallet.. looking again though

All addresses in this wallet are without privkey (from importaddress), so maybe that's one problem.

On the other hand, even using only imported addresses without priv keys this works perfectly if I send from one address to two others (i.e. no address reuse). I will try with a fresh wallet and importaddress, and if that still fails I'll try a fresh wallet and importprivkey.

Ok, so with a fresh wallet and importaddress it fails still, but with importprivkey it works fine.

looking at it now.. didn't test address without privkey.

PLEASE TEST (WILL BE BUGS)
NAMESPACE REGISTRATION ADDED + Transactions will show name txs (new tab, Manage Names)

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt

Binaries
(MAC NOT UPDATED YET (but should be able to compile from repo), will ask Maxpower when finalized).
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt

will add name filter soon + some more tweaks

would be great if someone with quite a "few" names could test


bugs:
auto-firstupdating after 12 blocks causes crash.. working on it... possibly due encrypted wallet .. sorry.. should have checked... when you submit a new name it will automatically do this, so there is no way out.. don't submit a new name till we sort (hopefully by tomorrow), as you wil not be able to "easily" get the hex values

right clicking on a name-tx may show some funny values

will sort ASAP

[khal]

it's ok with fresh wallet it seems.. maybe it's something to do with your wallet.. looking again though

All addresses in this wallet are without privkey (from importaddress), so maybe that's one problem.

On the other hand, even using only imported addresses without priv keys this works perfectly if I send from one address to two others (i.e. no address reuse). I will try with a fresh wallet and importaddress, and if that still fails I'll try a fresh wallet and importprivkey.

Ok, so with a fresh wallet and importaddress it fails still, but with importprivkey it works fine.

looking at it now.. didn't test address without privkey.

PLEASE TEST
NAMESPACE REGISTRATION ADDED + Transactions will show name txs (new tab, Manage Names)

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt

Binaries
(MAC NOT UPDATED YET (but should be able to compile from repo), will ask Maxpower when finalized).
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt

will add name filter soon + some more tweaks

would be great if someone with quite a "few" names could test


bugs:
auto-firstupdating after 12 blocks causes crash.. working on it... possibly due encrypted wallet .. sorry.. should have checked... when you submit a new name it will automatically do this, so there is no way out.. maybe don't submit a new name till we sort (hopefully by tomorrow)

right clicking on a name-tx may show some funny values

will sort ASAP

res/icons/tx_nameop.png is missing from sources.

[snailbrain]

it's ok with fresh wallet it seems.. maybe it's something to do with your wallet.. looking again though

All addresses in this wallet are without privkey (from importaddress), so maybe that's one problem.

On the other hand, even using only imported addresses without priv keys this works perfectly if I send from one address to two others (i.e. no address reuse). I will try with a fresh wallet and importaddress, and if that still fails I'll try a fresh wallet and importprivkey.

Ok, so with a fresh wallet and importaddress it fails still, but with importprivkey it works fine.

looking at it now.. didn't test address without privkey.

PLEASE TEST
NAMESPACE REGISTRATION ADDED + Transactions will show name txs (new tab, Manage Names)

https://github.com/namecoin-qt/namecoin-qt

Binaries
(MAC NOT UPDATED YET (but should be able to compile from repo), will ask Maxpower when finalized).
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/3aa8ukj7v6m5d/Namecoin-qt

will add name filter soon + some more tweaks

would be great if someone with quite a "few" names could test


bugs:
auto-firstupdating after 12 blocks causes crash.. working on it... possibly due encrypted wallet .. sorry.. should have checked... when you submit a new name it will automatically do this, so there is no way out.. maybe don't submit a new name till we sort (hopefully by tomorrow)

right clicking on a name-tx may show some funny values

will sort ASAP

res/icons/tx_nameop.png is missing from sources.

please try now..


you can try the submit button for a name_new (did not crash this time).. if the auto firstupdate doesn't work, you can get the Hex numbers from debug.log. Search for "Automatic name_firstupdate".
the transaction for firstupdate is created and signed immediately (when entered pw), but not broadcasted, still debugging why it crashed.

[cassini]

if the auto firstupdate doesn't work, you can get the Hex numbers from debug.log. Search for "Automatic name_firstupdate".
the transaction for firstupdate is created and signed immediately (when entered pw), but not broadcasted, still debugging why it crashed.

As firstupdating a name can be done in two different ways:
a) name_new, and instantly issue the name_firstupdate
b) name_new, then wait for 12 blocks before a name_firstupdate
Which one is implemented in the new client?

Both (a) and (b) have worked flawlessly in the old client, where (a) has a few disadvantages (may take longer than 12 blocks to be integrated in the blockchain due to some Repeat Broadcast feature every 30 minutes, I think.)



There is something that makes me feel a bit more uneasy, though: how does the new client handle uppercase names?
According to explorer.dot-bit.org, someone took over my d/cara name after some 30000 blocks. My local namecoind client still says I own this name. I had asked phelix if his client shows anything different. He found out, that there are d/cara and d/Cara, which are two completely different things. It's just explorer.dot-bit.org that doesn't discriminate. What about the new client?

[snailbrain]

if the auto firstupdate doesn't work, you can get the Hex numbers from debug.log. Search for "Automatic name_firstupdate".
the transaction for firstupdate is created and signed immediately (when entered pw), but not broadcasted, still debugging why it crashed.

As firstupdating a name can be done in two different ways:
a) name_new, and instantly issue the name_firstupdate
b) name_new, then wait for 12 blocks before a name_firstupdate
Which one is implemented in the new client?

Both (a) and (b) have worked flawlessly in the old client, where (a) has a few disadvantages (may take longer than 12 blocks to be integrated in the blockchain due to some Repeat Broadcast feature every 30 minutes, I think.)

you can still do all that from console window still .. but now the GUi (will eventually) do this automatically (so b but automatic)

There is something that makes me feel a bit more uneasy, though: how does the new client handle uppercase names?
According to explorer.dot-bit.org, someone took over my d/cara name after some 30000 blocks. My local namecoind client still says I own this name. I had asked phelix if his client shows anything different. He found out, that there are d/cara and d/Cara, which are two completely different things. It's just explorer.dot-bit.org that doesn't discriminate. What about the new client?

it (the GUI in Manage Names Tab) will let you register both upper and lower

the .bit spec only recognizes lower case.. ? so waste of time registering capitals.. probably

also it might show you still have the name, but it's expired?

[cassini]

the .bit spec only recognizes lower case.. ? so waste of time registering capitals.. probably

Only for domain names. For other purposes it may still makes sense to use capitals.

also it might show you still have the name, but it's expired?

Nope. It's still 3400 blocks before it expires.