Quote from: drewh on May 16, 2013, 07:41:46 AM

Some people have asked about the FPGA bitstream. It makes sense that the FPGA bitstream would be one of the last things they provide in order to work out any bugs. It could be changed very last minute.

On the other hand, it should be noted that they want to keep the bit stream to themselves. Do we know that they dont mind completing with others using their reference board design? They might have just released the design as a form of documentation with no plan of allowing other to use it as a competitive product. Technically this is very easy. The Spartan 6 allows its bitstream to be encrypted - this makes it impossible to steal the bitstream.

Oh, and BTW, I know others are designing board which require no FPGA, but until we have communication protocol specifications we dont know if that approach will work, or is even possible.

I dont mean cry the sky is falling, but do we actually have a commitment on their intention with the ref board release? Personally, Im planning on using the klondike design, but wanted to be clear that there are still risks.

Drew

You are right.
However, they are selling bare chips. So they have some incentive to support the DIY scene too.
Yes, it's two conflicting positions, from an economic view.
It is not conflicting if they have "the greater good of bitcoin" in mind.
And from all I have seen from Avalon, I am very sure exactly that is the point.

Oh, and kudos for not wasting your time playing in the bitcointalk sandbox, Yifu. I really mean it, I much prefer you to do real work instead!

Ente