Quote from: markm on June 04, 2013, 10:37:37 AM

Basically it makes me wonder what the firmware is that the Testing option will pre-install? Is there some firmware involved in these boards other than the programming of the PIC? Do we need some kind of firmware-programming kit or something to put firmware into something ourselves if you don't pre-install it? I just don't understand exactly what is involved, not even whether I would be able to make use of boards that do not have "firmware pre-installation" done on them by someone else (maybe someone who has special cables and such used to program bitstreams or something)?
-MarkM-

Quote from: markm on June 04, 2013, 11:27:22 AM

Quote from: Beastlymac on June 04, 2013, 11:12:22 AM

The firmware that will be installed is the firmware that bkkcoins the developer of these open source boards is creating.
More information can be found here http://github.com/bkkcoins/klondike .

So is that something my computer can/will send to the board(s) across the USB?
Or something I would need special cabling/kit in order to install it myself?
-MarkM-

Quote from: markm on June 04, 2013, 01:23:01 PM

Quote

Depending on what type of kit you buy it will come flashed onto the board. You just need to plug the USB and boot up cgminer etc.

Yes that is why I was asking: the only "kit" that says it actually includes the firmware is the "testing" option, which isn't really a "kit" at all its a fully assembled, firmware loaded, tested unit. If loading the firmware is not something normal people can do with normal computer and USB or whatever, then really there doesnt' seem to be much option, failing there being some local firmware-loading shop or something I could take it in to that hasd the special gear for loading firmware I'd pretty much have to go with the tersted unit option.

On the other hand, I recall in the past having some ancient wireless networking card that Linux needed something they referred to as "firmware" to make it work, and all I had to do was download the so called firmware and run some firmware-installer command and presto it worked.

So it makes a lot of difference to me whether this so called firmware is akin to what I did to the wireless card or more along the lines of those FPGA re-programming tasks I see people being told to go get Jsomething cables and special kits and such to accomplish.

-MarkM-

Any firmware loading that requires a special interface will be done prior to shipping. There are several options for this which include installation from the chip supplier, from the assembler, and prior to final device shipment. Depending on the timeline, having the PICs programmed from the manufacturer would be ideal, though there are backup plans in the event this is not possible. At a bare minimum, each unit will come with a USB bootloader preinstalled which will allow the device firmware to be updated by the end consumer. The testing option ensures the latest firmware is installed and functioning with the host software at the time of shipment.

To emphasize: None of the offerings which include assembly will require specialized hardware to program the unit.

Quote from: KS on June 04, 2013, 10:57:53 AM

Is the KW/h cost for hosting known already?

They are, but have not been released. The rates are well below the US average, and are being aggressively negotiated to bring them down further.

Quote from: Beastlymac on June 04, 2013, 11:08:25 AM

Quote from: steamboat on June 04, 2013, 06:09:22 AM

Quote from: Beastlymac on June 04, 2013, 04:40:17 AM

So it is 2.45BTC for one Klondike 16 chip with everything needed not including shipping?

The price for one Fully assembled Klondike 16 with everything minus the power supply included is $133.50, to be paid in BTC. This does not include shipping.

Ok thanks, I added the price of chips. This looks a lot more affordable now. Is it possible to get a table with estimated shipping prices for completed boards? Thanks.

To clarify: Avalon ASIC chips are BTC.086 each. 16 of these chips are required for one K16 board, which are not included in the price of any of the assembly options. None of the assembly options contain the power supply required to power the device, but do contain everything else (minus the assembly only option). I understand this is confusing. This thread is not the ideal format for a shopping cart. The website is being built and should help to clarify these details.

Shipping rates cannot be calculated until final dimensions and weight are known. Once this information has been made available, a shipping chart will be posted.

Quote from: Amph on June 04, 2013, 12:43:48 PM

is this us only, or international?

Worldwide. Please see the shipping section for rates for chip purchases.

Quote from: je1p7u7 on June 04, 2013, 02:29:17 PM

Please note however, that this does in no way guarantee the safety of an investment.
[...]

I agree with Steamboat that providing his identity to JohnK will not change much. I would guess that scammers have falsified identity documents anyway and furthermore law authorities would not understand the Bitcoin aspect (you paid with what? do you have a bank receipt or CC statement?) nor would it be easy to investigate this internationally.

I too had a lot of concerns about joining this (or any) group buy. I was amazed that so many people sent BTC, but I was the first person to ask if Steamboat could verify that he had really purchased the initial batch of chips (he was reselling half of it) - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg2055009#msg2055009

Steamboat has shown great organizational skills and a lot of interest in the Klondike project. I believe he will gain a lot more profit by delivering the advertised services/products than doing otherwise. He bought the first batch of chips before offering this group sell so the way I see it he is skillfully joining his private mining interests with additional business goals.

While everything seems legit I still always use the word "allegedly" when I talk about anything bitcoin. So I allegedly bought some ASIC chips that will allegedly be fabricated by Avalon allegedly a couple of weeks from now. The only thing that is real up to this point is that I gave someone $ to give me some data bits called BTC.
[/quote]

I would like everyone who reads this thread to read this post. Some scams are very transparent, some are not. Please research carefully any vendor you choose to do business with.

Quote from: je1p7u7 on June 04, 2013, 02:55:25 PM

Is there an option to buy a "Fully unassembled unit"? Something for the hardcore DIY-stencil-cutting-oven-reflow types that don't want to bother organizing PCB fabrication themselves.

There have been many requests for this. At this time it is a tentative yes, though in no way certain. There are several scenarios that would make this difficult to do, the logistics of which are being addressed.

Quote from: hchc on June 04, 2013, 04:06:15 PM

I bought chips from zefir group buy but I'm in US. Can I have him send you the chips for assembly?

Yes. Any of the services mentioned in the OP may be combined with any other Avalon ASIC chip service, from this or a third party offering.

Quote from: SebastianJu on June 04, 2013, 10:57:17 PM

Regarding assembly... will you pay a licence fee to bkkcoins? If so how much will it be per board?

Aside from the support already being provided to BkkCoins, he will receive a percentage of each unit produced.

Quote from: paulthetafy on June 04, 2013, 11:26:06 PM

I've read every page of this thread and I'm still confused about a few things...
Firstly am I correct that the fully assembled kit does NOT include a case or fan? In which case I would need to work out a mounting/cooling option myself?
Secondly, with regards to powering them, if I only want to power 1 or 2, would I be correct that this can be done from a PSU currently powering my desktop, i.e. pull one of the PCI-e power cables out the back and extend it as necessary to reach? Has anyone thought about any standalone powering options other than an ATX PSU (which is overkill for 1 or 2 boards)?
Lastly, on the hosting option, is the 8% cost a percentage if the initial purchase price, or 8% of mining income? Do you have any more details on hosting as I am quite interested in this!
TIA!

Full kit: Includes the assembly service and a DIY kit which includes: heat sink, standoffs, fan, screws, thermal paste, and USB cable.
Fully assembled unit: Includes assembly of one Klondike K16 ASIC board and all DIY kit parts fully assembled.

* Assembly, Assembly and DIY Kit, and Fully Assembled Unit prices do not include the price of Avalon ASIC chips, and are not due at the time of chip purchase.

The DIY kit contains everything needed, minus the power supply, to build a fully functioning unit. Full assembly contains all parts of the DIY kit fully installed.

The single unit design will be open air, with the fan positioned directly above the heatsink, with standoffs to support the fan, and to act as feet for the unit.

Assuming your power supply can support the unit, yes.

The hosting option cost is 8% of the revenue generated by the unit. More details will be available soon.

All purchases received, recorded, replied.
To customers with a Batch 1 order: Please respond to the email sent as soon as possible.

As a side note: If anyone has experience in precision 3d modeling and would like to help please send me a PM. Designs for the heatsink, single unit, and multiple unit need to be rendered.