I decided not to use Bitcoin as the base because my changes were quite extensive and the bitcoin base is a mess, new code is found here:
git@github.com:bytemaster/bitshares.git
I have a large block of code that has not been checked in, but never the less expect to have a functional alpha within a month.
Yep, checked it out before and was disappointed it's just "draft specification by C++". By bitcoin integration I didn't mean to use bitcoin-qt as shared code base (starting from scratch is probably indeed wiser especially if the ledger is architecturally too far from bitcoin), but to allow markets
within bitcoin main blockchain. Sure that is cumbersome (various coloring and sigscript schemes), but the point is to serve existing userbase.
That being said, I'm looking forward to functional prototype, altcoins (and ledgers like OT) are still very interesting from research perspective, getting the "adoption" part right is a tough one though. Ask fellowtraveller.
Like I said in other places, it is impossible to add the features I need to bitcoin even with new custom scripts. The 'market making' function must be performed by all nodes as well as collateral enforcement. There is no way to have a 'public' / 'automatic' dispersal of collateral held in the bitcoin block-chain and therefore the best you can hope for is some anonymous centralized service that operates the private keys.
The unchecked in code has more implementation, but you are correct the current checkin is mostly high-level but then again I only started it less than 1 week ago!