I feel out of the loop on "the plan", but for now I am just trying to pay my expenses so I am focusing on working hard through my other freelance clients. I cannot put much time on building the protocol unless I am getting paid a reasonable amount (at least 500 USD a month). I don't think there is a huge rush to change the protocol now, but a design of an innovative marking/repuation protocol needs to move forward in order to remain competitive. Also, distractions, like how to reward miners to make the price go higher need to be toned down.

It's good to work with other projects, but we have to make sure it will really be something that users will value, and not just a way to get more funding.