Quote from: MrTeal on July 08, 2014, 06:28:44 PM

Quote from: ProfMac on July 08, 2014, 05:50:55 PM

From my mathematics training, I tend to speculate about changing rules, and what outcomes are likely.

This weekend, I wondered what would happen if the "recent backpay" was changed to "oldest backpay."

One effect is that the very old backpay would be paid out. In the current system, there is some doubt whether it will ever be paid.
Another effect is that new miners would see a drop in their revenue, because initially they would not receive any backpay.
Possibly a blended system, 50% recent and 50% oldest would balance these two concerns.

I assume wizkid & Luke evaluated this question in the past. I wonder what their reasoning was.

Whether 100% oldest or 50% oldest, neither system works without including a fee. The reason is that as soon as a backlog develops, it is always more profitable to just move to another pool than to continue to mine there even if your shares are in the old backlog.

I never understood the pool-hopping business. Would you (anyone) mind working up an example with a 10% oldest / 90% recent? Perhaps use the actual Eligius block data for a new 1 THs miner starting at block 308,729?