Greetings and salutations Minters! First off, We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that your first month of 2017 has been a good one. Now that the proverbial "dust" from the holidays has settled, we would like to invite anyone and everyone to join us in testing our two upcoming wallet releases (thats right, TWO!)
Table of contents
As mentioned above, we have TWO upcoming wallet versions that are targeted for testing. Below is a brief overview of each.
First off, we have a release candidate for v2.0.3 that addresses some minor issues with network sync stalling. We've also cleaned up some of the now defunct UI elements (namely QtWebView) as they were archaic and never really looked quite right. This version will serve as one of, if not THE, last releases along the 2.0.x chain.
The purpose of this release is to serve as the final intermediary between 2.0.x and 2.1.x, with special considerations for how network messages and syncing is handled.
Secondly, there is our v2.1.0 wallet that has been worked on in length over the past year. While details of exactly what this release would entail have been sparse, mainly due to not wanting to spread unnecessary hype, we have reached the point of inevitability.
This version's primary purpose is to bring the core MINT codebase to a more current state. Its no secret that the existing codebase is sorely outdated, being primarily a fork from Bitcoin 0.7.2 with a little bit of Bitcoin 0.8.0 tossed in here n' there.
The public TestNet will consist of two primary phases aimed at assisting in the completion of v2.1.0:
Start Date: Feb 2 2017
End Date: TBA
Target Version: 2.0.3
While the MintCoin Team members have already spent time building the TestNet chain during internal testings, we need the public's help to add more stress to the network.
To this end, we will be releasing multi-platform pre-compiled binaries of the v2.0.3-RC that are locked in TestNet mode, they will not connect to the main MintCoin network nor will they interfere with existing wallet data.
Testers are asked to add transaction stress to the network in the form of sending coins amongst one another. See below for information on TestNet coin distribution methods.
Start Date: TBA
End Date: TBA
Target Version: 2.1.0
The second phase of our public test involves monitoring the data upgrade and network syncing process for the v2.1.0 client. The move to a more recent codebase includes a reorganization of the wallet's data directory as well as fundamental changes to how network syncing is handled.
Again, we will be releasing multi-platform pre-compiled binaries of the v2.1.0 test client that are locked in TestNet mode. They will not connect to the main MintCoin network or interfere with existing MainNet wallet data.
For the purpose of this test, testers that participated in phase one will be asked to backup their existing TestNet data directory (without removing/renaming it) and run the v2.1.0 wallet client. Testers that did NOT participate in phase one simply need to run the v2.1.0 wallet client.
At any time during phase two, testers can choose to delete their TestNet data directories to initiate a network sync test. Likewise, testers can choose to restore a backup TestNet data directory from phase one to initiate a data upgrade test.
Q: Why are we using a TestNet?
A: Because the main MintCoin network's age. The blockchain is over 3 million blocks long right now, which makes testing critical changes for 2.1.0 very VERY time consuming.
Q: Are there any differences with the TestNet specifications?
A: Yes! For starters, the target spacing is 3 minutes instead of 30 seconds. This basically slows down the chain to allow for more time in evaluating the client's log files. Further, the staking minimum age is only 20 minutes and the maximum age is 60 minutes.
Q: How can I get TestNet coins?
A: TestNet coins can be obtained via PoW mining (setgenerate true in the wallet's RPC console) OR by asking one of the MintCoin Team members for an initial supply. Once you have coins in your wallet, Proof-of-stake is used to award coins in the same way that the main MintCoin network does.
Q: Are TestNet coins valid on MainNet and/or exchanges?
A: NO! TestNet coins are exclusive to use on the TestNet only and will not affect the main MintCoin network's supply or distribution. Likewise, exchanges that trade MINT are only trading MainNet coins, attempts to send TestNet coins to an exchange address will fail.
Q: Can I compile my own TestNet wallet client?
A: At the moment, no. During the start of the public TestNet phases, we need to closely monitor the interaction of a couple network variables that could change over time. Having the possibility of these variables on MainNet would be detrimental, so self-compiling is off the table until a later date.
The following resources can be used to contact the MintCoin Team with any questions regarding the TestNet, or any other MintCoin related questions.
- IRC: #MintCoinOfficial on FreeNode
- Slack: MintCoinOfficial (Auto-Invite link: mintcoin-slack.herokuapp.com)
- E-Mail: info@mintcoinofficial.com
- BitcoinTalk: ANN Thread, mintcointeam, Fuzzbawls
- Reddit: /r/MintCoin/
- Twitter: @MintcoinTeam
- Github: MintcoinCommunity