On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 1:10 PM, Jim <jim...@fastmail.co.uk> wrote: > Hello Everybody, > > Over the last few months we have been steadily adding > functionality to MultiBit including: > + encrypted wallets > + sign and verify message > + stability improvements and bug fixes. > > As a result of these efforts I think MultiBit is now > suitable for the entry level Bitcoin user. I propose > that we put MultiBit as the default desktop client > on the bitcoin.org "Choose your wallet" page. > > I think a typical new user comes to bitcoin.org from a > google search or a Bitcoin news article. We want them to > peruse the bitcoin.org site and try out a wallet. They > should be able to get MultiBit up and running in a tea break. > Then perhaps they get a colleague to send them some bitcoin > from an Android phone by zapping a QR code.
This is definitely a great discussion to have. Here are some initial, unprioritized thoughts. As an engineer, there is never a clear answer, but a balance of costs and benefits. Arguments in favor of moving away from Bitcoin-Qt/bitcoind for wallet services: * Bitcoin-Qt is admittedly a very simple wallet. I see it's core strengths more as a "P2P router" for the public blockchain data. * Wallet feature innovation moves more slowly than Armory/bitcoinj/blockchain.info. * Requires the full blockchain, which is resource-intensive versus SPV. Arguments in favor of retaining Bitcoin-Qt/bitcoind default: * More field experience, code review and testing on desktop than others * Very real possibility of an overall net reduction of full nodes on P2P network Arguments in favor of multibit default: * Good user interface, perhaps more friendly for entry level users as you describe * Based on bitcoinj, which has field experience and a very large installed base thanks to Bitcoin Wallet/Schildbach Arguments against multibit default: * Less testing, field experience on desktop I'm sure others can come up with a few more. -- Jeff Garzik Senior Software Engineer and open source evangelist BitPay, Inc. https://bitpay.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This SF.net email is sponsored by Windows: Build for Windows Store. http://p.sf.net/sfu/windows-dev2dev _______________________________________________ Bitcoin-development mailing list Bitcoin-development@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/bitcoin-development
