Bitcoin Q&A: Software Distribution Security
Channel: aantonop
Date: 2018-05-07

How is Bitcoin software securely developed and delivered? What is Gitian? What happens if your client software is compromised and how is this prevented? How is consensus reached on new upgrades? What are the different consensus groups? How are developers compensated for their work? Are there other compatible Bitcoin clients available besides the Bitcoin Core reference client?

Chapters
0:00 From page 20, a Bitcoin user downloads the Bitcoin Core client software. What if this downloaded software is infected and serves other interests? Who is responsible for distributing software, if we are talking about the totally decentralized system? How can I understand if it will be the original client software?
7:05 How is consensus on new rules and upgrades reached? Who decides what updates to include or reject? Are developers being paid to do that?
10:27 How does a miner decide which software to use? Is it common for a miner to switch implementations?"
12:15 Is it common for a miner to switch to another implementation?

These questions are from the MOOC 7.2, 9.3, and 9.5 sessions, which took place on February 26th 2017, March 2nd and March 16th 2018 respectively. Andreas is a teaching fellow with the University of Nicosia. The first course in their Master of Science in Digital Currency degree, DFIN-511: Introduction to Digital Currencies, is offered for free as an open enrollment MOOC course to anyone interested in learning about the fundamental principles.

If you want early-access to talks and a chance to participate in the monthly live Q&As with Andreas, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/aantonop

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Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonop
Website: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Money-collection-Andreas-Antonopoulos/dp/1537000454/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

[NEW] THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v2: https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Money-Andreas-M-Antonopoulos/dp/194791006X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bitcoin-Unlocking-Digital-Cryptocurrencies/dp/1449374042

[NEW] MASTERING BITCOIN, 2nd Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitcoin-Programming-Open-Blockchain/dp/1491954388

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