Hi guys
I notice a new a new release on OP version V1.4.2.2. is this a mandatory update? I'm running V1.4.2.1.
Hi Jon
The last mandatory release was the Lottery update; though a considerable number of fork-inherited legacy bugs have been fixed in the latest version (and we have yet to have a single report of problems with the build).
Also whats planned going on in the background? The forum seems very quite so any info would be great, Thanks in advance
Jon
Our apologies, we aren't much for 'message' or marketing
First:
We have almost a dozen people working on about a dozen different aspects of the project. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in any way they are willing. We have need for literally just about any skill-set at this point: so if you have a bit of free-time you are invited to join #clams on freenode Irc and help out. We would love to have you
A few highlights:
The upcoming client release will include a complete make-over. This includes both functional and aesthetic improvements. One of the most exciting functional improvements has to do with the addition of lottery specific functionality to the RPC interface and GUI. If all goes well, this should include lottery specific data such as Top and Recent lottery results as well as exposing functional settings such as the split/combine thresholds. Our view is that the more information and control our users have, the healthier the CLAM network will be.
Another interesting and possibly fundamental change to CLAMS involves privacy and anonymity. There are at least two efforts currently underway to improve this aspect of the CLAM network; though we would prefer to remain a bit tight-lipped at the moment as to the specifics. Ultimately, simplicity and security is the primary concern before implementing any core protocol changes, and we would like to avoid hastily implementing an experimental anonymity "improvement" without proper testing. A fact that may well set us apart from some of the other teams that have recently attempted such an improvement.
Work on getting a custom block explorer up, possibly ported over from `insight`, such that it FULLY supports Proof-Of-Stake/Pearl/Lottery is also underway. We don't want to rush this one as ultimately we would like it to provide the back-end and infrastructure for a web-wallet/network API system and countless other web-based projects. It needs to work, and it needs to work flawlessly, before it can be relied upon for these types of sensitive ventures.
A working OSX build has been a thorn in our side for some time. Due to the sensitive nature of 'claiming' CLAMS and the CLAMClient, we refuse to allow a third-party to compile the official build. We have a working compile on hand that testing has shown to work for the majority of newer versions but were holding out on release, hoping to get it perfect. At this point, we may be simply aiming for a level of perfection that is unattainable; you may well see the current compile released in the coming days. We have a distinct shortage of test users to test the builds on various versions of the operating system, and would encourage users to join us on IRC to help test.
Work has also continued on a new homepage for CLAMS; the idea being that we need a fast and professional/presentable 'face' for CLAMS. Currently, this work is based in 'ghost', a node.js blog/CMS platform. This is another area where just about anyone could contribute. We need people who have a bit of knowledge concerning crypto-currency to contribute and write content to assist new users and generally describe and explain the CLAM network, client and features.
Although there are quite a few other projects in various states of completion, the last I would to talk about at this time is the CLAM Desktop Suite. Considerably progress has been completed on a suite of applications designed to integrate with the CLAM Client. The first of these to be released will likely be a peer to peer C
LAM Chat Application. The concept being that users are able to broadcast streaming video peer to peer and enter private sessions. Accepting and attributing tips in CLAMS will be automated and integrated into the Application. Much more complicated, the second CLAM Desktop Suite Application released will likely be the CLAM Trader. The CLAM Trader will eventually include multiple exchanges/markets in one interface, basic trading, automated trading triggers and strategies, and data mining. The concept being that the application releases with full support for various features in the CLAMS markets, to allow testing and encourage activity and liquidity in the CLAMS market, and basic support for other markets. To unlock some of the more advanced features for non-CLAMS markets, some form of requirement associated with CLAMS (such as a CLAM balance requirement or net-positive B/S ratio) will be required. If anyone has any additional ideas for Desktop Applications that lend themselves to integration with crypto-currency - Please share.
I know I didn't list every project, and likely missed a large one somewhere along the line; to whichever member is working on it: sorry
To the rest,
Thank you.
Hope that is helpful on getting a 'feel' for some of the ways in which we are working on CLAMS; and plan to continue to do so into the future
Not an opinion set in stone, just a pattern that has been noticed 
