Topic: [ANNOUNCE] Global Web Of Trust Standards Workgroup (Read 1507 times)

The only real purpose of the mailing list is to figure out how to manage the project. (e.g. what's the best way to communicate, what tools to use?)

Pasting from the (only) message I've sent to the list so far:

You could also sign up for an email account with hushmail and use their GPG tools.

There's a very easy way to /install/ gpg on windows.

The problem comes from authing taking multiple copy and pastes which is a huge hassle, and it is also just a daunting task for many people who aren't computer savvy.

Actually, getting GPG on windows is not that bad, albeit being bit roundabout. Just install Mozilla Thunderbird and the install Enigmail plugin for it.

Interested in following this, but words cannot describe how much I despise the mailing list format, especially for anything vaguely important.

Totally agree, its a real shame gpg is so hard to get going on Windows but it is so ideal for situations like this...maybe working on a better gpg for windows is the first step to this .

In any case, it is also important to strictly define how trust is given.  Arbitrary numbers don't always work so well (see -otc's 1 == I made a trade for 100 BTC or I sent someone 1 BTC and they sent it back).  Also, trust is given in different areas and doesn't necessarily cross over.  For the next release of bitcoin (0.4.0) the build system will be made distributed and based on trust assigned to the gpg keys of various developers who build and sign a bitcoin binary deterministically, just because I'd trust someone on a 1000 BTC transaction doesn't mean I would trust them to build bitcoin safely, I might only trust someone with a 1 BTC transaction, but I know they would never sign something which they put a virus in. 

I don't have much experience either but I'm certainly willing to help out.

One thing I'd say is critical to have is an easy way in and out. Nanotube will vouch for me being the most vocal about how much a pain in the ass GPG is for people who aren't running linux or a specific irc client. Maybe a database that will send your credentials for you given the password to the gpg key?

Anyway, I'm on the mailing list.

The bitcoin community (and internet as a whole) will benefit if we can create a truly global web of trust.

As Bitcoin grows, more services will be based on trust. Maybe we'll see a classifieds site (BitListings?) where you're willing to ship your junk across the country in exchange for bitcoins to trusted parties. Maybe "CryptNet" from The Diamond Age will show up. Exchangers (e.g. Coinpal -otc) are already using trust-based systems.

The workgroup will oversee the creation of a standard to allow all of these systems to interact. The primary goal is to decide on an API that will allow sites to share their trust data. Some sites will opt to keep their trust data internal, which is fine. However, the advantage of creating a global web of trust is that your -otc ratings will show up when you use BitListings. This would help solve a lot of trustability problems.

I've purchased some web hosting which is currently located at bitcoin.subvert.me. It's still empty.

I've set up a mailing list to start hashing out the low level details (like what to put on the site.) Join the list by emailing [email protected] and leave by emailing [email protected]. Emails sent to [email protected] will go to the whole list. You can set an option to receive a single daily digest email here. We can use a lot of different opinions - users, developers, site owners are all encouraged to help us create the best possible system.

BTW - I have never created a standard before, if you have experience with this, your input will be especially valuable.
PLATO