what i don't get is why people still might think kncminer is legit
Well they are now down to 7 units as of 8pm 5/19/2013
Unlike KNCminer the ASXProject admins still do not have SSL verification cert on their site however they claim to be working towards it.
Last I checked they are no longer processing payments with Bitpay.
I along with others truly hope that these claims are real.
However caution is needed here.
This means nothing without direct proof that their devices actually exist and work. It would take me about 20 minutes to set up a cart with a "product" with an inventory counter.
Dont send your money until there is proofWhat you say is true however how does one get proof? In the end it all comes down to trust.
At this stage I personally consider it a step of good faith for them to validate their identity at least to a 3rd party like Bitpay.
Then in good faith they can deal with the vendor directly in a private way and be a liaison for the customer. If they validate their location and control of the project domain and other things then this would instill confidence with those involved are making a real effort to gain trust of their potential customers.
Who knows maybe the gentlemen behind the “ASXproject” directly may be 100% sincere, however the people who they are getting to build the unit is not upfront with them about the difficulty associated with such projects.
Consider the similarities to Avalon's first batch order of 300, they claim that they are past the prototype stage and now need funding for the actual product.
They claim to have taken steps to help expedite the project with the goal of getting a working device out to a 3rd party; they reduced their initial batch down to 100 Modules from the 100-250 units.
I can understand the need for anonymity associated with these projects.
However there is also another option available. A potential project could start of by having someone like “ckolivas” connect remotely to a laptop with nothing but ubuntu installed along with their software drivers and have the unit plugged into the laptop usb port.
Then give them root access on the laptop to get the thing running with the projects instructions. Also grant them power on off control of the device via a web power control switch.
Then have “ckolivas” update the community on the results.
When you consider what was said at this weekend’s conference by the team behind the Avalon ASIC, They have to deal with staff security and the need to exercise a measure of privacy for safety sake.
To meet these two objectives should be a priority for any company expecting customers to “finance” their projects.
Factor in the lack of community involvement, identity validation by 3rd party, only adds to skepticism regarding any claims they have of delivering a finished working product to the preorder clients in the end.