Topic: Bitcoin ATM code is now officially an open source effort. (Read 7774 times)

Todd, you've had two sets of developers who quit on you (and I've never met the others).  You have made many disagreements with many people.  I suggest you take a hard look in the mirror.  To make it formal and official I do not want to have to do anything with you.  Stop calling me, stop emailing me, stop texting me, stop posting about me, stop attempting to blackmail me with old posts from nearly one year ago which you think are still relevant, etc.  This is borderline stalking.  Please, leave me alone.

I'm all for bitcoin, but just not working with you on bitcoin.

He sounds like a pseudo-businessman that doesn't know jack shit about "this internet thingy", and doesn't feel the need to keep other persons' private contact information private.

Am I missing something? I don't see anyone making any personal references to anything aside from you. Why the diatribe and further release of people's private information?

Odd, it appeared from this post and the one above it, that you were interested.
What are you really upset about? I have given you and Eric an opportunity to sell your services and recover the investment of your time with no strings attached.
In our entire relationship you articulated only two requests.
The first was about a week after coding began. That I stop asking questions about your code (which of course I did not see or get). You said "the way I see our relationship is you take care of the business side of things and I will take care of the technical (or programming)".
I failed to convey to you what another critic incorrectly said of me "he turns it on like a video game". And another business principle called 'ownership' vrs 'the agency problem'. Money was involved here, Jim. Lots of my money, future investor money and if things should go wrong jail for the CEO (ME!). How ironic that you sent me the following letter the day after Tom Williams of MyBitcoin.com stole from me 1000btc (NO, I DID NOT GET MY 40% BACK).
Jim, I tried to pay you from the beginning but you repeatedly refused. I tried desperately to purchase your source code right up to the day of the Consumer Electronics Show.

Here is your letter:

From: Jim Nguyen [[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 11:22 PM
To: Todd Bethell
Subject: Proposal
Categories: bitcoin

Todd,
As you may already know I've always said that equity is not as important to me as the
success of bitcoin. Yes, I admit that I would like to have equity in Bitcoin ATM, but
what I would like to have more is for bitcoin to succeed. If bitcoin succeeds then the
value of bitcoin goes up, all bitcoin owners win, and liberty wins.
So I have a proposal that you may or may not like. I am willing to have 0% equity in
the company in exchange for your blessing to make the bitcoin software open source at
the time of company inception. Why? If the software is open source and the plans are
released online then anyone will be able to build their own ATM. The software will also
be more secure and there will be plenty of programmers working on it. More
importantly, bitcoin has a greater probability of expanding faster.
Bitcoin ATM will have competitors eventually anyway, and for me to see Bitcoin succeed
quickly is worth more than any Bitcoin ATM company. And don't forget that the value
of bitcoin may go up and up and that liberty will prevail. Please give my idea some
serious thought.
Jim

------------------------------------------------------------------

Jim,

As Jonathan said up above "let the old stuff go"

The ball is in your court but I am not your opponent.

Todd

Reddacted.

It seems like you really like spamming your information, but I honestly have to wonder-- do the developers you mentioned above appreciate you posting their cell phone numbers without their permission?

There is no trademark on the words "BitcoinATM" nor is there likely to be one filed by me (but that is not necessarily a good thing). During investor negotiations Dustin Trammell requested that one be filed. It was never done partly because of timing and because you are correct, it is a generic descriptive term. Also I believe in giving 'value for value'.

I named the repository BitcoinATM knowing full well that I was encouraging it's use, thus making it only a little more difficult for any future trademark or patent squatters to 'extract rent'. Such as the likes of Michael Pascazi filing then retracting a tradmark on 'Bitcoin'.

Additionally, to avoid this possibility, I propose that this Github repository(s), BitcoinATM defined as 'Bitcoin Automated Transaction Mechanisms'. This would encourage the code to go in all sorts of interesting directions for physical and virtual devices large and small.

One more thought on forking; this open source effort is essentially, seriously forked already. There are two repositories supporting the same hardware with very different approaches both having valid technical and security arguments.

Jim Nguyen created the C++ version.  Senior Software Engineer at http://www.defenseweb.com, http://www.bitcoinblogger.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcnguyen
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 1-619-602-7588

Eric Lombrozo created the PHP version (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/eric-lombrozo/37/2b/a79)
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 1-858-735-0270

Todd Bethell, CFM, MBA
toddbethell
Life stream at: http://bambuser.com/channel/toddbethell sometimes at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/toddbethell
Blog: www.BitcoinFever.com
Web sites: www.FASTscanning.com www.BitcoinATM.com www.FASTbitcoins.com
Social: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/todd-bethell/8/6ba/216 http://www.facebook.com/toddbethell https://twitter.com/#!/toddbethell
Contact: [email protected] [email protected]
FAST Scanning 1-949-340-5438 Cell and sms 1-949-394-5932 Google voice 1-347-286-8170

Yes, I would be very interested, too. I wrote all the code to interface the Genmega hardware.

ericools:

Your best bet if you want to run a kiosk is to take a look at used genmega machines. ask Todd as I'm sure he can help you to outfit a Kiosk with the proper accessories.

I think we'll want to add a few things before it would be usable:
1. paper wallet (public/private key QR code printout from receipt printer)
2. multi-exchange support
3. blockchain.info wallet support (api integration)
4. administrative / back office / accounting

If someone were to step up and be willing to host and manage the IT side, where the Genmega / other device only has to be pointed / locked in kiosk mode to the hosted site, the activeX controls and functionality required to handle the user requirements will just *work*

ericools, if you're willing to put a few of these kiosks out there, perhaps you'd also be willing to make a pledge to this open source project of a bounty to attract talented developers and potential partners (see: private label infrastructure host)

-Jonathan

I am prepared to purchase and install these machines as soon as someone can iron out the code.  I lack the ability to do that part myself, but will make every effort to bring these to the masses once they are fully functional. 

Todd,

The problem is that your brand association and limitations on its use may make it more difficult to involve anyone of substance. Perhaps consider renaming the github repo "BitcoinKiosk" or something similar.

Attention: The bounties listed stand for the existing github repo "BitcoinATM", but with the hope that this project name will change. It's a kiosk, not an ATM.

In order for this project to go anywhere, I believe that it must provide an open source repo that allows any number of hosted services providers to deploy Kiosk support (to existing kiosks, for instance) and to provide multiple exchange integration with a tight, well documented API.

I'm happy to donate to the effort as it would be nice see this hobbyist project advance.

-Jonathan

BitcoinATM open source effort has no technical, moral or business limitations placed on it except the brand itself. The only goal established is the deceptively modest "Automated asymmetrical exchange of bitcoin and physical items of value". Since their is as yet no conflict of interests, 'forking' BitcoinATM right at it's beginning is an irrational waist of time and resources.

Todd,

I'm pushing for the development of a fully functional hosted platform that supports activeX for the GenMega and other kiosks. I'm going to further push for the advancement of the concept of independent exchanges having well defined support. Think of it like intersango for Bitcoin Kiosk.

I've let the old stuff go, and I hope you have as well. I hold no grudge, and I understand the financial situation you were in. Let's agree to pursue an open effort to advance and make available an open source software solution that has robust exchange, manufacturer and back office support.

What do you say?

-Jonathan

I don't understand. Bitcoin gets forked everyday by someone who wants to take it in a different direction, and I don't think anyone even cares about it. This is new to me. It seems like you don't want it forked?

We have perfectly good internet at our disposal. Type.

I understand fully that "'they' can do anything 'they' want".
The Wiki-page on forking was meant to answer that question before you asked it.
Jonathan has all the php code already and or can pull from the BitcoinATM repository to create his own repository or fork.
Matthew, motives, values and history DO matter.
Please call me on my cell to discuss. 1-949-394-5932
Todd

Now that it's open source, it doesn't matter someone's reasoning I suppose. They can do anything they want.

Why are you calling for a fork?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_(software_development)

Good to see that this is now an Open Source effort.

Current Bounties (paid by me)

10 BTC - Set up a live demonstration site [PHP]
15 BTC - Fork PHP and do spring cleaning (waiting for public post w/information, pmt. address)
15 BTC - Back Office / Administrative Development [PHP]
15 BTC - Add Exchange Support (bitfloor / bitstamp / btce) [PHP]

Well, it was at the CES show in the MtGox booth. I think the part of the problem has been the failure to take advantage of marketing opportunities. As stated before, the primary difficulty was the drop in bitcoin prices below what investors agreed to liquidate their coins at. When the negotiations were taking place bitcoin was still more than $14 so setting the minimum sale price at $11 seemed safe. Then the price went to $2. I had already invested $35,000+ of my own money and was tapped out.
But none of that is relavant now that the effort is open source. There are still many viable models and opportunities for individuals who want to own their own ATM or Kiosk or use the code for any of the other good ideas such as what Zer0 says.


And Rjk

What needs to be done is to partner with an existing ATM manufacturer to have this software run inside an existing machine as well as the usual credit card software.