Isn't a instamine == premine when it's done before anyone else has time to ramp up?
If the implication is that releasing the mining software on GNU/Linux ahead of Microsoft Windows converts an instamine into a premine the answer is most emphatically
NO.
It would be
YES if there were 500 coins per block during the first few hours while the mining software was restricted to the very small pool of Linux users.
oh wait...Did I just describe something?
I have zero sympathy here. Those who choose propriety DRM and malware infected operating systems
sold licensed by large multinational monopolies such as Microsoft and Apple need to learn that by their choice of operating systems they are cutting themselves off from many extremely profitable opportunities. This is especially the case when dealing with crypto - currencies that by their very nature rely on FLOSS and computing devices under their owner's sole control for their security. My own personal experience was purchasing XBT in the 2 -6 USD range in late 2011/2012. Many of those XBT were subsequently sold at an 10000% profit for XMR
after Apple gave the iSheep permission to purchase XBT. I am a strong critic of DRK and believe the coin is fundamentally flawed at a structural level; however one thing the DRK developers got right is releasing the mining software on GNU/Linux ahead of Microsoft Windows. There are many valid security reasons why one would do that. Furthermore this also sends a clear message that if one wants privacy one should not be using DRM and malware infected propriety operating systems, where the vendors have, in addition to the DRM and malware risk, made data sharing arrangements with multiple national spy agencies.
What? No offence, but what are you talking about? Releasing the mining on Linux instead of Windows at the start has absolutely nothing to do with security. Why are you even bringing up "national spy agencies" anyway? When Darkcoin(rather xcoin), first came out, it was not intended to be an anonymous coin. It was simply an altcoin just like any other crappy altcoin. The mining was restricted to linux only so that the early linux miners and evan himself could gain most of the coins that happened during the 500, then 200 coins per block instamine the first few hours of the release.
Nothing else, and definitely nothing to do with "national spy agencies", rofl. If there weren't 500 coins per block at the start, then what you're saying would be slightly(emphasis on slightly) plausible. But the 500 coins per block at the start+restricted to linux only+block reward getting reduced dramatically after over 1million coins have been mined in a few hours=instamine. You can further tell that the instamine was intended, even planned for because of the high # of hash that was thrown at the mining early on when it was restricted to linux only, along with the block reward being cut several times after the instamine(to make evan's instamined coins more valuable).
The security argument is very simple. By delaying the Microsoft Windows release a POW coin that uses CPU mining can avoid a botnet 51% attack when it is at its most vulnerable point just after release. This is because botnets are powered by compromised Microsoft Windows computers.
As for security agencies take a look at the PRISM program:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_%28surveillance_program%29 In particular at the following slide:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRISM_%28surveillance_program%29#mediaviewer/File:Prism_slide_5.jpg. When on entrusts one's data to Microsoft or Apple, and this happens every time one uses their propriety software,
one also must assume that this data is also shared with the NSA. But this is only the beginning Microsoft for example also has source code sharing arrangements with the PLA and FSB. This gives these agencies a massive advantage in the design of spying malware. Ever wonder what the real origin of all the Chinese hacking allegations is?
If this is not enough consider the recent Lenovo / Superfish incident. To make a long story short, Lenovo partnered with Superfish to break SSL connections on certain Microsoft Windows laptops they sold in order to insert ads into SSL connections. This was accomplished by placing a fake certificate into the trusted root of the computer during the manufacturing process. The net result is that anyone with the password to the fake certificate, komodia, could decrypt the SSL connection and for example steal login credentials, empty people's bank accounts, place malware to steal crypto - currency etc. Komodia is by the way the name of a company with ties to the Mossad that was involved in the development of the spying software. Microsoft is not an innocent bystander here, since they tightly control how computers with Microsoft Windows are distributed and sold.
If one is truly serious about privacy and security one must avoid propriety operating systems particularly those from Microsoft and Apple. In practice for many people this means GNU/Linux on desktop / laptop and
rooted Android on mobile.
As much as many here are critical of DRK and with good reason, on the issue of giving GNU/Linux preference over Microsoft Windows the DRK developers deserve praise rather than criticism.
Edit: smooth's comments on the commercial incentives for the DRK masternodes to sell data for profit are right on the money.
