108 sats \ 7 replies \ @_vnprc 3 Apr \ parent \ on: NVK v SeedSigner - Valid Concerns or Arrogants Attacks bitcoin
The only credible criticism I have seen of the seedsigner model is that it requires you to access unencrypted private key material for each spend. Fair point. You can encrypt the private key using a BIP39 passphrase. I don't like this solution because, as Lopp points out, this changes your setup from a single point of failure to two points of failure. If you lose the seed phrase (or QR code) you lose your money. If you lose the passphrase you lose your money. Far more people get rekt this way than get rekt by having their seed phrase or hardware wallet physically compromised.
It's just not that much work to go from a seed phrase + pass phrase to a multisig with 3 seed phrases. You need to find a third physically secure location and stamp out another steel plate AND THAT'S IT. Spending does not require an additional trip to a secure location and you now have redundancy against failure which protects you against your greatest enemy: yourself.
I recommend seed signer to every pleb who is willing to get their hands dirty. I believe it is one of the best security models. It definitely has the best user interface (mad props to Keith Mukai) and by learning to use it you also learn a ton about bitcoin and self custody.
Hard agree on all your criticisms of NVK. Also, you forgot to mention how Cold Card used to be open source right up until someone forked his code and started a competing company. Now it's just 'source available'. I get the distinct feeling NVK is an enemy of open source. His motivation appears to be selfish; oriented toward his own profit instead of promoting freedom technology.
Also, you forgot to mention how Cold Card used to be open source right up until someone forked his code and started a competing company. Now it's just 'source available'. I get the distinct feeling NVK is an enemy of open source. His motivation appears to be selfish; oriented toward his own profit instead of promoting freedom technology.
The idea that the only valid form of software is free software -- which is what you're describing, which is a different license / conceptual entity than open source, which is why the term "open source" even exists -- is a pretty radical view, which reasonable people can disagree on.
Or at least, I disagree, and I think I'm reasonable.
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Its an opinion I agree with you @elvismercury. I value open source software and use it if at all possible but my views on freedom mean I believe others should be able to close source or do whatever they want with their work. Also I don't believe IP exists so for some I'm all over the place I guess. It makes sense to me though.
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Not sure why you tie this idea to my post. I never said that and I don't believe it because it's ridiculous.
Mainly from this:
Also, you forgot to mention how Cold Card used to be open source right up until someone forked his code and started a competing company. Now it's just 'source available'. I get the distinct feeling NVK is an enemy of open source. His motivation appears to be selfish; oriented toward his own profit instead of promoting freedom technology.
Labeling a guy who doesn't want his labor to be used by a competitor to launch a competing product as "an enemy of open source" is a hell of a leap.
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NVK was all for open source when it brought a benefit to his business. Now he's against it because it brings competition. In addition, he constantly attacks his open source competitors. This is incompatible with the open source ethos. It's not a leap at all. Don't put words in my mouth pls.
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I'm not sure what words you think I put into your mouth -- I quoted your actual words, and then you just did what I described you as doing. Regardless, you can think whoever you want is an "enemy of open source", I don't care. Go nuts.
But "open source" as a construct is a term that describes a host of licenses, and NVK is both within his rights, and within the normative behavior of the "open source community", to adopt a particular one of those licenses for his business. You don't need to like it, but those are factual statements.
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Thanks for sharing this criticism. Its valid.
I am well aware of the criticisms you mention. I wanted to stick to the arguments he makes or should be making vs criticizing business decisions. You make valid points. I've heard his side of it. I would probably go a different direction if I were him, but I'm not.
SeedSigner has a very different target audience. I wish it was promoted more but it doesn't have a for profit company behind it. I honestly think this is a strength especially from state attack. Projects like SeedSigner are a big reason I'm bullish on bitcoin. Not that I believe we have to have signing devices but because they are very censorship resistant.
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