> > One idea is to use IRC. The ecash server connects to an IRC server via > > Freedom, and runs as a bot. Client software would then also use IRC > > to extract and deposit coins. > > You'd probably need to customize the IRC client in order to know how to > > do the blinding and such. > > Don't some IRC clients support plugins for encryption? is that extensive > enough to do what's needed? Actually there isn't any encryption needed here. It's some bignum math calculations plus a hash function. This would undoubtedly be functionality that has to be added to the client. Whether it must be compiled in or could be done with an add-on script is unclear. > > Alternatively, use Ben Laurie's Lucre package (no relation to the earlier > > "dash-lucre" which was a workalike for the DigiCash client). This uses a > > blinding system devised by David Wagner which is thought to be unpatented. > > To what is this an alternative? In both cases - patented or unpatented > algorithms - it seems desirable that the mint be pseudonymous. Yes, that may be true, for legal and liability reasons. Still, running unpatented software would be more attractive on the client side, where anonymity will often not be practical. > > Who would be willing to give real money to an anonymous ecash server? > > Depends on what I can buy with the ecash. I would like to buy Stefan > Brands' thesis, but I don't have a credit card, and have been too lazy so > far to arrange for interbank transfer. I would give real money to an > anonymous e-cash server to buy Brands' thesis. That's good, now we just need to find someone who would be willing to sell it for e-cash.
