Key Progress:
Major Refactor Completed:
- Refactor focused on initial connections between nodes via the gateway.
- Addressed numerous issues that were causing problems in the network.
- Integration testing has been improved, leading to faster feedback for changes.
Integration Testing Improvements:
- Fixed various errors in integration code that were causing issues during testing.
- Adjustments have sped up the testing process significantly, allowing for quicker iterations.
Current Blockers:
- Transport Layer Issues:
- There is a problem with the handshake process between the gateway and peers.
- The gateway and peers are not correctly syncing on the use of symmetric and asymmetric keys during communication.
- Ignacio is currently diagnosing this issue, which appears to be the last major blocker.
Other Developments:
Ghost Keys:
- Discussion of “Ghost Keys,” an independent system Ian has been working on, which focuses on anonymous, verifiable identities.
- Ian mentioned the importance of naming, noting that “Ghost Keys” has resonated well with people and sparked interest.
- The system is largely independent of Freenet but has been in discussion for some time.
Group Chat System:
- Ian has been developing a group chat system, with a focus on using macros to handle complex contract operations.
- The discussion revealed challenges with field dependencies within the chat room contract, particularly regarding the correct application of deltas.
- Ian is considering integrating elements from an existing experimental approach within Freenet’s standard library to streamline development and reduce redundancy.
Next Steps:
Focus on Transport Layer Fixes:
- Once the handshake issue is resolved, the network should be able to establish reliable connections.
- After this, any remaining issues should be minor and more easily addressed.
Continue Development of Group Chat System:
- Ian will review existing experimental approaches to potentially integrate them into the group chat system.
- The goal is to create a more robust and efficient contract framework that can serve as an example for more complex systems in the future.
Conclusion:
- The network is moving closer to a stable release.
- The team is hopeful that these final issues can be resolved quickly, allowing users to begin starting up nodes and participating in the network.
- Parallel developments, like the Ghost Keys system and the group chat project, are also progressing, contributing to the broader ecosystem Freenet aims to support.