Time worries me, syncing with ntp servers is a take down source as well. So we need to tread very carefully, the whole network works without time. For instance there is a version number at the moment, versions can update and therefor entropy is taken into account. There is an RFC coming that allows update collisions to be handled as long as the owner does not change.
ATM if there is a double spend type attack on any data (not only coins) then the network will most probably dissolve the data, meaning nobody will own it and if it’s a coin it’s recycled.
So the time thing I find alarming to the point where it’s sirens everywhere, I find no ants with watches or cells looking a a clock and wonder why time, for what purpose?
I am a single person and no more, but I can say any talk of time in maidsafe till now has been quashed very quickly as an uncontrollable man made facet not required in a system. It takes a lot of effort to realise what we can do with time we can do with entropy, it is just harder.
I find time like servers, it is always easier to say use time or use a server as this will work dead easy!
So I am very hesitant over any shared timestamp as it’s way outside how the network works or how I think, so for me this will need to be after launch as the mental capacity to look at such a deviation from the current working would be significant and need a few weeks alone to consider it with no distractions.
Don’t get me wrong here, I understand humans need for time and timestamping of stuff for “proof” of something, but I see it as a higher order function than any autonomous system can or would want to handle.
I hope this makes sense, also I hope it’s seen as a discussion point and not anything definitive.
[Edit, at the moment there is exactly zero interaction with something requiring a server (like dns/ntp etc.) IMO it is vital to retain this otherwise it’s not autonomous any more but a symbiotic relationship with existing tech and I feel that is dangerous]