Rounding up the news this week, on Tuesday we published a new version of the node so if you’re a beta tester make sure you upgrade ASAP.
Headline improvements in the latest version (2024.08.2.3) are as follows:
- Updated Launchpad with several new features and controls
- Connectivity improvements in node-manager, where the start command now waits for one node to connect before starting another.
- Major improvements to the way home nodes connect. There were a few issues here, but long story short, you should see a big difference to the flow of nanos now.
The full changelog is here.
We also fixed a problem with the uploaders, so the network is being populated with data once again.
The over-quoting issue has been fixed, so cancel the Lambo, there’ll be no more overnight nano millionaires.
In the works are new metrics and settings for the Launchpad to enable users to check the health of and restart individual nodes, rather than the current all-or-nothing.
You’ll also be able to select custom ports and control communications protocols from within the Launchpad, until the time when libp2p solve their AutoNAT issues and we don’t have to any more.
Oh, and a first version of the API will be published very shortly. We’re working towards a simplified replacement for the old sn_client API. Consolidating code which has bled between that and the cli into something which will make it easier for developers to start to get to work on their apps, on which ultimately the whole Network depends. Obviously it will be basic, but at least you will be able to see what we’re up to and offer feedback.
Beta news
For those who missed Discord Stages on Tuesday, we’ve made some small adjustments to the Beta programme that reflect our current plans as we approach launch:
Wave 3 will start once we reach 500 participants rather than 1000 (and accordingly, half of the original prize pool). Any earnings, including those from boosts, will contribute to the cumulative balance for the opening week. Wave 3 will be the last wave, as the beta has fulfilled its purpose, and focus will shift to other testing and incentive programmes. Wave 3 will have a fixed end date, no later than Friday, October 10th.
Prize Pool Adjustments: Starting Wave 3 will increase the total prize pool by 50% for Wave 2 and 25% for Wave 1, with Wave 1 participants already having their pool rewards doubled.
Post-Wave 1 Incentives: When Wave 1 ends in two weeks (around week 10), participants can opt into an incentivised token testing programme starting the week of September 29th.
After the end of their respective waves, participants from Wave 2 and 3 will also have opportunities to join the incentivised token testing programme. Further incentives will be available at the network’s official launch.
Team news
To help us in the push to the finishing line, we’re pleased to welcome a new Rust dev Ermine Jose to the team. 
General progress
Back from holiday, a refreshed @joshuef is straight back into the thick of things.
@qi_ma worked on a fix for a register bug to ensure they are now merged on the network side where possible. He helped with documenting the sn_registers API readme, and also investigated the stalling uploaders - which meant that no new data was being added to the network - and implemented a fix there.
@bzee has been putting finishing touches to the file API as well as attempting to use cursor.sh, the AI coding tool, on NixOS. He likes a challenge. He’s also the lead on the main API and is implementing registers for updating directories, etc.
@dirvine has been thinking about our data types and the API, and how we can get stuff out to third-party devs as quickly as possible.
@anselme pushes on with the spend refactor, which should be merged very soon.
Over on Discord @rusty.spork continues to answer questions and collect information that deEEP are asking about, as well as generally manning the Discord fort.
Meanwhile @Chriso has been the main man on the new release, together with @shu, who was verifying that the latest release was good to go, using the new automated testing and release procedures we now have in place.
@roland has been automating the testing of home nodes as well as taking Ermine Jose through the codebase.
New dude Ermine Jose has dived straight in, submitting a new PR for WAN nightly test, familiarising himself with the code base and executing a basic build.
@mazzi has been testing the Connection Mode Custom Ports coming to a Launchpad near you very soon. He’s working on status screens when changing states and an error popup.
Meanwhile, @Mick.vandijke continues to work on changes in the wallet capabilities. Again more on that soon.
And @jimcollinson is investigating the possibility AI to enhance developer documentation, and our project knowledge sharing capabilities.
If anyone has any experience in documentation tools that are usefully incorporating RAG that can ingest code and other documents and prioritise the newest materials, let us know!
nest of busy activity - have fun and enjoy yourself 
yaaay !
