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--- qortal_glossary [03/24/2025 13:57] – [QORTable] crowetic
+++ qortal_glossary [03/24/2025 15:36] (current) – [Block Signer] crowetic
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 ===== Backup File =====
-An encrypted copy of your private key, which can be used to recover your account. **This is an extremely important aspect to Qortal that you'll want to be aware of!** See the [[Account Setup & Recovery]] page for more info.
+An encrypted copy of your private account information for Qortal, which can be used to recover your account. **This is an extremely important aspect to Qortal that you'll want to be aware of!** See the [[Account Setup & Recovery]] page for more info.
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+Also known as 'Qortal Backup File' or sometimes called 'Wallet Backup File', it is encrypted with the password utilized to create it. NOTE - A backup file is specific to an account on Qortal. An account may have multiple backup files with DIFFERING passwords, so keeping track of the password utilized to encrypt the backup file at the time it was created, and/or removing old backups if wishing to create a new password for the file, is highly recommended.
 ===== Block Height =====
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 ===== Block Signer =====
-The node which is the last to sign off a block before a new block can be created. Qortal does not have a mining system that only rewards the block signer, we MINT where everyone who takes part each block, warns a portion of the block reward. See the [[Block Rewards & Distribution]] page for more info.
+The Block Signer in any blockchain-based system, refers to the account which 'signed' (or created and added the block into the chain) the block. A blockchain is a cryptographic database, each block, along with the transactions inside of it, is 'signed' by an account that has the rights to do so. This signer account says 'I approve this block is following the rules of this system', and it is then verified by every other node on the network.
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+The block signer of Qortal, does not get anything 'special' for being the signer. Any level 5+ minter on the Qortal Network could potentially be the signer of any given block. On Qortal, signing the block itself isn't treated with any special circumstance, unlike most chains wherein being the signer is the only way to obtain the block reward.
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+Qortal aims to provide completely fair distribution, so the signer is not the only one rewarded every payout block. Instead, any signer creates the block, and during the reward distribution block every minter is rewarded regardless of who signed it. Bringing about a completely fair method of coin creation and distribution. All newly minted QORT for that payout period, and transaction fees from created transactions within the last x number of blocks for the payout period, are paid out to every minter based on the distribution. See more - [[block_rewards_distribution|]]
 ===== Bootstrap =====
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 Refer to the [[How To Setup A Gateway Node]] guide.
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+With the development of Qortal Chromium Extension (more info - [[https://qortal.dev]]), gateway nodes may now be leveraged in combination with the Qortal Chromium Extension, to actually USE Q-Apps and authenticate with Qortal Hosted apps and websites, via gateway nodes.
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+Gateway nodes may be PUBLIC or PRIVATE. Public gateways, such as https://qortal.link and https://qortal.name allow access to ANYTHING published on QDN, publicly. PRIVATE gateways, are gateways specifically established to allow access to ONE resource, such as a single Q-App or Website. A private gateway can be setup on a domain for a user, specifically mapping a single domain to a single QDN resource. For example, qortal.org could be setup with a private gateway that would point to a Qortal Website published on the name 'Qortal', utilizing a private gateway. Then users would be able to access the QDN published website via the gateway, but would not have the ability to access 'all' QDN published resources with that gateway. This allows things like a company to allow a QDN published website to be accessible via the current internet without worrying about people leveraging their gateway for other QDN resources without their knowledge.
 ===== Genesis =====
-The genesis block is the name given to the first block (Block #1) in Qortal’s ledger. Qortal’s blockchain consists of a series of so-called blocks that are used to store information related to transactions that occur on the Qortal Network.
+The term 'Genesis' refers to the initial launch date of a blockchain. Every blockchain has a 'Genesis' along with a 'Genesis Block'. Genesis is the initiation of the blockchain, and the Genesis Block is the first block of that chain.
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+Specifically in regard to Qortal, the Genesis Block is configured with the initial consensus information, and initial details of the system. The Genesis Block information can be found in the core codebase on https://github.com/Qortal/qortal main repository.
-===== Image =====
+===== Image (Device Image / Disk Image) =====
-A full operating system (OS) that is pre-configured for a specific purpose, like our Brooklyn images for the RaspberryPi. It contains the customized Linux kernel and added GUI along with some modifications for performance, functionality, and visual appeal. The image is the entire OS, and all added software configured by the developers that created the image. Images are generally imaged over to a storage device and booted directly, without the need for any installations of software, or installation of the OS itself.
+A Device image refers to a 'drive image' of a fully complete installation of an Operating System (OS) and installed software (applications). A device image is something that allows someone to 'image a disk' with a pre-installed version of the entire device configuration in software.
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+Examples of a Device Image include the images provided for the Raspberry Pi 4 by Crowetic Hardware Development. Containing a pre-installed version of the Operating System, and pre-configured Qortal installation and automation scripts.
 ===== Kernel =====
 The 'core' of an operating system (OS). The kernel is the 'lowest level' of an OS. It allows the hardware to communicate to the software, and is always run in memory. The kernel facilitates communication between the CPU, cache, network sockets, and other hardware drivers to the software (OS). It is the first thing loaded, and facilitates the loading of the rest of the software.
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+Customized Raspberry Pi 4 kernels have been released by Qortal in the past.
 ===== Ledger =====
-The database of all transaction information on-chain. This is what we call an immutable ledger as the blocks can only move forward and the data stored in previous blocks cannot be modified- creating the most secure database technology!
+The term ledger should be understood by most. It is a database to keep track of information. Most of the time a ledger refers to financial ledgers that keep track of financial information.
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+However, the term 'ledger' in regard to Qortal generally refers to the blockchain itself, which is a publicly available ledger of all transactions on the network. Qortal has MANY (43+) transaction types, not just sending coin, like Bitcoin and many other blockchains. Qortal has ARBITRARY transactions for publishing QDN data, POLL transactions for creation of polls, AT transactions for publishing Automated Transaction on-chain virtual CPUs, and much more. All of this is kept track of on the Qortal Blockchain, which is a public, distributed and decentralized ledger system.
 ===== Minting =====
-We do not MINE, we MINT! Minting, is the process of 'finding blocks' in Qortal. We are not using a term like ‘Proof of ___’ for this mining system… it is simply called ‘minting’.  See the [[Minting Overview]] page for more info.
+Minting is the terminology utilized when discussing the Qortal Consensus Mechanism. Qortal has a custom Consensus mechanism unlike any other blockchain. Developed from scratch to address all issues in the blockchain space. Qortal's minting system utilizes a Memory-based proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm as part of its consensus, along with Proof of Contribution Over Time. However, the PoW  algo that Qortal uses is not like other PoW algos like Bitcoin and a plethora of additional blockchain-based systems, those system utilize a CPU-based PoW that uses 100% of the CPU 24/7.
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+Qortal, on the other hand, can be utilized on 'any' computer, down to even a Raspberry Pi 4, palm-sized computer. Qortal is meant to allow anyone to take part in the process of creating new blocks, and to be rewarded for doing so. See the [[Minting Overview]] page for more info.
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+There is no such thing as 'mining' on Qortal. Our blockchain moves by 'minting'. This is NOT the minting you've heard of with ETH and other such nonsense with 'tokens' that are on another chain. Minting on Qortal is actually the Proof of Contribution Over Time and Memory Proof of Work, consensus mechanism that actually moves the layer 1 chain of Qortal. Minting allows each new block to be added to the chain once this consensus' rules have been met. Any node that has a valid minting key assigned to it, with an account attached to that key that is level 5 or higher, could potentially sign a block on the Qortal Blockchain, and help move the chain forward.
 ===== Node =====

Qortal Project

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