Previously, we had a single application that handled the p2p code, the database, plugins, and APIs.Now, everything is a plugin and only needs to communicate with other plugins that they directly depend on.This increased level of modularity allows for quicker development, easier code review, and greater parallelism.It will also allows us to switch components in and out without breaking the greater whole.We are now developing with building blocks rather than specifically designed puzzle pieces.
FABRIC
Our early tests are showing a 5-fold increase in throughput for servicing API requests.This refactor also lays the foundation to scale steemd into the future and implement the Steem Blockchain Fabric.
There are some API changes on the steemd node that should make accessing data in the blockchain easier and allow upgrading of our APIs without breaking existing calls.We have added a condenser_api which exposes all existing APIs so that we do not break backwards compatibility with existing apps.We have also rewritten the jsonrpc parser and it is completely jsonrpc 2.0 compliant.We will announce when this is deployed to staging.
Most of the work we have been doing is highly technical and challenging, but we look forward to keeping the community abreast of our work and strategies, on much of which we look to the Witnesses and community for collaboration.We're happy to announce thatwe are confident these solutions will provide a robust foundation for meeting all of our future scaling needs and enable us to turn our attention to the features you all want to see.
Scaling the Blockchain
In the meantime, we have been working on some fundamental changes to help scale Steem.We currently run 7 steemd nodes in AWS to support steemit.com and will need to continue to run more and more to support our growth.The key problem is that Steemd is single threaded, however, we are well along in the process of making it multithreaded.
Imagine the steemd server program is a stove.Right now, it has a single burner and we need to make a meal.A few of the dishes are the peer to peer network, accepting and evaluating blocks, and responding to API requests for data clients like steemit.com.We are rapidly switching pots, pans, and skillets onto the single burner to make each component of the meal.The increased request volume from steemit.com is delaying the meal.
Thus far, we have been buying extra single burner stoves to distribute the load because this was how blockchains were originally designed.But this is not ideal because all of our stoves (our computers) actually have 8 burners (CPU cores) and we are only using 1 each.We have been making changes to the steemd server program so that we can use all 8 burners and not need as many stoves.That way we can put a skillet on one burner, a pot on another, pan on another, you get the idea.

Previously, we had a single application that handled the p2p code, the database, plugins, and APIs.Now, everything is a plugin and only needs to communicate with other plugins that they directly depend on.This increased level of modularity allows for quicker development, easier code review, and greater parallelism.It will also allows us to switch components in and out without breaking the greater whole.We are now developing with building blocks rather than specifically designed puzzle pieces.
FABRIC
Our early tests are showing a 5-fold increase in throughput for servicing API requests.This refactor also lays the foundation to scale steemd into the future and implement the Steem Blockchain Fabric.
There are some API changes on the steemd node that should make accessing data in the blockchain easier and allow upgrading of our APIs without breaking existing calls.We have added a condenser_api which exposes all existing APIs so that we do not break backwards compatibility with existing apps.We have also rewritten the jsonrpc parser and it is completely jsonrpc 2.0 compliant.We will announce when this is deployed to staging.
Most of the work we have been doing is highly technical and challenging, but we look forward to keeping the community abreast of our work and strategies, on much of which we look to the Witnesses and community for collaboration.We’re happy to announce that we are confident these solutions will provide a robust foundation for meeting all of our future scaling needs and enable us to turn our attention to the features you all want to see.
The last few months have been busy for our blockchain team.We are making great progress and want to share what we have been doing with you.
HF 20
A little over a month ago we made the tough decision to postpone HF 20 implementation in favor of enhancing our application framework.We discussed this decision with the witnesses and they were supportive of this change.We are still planning on implementing and releasing HF 20 in the coming months.
Scaling the Blockchain
In the meantime, we have been working on some fundamental changes to help scale Steem.We currently run 7 steemd nodes in AWS to support steemit.com and will need to continue to run more and more to support our growth.The key problem is that Steemd is single threaded, however, we are well along in the process of making it multithreaded.
Imagine the steemd server program is a stove.Right now, it has a single burner and we need to make a meal.A few of the dishes are the peer to peer network, accepting and evaluating blocks, and responding to API requests for data clients like steemit.com.We are rapidly switching pots, pans, and skillets onto the single burner to make each component of the meal.The increased request volume from steemit.com is delaying the meal.
Thus far, we have been buying extra single burner stoves to distribute the load because this was how blockchains were originally designed.But this is not ideal because all of our stoves (our computers) actually have 8 burners (CPU cores) and we are only using 1 each.We have been making changes to the steemd server program so that we can use all 8 burners and not need as many stoves.That way we can put a skillet on one burner, a pot on another, pan on another, you get the idea.
Most of us Steemians want to know and learn about the techniques, strategies, and communities that will help us achieve our goals here on Steemit.We all found out about Steemit from somewhere and decided to make the jump to join for some reason (s).
Whatever your reason for being on Steemit, there is a reason.
Whether it be to help, learn, earn, network, love, or meet to new people.We all have a goal or multiples goals we want to achieve from our time on Steemit.Wouldn't it be nice if there was a place where you could figure out the best way to achieve your specific goal (s).
Simply put, do you want to Steemit better?
Then join Whaletank.

What is Whaletank?
Whaletank is where ideas become a reality.you can literally talk to some of the most influential people on Steemit and pitch and bounce your ideas off them.All in an effort to streamlining making these ideas transition from the "idea phase" to the "go phase."
Whaletank is a Beyond Bitcoin series that features a voice chat for multiple hours on the Mumble platform.It basically Shark Tank on CNBC how it was supposed it be.
A place where dream chasers can pitch their ideas to influential, successful individuals with the goal of constructive feedback getting additional partners, and securing funding.
One of the reasons I despise Shark Tank is that they really don't care.The judges.They don't care about the individuals presenting.All they see is dollar signs.And they will tell you this.Just look up some past interviews of Mark Cuban and the other judges.Elite schmucks.They just use the show to boost their ego and their wealth.This is the opposite of what the Universe intended with this idea.
But thankfully@officialfuzzychanneled the Universe the right way and is fulfilling this purpose of helping individuals with their dreams and ideas.He does this by providing a platform, the Beyond Bitcoin Hangouts on Mumble, that encourages interaction, free flowing of ideas, and constructive criticism & conversation.
Take today's Whale Tank, the amount of epic ideas presented was truly inspirational.So many Steemians are giving their mind, body, and soul for their projects.All to better the community that they love so much.It was absolutely something special to witness.
If you missed it don't worry @officialfuzzyrecords them all and sponsors a video contest for recap videos.So there are plenty of high-quality audio files available to anyone who missed it and wants to listen.
For myself personally, this was a truly transformational WhaleTank experience.
Besides being part of the the Community Casino and Steemit Gaming pitches, I met two Steemians who my gut instinct tells me will be lifelong friends and life long partners in creating real, positive change on and off this amazing platform.
Both 
I never would have met them if it wasn't for WhaleTank.
As a wise man once said, "people are the real prize."
I truly feel so blessed and appreciative to meet people that are doing such amazing things with the talents and skills they were blessed with.They have tools and they are building stuff with them.For me, this is truly refreshing to see.It is all to common in today's world to see people with sooooooo many tools and they don't build anything with them.
O that million, let's spend it on a new house.Not o that million, let's see how many people we can help with it.