[Taler] new user; demo feedback; general questions

[ricketson]

Hello Taler community,

I recently learned about Taler and am very excited about it. I'm a big 
believer that we need a better online payment system than the credit 
cards and all those online apps -- Taler is one of the few systems that 
seems viable.

I tried the demo, and just wanted to provide my feedback in case it is 
any value in the development and promotion of Taler.

I learned of Taler via a Stallman interview profiled on Slashdot.

I tried the demo (https://demo.taler.net/en/) and had a couple of small 
issues. I installed my wallet in Firefox, and could only get it to work 
if I selected the option to open the wallet automatically. Since I did 
not initially select this option, I had to reinstall the wallet to get 
it to work. The bank and essay shop worked well, but the tipping section 
gave me an error (code 503). "Backend response: {'code': 2710, 
'exchange_http_status': 404, 'hint': 'tipping reserve unknown at 
exchange', 'exchange_code': 1151, 'exchange_reply': {'hint': 'Reserve 
not found', 'parameter': 'reserve_pub', 'code': 1151}}"


I also have some questions -- they aren't pressing for me, but could be 
helpful as FAQs:

1. Can Taler be used directly from a bank account (without first 
withdrawing coins into a wallet)? In the US, banks have not established 
a viable electronic payment service for customers (though maybe Zelle 
will fill that role)  -- is this a role that Taler might fill, or is it 
specifically when you want to separate the transaction from the bank 
account.

2. Can one Taler wallet work with several exchanges/currencies 
simultaneously?

3. Does the Taler exchange have to be trusted by both parties in a 
transaction?

4. The 'survey' demo confused me -- it seemed like website was going to 
give me some Kudos, but my impression is that Kudos could only be 
received by special vendor wallets (not by regular customer wallets).

5. How can I help (as a potential user)? What are the bottlenecks for 
deploying Taler? Do you envision any small-scale deployments that might 
help people get more comfortable with it?


Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Sincerely,

Rick