One thing that needs to be tested is whether or not the SN can hold and slow-release tokens for a number of years. So in the PoN this could be tested but geared such that it would hyperinflate to become practically worthless after a few months (further testing would require launch of a new PoN).
So using an exponential reward release curve.
To be clear, that is not what I was trying to point out (maybe badly 
). The point was until the SAFE network code is complete and debugged then the payments only network cannot be considered secure for real life use. And if people wanted a real life payments only network then they would have something that is not the SAFE network code since by definition its not yet complete to be included.
But you are right the announcement was to be a test network using the actual SAFE code as it stands with a flag to not include parts of the data storage not needed for the test network.
The payment network is an excellent idea. It would help check the network’s data storage and security assumptions on a small scale.
One cannot control if it is a test network or not. Maidsafe may or may not intend it to be one, but once it’s in the wild, it’s fair game. See Dogecoin which was created as a joke and is no longer a joke.
If they purposefully cripple it, but it works just fine, then they risk someone taking their code and making a non crippled version of it.
Not to mention, releasing a robust working payment system will jumpstart the project in the wider tech/crypto community and may get more eyes and participation on the data network.
The code doesn’t exist to make it robust, that is what all the development work is heading for but we are not close enough to have a robust payments network (Safe network less some sections). It cannot be secure enough when the test payment network comes out.
That is the reason the test payments cannot become a robust network on its own and as @oetyng says the announcement is for a test using Safe network code.
Now to have a robust payments network in the near future would require extensive coding and it would divert progress away from Safe network development. And it is almost certain that this coming test payments will have bugs that make it unsuitable for any medium to long term usage. Unlike blockchain systems this is a very novel system and unlike dodge where they can make a new coin by modding an existing coin into a new coin.
I don’t want to speak for anyone, but that’s not at all the impression I got from the conversation. It seems they want to release payment only testnets with the goal of ironing out any bugs in the payment system and then creating something like a RC or Beta of the payment system into the wild.
Otherwise, why would they be speaking about potential airdrops and regulatory issues if they are just fixing bugs?
Let’s wait and see what they say in the update today. I expect they will clarify a bit.
Absolutely right! There will definitely be those who will create “their” cryptocurrency using Maidsafe developments. And even among the fans of SN there will be those who will take part in this.
A good example of this is the so-called Toncoin. The original project has long been officially closed. But test coins that were created by test servers to simulate POW are being traded on exchanges now. And these test servers still issue test coins, simulating POW. This is a scam.
Therefore, as soon as the full code of the SN payment network appears on the github, coins created on this code will immediately appear. And THEY (these people) won’t even wait for the official testing of this code.
I agree it is unclear - they are still thinking perhaps but we know it is conceived as a test network.
Both matter for a test network because they want to test the airdrop procedures and code, and I don’t think “but it’s just a test network” will satisfy a regulator.