MeowBit

Description

MeowBit is Free Software for Windows with the goal to allow you to effortlessly view Dot-Bit websites as registered in the Namecoin blockchain.

Dot-Bit is a new top-level domain that is not controlled by any government or corporation.

Anyone can register a Dot-Bit domain in minutes using the inexpensive cryptocurrency, Namecoin.

Dot-Bit domains are extremely resistant to being shut down or hijacked by governments, corporations or criminals.

With MeowBit you can navigate on any browser from the regular web to Dot-Bit sites and back, effortlessly and securely.

Requirements
Windows 7 or 8+ only. (See also: XP Version)
.Net 4.5
Namecoin Wallet software running. Get it here.
Installation
Run MeowBitSetup.exe
Ensure Namecoin wallet is installed and running, and the blockchain is up-to-date.
Run MeowBit for the first time to configure the service and connection to the namecoin client.
After installation, MeowBit may display a button that says "Install Service", "Set Auto Start", or "Start Service".
Once MeowBit is running and all status indicators are green, you should be able to browse dot-bit sites.
You may need to restart your browser the first time you use MeowBit.
List of working dot-bit websites

You may not be able to view dot-bit sites via MeowBit when connected to a VPN service. Results vary, this will be addressed in a future version.

Please leave a clear and detailed comment on our help forum if you have any issues with any aspect of running MeowBit. We like bug reports.

If you were viewing Dot-Bit domains before MeowBit using the clunky and insecure alternate-DNS servers workaround, change back to your old default DNS servers before installing MeowBit.
MeowBit resolves .bit domains using the namecoin blockchain on your PC. Namecoin must run long enough for the blockchain to be downloaded from other wallets on the network. There are prominent status indicators that show this progress.
MeowBit auto-starts at Windows start-up, this can be changed by removing the MeowBit shortcut from the start-up folder. Info for Windows 7 and 8 here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/run-program-automatically-windows-starts#1TC=windows-7
To work seamlessly, you also should configure the Namecoin wallet to start at start-up. This option is available in the Namecoin Wallet settings.
If you get a message that says “Namecoin config updated. restart wallet”, restart wallet and wait a few minutes.
If you are upgrading from a previous version, uninstall the old version first. Click on desktop kitty to open MeowBit monitor. Stop Service. Go into system tray. Right-click on kitty, exit MeowBit. Go to Windows Start / Control Panel, Programs and Features / click MeowBit to uninstall. Then you can install new version.

Pre-Windows 8 local nameserver function now restores DNS to use DHCP if the IP Address is obtained via DHCP
Setup installs and starts dotBitNs service: More reliable then previous 'self-install' method.
Setup installs Start menu icon
Fixed System.Net.Http and other .Net framework version compatibility problems
Automatic configuration of namecoin.config file is less intrusive; preserves comments.
Namecoin config manager will search running processes to see if a custom data path is configured. <- Thanks Ian Freeman
Task tray toggle (double click) now works to show window when hidden via minimize
Settings window: Added some persistent settings:
Minimize To Tray
Minimize On Close
Start Minimized
Start On Login
Moved Version info to new tab in settings window
Remove StartUp shortcut from installer, it was being configured for all users, but new config option is per user.
In order to have MeowBit autostart, the user will have to explicitly set that in Settings window.
Start menu folder with Uninstall shortcut.
dotBitNs Service will now try to detect running Namecoin client and find authorization information from config file
Any configuration information that is found by the service is now saved so that it can connect to Namecoin client without the need for MeowBit monitor to be running.
Dot-Bit specification implemented: Empty sub-domain name ("") may be used to configure the domain. Entries specified here have lower precedence.

Settings window with logging (dis/en)ablement, available from tool tray context menu
Open Log Folder, Latest Log File, or Copy Log contents buttons
Sounds to verify log copy
Bug Fix: Resolution fail on unexpected domain info format.
Internal structural improvements of domain resolution
Fixed repeating Logging dis/enabled messages
Added README.md (this file)
Typo in log output "Determining"... Thanks MWD.
Query product info from blockchain using query api.
Setting page displays current version, and latest version from blockchain
Version info on Settings page offers link to download page if out of date.
Extended default timeout for Namecoin client API calls to 5 seconds
System status interval extended to 6 seconds (RpcConnectorTimeout * 1.2)