Sphere 2.1 - Light Mode Versus Full Mode
Who Should Use Light Mode?
Users who wish to have the ZEN that resides in transparent address should use Light Mode. This means that the private keys are stored in an encrypted format on your hard drive.
Who Should Use Full Mode?
Users who wish to take advantage of the privacy features of Sphere should use Full Mode. This includes shielded addresses and private messaging. Keep in mind that once an account has been used in Full Mode, your previously encrypted private keys will be place in an unencrypted file, the wallet.dat. Providing encryption of private keys is on the roadmap for a future version of Sphere.
Full Mode will not be addresses again until we discuss private transactions and private messaging.