source: http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/pay-another-way-bitcoin/
Pay Another Way: Bitcoin
At WordPress.com, our mission is making publishing democratic — accessible and easy for anyone, anywhere. And while anyone can start a free blog here, not everyone can access upgrades (like going ad-free or enabling custom design) because of limits on traditional payment networks.
Today, that changes: you can now buy WordPress.com upgrades with bitcoins.
PayPal alone blocks access from over 60 countries, and many credit card companies have similar restrictions. Some are blocked for political reasons, some because of higher fraud rates, and some for other financial reasons. Whatever the reason, we don’t think an individual blogger from Kenya, Haiti, Cuba, or Iraq should have diminished access to the blogosphere because of payment issues they can’t control. Our goal is to enable people, not block them.
This is good news, but: How exactly is this target group supposed to get hold of bitcoins? Oh, right. There are no bitcoin exchanges in Kenya, Haiti, Cuba, or Iraq. I am not being sarcastic, but genuinely concerned about this problem. Easy, all they have to do is accept bitcoin as payment for their goods and services. I'm sure they produce many goods and services that bitcoin owners would like to buy. |
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I'm am manager at phone store. Using QPAY our customers can pay any bills with cash : electric, gas, water, cable, phone for nearly every company in the US. There is no charge for this service you pay what your bill says. My question is how many bitcoiners here would love to pay their monthly bills with bitcoins? I would like to be first phone store in my state accepting bitcoins. Before I invest in this service need some opinion.
I think that would be an excellent service to offer. |
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Just saw this comment on YC: StavrosK 55 minutes ago This is an odd coincidence, one of the Dead Man's Switch subscribers asked me if I supported Bitcoin, and I ended up adding a MtGox button on the site (it's pretty nifty, it even autoconverts to whatever currency you want and supports IPN): http://www.deadmansswitch.net/pricing/I've been warming up to Bitcoin, the same subscriber clued me into https://blockchain.info/ and it looks pretty good. The only thing I'm worried about is that Bitcoin isn't very stable, but I don't really care since MtGox autoconverts all payments. There's no downside in accepting it, as far as I can see. Plus, I can just keep them as Bitcoins and pay right away with very low fees. EDIT: I also decided to dabble in a bit of MtGox trading with my newly-acquired 4 BTC, so I sold high and bought higher. It... didn't go very well.  BTW, Yankee, what is "YC"? |
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easywallet.org already have a deadman's switch mechanism implemented that will forward bitcoins to another address after a certain spell of inactivity.
This way you can create a will with explicit private keys that will only contain funds once you have vanished/died/forgot your password etc.
It should be relatively easy to implement in any wallet.
Can this be done directly within the bitcoin protocol (ie without a 3rd party)?
It seems to me that your bitcoin client would have to be connected to the internet in order for this to work. Otherwise, you would need to use a web-based wallet like EasyWallet.org which has its own set of risks - not to mention the 12% annual fees for balances over 12 BTC. |
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My already high respect level for Roger now goes up a few more notches. Way to stay principled Roger!
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This type of service (combined with encryption and a few other tools/steps) Yes, don't forget the encryption part. Or if not encryption, a method that remains secure assuming these messages will end up in the hands of a hacker. What would be a strategy that is still safe with this assumption? I can envision an approach like this: I printed two copies of the same paper bitcoin wallet, and then cut each paper in half -- Part A and Part B.
One copy of Part A is in my drawer at work in an envelope labeled "Personal receipts 2012".
The other copy of Part A is in the inside cover of my End The Fed book on my bookshelf at home.
One copy of Part B was handed to [friend / family member / attorney / etc.]
The other copy of Part B was handed to [other friend / different family member / etc. ]
This way there is nobody that has both Part A and Part B, and there is redundancy if one copy is destroyed or otherwise unavailable. Thoughts? Yes, that would work. Here's another way: 1. Decide who is going to be the Executor of your estate (obviously this should be someone you trust to carry out your wishes - and not kill you  ). 2. Create a list of all of your passwords/passphrases with instructions. This can double as your "Digital Last Will and Testament". It can state your last wishes and how you want your estate divided up. Encrypt this file using TrueCrypt. 3. Send the encrypted file to the person you wish to be your Executor (with TrueCrypt instructions) and let them know that they will receive the passphrase from one or more sources sometime after your death. Have them "white-list" the email addresses from DeadMansSwitch.net and your other "reporter" (see below). 4. Put this passphrase in the email notification system at www.DeadMansSwitch.net. DeadMansSwitch.net acts as a "reporter" - reporting your death or incapacitation. The passphrase will be in plaintext but it doesn't matter because an interceptor will not have access to the encrypted file therefore the passphrase is useless to them. 5. Arrange for another close friend or family member to be a "back-up reporter" and give them the passphrase as well with these instructions: "In the event of my death, or you do not hear from me for x days, send this passphrase to [Executor's email]". This gives you redundancy in the event that DeadMansSwitch.net fails. You could even add a third "reporter" for added redundancy. 6. Check-in with your "reporters" (including DeadMansSwitch.net) as scheduled to keep re-setting the switch. Update the encrypted file and send the updated version to your Executor as needed. Thoughts on how one can improve upon this? |
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I just paid for lifetime service with bitcoins over at http://DeadMansSwitch.net and convinced them to accept bitcoin as a payment option. This type of service (combined with encryption and a few other tools/steps) is a good way to notify your loved ones how to access your "secret bitcoin stash" once you die. Not to mention, it's a great way to allow your heirs or the executor of your estate to access your digital life after you've passed on to Satoshi Heaven. Cheers! TraderSteve |
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scanning a QR code and paying in seconds still amazes me.
Year, that the really awesome thing about bitcoin. When I purchased something for the first time. I was like "What, wait. I have already paid yet!" The first purchase that goes as fast and easy as this it what gets you really hooked at Bitcoin, because in this moment you realise how superior it is. +1 |
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I want one of these:  Sigh...I need to go earn some more bitcoins.  |
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Just bought this cool T-shirt from BitcoinPride.com:  |
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Can't access the site...  |
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+1
Anxiously awaiting and grateful for all that you do to help make bitcoin stronger. Keep innovating!
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Do you have your own exchange partners lined up outside the banking system yet?
Yes we do, prepared for this I'm known for leaking things...so will stop here +1 My question was directed to individual users but I like your response! |
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I love BitInstant and it's great that they are working on improved/alternative services but this highlights the need for users to develop their own private trading partners/networks so that they don't become reliant on any one service. Banks should only be involved as a last resort because I think we all know that this is where the banksters will eventually attack. Do you have your own exchange partners lined up outside the banking system yet?
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when you're nowhere near a computer but suddenly feel a disturbance in the Gox  Nice..."may Satoshi be with you" my friend... |
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You learn all about advanced security practices, SHA-256, and brain wallets to completely eliminate counter-party risk, and then invest in a fund promising 7% returns per week 
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So you can now only use BitInstant to fund another exchange where you can ultimately buy the bitcoin? Am I understanding this correctly? No more bitcoin direct to email?
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Those that don't do currency will have it done to them.
Fuck the retard masses, they can get with the program or starve.
You make an excellent point. There's no reason to convince anyone about the merits at bitcoin. IMO it will continue to rise in use and value due to it's nature. Those who disregard it do so at their own loss. When I buy things I offer to pay in bitcoin whenever possible and those who have ears will want to know more. I bought several products this past week this way. I spend bitcoin only because I earn a good portion of my income in bitcoin and I have to liquidate some to cover day-to-day expenses. With that said, I save as much as possible and only spend what I have to. Follow-up comment: If you want to increase acceptance, make it a point to always offer to pay for products and services with bitcoin and then provide your favorite link to get more bitcoin information. They will most likely decline but you will accomplish 3 things: 1. You will convey to them that there is a market demand to pay in bitcoin from their customer base. 2. You will introduce them to bitcoin and give them links where they can learn more. 3. You will pave the way for them to say "yes" to the next customer who offers to pay with bitcoin. When I first heard about bitcoin I dismissed it outright and ignored it for 6 months before I decided to take a second look. Now it is my preferred method of being paid. I never accept credit cards or PayPal. I accept only physical cash (gold, silver, FRN's) and digital cash (bitcoin). When I receive FRN's I quickly convert them to one of my 3 favorite commodities: Gold, Silver or Bitcoin People will come around eventually - it's good for business! |
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