ASICs contain specific mathematical operations or algorithms in a physically, hardcoded way. It's the algorithm you want to perform in circuit form.

Let's take SHA256 for example:

http://www.movable-type.co.uk/scripts/sha256.html

Scroll down and you'll find a JavaScript implementation of this algorithm. You'll see it's fairly simple, if you can call it that. Some logical operations here, some logical operations there, all in all maybe 100 lines of code. So developing an ASIC you'll take this algorithm and try to construct electronic circuits that emulate these logical operations. As you can imagine this has been shown to be quite a challenge to develop properly. At least compared to simply writing the code (or porting it to another programming language).

Now take Photoshop. That's like, a gazillion lines of code. Which would probably be a pain in the ass to construct as an ASIC. And with every Adobe update (and you know how much adobe loves their updates) you'd have to physically replace parts of the circuit.

So ASICs for complex software like Photoshop? Definitely not feasible. ASICs for other logical operations and algorithms? Already in use, eg. from what I recall GPUs usually contain ASICs for often required calculations.

Question answered?

Right now they still have the benefit of being the least unreliable as far as delivery is concerned. I wonder if they'll change to more competitive prices once the market and range of producers as grown.

I think the theory that bitcoin miners get targeted specifically is rather far fetched

exotic hardware tends to get stuck in customs, no matter what it is. at least from my experience, however that's probably vastly different from country to country.

but either way, DYI and more localized hardware assembly is definitely going to be the way to go.

Jaja, die deutsche Gründlichkeit!

The Ouya had similar problems with German customs, seems like some eastern manufacturers are not aware of the international legal requirements. Customs make me generally wary of purchasing electronics outside of the EU, it's always a gamble whether it'll take a week or a month :X

  hehe

Like, 8 people.

Fick ja indeed my friend, fick ja indeed...

Please, get refunds everyone! The more people jump off the ASIC train, the better the ROI!

(good point though)

Sounds risky on many levels, but still interesting.

So you're plan would be:

1) Sell Shares for BTC
2) Convert BTC to Fiat
3) Buy Property using Fiat
4) Convert rent back from Fiat to BTC and pay divs
5) In case of sale in say 3-5 years time: Get Fiat, convert to BTC buy shares back / pay divs / whatever

Amirite?

So currency conversion would result in better divs if BTC drops / stays flat and lower divs if BTC rises in the given timeframe?

What timeframe are we talking about? As in - when is the shipbuilding contract supposed to go into full production and when do you expect the properties to increase in value? 1 year? 3 years? 10 years? Not taking anything as guaranteed here, just curious about a raw estimate.

*everyone* is special!

let's just hope day 1 is actually in Sept / Oct and not who knows when

FYI, the link to your FB Page appears to be broken, at least I simply get redirected to my regular newsfeed.

Other than that, highly skeptical but watching.

Holy shit that's awesome! Great job!

difference paid, pm sent!

well someone has to keep the trolls well fed

...i wasn't asking for financial advice, i'm just interested in other people's opinions. the bullshit i'll weed out myself.

either way, fruitless discussion, moving on.

i remember all your ranting against asicminer and how s.dice is much better an investment, so i take your skepticism as a good omen :p

seriously though, given the current state of the bitcoin ecosystem, what other ventures / assets are there outside of mining ventures with varying degrees of risk and scam-probability? most of the non-mining related ventures have little to show so far as well and many will fail or underperform. of course some assets are more attractive than others, but at the current stage of bitcoin the risk-reward relation of mining and other market assets still seem at par to me.

Almost everyone is delaying though, so we're still somewhat on course.

(AM being the single exception as of now, but it comes with a premium price...)

it's slowing down Metabanks production though. Here's hoping that they still have resources for our additional batch 1 units.

Avalon has already made a fortune.

AM also already made their fair share and their recent cut in pricing (50% for USB Miners) shows that once R&D has paid off there's a rather wide margin.

BFL... well, lets not talk about BFL.

Metabank's Bitfury Miners are tacked to fiat.

Same for KncMiner.

Did I miss one?