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Bitcoin is a global shift of the workings of the process of valuation and the functioning of a market by restoring a sense of transparency to money processes through the use of cryptography and technology.  I fully support something that can change the way people think and do business.  Having worked for a credit card company, I can't express how happy bringing power back to the people would make me.  

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574 Mhp/s Radeon 7950 running on a hackintosh with a few Mh here and there from various other boxes (back at the office)

As with everyone else... Thank you for the work you've done on the client.  It's allowed me to get work done (on mining and "actual" work).  I'm not afraid of a line of code but not having to do lots of typing on each new client is excellent.  The best part is that it just works! 

My concern for the new alternatives are more of keeping track of them and their "standards."  I do see value in the alt-coins as a place to put older hardware out to pasture working and focus the horsepower on the money where it counts.  I think in that way, I'm not so concerned about the hardware purchases right now.  They'll always have something to do, especially if you get into the right ones at the right time.  The power usage/processing speed may be less consequential.  I've dealt with computer systems and networks for the better part of twenty years now.  I still find a way to salvage use out of unwanted devices.  I do think that there will be a point when people will get tired of the variety of currencies and look for some open-sourced group framework or consortium.  I believe when that happens the values will increase and be recognized by many more as a true method of commerce. 

Thanks for the great list to start out - and actually review every so often as you go along.

Any experience with any of the Mining contracts out there?   I'm seeing that as a potential for a huge scam since you never see what's really going on behind the scenes. 

The other option is to improve or borrow the hardware used to mine the coins.  Maybe start up a circle of friends that want to try as well and set up an agreement sharing hardware to build each other up. 

I actually first learned about Bitcoin and other digital currencies when I was introduced to Silk Road.  I'm wishing I'd hopped in back then.  I suppose hindsight.... well, you get the gist.   I'm now throwing myself through crash courses on systems and trying to avoid getting scammed.  Hardware shortages seem to be the first stumbling block.  I'm running at 1Gh but always need more.