The thing is Ripple is more accessible to mainstream than Bitcoin is right now.  And in the future that could pay off big for them. 

good luck with that!

welcome fellow newb.

As noted in the first response, its a symptom of the free market.  Considering the amount of press, financing (lot of silicon valley action now), and increase in volume/value of Bitcoins over the last six months, it was only a matter of time until someone said "Hey I can do that too". 

Bitcoin has a big head start but there are some heavyweights with a lot of money behind them (Ripple).  Competition is good for consumers (us) though because it forces the producers to increase their product value either through efficiency or innovation. 

Me too.  Now to find 4 more places to post...