That is very arguable.

You can have unit tests, speed execution tests and all kind of tests to see if a plugin is good or not.

A program writing programs? I think we don't have that yet (well, there is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_algorithm but from what I read in another thread DAC-related, it takes huge computational power).

I am very interested in this, I've been thinking a lot about it (but sadly I don't have a lot of free time to put in it).

Some applications :

- obviously, host files (that is the StorJ idea) like Mega, but also images like imgur, and videos like Youtube

- it can serve as TOR relays

- run bitcoind instances

- share some torrents (I'm thinking linux images, not the latest Hollywood movie)

- it could procure VPN services to its clients (although I'm not sure it could compete with professional VPNs)

- mail servers (again, if it's not free it may not be interesting to a lot of people)

- if there is a web front-end with interesting content (a forum for its users?), monetize it with ads (but I just made a quick search and it seems that, currently, advertisement networks which pays in BTC are not so good)

- host blogs

- IRC server

- maybe some game servers, but I'm not really into that so I don't know if it is needed

For the decision-making part, my idea was to let users vote, using the Bitcoin technology : The agent would be kind of like a company, issuing "shares". People who put some coins in the agent capital gain voting power. No need for ID or passwords, they can sign their vote with the BTC address they used to send funds. That's less autonomous, but can also avoid IA fatal mistakes and helps fund the agent.
Parts of the agent's master bitcoin key (separated with Shamir's secret sharing system) could also be given to each shareholders in case the agent crash down and the coins need to get recovered.
Actually, to avoid hacks, it may be a good idea to let the agent only with a multi-sig wallet, requiring a minimum of 50%+1 shareholders to verify and sign each transactions made.

Is there already some VPS/dedicated servers providers who have an API good enough for this purpose ? Else we can always teach the agent to go through the host website and subscribe like a human, but some kind of universal protocol would be so much better for error handling and to later plug-in more providers.

Damn this is so full of possibilities, I think I'm gonna start really working on it during my free time. (I may not have all the competences required, I mainly do web development)

edit : and thanks organofcorti, I'm gonna read these threads too

edit 2 : it can also serves as oracles for bitcoin contracts (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Contracts#Example_4:_Using_external_state) and be the third-party for this https://gist.github.com/gavinandresen/5616606

edit 3 : Namecheap takes BTC and has an API for domain names and SSL certificates : https://www.namecheap.com/support/api/intro.aspx
No hosting and I think it has to be linked to a funded account, but that's a start

What about that http://blog.bitpay.com/2012/11/donate-to-wikipedia-with-bitcoin.html ?

Hi ! Just came to say : if you sell bitcoin-related products, I think Trezor (and/or future concurrents) will be a must-have (as soon as they start shipping)
http://www.bitcointrezor.com/

It doesn't give BitPay decision-making power, it gives them the power to make proposals.
God, if I wanted I could contribute to the core development, just as anyone, would that mean I control Bitcoin ? Not more than any of us !
Code's changes still have to be reviewed by the community and other developers, and don't worry, a lot of people cares about that (you can see the polemic on dust outputs).

So chill out, and thank BitPay for their contribution (it's not selfless, but keep in mind they need Bitcoin to be a success for their business to run).

DDoS attack : http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1cglxh/bitcoinstore_down_momentarily/
Now back up

The cost you are talking about are for massive production right ?
I think OP was talking about building just a prototype for personal use.

It wouldn't have to be miniaturized (one can easily find some square meters to put a miner if it is profitable).

I know nothing about ASICs, I just read the wikipedia page, and I am not good in electronic either, but mining algorithm aren't secrets.
Would it be so hard to build a mining chip with basic electronic components ? (I guess the answer is yes, else someone would already have done it)

As I already said, I'm not really hoping for any profit from my GPU, I just like bitcoins and want to participate with what I already have.
And I am not paying right now for an ASIC which will get shipped god-knows-when without any guarantee of profitability. (In fact I would like, but I haven't enough money to waste)

Thanks guys, that's all I wanted to know.

OK, thanks Gabi, at least I won't be wasting more time in trying to get more of it.

It appears that after un-installing/re-installing the drivers, the name of the GPU is AMD RADEON HD 7570.
Performances hasn't changed...

@milly6 : I don't know anything about LiteCoin mining, the only thing I can tell you is that I get 80MH/s for BTC mining.

It's on a desktop computer.
The computer is good, the only weak point is that GPU.
I'm trying to get the best out of it (but I don't expect to really make profits, it's more experimentation).

EDIT : Here are the GPU details :

Hi guys !
So I'm trying to mine with my AMD RADEON HD 7500 Series, but I only get 80MH/s
I know it's not a very good GPU, but do you know if it's normal ?
I think something is wrong with my config, but I can't figure out what's the problem...

I'm using cgminer 2.10.5, and I put the engine clock to the maximum (675 MHz)
I tried to overclock it more using ASUS GPU Tweak, but it makes it crash (not my computer, just the display).

I also tried updating the driver, but then I get messed up colors on my screen.

I made many google researchs, but didn't find anything helpful...

So do you guys have an idea before ASICS comes and makes GPU mining useless ?

Thanks