Why does OP not have a trust rating yet?  It seems as if deals have been discussed.  I guess I am curious is a "trust rating" available for this type of service?

The miner must reduce cost & cut waste to remain profitable.  However there are 29-40 companies responsible for the majority?  Probably closer to the lower number right?  None of these key actors are looking at alternative energy at this time.  Nor have any announced interest.  If I am wrong and miners relevant on a global scale, who are currently using electricity have openly spoken about a sincere transition - who?  That is not a "dig", me being a jerk.  This stuff is just fascinating to me even if just a hypothetical discussion.  Many people have brought this up, it has been discussed in detail in this forum.  But those using the majority of the compute power, which is estimated to be close to or more than all Google servers (IT IS HUGE), none are seriously thinking about making this change.


Though possibly this will be a competitive advantage for newer individuals to "get in"?

Your reply was a waste of energy, just like me responding.  Read the thread.  At least individuals are taking tome to add value.  I will stop consuming energy here.  The point is not what are other things consuming power.  Please speak directly about the study, if you understand it.  What is exaggerated or erroneous in your professional opinion?  If you do not care or do not understand, this is a very complex subject. That is fine, you are like most.  What I do not understand - Why bother wasting energy replying?

Well, with that, I was able to find some relevant people (Franky1).  Thinking of MTGOX who was some key people which really lead the way?  When I think of FBI/CMU with TOR several names come to mind, not just those who helped but adversarial actors.  Why derail a decent question.  Following the right people can only benefit us all.  Listening to the wrong ones, I do not know the consequence.  It is not like it is not information I will not find or incidentally run across.  I just thought if someone had a few names, that would be helpful.  Despite many at CMU should rot in hell, there still are good people there (just clarifying that for lurkers).

Did you read and understand the research?  The author is hardly a "Nazi environmentalist".  There are other journals out there which suggest the same.  Though they seem to be a little bias.  Which part of the research do you disagree with?

(I think this should go in mining)

There has been a lot of talk on this.  Quite a few good papers
https://karlodwyer.github.io/publications/pdf/bitcoin_KJOD_2014.pdf
From this paper: "Bitcoin mining is comparable to Ireland’s electricity consumption".



As bitcoin grows the amount of energy on the planet is not increasing. Anyone who understands the article, it seems very legitimate to me, discuss,   Yes, I realize the miner wants to reduce cost & cut waste.  Therefore they may seek alternative forms or desire to do so.  Yes, I read about the Hydrofarmer on this very forum.  It is just not the norm with all the major miners around the planet.  Proof of work is expensive. https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Proof_of_work

**Title was sarcastic.  But it is still something to think about?

TY, I am essentially seeking people to follow, that was the intention of the post.  I learn by listening to people who are smarter than myself - even if from the shadows.  While Shorena was a bit cryptic with their answer both are beneficial - this is a great start.  Thanks to you both.

I have no idea what the scenario might be?  Things "break" all the time.  Are there specific individuals we rely on or who have lead the way in past disasters?  I understand we all participate.  To clarify I know there are very specific people we can & do rely on for TOR.  I could 'drop' screen names or real names.  But those familiar with TOR know what I mean. Incase of "bitcoin" emergency - who?  Who are some of the smartest people in this Coin right now?   I am interested in Mining, Technology;Advancements or Investing.   Of course this is an opinion.  Though there must be some common individuals/screennames.

Yes, that was the question.  Everyone seems to be in agreement too.  I also agree as all of the replies make sense - ty

So, it is like NYSE (Stock)?  My experience with stock/investing is very limited.  I would consider myself less than an amateur trader.  However, I have been using services similar to, https://www.scottrade.com for a very long time.  I make enough to pay for annual family vacations (sometimes one other times  more).  I buy low / sell high.  That might make me seem ignorant, it is what I do, it works.  Sometimes I take the advice of others who I perceive I can trust.  I am interested in learning more about Bitcoin as I am no fan of modern currency & Bitcoin is closer to my career.


Is that really it.  Is that the best way to get started while I learn, your 3 step process?  TY... if any other relevant advice comes to mind or you have anything additional to add, this post will be here

I'd imagine their is a very large pool of trust worthy people in a much more massive & dangerous ocean, they must exist right?  As I begin my exploration into bitcoin if I wanted to invest am I best looking for sites which help me network, network on my own or is buying directly from exchanges reasonable?  I am weeks if not months off from having a good enough understanding to seriously invest.  Though what do you suggest, what has worked best for you? Where did you start?

Two that come to mind are Coinbase & Circle.  I did a quick google search, possibly wrong terms.  The information I got was useless.  I am sure this has been discussed.  If there is a good article/link on this it would be appreciated.

I will buy again Saturday.  I just need some for the weekend.

The links were random, I looked at them and reviewed them.  They were more a demonstration of what an interest the community as a whole has in 'investing' (profiting).  I assume you know - there are dozens more threads like that.  I can not tell anyone what to do.  However, I can request it.  You have been here 2 years.  There is genuinely no 3rd you trust?  Have you worked with any of the ones I listed?  Heard horror or positive stories about them? Like I mentioned this is not remotely about getting rich.  It is about helping new people do things which are fairly safe as they continue to educate themselves on the way they want to go (on life, computers, electronics and economics - Bitcoin is about a lot.).  It is not luring them in with diamonds or virgins.  It is being upfront about the risk and the real opportunity for small/medium size rewards as you learn.  We just cant toss 10k worth of mining gear at people and say "START!", that is never going to work.  Take $100-300 dollars play around with it while you learn  Start off with what you know you can absolutely afford to lose try a few options.  Even if you hate it, even if you get robbed, try to learn something from it relevant to Bitcoin/economics.   No matter how slim there is a good chance you might make $100-500 return while you learn.  I just think this is a better way to bring people in.  This is what I am doing.  Everyone has their own thing, I guess.  But if you have any 3rd party input your 2 yrs are invaluable.  I just think while learning altcoin/trading losing what you can afford to lose or making .5-4% could not hurt.

Ty the "REF" was removed immediately, I will be more careful.  I know exactly what it is and I am looking for.  I am going to continue to add member suggestions, though will not get carried away.  As "edits" noted in original post say on 6/20 I will scrub the forum for reviews on the 3 primary along with other member suggestions.  Then move forward from there.  


As I asked the other member, if you have any further details you can give on your experiences.  Such information would be greatly appreciated. You do not think any of the given options are of value for someone wanting to just "dabble"/spend a few hundred to a couple thousand a year?  There is still unimagined headaches ahead the quicker we can bring informed people aboard and allow them to at least get the feel for it the better, right?  I see no better scenario than everyone dropping government currency, obtaining the training/skills needed to mine personally and "securely" then buying mining gear.  However, I do not think that is realistic.  So I am hoping to offer some alternatives for myself or if desired an updated list I will keep for the community.  Thank you.

MODS feel free to move or remove if this is a bad idea, has been tried of for any reason.

I am looking for sites to invest in which are professional & offer customer service.  I would like to get the list down to two - five. Right now on this forum there are no less than 7 fairly popular threads discussing this.  Scattered throughout, after looking for 1 hour there is some of the most irrelevant & useless data to extremely relevant and most helpful information(necessary).  All seem to have 30 + pages.  Take a moment right now, turn on a timer and read an entire page. Digest the data (information on the page) and make an actionable conclusion from that.  Now, imagine you are new person like me attempting to do this.

These are the threads which come up most of the time; if you have an addition let me know
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1084189.new;topicseen#new
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=913146.new;topicseen#new
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1077569.new;topicseen#new
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=913146.new;topicseen#new
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=976903.new;topicseen#new
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1136572.0

There is more than ocean of information on this topic.  MY QUESTION: If someone had $50-700 they could afford lose but had no desire or intention to do so.  If they did lost the money would make every effort to get it back or take even small actions like bad reviews to help others.  Imagine this person is me or anyone who is new to Bitcoin, you the one with experience are walking in our shoes.  I personally would like to start off with $300.

I do not want this to be another investment thread, I will do the leg work here.  But if you were me which 3 sites would you start off with, why did you choose this site & how successful have you been with them - can you verify this?


I would like to compile a list of all reviews, I am in the process of doing so for my own benefit.  However, it is still very confusing (daunting).  There is so much data on this forum alone.  Eventually the sites could be ranked by Customer Service, ROI, Years In Service, Verified Returns (ROI) or other things.  For my own benefit, potentially others.  This information on 1-3 pages or less would be helpful.

Starting Small Out of these 3 sites which do you recommend, can you answer the above questions?

• https://bitvest.io  1 positive review in thread

• https://www.hashnest.com
• https://www.genesis-mining.com/

Member Suggestions:

• https://hashocean.com

- verification provided

• betking.io

- no verification



If this has been done before in a detailed and easy to navigate or comprehend manner for both the newbie & seasoned pro.  If you feel another site must be added, keep in mind I am trying to take small bites at a time, post below.  It will be added to this list then I ask you remove that post.  This opening post will also be changed if as works as needed.  For now try to pick 3 of your favorite, preferably pick from the list, they come up in trends, forums and discussion here a lot.  Please limit discussion to sites in the above list when possible unless you are out of your mind passionate about it.  Finally, if you know anyone who could contribute please let them know, or allow me to ask them[/list]


**Edits are being made/Have been made already. I will indicate if review were verified, came from this thread or other sections of the forum.  I am going to begin scraping the forum for reviews probably starting 6/20/2016.  If you think about this like the "Intelligence Cycle" - this is still the collections process.[/list][/list]

Ya, I absolutely saw that - that was "our friend" the article mentioned.  I will have to take a look at that.  But it is 30 + pages long.  Just so much information.  I know there has to be some basic stuff I should look at.  But, ready or not - diving in

Here is the article I am sure everyone has seen.  It references a friend of this board as well:

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/bitcoin-is-unsustainable


If I wanted to better understand what this article was talking about where should I start?  There are so many self proclaimed experts, forums, books, articles and "papers" it just confuses me.  Google gives me millions of hits.  Are there 2-3 people (or more) to follow here or on other sites?  Is there anyone specific on youtube I should follow?  There are a mind numbing amount of posts on this forum alone.  I do not think I ever want to mine.  However, I want to understand it and bit coin as technical as possible through my own effort & 'scope'.  Is there a great class I could take?  The year is 2016 - what are the top 5 places I should start?  I will happily take more than 5 suggestions.  However, I know your time is worth money and value it.  So, I will take whatever you offer.

Is this article true, the one above?  Or have a year later, close to the day we proved it false?