It is only free if you ignore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost

tell him that it is free national level PR

as wareen said.

uncertainty is bad for biz

Connect to a pool. It will tell you a good estimation of your real useful mining power in a few minutes. Most mining software does report it as well on your end.

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ermsam, you will be broke but free. No worries.

lol, maybe it is only because I do not feel threatened enough, just yet, aq 

Indeed, and major miners/pools all know each other, at least by reputation.

Than notice that shitcoins are just fighting the first moat of hash power and network security here. If you ever break through this one, than there is the wall of network effect. Good luck waiting for "bitcoin collapse".

In fact, due to merged mining thing, Bitcoin is not really relying on hash power barrier for entry as a solid defence. It is nothing more than a little harassment of attacking forces. Dealing with the network effect would be much more difficult, however.

For those who do not know what "network effect" is there is always google and wikipedia. Or you could try to start a new auction site which (as a website) much better than ebay and try to get some sellers selling stuff there, report back on your progress with that.

rannici, surely you can sue and you should

I have (dis?)similar example. I have recently ordered some rather expensive cooling device, they delivered two by mistake, than they called and asked if they delivered two to me, on which I said yes, they asked to have one back, we arranged time for them to come and pick it up. Everyone is happy. That's how it should be handled by normal people with at least a modicum of common sense.

Not if you fork the blockhain from block 1. But again  they could hardcode fork prevention into the client. Is it not what all the new updates all about by any chance?

I do not disagree with you jav.

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I bet most  big miners and pool operators are fully aware about this possibility, most probably just cannot be bothered, when the alternative is simply to do nothing and shitcoins will just die out on their own.

But if someone does this it would be technically a very interesting event. Pass the popcorn.

I suppose someone now shall edit that wiki and replace "owns" by "has in possession" , not that it makes any difference.

@bitlane: have you ever heard about tor or vpns?

Mike, Thank You.

I do not really have aspiration to be a legal guy, judge or mediator, nor I have any formal legal training. (lots of informal though)

It is IMO worthwhile idea to have some kind of mediation service to resolve bitcoin disputes, particularly when seeing threads like this. At least over time it could build some kind of moral authority and possibly influence people who are not malicious but simply misguided and ignorant of law or who maybe have temporary deficit of common sense.

I could potentially participate in your project somehow, because I think it is interesting and useful for the community and if it is compensated somehow (yes I am that egoistical here). In any case it is better to discuss it in private.

At the same time, I have to tell you about what happens in UK if you send bank transfer by mistake to a wrong person/account. In such a case the bank will forward your letter asking to return the money to the owner of "bank error in your favour" account (or ask him on your behalf). If money are not returned promptly, a civil lawsuit can be filed against the "finder keeper" and it is almost certain that court will pass a judgement requiring "finder keeper" to pay back the money, legal costs, and potentially interest.

This is common practice. Usually, though people just return the money when asked first time and this rarely goes beyond first chat of the "finder keeper" with his legal council.

Nice!, it seems like a list of posts to make sure you do not post in. Which actually makes it even more valuable.

LOL, indeed. Noobs tend to ignore one line answers to their one page questions.