I mentioned earlier how much trouble I've had trying to introduce new users to Bitcoin. Every attempt seems to end in frustration with me saying things like, "maybe try reinstalling", "hmm...that's not right", or "just keep waiting. It could take a few hours or days." I want to give Bitcoins for my Christmas gifts this year, but I want it to be a happy and exciting occasion, not one marred by anger and frustration.
I've been working on what I hope to be a solution. This holiday season I will be giving my friends and family pre-packaged Bitcoin gift boxes that contain everything needed to get going quickly and easily. This primarily consists of a USB flash drive with the light-weight Multibit client and a stocked wallet file presented in such a way that it looks like something good (and not some last-minute Christmas Eve cop out).
Because I had to order all the materials in bulk, I'm making these starter kits available at near breakeven if anyone else wants one. More information and photos are on my site at:
http://www.paymyaddress.com/giftset/A few other sites will also be reselling them, including memorydealers.com, cheaperinbitcoins.com, and bitcoinsforchristmas.com. I'm hoping these can also be used as new user starter kits for the general public, to break down the numerous obstacles to getting started with Bitcoin, and at least offer a taste of what it's about before demanding excessive time and effort just to try it.
If you do give these out, I would love to hear your recipient's reaction to it. (I'm hoping for curiosity and appreciation, not disgust and confusion.)
