The Value of DevShares
"... Considering the risks of an upgrade going poorly and the potential for a rapid update cycle, why would anyone value DevShares? It boils down to one simple reason, we are not the only ones who need a test network. Our exchange partners, merchants, plugins, block explorers, etc. all need a solid testing network. If you are going to test then you will need to pay some transaction fees on the DevShares network. If you want to beta test your product on a live network with real users prior to the feature being adopted by BitShares proper, then you will want DevShares.
This is no different than early Bitcoin test networks that started to gain value as an alt-coin. The Bitcoin developers had to modify the block chain in such a way as to prevent it from being imbued with value by the market.
Unlike the Bitcoin test network, we really do need and want DevShares to have some real value because only through having real value will a distributed user base actively test it; especially the market features. You cannot test BitAssets thoroughly unless the collateral has value."
Read the rest below.
http://bytemaster.github.io/update/2014/12/19/The-Value-of-DevShares.html
