Tip the newbie!

[annette786]

The best way to get newbs involved is to get them a little BTC.  This gives them something to practice moving around, etc.  Since mining is becoming an advanced undertaking, I'm starting this thread. 

Newbs-- Tell us who you, how you discovered bitcoin, and your initial thoughts/concerns.  How can bitcoin be made more accessible?

Heroes/Sr.-- Please support newbs that give good feedback with tips.  Please don't flame them.

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[annette786]

I'm ann-

I actually discovered bitcoin last year before the bubble. I'm in the process of rediscovering bitcoin now. 
My plan is to stash some BTC away for a rainy day.  I found the process of buying and storing BTC intially to have a steep learning curve.  I feel like there should be a service where I enter a credit card and receive a paper wallet in mail. Simple.

My biggest long-term concern is the "dark side" of bitcoin.  If the government(s) comes after Bitcoin, they will vilify bitcoin (and all crypto-currencies) as a means of money laundering and buying drugs/porn/weapons.  Bitcoin is still developing liquidity and I think Bitinstant is on the right track; however, I was very disappointed to see them trying to broker the Romney extortion.  I almost called it quits when I saw that.  Just my opinion.


1PMLWKh1Uxkj6cAT59XxLxH77wxoi7XsRN

Thanks!

[DeathAndTaxes]

BitInstant =/= Bitcoin.

BitInstant is a great company but it seems silly that anything they would do could cause you to "quit" Bitcoin.
It would be like saying when Western Union transferred that ransom money I quit using the dollar. 

A bit penny sent for your thoughts.

[wiseyeffect]

Hey guy's. Im still new to the bitconomy, but I can seriously say its a awesome way to launder money.... once where all rich
Now how is the best way to get charity BTC ... as in start a charity and offer reconciliation and penance after fap time

[annette786]

Some honest questions. Let's see if you can earn those tips!

I will do my best

You say that you first discovered Bitcoin last year. Why did you not stay involved then? What was your thought process?

First I'd have to say, that I'm naturally skeptical.  I love the idea of bitcoin being an example for tight monetary policy. But in all honesty, my primary drive for obtaining them was for appreciation.  When they shot up to $30 I lost interest.  Additionally, I was concerned about the FBI probe and the Chuck Shumler comments.

So, you didn't like BitInstant's publicity stunt? Why would you let the actions of one individual or group push you away from a useful tool? If someone used a hammer for murder, would you shun hammers?

BitInstant and Coinbase actually recaptured my attention in Bitcoin.  If they can pull of the credit card, it will be a big step for liquidity.  More so, the bitcoin ecosystem needs legitimate players.  When I see incubators out of California funding bitcoin startups and those startups doing press releases and executing a plan... I get excited.  When I see publicity stunts that are juvenile at best and illegal at worst, I get turned off.

You also mention fears about the government vilifying Bitcoin. Similar to the question above, why would you let the authorities push you away from a useful tool? Is there somewhere that you would draw the line and say, "I don't care what the government does or says, I will not give in to their threats/demands"?

Sure, but that line is drawn much closer to my family and personal freedoms.  I've seen the government confiscate private property for other commercial interests. I've seen authorities abuse power and literally break up families.  I saw the government shut down napster and convince people that downloading a file is evil (when copyrights are generally regarded as the responsibility of the holder to secure).   Defending a crypto-currency that the public believes promotes terrorism, child porn, drugs, and money laundering is a losing battle friend.  

Having said that, I believe bitcoin has a chance. But that path involves public perception that bitcoin doesn't promote illegal activities foremost, and that it can coexist with governments ability to control fiscal policy. Most interesting, is that the blockchain provides more transparency than cash transactions.  I didn't even figure that out until recently.  I think the bitcoin community should be touting that fact as loudly as it can.

[annette786]

BitInstant =/= Bitcoin.

BitInstant is a great company but it seems silly that anything they would do could cause you to "quit" Bitcoin.
It would be like saying when Western Union transferred that ransom money I quit using the dollar. 

A bit penny sent for your thoughts.

Thanks for the bit penny. 

Silly or not, I'm just trying to be honest.  When the real media trial begins, they will look at the actions of the biggest players.  When they see Gareth and his vampire pack, the Romney incident will be easy pickings.  I really wish they would change their profiles.

[c4n10]

I'm c4n10 and I joined the bitcommunity about a week ago when I read about Mitt Romney's tax forms being held hostage for BitCoins and I started reading about it and the whole BitCoin concept just made sense to me.

I am not a big fan of the Federal Reserve as every dollar they print just drives our economy even further into debt and I would REALLY like to see BitCoin succeed and become a mainstream currency, possibly the first "universal" (for our planet anyway) currency.

Right now I think BitCoin could best benefit by more exposure on popular public venues and websites, social networks, etc... I believe this should be the bitcoin community's biggest focus right now...

And the last thing I would suggest is more websites that offer a way to earn BTC, because I do mining, answer questions for tips, I've been making my daily stops by all the faucets, I stop by cointube and bitvisitor multiple times a day, I have offered 2d to anaglyph 3d conversion and other services on ForBitCoin, Bitcoinerr and bitgigs, & I have placed things for sale on BitMit and after a week I am STILL only at 0.12906778 BTC

Other than a lack of publicity and ways to earn decent amounts of BTC (without having to spend $700+ on a mining rig), I think bitcoin is on the right track and will hopefully really take-off and become more profitable for the average user...

Tips are not necessary, but are GREATLY appreciated!!!

BTC: 1ECB5zdaYfcXtSJoBXTcLMMj4vTzSjngH8
NMC: MxwPgz455o5fQrQ1cHrGRHBteEb2eKL5CU

[Benatar]

It gets exposure now and then, but what it needs more is POSITIVE exposure, not only being mentioned for stuff like silkroad or blackmailing romney.

[c4n10]

It gets exposure now and then, but what it needs more is POSITIVE exposure, not only being mentioned for stuff like silkroad or blackmailing romney.

You mean blackmailing Romney ISN'T good exposure...? I thought everybody hated that guy... LOL...

[dezzy213]

Names D3zzy, learned of BitCoin about a month ago from a friend. Got the tig up and running today, hoping it brings in some spare spending cash. More exposure? I think the slow growing exposure is healthier then a 49er gold rush so how I discovered it and set it up almost felt like a sweet secert, like we are part of the Thieves Guild.

--D3zzy->

[c4n10]

Names D3zzy, learned of BitCoin about a month ago from a friend. Got the tig up and running today, hoping it brings in some spare spending cash. More exposure? I think the slow growing exposure is healthier then a 49er gold rush so how I discovered it and set it up almost felt like a sweet secert, like we are part of the Thieves Guild.

--D3zzy->

An interesting point, but the way I see it (not necessarily correct), the bitcoin will eventually begin to lose value unless it becomes a commonly accepted currency. Right now BTC has value because people see it's future potential as it gains exposure and becomes more widely accepted, if bitcoin remains a secret and only accepted/traded amongst a select few then eventually the BTC will lose it's novelty AND it's value as it becomes little more than just another passing internet trend (especially as the cost of mining BTC continues to increase).

[Liquid]

I'm ann-

I actually discovered bitcoin last year before the bubble. I'm in the process of rediscovering bitcoin now. 
My plan is to stash some BTC away for a rainy day.  I found the process of buying and storing BTC intially to have a steep learning curve.  I feel like there should be a service where I enter a credit card and receive a paper wallet in mail. Simple.

My biggest long-term concern is the "dark side" of bitcoin.  If the government(s) comes after Bitcoin, they will vilify bitcoin (and all crypto-currencies) as a means of money laundering and buying drugs/porn/weapons.  Bitcoin is still developing liquidity and I think Bitinstant is on the right track; however, I was very disappointed to see them trying to broker the Romney extortion.  I almost called it quits when I saw that.  Just my opinion.


1PMLWKh1Uxkj6cAT59XxLxH77wxoi7XsRN

Thanks!

+1

Im Liquid still a noob. just come across Bitcoins because of the Romney extortion (to be honest i dont really know whats thats about) only that they want to blackmail some politician or something 

I hope to See Bitcoins be very popular and successful it has a very strong model and the ease of use should get better over time : D

I want to see government backing or it will be hard road for bitcoins. 

BTC FTW ! 

[thepwnorbpwnd]

Bitcoining isn't just for laundering, etc. I have mining as a spare income hobby, I learn alot of things about the hardware involved and how it really comes together with software with mining.

[mickeyfinn]

I am a newbie and initially became interested in BTC for illegal endeavours...but I am slowly becoming interested in it for legitimate reasons...as an alternative currency etc. I still have a lot to learn about mining and the IT requirements and procedures...it's a steep learning curve but forums like this are a great help to people like myself.

[goodlord666]

Why are so many noobs concerned about the "Dark Side" of Bitcoin and the bad press?

The press hasn't been nearly as bad as everyone makes it appear. Even Fox News gave it thumbs up.

Also, most people seem to have a built-in mechanism that teaches them that anything new needs approval by authority before it's acceptable not realizing that what they have at hand possibly outperforms whatever authority has by a long shot.

The dark side/blackmarket is what makes Bitcoin work and if you took off your blindfolds you'd understand that you could easily count Satoshi himself as part of the dark side.

And besides, if you ever went on Silk Road you'd see that it is a rather bright and lively place.


TL;DR:
Alot of people "up there" have probably bought into bitcoin a long time ago and are using it for their drug purchases, while the little guys "down here" are concerned over what the ones "up there" might think about bitcoin and its uses. Wake up folks please...

[c4n10]

Why are so many noobs concerned about the "Dark Side" of Bitcoin and the bad press?

The press hasn't been nearly as bad as everyone makes it appear. Even Fox News gave it thumbs up.

Also, most people seem to have a built-in mechanism that teaches them that anything new needs approval by authority before it's acceptable not realizing that what they have at hand possibly outperforms whatever authority has by a long shot.

The dark side/blackmarket is what makes Bitcoin work and if you took off your blindfolds you'd understand that you could easily count Satoshi himself as part of the dark side.

And besides, if you ever went on Silk Road you'd see that it is a rather bright and lively place.


TL;DR:
Alot of people "up there" have probably bought into bitcoin a long time ago and are using it for their drug purchases, while the little guys "down here" are concerned over what the ones "up there" might think about bitcoin and its uses. Wake up folks please...

The point OP was trying to make is that the "dark side" of bitcoin makes it very easy for the "authorities" to point and say "look, bitcoin is bad, let's make it illegal because that would be a great way to stick it to the criminals."

The OP is correct in this aspect, BTC is basically now in direct competition by the government-back currencies around the world. If they want to shut it down (which they most likely eventually WILL want to) the "dark side" and bad press make for great propaganda as for why BitCoin would need to be stopped.

[goodlord666]

The point OP was trying to make is that the "dark side" of bitcoin makes it very easy for the "authorities" to point and say "look, bitcoin is bad, let's make it illegal because that would be a great way to stick it to the criminals."

The OP is correct in this aspect, BTC is basically now in direct competition by the government-back currencies around the world. If they want to shut it down (which they most likely eventually WILL want to) the "dark side" and bad press make for great propaganda as for why BitCoin would need to be stopped.

And then Bitcoin wins. Big deal.

[TangibleCryptography]

Right now I think BitCoin could best benefit by more exposure on popular public venues and websites, social networks, etc... I believe this should be the bitcoin community's biggest focus right now...

..

Other than a lack of publicity and ways to earn decent amounts of BTC (without having to spend $700+ on a mining rig), I think bitcoin is on the right track and will hopefully really take-off and become more profitable for the average user...

You have been bit-pennied (0.01 BTC sent).

I would point out there will never be a cheap easy way to acquire a large amount of Bitcoins.  If you could then Bitcoins wouldn't be worth very much right.   There is a reason people hoard gold coins not sand cons.  Scarcity isn't the only requirement for a currency but remember currency isn't wealth it is merely an accounting system.  If it was 10,000x easier to mine coins (in terms of coins/$ and coins/W) then the coins would only be worth 1/10,000th as much.  Right?

I do agree that more social media exposure for Bitcoin would be a good thing. 

[MrJosh336]

Question: Is there anyway anyone could spare me 7 bitcoins for a month at which time i get my unemployment check and will exchange USD for BTC and pay you back?

1NHkS3GEXTkW5755RHoKtUihQrVNEQY84d

[mickeyfinn]

Question: Is there anyway anyone could spare me 7 bitcoins for a month at which time i get my unemployment check and will exchange USD for BTC and pay you back?

1NHkS3GEXTkW5755RHoKtUihQrVNEQY84d

yeah i will mate no problem...just send me an email at: notahopeinhellwhodyouthinkiamsomekindofmug@hotmail.co.uk