I got started with slush, because I read it was one of the first pools and one of the most popular.
I've recently been reading about other pools, and I like how a pool like p2pool operates.
My question is, is using a pool like p2pool much of a hassle? If I want to stop mining to play a game, is it a PITA to start it up again? I read SupaDupa's guide to using it, and it looks like there's a lot of configuration.
I like how I can just click "Start Mining" with GUIminer/slush and I'm good to go.
Also, will my overall bitcoins received with p2pool be less than with slush? I currently get about 270 Mhash/sec.
Thanks for any replies
The payouts will be essentially the same.
You can connect to a public pool if you don't have the time/know-how/desire to setup your own. Running your own (efficiently) requires a stable internet connection with a relatively fast hard drive.
The public list is here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=66182.0Rather than pointing your miner at http://<username>:<password>@mining.bitcoin.cz:8332/ you could point to my pool at http://<payout address>:x@p2pool.stitthappens.com:8336/ or any of the other public pools.