By the way.... Regarding the whole "web of trust" and hassles of buying bitcoin from strangers using "soft money", etc... I feel that the very best way for us - the global community of bitcoin early adopters - to address these issues... is to create a Directory of individuals (perhaps including all of us), and merchants and exchangers, who ARE WILLING TO SELL BITCOIN FOR CASH FACE-TO-FACE IRL. The Directory, sorted by location - country, state, city, neighborhood - could be used conveniently by anyone anywhere to buy bitcoin for cash on the spot.
Yes, by the way, bitcoin is already mobile. Any newer smartphone with a browser can access the web-based bitcoin app called
http://MyBitcoin.com to Send, and to verify receipt of, bitcoin.
So... anyone can pull up this Directory, find that the local Bitcoin-for-Cash dealer in St. Louis is Bill Jones. Then, contact Bill Jones, go meet him, hand him cash, and simultaneously verify that Bill Jones sent me x bitcoins just now.... using MyBitcoin.com on my mobile phone browser.
Only with this sort of convenience, and quick purchase ability, will bitcoin really be able to catch fire as a popular currency.
I have just begun work on creating that Master Directory of Local Bitcoin-for-Cash Dealers. It's called
http://BitcoinBuy.com At the same time, I've started a Master Directory of Merchants who Accept Bitcoin - sorted by location. It's called
http://BitcoinShop.com And.... a Master Directory of Published Bitcoin Addresses, of Everyone (who wants to publish one) - individuals, content creators, businesses, charities, etc. It's called
http://BitcoinAddress.comFinally, a Bitcoin primer for total newbies. It's called
http://BitcoinMe.comAny feedback on these would be greatly appreciated.