Bitcoin conference coverage by Smoothie

[smoothie]

One other thing that I forgot to mention is there appears to be a slew of non "bitcoiner" type people at this conference.

For example: as I was passing one of the booths a guy pulled out a gold foil covered chocolate bitcoin and proceeded to indicate that that was a bitcoin. And I responded politely no that's just chocolate covered in gold foil shaped liked a physical bitcoin.

We have new people. Very healthy thing for bitcoin.

They were giving these out at another booth. I took one.

It's true. There are a ton of new people. More importantly there are actually women now- indeed many booths have bitcoin companies with diverse team members and many conference attendee's are also women. Very good sign things are in a good direction.

Now if only the men there would stop insisting that there need to be prostitutes, strippers and show girls in order to be "complete", this conference might not be a total flop.

Well technically I only heard 1 man do this.

[Matthew N. Wright]

One other thing that I forgot to mention is there appears to be a slew of non "bitcoiner" type people at this conference.

For example: as I was passing one of the booths a guy pulled out a gold foil covered chocolate bitcoin and proceeded to indicate that that was a bitcoin. And I responded politely no that's just chocolate covered in gold foil shaped liked a physical bitcoin.

We have new people. Very healthy thing for bitcoin.

They were giving these out at another booth. I took one.

It's true. There are a ton of new people. More importantly there are actually women now- indeed many booths have bitcoin companies with diverse team members and many conference attendee's are also women. Very good sign things are in a good direction.

Now if only the men there would stop insisting that there need to be prostitutes, strippers and show girls in order to be "complete", this conference might not be a total flop.

Well technically I only heard 1 man do this.

Yea I know, but having worked with a lot of the guys running booths there for 2 years now, I'm actually surprised there wasn't already a "Bitcoin beauty pageant" in the lineup.

[justusranvier]

Unlike the London conference, I would guess that the bitcointalk forum members are actually in the *minority* at this conference. It's been a sea of change since the last conference. Bitcoin feels mainstream. Especially will the free vodka, hostesses and tons of normal looking people.

That has been true in my experience, on the other hand I've meet plenty of people who are on the forums.

[cypherdoc]

More people need to write their forum handles on their name tags.

Great idea

[proudhon]

Wish I could have gone.  Next year, hopefully.  I just got crazy busy with work over the past few weeks.  Bleh.  Would have been nice to shake hands with Smoothie.

[smoothie]

Wish I could have gone.  Next year, hopefully.  I just got crazy busy with work over the past few weeks.  Bleh.  Would have been nice to shake hands with Smoothie.

Perhaps next time troll meets troll.

[Matthew N. Wright]

Wish I could have gone.  Next year, hopefully.  I just got crazy busy with work over the past few weeks.  Bleh.  Would have been nice to shake hands with Smoothie.

Perhaps next time troll meets troll.

That wouldn't be complete without renting a large version of these costumes first.

[Este Nuno]

Is there any boxes of fans

I snapped a quick pic of one of the units BFL had on display:

[smoothie]

Wish I could have gone.  Next year, hopefully.  I just got crazy busy with work over the past few weeks.  Bleh.  Would have been nice to shake hands with Smoothie.

Perhaps next time troll meets troll.

That wouldn't be complete without renting a large version of these costumes first.

I agree you can be there too and wear them both lol

[crazy_rabbit]

I am a little bit disappointed that there still isn't anything I can really *buy* at this conference. It seems like it would have been the perfect place to sell ASIC's, or specialized Bitcoin hardware (BFL has a hardware wallet on display) or any sort of Bitcoin stuff (I wanted to buy the ATM on the spot). I know I wasn't prepared with our Laser Engraved Diamonds, so I'm thinking making next conference we might see some real commerce going on.

[franky1]

I am a little bit disappointed that there still isn't anything I can really *buy* at this conference. It seems like it would have been the perfect place to sell ASIC's, or specialized Bitcoin hardware (BFL has a hardware wallet on display) or any sort of Bitcoin stuff (I wanted to buy the ATM on the spot). I know I wasn't prepared with our Laser Engraved Diamonds, so I'm thinking making next conference we might see some real commerce going on.

definitely, next year needs to have a room dedicated as a market place for PRODUCTS

[Este Nuno]

I am a little bit disappointed that there still isn't anything I can really *buy* at this conference. It seems like it would have been the perfect place to sell ASIC's, or specialized Bitcoin hardware (BFL has a hardware wallet on display) or any sort of Bitcoin stuff (I wanted to buy the ATM on the spot). I know I wasn't prepared with our Laser Engraved Diamonds, so I'm thinking making next conference we might see some real commerce going on.

Seems like the only way to even get a whiff of an ASIC in 2013 is to invest in ASICMINER.

And considering the guy who runs ASICMINER is now making like a million dollars a week, it really makes you wonder how the hell we're almost halfway through 2013 and ASIC rigs are still only in the hands of very very few people.

[smoothie]

I am a little bit disappointed that there still isn't anything I can really *buy* at this conference. It seems like it would have been the perfect place to sell ASIC's, or specialized Bitcoin hardware (BFL has a hardware wallet on display) or any sort of Bitcoin stuff (I wanted to buy the ATM on the spot). I know I wasn't prepared with our Laser Engraved Diamonds, so I'm thinking making next conference we might see some real commerce going on.

definitely, next year needs to have a room dedicated as a market place for PRODUCTS

Agreed. I'm surprised you can't buy casascius coins.

[Este Nuno]

Agreed. I'm surprised you can't buy casascius coins.

Probably has to do with the fact that he started wholesaling them exclusively now, and no one has gotten their shit together enough to establish a good enough dealership for the US market yet.

[Sukrim]

Tonight Peter v announced he will be replaced as the exec director of the btc foundation. We will know in a week or two who will be his replacement.

Also the twins presentation was awesome. The posed the question:

"We have VoIP and Skype came along. Now we have Bitcoin, who will come along and do the same as Skype did?"

Their solution (marketed by their own social network Zurker (http://www.zurker.com/)): https://www.preferzen.com/
Did they even mention that one? Please someone approach them and ask them about it...

[smoothie]

Gavin's state of the union was standing room only. Wow it is packed in here.

[Este Nuno]

Bitcoin is for real folks.

[Sitarow]

More people need to write their forum handles on their name tags.

Unlike the London conference, I would guess that the bitcointalk forum members are actually in the *minority* at this conference. It's been a sea of change since the last conference. Bitcoin feels mainstream. Especially will the free vodka, hostesses and tons of normal looking people.

<--- Normal Looking

[batcoin]

Yep, wish I could be there to meet a lot of you guys. It's nice to be able to match a face and voice with the text I read here all the time. The 2011 Prague Conference was practically in my back yard and I missed out on that one too. I am really kicking myself for that. Crazy_Rabbit, was that you I heard interviewed on the radio yesterday? If you live in Prague, we should meet up sometime. I have been here all along and have yet to meet up with Slush or anyone else here. It's time for me to get more active in all this.

Smoothie, thanks for putting this thread up. I am eager to read more!

[smoothie]

Day two was awesome.

Tons of topics and information. It's so big you can't attend all sessions.

What I keep having to be reminded is that bitcoin is an experiment and nothing is a sure thing.

Many of what is going on is uncharted waters. A roller coaster if you will.

Doing things right the first time is a good approach. Jeff G mentioned the development of bitcoin is extremely slow given it affects so many even with simple changes to the code.