Each of these entities appears to make ASICS, mine Bitcoins, and sell mining equipment to end users in varying degrees. What are their core differences, both product-wise and operationally? Also, I’m already in ASICminer, but what are some good ways to invest in Avalon and Butterfly?
ASIC-MINER are trying to make as much profit as they can for their share-holders from the fact they're the only ASIC manufacturer who can ship completed product promptly.
Avalon are trying to catch up with a back-log and pre-selling chips to cash in on having working chips but not much of a production line.
BFL are trying to get as many pre-orders as they can.