We're getting to the point now with difficulty over 21m where only ASIC machines are viable at current BTC rates.
No one knows where BTC rates are going. A lot of people hope they will rise to great heights but there's no real evidence that this will be the case and they could just as easily fall to zero. I'm hoping for the former like everyone else.
It would be nice to hear from some of those who were in the game a few years ago when difficulty was a few hundred and pools didn't exist. I'm sure there must be some great stories of fortunes being made.
I too would love to hear some more personal stories of people's mining experiences, good or even bad?