Bitcoins will become Betamax if we don't do THIS

[Steve]

Elections are for politicians, leaders make things happen.  I don't think a "business lead" is what's needed (and really, I abhor that "business" vs "technical" type casting BS)...no committees, no votes.  We just need people with good ideas and initiative to run with it.

So, let's discuss that.  I really don't like the sort of undisciplined, in your face kind of marketing approach that many are advocating (plastering bitcoin here or there, etc).  And, really, the software is not quite there yet for a mass audience.  So any marketing efforts should take that into consideration and evolve as the software evolves.  The worst thing from a marketing perspective is having a lot of people get exposed to it too early and rather than recognize its potential, they can't see past its shortcomings (stolen wallets, poor exchange security, regulatory uncertainty, use for illegal trade, etc...there are plenty of shortcomings). 

I think if you want to expand the use of bitcoin, you're better off focusing energy on the people who are already sold on the potential of bitcoin, but for one reason or another can't quite make it work or aren't able to use it as much as they'd like.  These are the people that are already trying to look past the current shortcomings, and if not for one or two missing things, would be using bitcoin or using bitcoin more often.  This will address key pain points for many people.

In addition to that, people need to keep searching for that critical niche where bitcoin's unique design gives it a clear advantage and address that market.  But for goodness sake, don't run out and try to start one of these businesses.  Just because you have a great hammer, it doesn't mean you should run out and start a construction business.

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[MaGNeT]

On the other side... Who uses a VHS recorder nowadays 

[netrin]

In addition to that, people need to keep searching for that critical niche where bitcoin's unique design gives it a clear advantage and address that market.
✔
But for goodness sake, don't run out and try to start one of these businesses.  Just because you have a great hammer, it doesn't mean you should run out and start a construction business.
?

[Steve]

In addition to that, people need to keep searching for that critical niche where bitcoin's unique design gives it a clear advantage and address that market.
✔
But for goodness sake, don't run out and try to start one of these businesses.  Just because you have a great hammer, it doesn't mean you should run out and start a construction business.
?

 ...the point I was trying to make is that it's great if bitcoin is useful for some business, but apply bitcoin to that business, don't necessarily try and go into that business yourself but focus instead on enabling the existing businesses with bitcoin.  Sell your great new hammer to construction businesses rather than start your own construction business.

[netrin]

[dinzy]

VHS won because they had a longer record time. even though the betamax did have slightly better resolution and overall quality of the picture better porn.

Fixed that for you 

that's it.
Same reason why we have such a robust internet now, porn.

Either that or due to high energy physicists continuously pushing for bleeding edge data transfers.

[Exonumia]

Sony had the superior technology. Betamax was better than VHS. So what happened?

Betamax is still in use by broadcasters to this day... perhaps bitcoin wants to be the currency for professionals?

[wumpus]

Betamax is still in use by broadcasters to this day... perhaps bitcoin wants to be the currency for professionals?

BTC already has a clear niche where it is succesful, I think this topic is about extending it outside that

I agree that helping current businesses accept bitcoin would be a very good idea. For example, making it easier to integrate it into current sites and merchant solutions, and promoting these easy solutions.

I was about to persue this some months ago but got "stuck" in building a better client GUI

[silverchair]

VHS won because they had a longer record time. even though the betamax did have slightly better resolution and overall quality of the picture better porn.

Fixed that for you 

that's it.
Same reason why we have such a robust internet now, porn.

Either that or due to high energy physicists continuously pushing for bleeding edge data transfers.

LOL

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Amateurs...Built the ark.

Professionals...Built the Titanic!

[phelix]

VHS won because they had a longer record time. even though the betamax did have slightly better resolution and overall quality of the picture better porn.

Fixed that for you 

that's it.
Same reason why we have such a robust internet now, porn.

so is that the lesson... more bitcoin porn?

[neo1999]

When you take into account servers and Android OS, I'd say Linux has been fairly successful.  There are large numbers of people using it without even realizing it (or caring).  Bitcoin can achieve a similar success.

Also don't forget OSX and iOS are both based on the Linux kernel.

I thought it was BSD

I stand corrected. Still, while MS has been busy monopolizing the desktop, *nix begat the preferred mobile platforms. Believe me, I hope Bitcoin gets popular support soon, as that would quickly increase the value of my BTC. However if that doesn't happen now, BTC could still become big later, perhaps in some application no one has even thought of yet.

[ampkZjWDQcqT]

Here is another comparison. Linux users swear up and down about how great of an operating system it is. Mac users too.  But what kind of market share do they get?

No. That's the GNU/Linux operating system.

[LeonGeeste]

A lot of this is getting off topic.  I think the TC's point is fundamentally sound.  I think the way to pursue is to make it possible for businesses to "accept bitcoin without accepting bitcoin".  That is, make it so that they list it as a payment option, but once you choose to pay with bitcoin, it automatically converts (perhaps through some intermediary service) into the currency the merchant wants and pays the merchant that way.  This would significantly increase bitcoin's visibility and remove a lot of the frictions and uncertainty associated with it.

Maybe if we could get a major BTC exchange to go along in and reduce the fee on such currency trades in exchange for all the business that would come their way?

[tonygal]

I think the TC's point is fundamentally sound.  I think the way to pursue is to make it possible for businesses to "accept bitcoin without accepting bitcoin".  That is, make it so that they list it as a payment option, but once you choose to pay with bitcoin, it automatically converts (perhaps through some intermediary service) into the currency the merchant wants and pays the merchant that way.  This would significantly increase bitcoin's visibility and remove a lot of the frictions and uncertainty associated with it.

Leon, check out https://bit-pay.com and watch us on the Bitcoin Show tomorrow (Wednesday).  We will discuss a new service that does exactly what you are asking for.

[BillX]

VHS won because they had a longer record time. even though the betamax did have slightly better resolution and overall quality of the picture better porn.

Fixed that for you 

that's it.
Same reason why we have such a robust internet now, porn.

so is that the lesson... more bitcoin porn?

Absolutely! Just ask Vegetta (or whatever he changed his name to in probable disgrace) about how well bitcams is coming along. Its a great example of porn and bitcoin joining forces!

[btcbaby]

Elections are for politicians, leaders make things happen.  I don't think a "business lead" is what's needed (and really, I abhor that "business" vs "technical" type casting BS)...no committees, no votes.  We just need people with good ideas and initiative to run with it.

So, let's discuss that.  I really don't like the sort of undisciplined, in your face kind of marketing approach that many are advocating (plastering bitcoin here or there, etc).  And, really, the software is not quite there yet for a mass audience.  So any marketing efforts should take that into consideration and evolve as the software evolves.  The worst thing from a marketing perspective is having a lot of people get exposed to it too early and rather than recognize its potential, they can't see past its shortcomings (stolen wallets, poor exchange security, regulatory uncertainty, use for illegal trade, etc...there are plenty of shortcomings). 

I think if you want to expand the use of bitcoin, you're better off focusing energy on the people who are already sold on the potential of bitcoin, but for one reason or another can't quite make it work or aren't able to use it as much as they'd like.  These are the people that are already trying to look past the current shortcomings, and if not for one or two missing things, would be using bitcoin or using bitcoin more often.  This will address key pain points for many people.

In addition to that, people need to keep searching for that critical niche where bitcoin's unique design gives it a clear advantage and address that market.  But for goodness sake, don't run out and try to start one of these businesses.  Just because you have a great hammer, it doesn't mean you should run out and start a construction business.

+1

[ctoon6]

Absolutely! Just ask Vegetta (or whatever he changed his name to in probable disgrace) about how well bitcams is coming along. Its a great example of porn and bitcoin joining forces!

off topic, but i think most of the bitcoin community have a similar opinion.

[Serge]

I think the TC's point is fundamentally sound.  I think the way to pursue is to make it possible for businesses to "accept bitcoin without accepting bitcoin".  That is, make it so that they list it as a payment option, but once you choose to pay with bitcoin, it automatically converts (perhaps through some intermediary service) into the currency the merchant wants and pays the merchant that way.  This would significantly increase bitcoin's visibility and remove a lot of the frictions and uncertainty associated with it.

Leon, check out https://bit-pay.com and watch us on the Bitcoin Show tomorrow (Wednesday).  We will discuss a new service that does exactly what you are asking for.

Tony, will you be on 2pm show or in the evening one?

[netrin]

Absolutely! Just ask Vegetta (or whatever he changed his name to in probable disgrace) about how well bitcams is coming along. Its a great example of porn and bitcoin joining forces!

Looked to me if the boys shut up and listened to Jessy Kang they might have a good biz model. I don't grok how the porn industry makes money but if I were a customer I'd certainly prefer to avoid a paper trail.