Bitcoin Conference - quick thoughts

[evoorhees]

Quick report from NYC on the conference - I've now met quite a few of the people and my impression is very positive. Lots of great discussions, and I can tell the energy level is high. Unlike the forums, everyone "gets" Bitcoin here.  No tedious reiterations of why "deflationary spirals" are not a big deal, or why Bitcoin can't work because it's not "backed" by anything. The attendees get it, so the conversations are enjoyable on a higher and more productive level.

So many things being worked on - ideas are even just getting tossed around because people are already too busy working on their first and second and third projects. Real solutions are emerging for merchants... Bit-pay and BTCinch both look outstanding. MtGox is releasing a new site to make trading super easy (no ask/bid orders, just buy at market rate for Grandparents, etc.) Lots of networking going on, venue is very nice at the Roosevelt. Meze Grill easily handled over 25 subsequent, individual orders for lunch today in Bitcoin. I was worried it would get backed up, but process was almost as quick as if everyone was using credit cards.  I'm seeing the Android wallet used everywhere, as well as iPad systems.

A diverse group. Americans and Europeans, multiple races, multiple demeanors, multiple areas of interest and specialty. Some jeans, some suits. Even a couple women! Lots of hand-shaking, smiles, and intelligent conversations.

Bitcoin is still very much an enthusiast community- on to something big, and waiting for the world to catch up.

[Trader Steve]

+1 Thanks for the report!

[Littleshop]

Quick report from NYC on the conference - I've now met quite a few of the people and my impression is very positive. Lots of great discussions, and I can tell the energy level is high. Unlike the forums, everyone "gets" Bitcoin here.  No tedious reiterations of why "deflationary spirals" are not a big deal, or why Bitcoin can't work because it's not "backed" by anything. The attendees get it, so the conversations are enjoyable on a higher and more productive level.

So many things being worked on - ideas are even just getting tossed around because people are already too busy working on their first and second and third projects. Real solutions are emerging for merchants... Bit-pay and BTCinch both look outstanding. MtGox is releasing a new site to make trading super easy (no ask/bid orders, just buy at market rate for Grandparents, etc.) Lots of networking going on, venue is very nice at the Roosevelt. Meze Grill easily handled over 25 subsequent, individual orders for lunch today in Bitcoin. I was worried it would get backed up, but process was almost as quick as if everyone was using credit cards.  I'm seeing the Android wallet used everywhere, as well as iPad systems.

A diverse group. Americans and Europeans, multiple races, multiple demeanors, multiple areas of interest and specialty. Some jeans, some suits. Even a couple women! Lots of hand-shaking, smiles, and intelligent conversations.

Bitcoin is still very much an enthusiast community- on to something big, and waiting for the world to catch up.

+1

I agree.  Still here and it has been great!  Hearing about a lot of ideas and seeing lots of new products and services.  There is a lot of energy here!

[SuperTramp]

Thanks for the update !

[DownloadCoin.com]

Any TV camera crews about?

[Gabriel Beal]

Well said, I completely agree.  It's fun to exchange ideas with so many intelligent people.

[FlipPro]

Very nice report . I know sometimes it's hard on the day to day grind to cope, especially with all the negativity that we see on the Internet. I think this has so far been a great first year convention, and I think that many great things are ahead for the community. Nice to see people talking and trading Bitcoins IRL!

[bitstarter]

+1 thank you for this update! I feel part of my family is over there!

[GeniuSxBoY]

Can you tell me the step by step process of how people paid?



For instance:

1. They scanned a QR code.
2. Opened the Android wallet app
3. Sent the bitcoins

How were they confirmed?
or did they use bitpay?

I need to know every step you can think of so I can get an idea of how I will start accepting bitcoins for my business

[jgarzik]

Conference was a lot of fun.  Plenty of people and lots of energy and interest in bitcoin.

[repentance]

Conference was a lot of fun.  Plenty of people and lots of energy and interest in bitcoin.

Care to give us the highlights?  The live feed shit itself so we don't know a whole lot about what went on.  Was there a "big announcement" of some kind made?  Did outside media attend?  How on earth did Tom Williams manage to attend without someone punching him in the mouth?

[bitcoinTrader]

Can any1 please let us know about the BIG announcements?

[toffoo]

Is there any way to follow the proceedings there online apart from the one Bitcoin Show episode full of interviews I saw?

[haploid23]

awesome, these small reports are great to hear. i'll be holding my coins for a bit longer

[evoorhees]

Whew... 2:15am. I'm totally wasted and just stumbled back to my room. Laptop was on so of course an update is called for =)

Outlook is: good!

[MemoryDealers]

Two of the announcements I am most excited about are the launch of
http://www.bitcoindeals.com/

and that the Bitcoin ATM machines will be live in a little over a week!

The conference has been amazing so far,  and I have met so many people who I feel have instantly become friends for life.
It is such a wonderful feeling to be around so many other people who "get" Bitcoin.

www.BTCinch.com also seems to be a wonderful merchant solution site.
It is free to accept bitcoins,  and for a small fee they will automatically convert a percentage of the merchant's choosing into USD.
They also have a system to send out bitcoins by email to email lists.
So far they have had more than 50% of their sent bitcoins claimed within 3 hours!
If you want to start a mass bitcoin email marketing campaign for your business,  contact BTCINCH.com!!

[Blackout]

Where are the bitcoin atm machine going to roll out? I assume here in NYC?  How would they work?  I'm excited about that.
Also I've been trying to find out if there is anything happening today or not as the agenda is a little screwy it says 9pm-12pm I'm sure that's a typo.

[MemoryDealers]

Where are the bitcoin atm machine going to roll out? I assume here in NYC?  How would they work?  I'm excited about that.
Also I've been trying to find out if there is anything happening today or not as the agenda is a little screwy it says 9pm-12pm I'm sure that's a typo.

He said the first Bitcoin ATM will be in San Diego CA.
I believe the first meetings today are from 9AM to noon at the OnlyoneTV studios.

[BitcoinPorn]

I'm so jealous.  Seems like a kick ass time for people who are really into Bitcoin right now, fucking wish I could be there

[BitVapes]

I'm so jealous.  Seems like a kick ass time for people who are really into Bitcoin right now, fucking wish I could be there

true, I'm sorry I couldn't make it out to New York for the first one but I hope to attend future ones.   I could definitely make it to one if it were in Austin, TX.  I think a  bitcoin conference in Austin would do well, if google trends is to be trusted.