March 2012 BitCon in San Antonio, Texas - News Thread

[michaelmclees]

Hey guys.  Just wanted to say thanks for putting on the convention.  Good discussions and it was nice to put some names to faces.

[1715453601]

1715453601

[1715453601]

1715453601

[1715453601]

1715453601

[1715453601]

1715453601

[1715453601]

1715453601

[edd]

Hey guys.  Just wanted to say thanks for putting on the convention.  Good discussions and it was nice to put some names to faces.

Thanks for coming by Michael. Too bad you missed yesterday. It was good, too.

[edd]

The March Conference is finally over and I can confidently say that, even though I'm disappointed by the number of individuals who did not show up despite their RSVP indicating they would, in many ways, this event was a smashing success.

While it is true that the turnout was not even close to either the New York Expo or the Prague event, those who expressed their opinion to me felt it was a positive effort toward enriching Bitcoin and just about everyone volunteered to help organize and promote an event for next year if I choose to try this again.

Due to the more "intimate" nature of the group, most discussions were held on an informal basis, which is why Libcoin was the only presentation streamed and recorded. Off the top of my head, I recall some good discussions on LiteCoin, the Bitcointalk Forum and its influence on Bitcoin, an acceptable definition of Bitcoin, hawala, the upcoming drop in the Block Reward, and of course, ASICs, botnets, and The Mystery Miner.

I have quite a few goody bags left, as well. I'll be happy to send these out to anyone interested and only charge for shipping. If you would like me to include an official March 2012 Bitcoin Conference t-shirt (S, M, L, or XL), the cost will be 2 BTC plus shipping.

[michaelmclees]

In all honesty, while I am glad the event was held in San Antonio for personal reasons, next year, the effort would be better placed in Austin, only a few miles up the road.  The culture there is radically different than San Antonio, and a few well placed stickers, fliers, and phone calls would do wonders on the UT campus alone.  For something as esoteric as Bitcoin, getting even a couple people to attend has to be considered a success, but for the critical mass you're looking for, a single day event Austin is where its at.

[edd]

In all honesty, while I am glad the event was held in San Antonio for personal reasons, next year, the effort would be better placed in Austin, only a few miles up the road.  The culture there is radically different than San Antonio, and a few well placed stickers, fliers, and phone calls would do wonders on the UT campus alone.  For something as esoteric as Bitcoin, getting even a couple people to attend has to be considered a success, but for the critical mass you're looking for, a single day event Austin is where its at.

That's pretty much the same conclusion I came to. I'll be the first to admit, one of the reasons I chose San Antonio was for my own convenience since I knew I would be taking care of this singlehandedly while also juggling my job, my family, and my numerous bitcoin projects. Next year, Austin is definitely more likely to be the location over SA.

Now if only I can get a sponsor to pay for a booth at SXSW...

[Bees Brothers]

Edd,

Sorry you didn't have the turnout you anticipated, but thanks for your efforts in putting this all together.

Can someone give some highlights or summaries of the topics discussed?

[LightRider]

Any effort is better than no effort at all, and my advice is to always assume that no one is showing up, so you can be pleasantly surprised by even minor "success". Wish I could have gone, it was so close to me, but yet so very far away.

[genjix]

next year will be bigger and better for sure. up and up! gl high five at pulling it off

[cbeast]

I intended to go. I had a lame excuse and shoulda known better. Maybe next year I won't be single and will be thinking with my brain instead.

[rjk]

My RSVP still stands. I will be there. I can't wait to meet you gentlemen.

Did atlas show up like he promised to?

[edd]

My RSVP still stands. I will be there. I can't wait to meet you gentlemen.

Did atlas show up like he promised to?

No, he posted under his new alias saying he wasn't:

I made the mistake of not booking a hotel.

I wish I could go but it's difficult trying to justify a one day trip and back for my family and I. I am getting my license next week. Not the best timing. : \

Anyways, I hope all of you have a great time. I can't wait to hear (or see) what happens.

[BitPiggy]

Thanks Edd for putting on the conference!

Really enjoyed it- good chats, nice (warm) location, and definitely got some great ideas from chatting with you and the others (freemoney, libcoin, littleshop, etc).

Was also good to show of my (incomplete) BPS as well. It worked really well, and I just have to add some final touches to have a minimal-viable-product.

~Mat

[kjlimo]

Edd,

Can someone give some highlights or summaries of the topics discussed?

I think he's outlined the issues discussed here:

The March Conference is finally over and I can confidently say that, even though I'm disappointed by the number of individuals who did not show up despite their RSVP indicating they would, in many ways, this event was a smashing success.

While it is true that the turnout was not even close to either the New York Expo or the Prague event, those who expressed their opinion to me felt it was a positive effort toward enriching Bitcoin and just about everyone volunteered to help organize and promote an event for next year if I choose to try this again.

Due to the more "intimate" nature of the group, most discussions were held on an informal basis, which is why Libcoin was the only presentation streamed and recorded. Off the top of my head, I recall some good discussions on LiteCoin, the Bitcointalk Forum and its influence on Bitcoin, an acceptable definition of Bitcoin, hawala, the upcoming drop in the Block Reward, and of course, ASICs, botnets, and The Mystery Miner.

I have quite a few goody bags left, as well. I'll be happy to send these out to anyone interested and only charge for shipping. If you would like me to include an official March 2012 Bitcoin Conference t-shirt (S, M, L, or XL), the cost will be 2 BTC plus shipping.

So if I want a shirt, how much is shipping to Cleveland, Ohio?  I'll PM you my address. 

I'd say I'm interested and I'm guessing you're losing money on the shirts which is why you need to charge $10?  What does the shirt look like?  Does is have the logo in your signature Bit CON 2012 banner?  I'm a little worried about wearing a shirt that says Bit CON given the negative connotation, haha.  However, I don't have any bitcoin t-shirts yet and this could be my first.

Can you send me a BTC address to pay you for the shiping/t-shirt?  I'll see if I can help stop the bleeding on your wallet

[Matthew N. Wright]

Circle jerk is circle jerk. I don't know what this 'Con' was supposed to accomplish. I am glad everyone got to meet though, I love meeting internet people and making sure they're not robot assassins.

Next time someone in the community wants to organize some kind of conferences or conventions, stop pretending doing it alone is somehow better. The wheel already exists. Use other people in the community. Flying by on the heels of "novelty" doesn't work anymore, we've already proven that most of the these conferences and such could just be held online with a conference call streamed etc.

A+ for effort though.

F- for Atlas/Boss/Immanuel Go/Ragnar/Jon never keeping his word on anything.

[Jon]

Circle jerk is circle jerk. I don't know what this 'Con' was supposed to accomplish. I am glad everyone got to meet though, I love meeting internet people and making sure they're not robot assassins.

Next time someone in the community wants to organize some kind of conferences or conventions, stop pretending doing it alone is somehow better. The wheel already exists. Use other people in the community. Flying by on the heels of "novelty" doesn't work anymore, we've already proven that most of the these conferences and such could just be held online with a conference call streamed etc.

A+ for effort though.

F- for Atlas/Boss/Immanuel Go/Ragnar/Jon never keeping his word on anything.

If I had a car, I would of come. ;_;

I wasn't ballsy enough to take the van and cite common law as my driver's license.

[Matthew N. Wright]

If I had a car, I would of come. ;_;

I wasn't ballsy enough to take the van and cite common law as my driver's license.

Well that's a sign of the apsergers wearing off. Good on you.

You could have taken a greyhound bus though.

EDIT: For the record, the reason I didn't go is because it would have cost $1,100 to fly there from South Korea just to hang out with some dudes and discuss things that could have been discussed over a Skype group call.

For those just tuning in and thinking that starting a convention or conference is a good idea, try to remember that you need to back it off of a release party. Even the Prague conference was not a smashing hit because there was too much ranting about copyrights and not enough actual tech released there. There needs to be something interesting happening that can't be accessed elsewhere. Meeting nerds is not sufficiently interesting enough imo.

Now if Atlas and I had both gone, that's different. I'm sure plenty of people would have joined just to see us make out.

[rjk]

Now if Atlas and I had both gone, that's different. I'm sure plenty of people would have joined just to see us make out.

Damn right.

[edd]

Now if Atlas and I had both gone, that's different. I'm sure plenty of people would have joined just to see us make out.

Damn right.

I could have charged admission and made a fortune!

[cbeast]

Now if Atlas and I had both gone, that's different. I'm sure plenty of people would have joined just to see us make out.

Damn right.

I could have charged admission and made a fortune!

In San Antonio? Maybe try Pattaya next time.

[rjk]

Now if Atlas and I had both gone, that's different. I'm sure plenty of people would have joined just to see us make out.

Damn right.

I could have charged admission and made a fortune!

In San Antonio? Maybe try Pattaya next time.

Then only gay Bruce wannabees will show up.