What is the way forward for bitcoin?

[GideonGono]

It sure feels like bitcoin has stagnated in terms of growth of user base. Is there anything that is being worked on that could boost usage in the near future?

[1715433996]

1715433996

[Litt]

A better question imo would be "what am I doing to help boost bitcoin usage in the future?" We don't all have to sit around and wait for someone else to make a bitcoin mobile client to help boost the number of bitcoin users. It could be something as simple as posting some premade posters that are readily available or talking bitcoin with your buddies. No reason to think that only some type of breakthrough project is the only way to boost bitcoin usage.

I rather keep it simple and say if everyone can get one person to understand the possibilities of bitcoin, we can easily double the user base. The problem is that even the people who once had positive outlook on bitcoin have lost confidence in bitcoin simply because it's recent decline in price.  In reality, not much has changed but the amount speculative investment that have come and gone leaving a bubble behind.

Now is truly the perfect time for the people to get involved at whatever level they can and contribute if you really want to see bitcoin succeed in the future. So get Tweeting, blogging, and talking bitcoin with the people in your life and spread the word.





 

[bulanula]

I think more speculation is the way to go.

$100 by Christmas anyone ? It still is possible. Buy now !!!

[GoWest]

It sure feels like bitcoin has stagnated in terms of growth of user base. Is there anything that is being worked on that could boost usage in the near future?

I agree.  That's the reason why Josh Strike and I developed bitcoinsforchristmas.com; to help get the message out and proliferate Bitcoin. 

What Bitcoin needs are more applications that benefit users.  Someone will only buy Bitcoins if there is an advantage in doing so.  At the moment, there is very little reason to close a PayPal account and switch to Bitcoin.  There are only a few sites I can name that people are going to want to buy Bitcoins to use.  Ogrr.com is one.  Finally, if you're into the virtual goods thing, you can do business on a site that doesn't restrict you from withdrawing your money.  Bitcoin Torrentz might be another.  The guy who acts as a middleman for porn sites would be a third.  StrikeSapphire would be a fourth because he offers games you can't find anywhere else.

I am aware of other sites in the pipeline that will also motivate adoption of Bitcoin; they're just not ready to be launched yet.

[Gabi]

A decent client would help. The current one SUCKS

[jim618]

Gabi < I know I am plugging my own code, but have a look at the most recent MultiBit download for an easy to use client.

I have been trying quite hard to make it approachable and straightforward to use.   Its overall goal to make it easy for new people to see the benefits of bitcoin.

http://multibit.org

There is still quite a lot to do on it (most notably encryption) but try it out to see if you like it.

[bulanula]

Gabi < I know I am plugging my own code, but have a look at the most recent MultiBit download for an easy to use client.

I have been trying quite hard to make it approachable and straightforward to use.   Its overall goal to make it easy for new people to see the benefits of bitcoin.

http://multibit.org

There is still quite a lot to do on it (most notably encryption) but try it out to see if you like it.

Can I send without compulsory TX fee ? If not, then it is fail.

[bitlotto]

I think things will REALLY take off once Bitcoin becomes a popular method for in game payments of virtual goods.

[Tuxavant]

It sure feels like bitcoin has stagnated in terms of growth of user base. Is there anything that is being worked on that could boost usage in the near future?

Here are some ideas for individuals to do to help promote Bitcoin:

http://BitcoinIntro.com/help-promote-bitcoin/

[jim618]

RE: compulsory tx fee in MultiBit.

There is a minimum of 0.0001 BTC (the same as the Satoshi client 0.4) yes.

Of course it is open source so you can change it if you really want to.
(org.multibit.model.MultiBitModel.SEND_MINIMUM_FEE)

[ElectricMucus]

Ask yourself what bitcoin can do for you not what you can do for bitcoin.


It's just a system, It hasn't any desires, emotions... Be sure what you want, what are your dreams - would you like to archive something? If not, get out it's as simple as that.

Promoting bitcoin is stupid, it only attracts the wrong people. New suckers if you will...
I ask you: Are you a sucker???

[klaus]

I think more speculation is the way to go.
$100 by Christmas anyone ? It still is possible. Buy now !!!

Can I send without compulsory TX fee ? If not, then it is fail.

you speculate with bitcoin but you're to stingy for a 0.000xx fee?

LOL.

Do you really think this spirit brings bitcoin forward?

I think this is really not your thread - or your just the usual Troll.

[adamstgBit]

A fun activity that will help bitcoin succeed is to help build trust!

at http://www.thebitcoinreview.com/ it is are goal to help build trust for bitcoin businesses

come a look though the 750 bitcoin business listed

when you see a bitcoin  business that looks good give them a +1 as a comment, or write a review.

If you have had a bad experience with a bitcoin business it is very important to let everyone know, so go write a bad review.
If you know a bitcoin business that is not legit or is no longer operating, report them @ http://www.thebitcoinreview.com/

click on to report a site

click on to list the site as a Hidden Gem

[bulanula]

I think more speculation is the way to go.
$100 by Christmas anyone ? It still is possible. Buy now !!!

Can I send without compulsory TX fee ? If not, then it is fail.

you speculate with bitcoin but you're to stingy for a 0.000xx fee?

LOL.

Do you really think this spirit brings bitcoin forward?

I think this is really not your thread - or your just the usual Troll.

Yes I am damn stingy for a fee because the miners DO NOT NEED IT right now due to the massive 50 BTC block reward and also only pool OP gets the fee normally and if it is not compulsory in the damn protocol / network why make it compulsory in the damn client ? Will get my own damn client without any damn TX fees. Scammers !

[Litt]

Ask yourself what bitcoin can do for you not what you can do for bitcoin.


It's just a system, It hasn't any desires, emotions... Be sure what you want, what are your dreams - would you like to archive something? If not, get out it's as simple as that.

Promoting bitcoin is stupid, it only attracts the wrong people. New suckers if you will...
I ask you: Are you a sucker???

I think it's just the opposite. The innovators and businesses still need to know and understand what bitcoin is first before they decide to embrace it or not.

Promoting bitcoin will attract all kinds of people. There is no right or wrong kinds. If people see bitcoin for what it is and create new type of service or use it to send money overseas, so be it. If they see speculative value in bitcoin then so be it.

Regardless what type of people bitcoin attract isn't as important as simply having more people know that something like bitcoin exists at all. Let them decide what bitcoin can do for them.
I simply see value in the idea of bitcoin and think it's an idea worth sharing with others. 

[ElectricMucus]

I think it's just the opposite. The innovators and businesses still need to know and understand what bitcoin is first before they decide to embrace it or not.

Promoting bitcoin will attract all kinds of people. There is no right or wrong kinds. If people see bitcoin for what it is and create new type of service or use it to send money overseas, so be it. If they see speculative value in bitcoin then so be it.

Regardless what type of people bitcoin attract isn't as important as simply having more people know that something like bitcoin exists at all. Let them decide what bitcoin can do for them.
I simply see value in the idea of bitcoin and think it's an idea worth sharing with others.  

That is a naive attitude imo.

Consider the home computer revolution of the 80s: What would have happened if people would have been starting to buy up microchips and store them in a safe instead of buying computers and writing software.

Granted, the relation between moores law and the plank length wasn't widely known back then and the actual distribution of processing power is a little differnt. (Or maybe not since in the long run transaction fees could surpass block rewards profits by magnitudes)

What would have happened in that scenario?

I think we wouldn't be using this forum right now if it were.

[ThomasV]

A decent client would help. The current one SUCKS

try this: http://ecdsa.org/electrum/
PS: and yes, it allows you to set the fee to zero.

[Bimmerhead]

I think things will REALLY take off once Bitcoin becomes a popular method for in game payments of virtual goods.

+1
I agree this is an ideal use of bitcoin.  In this scenario the users don't even need to know or care anything about bitcoin.  Just the fact that the game owner sees it as a way to monetize his application is enough.

When we had a couple apps on Facebook, we struggled to find a way to properly price our virtual goods in a way that enhanced gameplay.  We had to be careful not to over-issue or under-issue our in-game currency.  Using an outside currency would have solved that, and bitcoin has the added benefit of being suitable for online use.


Implementation in just one big Facebook game would really propel bitcoin forward.  At least in terms of its USD value.  

[Litt]

I think it's just the opposite. The innovators and businesses still need to know and understand what bitcoin is first before they decide to embrace it or not.

Promoting bitcoin will attract all kinds of people. There is no right or wrong kinds. If people see bitcoin for what it is and create new type of service or use it to send money overseas, so be it. If they see speculative value in bitcoin then so be it.

Regardless what type of people bitcoin attract isn't as important as simply having more people know that something like bitcoin exists at all. Let them decide what bitcoin can do for them.
I simply see value in the idea of bitcoin and think it's an idea worth sharing with others.  

That is a naive attitude imo.

Consider the home computer revolution of the 80s: What would have happened if people would have been starting to buy up microchips and store them in a safe instead of buying computers and writing software.

Granted, the relation between moores law and the plank length wasn't widely known back then and the actual distribution of processing power is a little differnt. (Or maybe not since in the long run transaction fees could surpass block rewards profits by magnitudes)

What would have happened in that scenario?

I think we wouldn't be using this forum right now if it were.

You are still not getting it... Who said anything about buying bitcoin and hoarding?

More people that know that something like bitcoin exist and understand it's advantages, more people that will use the idea to innovate and create new business or apply it's uses in their current ventures. Some may choose to speculate, sure. Some may even be a hoarder for the long haul, if they choose. But the fact remains. People need to know about bitcoin's existence first.

[ElectricMucus]

No U.

but whatever, I'll laugh all the way to the bank once the thing I told you would happen becomes apparant. 
I'm out of TT