I have so much respect for the internet archive. To me the internet archive represents an entity that really understands the "Internet" and aligns closely with a lot of the ideals of free speech and information access.
Wayback machine has to be the best thing created online. Its not just about the nostalgia it about the growth and keeping all necessary information always available.
I really like how they quickly and smoothly accepted bitcoins. They truly listen and understand the Internet.
I'm more interested in mining them. Is it too late to start jumping on the BTC train ? Do you need special processors? Last I remember, you could still mine Bitcoins using GPUs.
MtGox requires a fair bit of verification, but they've also been around pretty much the longest, and have already had to deal with all the security issues that other bitcoin sites are only beginning to discover. I trust them.
(That is to say, I trust them long enough to do the exchange, and then I transfer the bitcoins to my private offline wallet as soon as possible. And you should too.)
If you want some bitcoins to play with and you are in San Francisco, then just come by the Internet Archive and use our bitcoin converter box (honor based ATM). If you are not in SF, then please set these up in hacker spaces. It is fun, and currently it is going up so it is even profitable.
If you're in US try Coinbase.com. If in Europe, you could try Bitstamp.net, but you need to set-up a SEPA account at your local bank. Then use that to buy from Bitstamp.
I wonder how much pressure IA feels to convert its donated bitcoin holdings to cash, given the run-up in exchange rates that has happened recently. Does IA prefer to support Bitcoin as if it were, as its proponents suggest, a real currency with sticking power for the long-term future? Or is there more real and permanent good to be had from converting that money to dollars to support the Archive's excellent programs today?
Clearly the latter must trump the former at some price. I think that price may be well below the $/BTC exchange rate today.
The Internet Archive is holding on to the bitcoins to keep the currency experiment going. I bought $1,000 worth of coins so I could make the bitcoin converter box at the Internet Archive and be able to give my friends 0.10 BTC when they got an address so they would ahve something to play with. the sushi place might cash in their BTC's into our converter box (honor based ATM), but maybe not. For me, the key to make a currency is to have it trade around before getting redeemed. We are in this for real.
IA is using bitcoin to support its programs, by paying its staff (in part) in bitcoin. In other words, the institution is getting the services it needs in return for bitcoin.
[+] [-] jtchang|13 years ago|reply
Plus the wayback machine is super cool!
[+] [-] vidyesh|13 years ago|reply
I really like how they quickly and smoothly accepted bitcoins. They truly listen and understand the Internet.
[+] [-] manish_gill|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] blhack|13 years ago|reply
Is bitinstant still cool?
edit1: Okay, MT Gox seems to be having some server problems, but things are going...slowly.
edit2: Mt Gox really wants my driver's license? This seems...not to be something that is a good idea. Should I really give them my driver's license?
[+] [-] rheide|13 years ago|reply
(That is to say, I trust them long enough to do the exchange, and then I transfer the bitcoins to my private offline wallet as soon as possible. And you should too.)
[+] [-] brewsterkahle|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] impostervt|13 years ago|reply
http://www.bitcoinbeginner.com
If you (or anyone else) would like a free copy of the book, email me: [email protected]
[+] [-] dmm|13 years ago|reply
MtGox will take weeks to actually get working.
[+] [-] agilebyte|13 years ago|reply
1. Go to Co-op and buy some UCash for cash 2. Exchange UCash to Bitcoins at https://btc-e.com/
[+] [-] mtgx|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] drivebyacct2|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] deepblueocean|13 years ago|reply
Clearly the latter must trump the former at some price. I think that price may be well below the $/BTC exchange rate today.
[+] [-] brewsterkahle|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] waterlesscloud|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] MacsHeadroom|13 years ago|reply
The price will be $300/BTC by next week and $3000/BTC by next year.
[+] [-] brown9-2|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] brewsterkahle|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vidyesh|13 years ago|reply
That value definitely would be calculated based on the present value.
[+] [-] eru|13 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lwat|13 years ago|reply