First off, this post brought me
back, I haven't seen some of those usernames in
ages. I forgot how intelligent people within this community are. Eloquent posts like this that demonstrate knowledge and compassion, but don't 'beat around the bush' are a key aspect of my acceptance of - and continued investment in - this technology.
2.3. You read, on this forum, and you discuss with the market participants. You get your pecking order straight. Who are the movers and shakers? Whose word is worth 10k Bitcoins no questions asked and from whom? Why? You get the history straight. Who were the scammers, historically? How did they do it ? What are the patterns? How did the people who matter react, and why? What does that say about them, how does that color their relationships among each other?
If you don't have the list and don't comprehend how the interactions work, if you look at DeathandTaxes and have no fucking idea who he is, if you think we're buddies cause I mention him by name and so forth you're not done with this. Must lurk moar.
2.4. You ask questions. Only on step 2.4 do you ask questions, by the time you're here you have already done a lot of work! You have sunk into this upwards of a hundred hours of your spare time, whether you like it or not, you've filled half a notebook with dumbass scribblings, you have fucking hand-drawn maps hanging from your bedroom wall. This level of intensity is not an upper bound to aspire to, but a minimum requirement.
Your questions will get a lot of stupid answers but also a complete set of correct answers. Pick the set, disregard the rest, you're on your way.
This is where I am at the moment... All except being in the 'Web of Trust' (WoT). I had
never heard of this before... reading the above post that qweedo linked lead me down a path last night that excited and scared me... GPG key id's??? What the hell are those? Going on IRC... ?? I have avoided IRC - successfully - for two decades! Forums have provided me all the info I've ever needed.
Forget that... I need to challenge myself - I
believe know I'm capable. So in I went... but I'm still working on it.
Is it important? Maybe... maybe not. It did force me to dive back into learning the true capabilities of crypto-currencies.
Starting with... IRC. Don't I wish I had learned this protocol back in the day...
If anybody can provide me a good (preferably great) n00bs guide to IRC, I would greatly appreciate it.
- is it dangerous to post a 'brick and mortar' address, phone number, or my real name (even in a pm?)?
No, unless you plan on being distrustful.
This is the same answer I got on #bitcoin-otc last night... I guess I've been worried for nothing. Until scammers and script-kiddies start soliciting in-person I guess I have
nothing little to worry about.
The post below was a reply to MPOE-PR's topic (gweedo's link above) and provided a good deal of insight... (I still am not giving up on the GPG or WoT... just figure I fully understand IRC first.)
I agree with the majority of the statements laid out here, though I do have just a bit to add.
To me, the most meaningful aspect in a business venture is transparency. Having a WOT account doesn't cut it. If you want me to invest in you, I want to know every detail about yourself and your business. In WOT, JohnDoe99 could have a 500+ rating from all his micro-transactions and other trades...but he may really suck at running a business. If that happens and his business goes sour, I want to know who I invested in to get my money back (if possible).
I understand the whole "anonymity" aspect with Bitcoin, and I don't have a problem with it when it comes to the general public. But if you're looking to raise money for a business or other project, I want to know who you are. To me, resistance in this area means you've got something to hide. It doesn't matter if I'm looking to invest 1 BTC or 500 BTCs... just as I am in real life, I don't invest in something I don't know. Anyone who has read through my Fund info knows I'm all about detail.
That said, I generally still agree with everything else noted in the intro. Get to the know the community...make meaningful posts...show people you're not some dumbass troll. If you make valid, well thought-out, arguments, meaningful posts, and you post elsewhere on the forums besides the 'Securities' section, then that indicates to me that you're invested and interested in this community.
Thank you all for your responses, please add anything/everything you would like to share...
As far as paypal goes... we'll see. But, I'm in BTC to support bleeding-edge, p2p distributed crypto currency, not legacy, centrally-controlled military-backed debt-based fiat.
Do I want to make 'money'... yeah. So, again... we'll see. ;p
*edit: removed embarrassing language
