I admit to only peeking into this thread on occasion and I don't currently use the service. But from I've been reading, things don't look so good.
So is the general consensus that this is just a well-disguised Ponzi or other scam?
I still haven't figured out how BAN can possibly pay 112.5% PPS and giveaway S3s and continue to operate for any length of time. But the answer appears that they simply don't payout as they promise and the S3s never ship.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
You are wrong.
s0br has made every effort to make sure that the pool does not hold onto anyone's money. His original efforts had people actually complaining that they were being paid too frequently and complaining that they would rather wait until the payouts were totaling larger amounts before they were transferred. It just goes to show that you can't please everyone, no matter how hard you try. He's addressed these requests, and has made changes for pool members to decide how frequently.
It has been my experience that when you offer folks a deal that exceeds the 1:1 ratio of effort in their favor, they will find a reason to complain, hoping that they will get even more than the excess being offered. For instance, the "all you can eat buffet"; which tends to attract a certain clientele that will eat all that they can, and then make a spurious complaint, hoping to get that meal for free. Sometimes you can be too generous.
The "consensus" you've seen is one or two losers, using multiple accounts, that have nothing better to do between school classes, than harass the folks on this forum. In the MMO world, they are known as "griefers". I wouldn't put any value into their hate.
unfortunately I came to the same conclusion. I do like all the interface work and the notifications too. But having to track my work and not having the site up on numerous occasions it upsetting to me.
I get the idea that for s0ber the Pool is not his/her fulltime gig yet either.
I will continue to watch the board postings here and check the dashboard too. If it becomes stable I'll move my multi-terrahashing operation back.
This pool gets better every day. If you check the opening post in this thread, and the index page for the pool's web-site, you'll read that this is admittedly a work in progress. There was no pretense offered that it was perfect... yet.
The 12.5% bonus, and the S3 prizes, were enticements to attract a pool membership, and inspire some patience while the quirks are worked out; because he believes that one day folks will stay on this pool afterwards, knowing that in the long run, they will make money here for their efforts.
Nobody has lost any money here, and anyone that claims to has not worked with the support staff to clear it up.
Keep checking back. I think you'll be as happy with this pool as I am.