Actually as a currency Nxt can and should be compared to other alts. Absolutely. POS vs. POW.
It is a poor comparison - if you want to compare NXT to something then I think XRP is a much closer one.
I agree NXT functions like XRP, but it is also a better store of value because of its lower circulation and the control it gives you over the network.
Just because NXT "could" function like XRP on Nxt, doesn't mean it will only function as such. Ripple has no one promoting it as a currency. Nxt has hundreds who already do. This isn't going to change anytime soon.
No one is saying it will only function like XRP. It is a multi-functional currency.
The developers belief in what Nxt will be is of little concern to me. What concerns me is the complete disregard for contingency planning for the real possibility of a sudden and steep price increase. In BTC and Ripple the fee is small enough that the rise would have to be enormous for it to have a negative affect. A .01 Nxt fee and 1000 Nxt asset fee are simply too high to not quickly have a negative affect with only modest price increases. If it hits a certain level, the market will cease to a halt as people stop trading and transacting and the price would sink back down again. Like I said it's almost a designed price control built right into the system.
I am kicking myself for not realizing all of this when the price was up.
Fees will be scaled to maximize tx, but avoid spam. This means whatever maximizes forging revenues is probably close to the right min tx fee. Elasticity of demand means lower tx fee will boost overall revenues,to a point. In order not to overshoot, we are starting with 0.1 and see what happens.
However, I have many needs for services that would really like to issue an AM per block. at 0.1 that is 100NXT per day 3000 NXT per month, on the high side and costs would need to be covered by passing them onto customers, so probably cant do the everyblock publishing until fees are 0.01
BEFORE anything can be done about tx fees, NXToshis needs to be implemented. This is highest priority now.
As far as asset fees goes, 1000 NXT is high enough to prevent mindless squatting. Wont stop people from doing it, but I will be proposing a complete solution to the Asset Naming issue soon
James