'Do you think mass acceptance of another coin, such as DNotes, is in any way dependent on mass acceptance of Bitcoin? Or could it happen independently?'
May I say 'both'? Bitcoin is 'running block' for us, Wiser: first-to-market. Once an individual, though, has some competency with Bitcoin, they may well consider other cryptos, and choose one of those.
And here is where I put in a plug for IndiaMikeZulu's model, P2P-friendly: if you set someone up with Not-Bitcoin as their first crypto, you then have a fine chance that they will both stick with that coin, and become part of its P2P/merchant network.
Have you noticed my constant interest in the altcoin-cap-to-Bitcoin-cap ratio? Your question is why I watch it. And just a couple of days ago, there were four cryptos running multi-mil-$ trading-volumes!
Mark (IndiaMikeZulu), Australia
I've thought of this as a signifigant advantage for us at DNotes (and any other well managed altcoins). With Bitcoin to take the initial mainstream media firestorm for being different, DNotes can swoop in for the kill when the media is all tuckered out and loses the will to fight.