Quote from: sorry2xs on March 13, 2016, 03:36:40 PM

Quote from: nhando on March 13, 2016, 03:06:14 PM

Quote from: Newko on March 13, 2016, 01:56:28 PM

BTW, I can't help but notice that this whole "home/hobby miner" and the "small business miner" industry reminds of of the earlier days of Internet providers. Back in 1999 I became interested in Bulletin Board Systems (AOL being the largest commercial one at the time) and there were lots a small BBS systems that guys were running out of their homes and making a few bucks. So I bought some equipment and software and started my own local BBS with local content, etc. it quickly became clear that I had to offer Internet access too. So I brought in a fractional T1 from a whole Internet provider and a fiber optic line from Verizon, started selling unlimited internet for $14.95 month. This was before cable modems, satellite,etc. I was using 28.8 modems and the new "fast" 56kb modems cam out, so I upgraded my equipment and kept going. I built the business to about 200 customers and was starting to turn a small monthly profit, but illness in the family forced me to shut everything down (sent my customers to another local provider - didn't even have time to sell). well in retrospect, there is no way I could stayed in business anyway, because once cable and other high speed internet came along, all the small guys went out of business - they just couldn't compete with the big guys.

This is what I'm seeing in btc mining. Big guys with millions of $$ are squeezing out the small guys. Who can compete with the likes of a BitFury data center? I hope I'm wrong, because the small guys are what keep the network healthy and widely distributed.

I apolgize if this is off topic or wrong forum for this discussion, but I just wanted to share that experience with the group.

Ok, back to cracking that stubborn block!

This is not a long term game as all the vendors selling you stuff are also mining which means they're also your biggest competitors. Do you really think they will give you the best stuff right away if they can also make money mining at lower difficulties first?
It's like the GOLD rush, hit it fast but don't expect it to last forever. Whether you're doing this as a hobby or for fun, invest only what you can afford to lose.

you couldn't have phrased better

Point taken - but of course I've always known that it's sorta like gambling, which is why I only use my "play money". That said, it would be nice to make $75 or 100 per month for a year. Those who got into the game early have had a chance at a longer run. No regrets - it's fun!