Not long after the white paper, I was a linux newbie and built and installed the software for bitcoin and began running it on my cpu. I actually hit a block. I thought that was amusing, but worthless and promptly deleted the software and wallet from my tiny drive so I could keep playing with things that interested me more. I wish I still had those 50 coins.

Bitcoin hit 8000. I decided to try it again.  I purchased a couple of gekko 2pacs and started running them. (I still am).  I found slush, and enjoyed watching my 0.00000012 btc per day accumulate. I purchased some ancient hardware and added it. (2 S4's) Enough to give me a payout and on good days break even. I added an S7 which does the same thing. At times of good luck I make a tiny profit. With bad luck I dont.  That is fine. I consider it to be tuition, and tuition is never free. Right now, It seems that S9's are at the limit of profitability for the same reasons; ie: rising difficulty. I am holding off on buying anything more until I see something that has the potential to improve the odds of profitability. The exception to that is I am purchasing some of sidehacks pod miners to fill a sipolar usb hub, and help support his efforts.

Moving to kano was difficult. I had read about how great it was, but had become addicted to hitting 20 blocks a day. And even if my payout from each block was pitifully small, I could watch it grow as I checked on it 30 times a day.  I finally made the move to kano, hit a block the next day and was depressed by the incredibly small payout. I had to then figure out just what the payout plan was, and why it was so low. I moved back to slush and began reading this forum. After finishing the first and last 100 pages, I decided I had my answer and moved back. Just in time for the +500% block. Ouch. Still, I see the big players have not wavered from running their gear here, so it adds confidence.
I am now at a little over 30% ramp up. Ouch again. But it is improving minute by minute. (A note of what the red line indicates on the shift graph page would be so helpful)

All in all, I am glad to be mining here. I just wish that stupid red line would hurry up and get to the top.