For those leaving, think about this one simple fact: Legit users returns ARE reduced by pool hoppers. MY RETURNS are increased because of the speed fluctuations pool hoppers bring at the start of each round. I just reduced my income to help legit users.
Well, Tycho also gives advice that (in theory) will reduce his income. That's part of the "civic" aspect of being the dude at the top of the #1 or #2 pool. You know better than anyone of us how many thousands of hours you have worked to get this pool up, right? Aren't you making out with some nice coin, Eleuthria?
If 580 BTC over the course of two months and a week is nice coin, then yes. As of right now my earnings after expenses are significantly less than minimum wage, but the consolidation of servers into significantly more powerful loadbalanced multi-servers will hopefully at least make it worth my time.
hmm - jeez i think my earnings after expenses aren't that great either. keeping track of pool's up and downs is certainly one of my expenses (as is true for most people here)