Solid writeup!! I think if we are intending non geeky ppl to read it we need to identify some of the terms with explanations and outside links and sources to info.. I proof read and made my comments with (** and closed my comment with **) please see below:
In 2011 the unique digital currency Devcoin was launched; an ethically inspired open source project based on the Bitcoin protocol, with the unique mission of funding open source projects created by programmers, hardware developers, writers, musicians, painters, graphic artists and filmmakers worldwide. When the market cap(**Talk about how traditional market cap is different than crypto currency and that the caps are growing fast because it is emerging market**) of Devcoin reaches a certain point, a significant reward will be offered for the development of an open source spacecraft. Devcoin is one of the longest running blockchain based digital currencies(**What does this mean? what is a blockchain digital currency??**), which means the currencys network itself is well established and has proven itself to be robust and reliable(**How? Talk about the connection between network hashrate and security of transactions ?**). The main difference between Devcoin and Bitcoin is that Devcoin is merge mined(merge-mined) with Bitcoin(**how many merge-mined coins are there? talk about piggy-backing bitcoins security with connection to information above**); Bitcoin miners can mine Devcoin and Bitcoin simultaneously, essentially earning free coins for supporting the Devcoin network.
In the last month, Devcoin has risen in value from 0.00000014 per BTC to 0.00000053 per BTC(**Maybe talk about price in mBTC not BTC, hard to read all those zero's, maybe mention what mBTC means and use it below**). Each block of DVC yields 50 000 Devcoin (**What is a block? **) so Devcoin is often traded in lots of 1 000 0000 or more: 1 000 000 DVC(**mention the mBTC thing here instead of saying 1 million dvc**) has increased in value over 300% from $145 USD to $548.90 USD(**price in mBTC?**) in the space of two weeks. Devcoins market capitalization is currently $3 239 000 USD. (**Talk about the need for crypto currencies to standardize over mBTC in the future because of the argument that the value of a bitcoin will be too high so phsycologically we will want to use mBTC instead of BTC values, maybe provide a link to the discussion somewhere on bitcointalk.org, talk about how Devcoin already solved this issue by starting off with 1000x the block size of bitcoin**)
Being an established alternative digital currency( **To bitcoin, acts more like a partner rather than a competitor **), Devcoin has a healthy and growing ecosystem with over 15 merchants and exchanges supporting DVC. Books, precious metals, jewellery, computer hardware, hard cash, press releases, writing services, lotto tickets, digital currency investments and much more can all be purchased with DVC. Online merchants worldwide can easily accept DVC as a payment method by using CoinPayments, for integrated Devcoin payment at checkout and invoicing in DVC. The popular digital currency exchange platforms Vircurex and Crypto-Trade both support Devcoin and Bitcoin trading, while Cryptsy offers a Devcoin to Litecoin currency pair.(**Talk about how earning devcoins is the only ways to work to earn crypto currencies right now, including bitcoin. Only way to acquire any kind of crypto currency without fiat is to work for Devcoins**)
At the current market cap, significant bounties payable in Devcoin are being offered for an open source aircraft (a hot air ballon which is at least 3 metres in diameter), medicine, fortified food, a boardgame, and a new open source toy. When the market capitalization of Devcoin reaches a certain point, a massive bounty will be offered for the development of an open source 1 seater spacecraft which can exit and enter the Earths atmosphere. Digital currency enthusiasts who are also passionate about easier access to space for all of humanity, can support this cause in a practical way by supporting Devcoin.
Anyone worldwide who wants to work and produce open source material can earn Devcoins: writers can sign up to Devtome(****), Devcoins open source wiki and be paid in DVC for their work. Devcoin is also currently reaching out to open source developers in IT, engineering, arts, sciences and humanities who wish to receive Devcoins for their work. Anyone, anywhere can apply for funding by joining the bitcointalk forums(**Online chat forum bitcointalk.org **) or contacting
projects@devcoin.org(**through e-mail**). Devcoin ensures that no one on the planet who wants to work needs be completely out of money: anyone who does good work will get some Devcoins. In this way Devcoin levels the playing field for anyone worldwide to earn digital currency and participate in this erupting space.
With its unique paradigm changing mission, its network integrity through being one of the first and most established Bitcoin alternatives, and its recent 300% value increase: Devcoin is a wise choice for investors, enthusiasts, open source developers and visionaries worldwide looking to engage with the explosive digital currency space(**add something about how they can be early adopters**). As the emerging digital currency industry continues to experience a break out, Devcoin is better positioned than ever to begin delivering in an even bigger way on its unique and world-changing mission.
For the technically minded here are the Devcoin (DVC) protocol details:
Similar to Bitcoin, Devcoin uses the SHA-256 cryptographic algorithm
10 minutes block target.
50 000 DVC per block reward, to ensure there is no deflation this block reward never decreases. 5000 DVC goes to miners (who can merge mine DVC for free when they are mining Bitcoin), and 45 000 DVC goes to the open source developers and projects on the receiver files.
(**Network strength coming from thousands of specialized asic hardware distributed through the world, puts it in a positon of being one of the strongest and most secure crypto-currencies next to bitcoin)..this might make them think this is the next best thing!**
Thank you for the suggestions.
Obviously one needs to strike a balance between conveying information - but not going too in depth as Press Releases should not be too long and contain too much new information at once! Thanks again for the suggestions though.
Some of these points can definitely be emphasized in future releases - please PM me the above and any other suggestions you may have