I don't like ripple at all.. they have been increasing the price in purpose since the very beginnings.. and I keep asking myself.. what do they have? nothing have been tested yet, so I wouldn't invest in it..
Ripple is a payment system, a currency exchange and a currency (XRP) needed to lubricate the two previously mentioned functions. As an XRP is just over .03 cents (US), I am confused by your comment about them 'raising the price'. I have been testing it for weeks now. I have been using it successfully to send money all over the world, instantly in several different currencies. Ripple is still in Beta, but perhaps you are looking at the wrong site....