Quote from: stuhlman on January 25, 2014, 11:13:31 PM

There is a serious issue her nobody is talking about, my understanding is Ether is an open source project just like bitcoin, with added programming language. But being open source what's to stop anyone from creating a clone that sells contracts for less, lets say a wookiedoo-for-less? Obviously the problem of fixed rates was not addressed, and why another group of devs who won't charge 30000 bitcoins two months from now and release an alt client that will do the same thing and give miners more thus have a much better chain with the ability to execute contracts at a much lower price allowing a faster adoption... My point by example.. Apple had an operating system better than windows at the early start, bad management and greed at Apple lead everyone to Microsoft's hands...

So If wookiedoo-for-less comes along what to stop people from deserting leaving Ether investors at a huge loss? and don't tell me the people behind it, we are talking 30000 bitcoins here not 50

Another concern is all the ideas that are mentioned are not completely original, it's been mentioned in bits and pieces here on these forums, actually smart contracts are currently being implemented elsewhere, so you want people to invest for two months on "whitepaper" without a client or a chain. I have seen this whitepaper change three times already within a week, dagger in dagger out, pow or pos, ether or wookiedoo, founders known/unknown, that is not transparency, that looks like a last minute rush to squeeze as much btc out as possible. I seen people post here, and on redit, in favor of Ether, that's wonderful, I like the project too, but after following up on the people posting in favor most are related to this project somehow. Let's take a look at this guy who wrote an open letter to the foundation about having concerns on the IPO, he is a promoter, yes that's his job, actually his website turned out to be a promotion for Ether, although he attempted to look like a concerned outsider, he is obviously not. When his suggestions were answered the next day, he was happy and these wonderful people answered his concerns, so now it's a great time to invest. However, people did not like the price increase, and all the changes were scrapped. So he comes here with his 2 posts account, and still promotes, no mention about concerns anymore. So when people ask for transparency Do not tell them to F#$# off. You have a great project here, but, your promotion is shameless, throwing in the word genius left and right does not make an investor feel any better, and certainly is not enough for people to throw in the money.

I thought the same thing. If I was a developer, I would clone the source and ask for donations afterward or set up a fee structure that pays me. No pre-mine. No crowd funding. Put up my own sweat and cash and then try and get paid. Not vice versa.

Yes all the ideas have been thrown around. Bitshares is a prime source of inspiration as the former CEO of the co. creating Bitshares was fired and is now working with this team.