How about getting it working first? Like a client that doesn't take a day or three to download the whole block chain. Isn't there a client coming that doesn't need to download the entire block chain? I'm in no position to demand it, and I don't need it personally, but for someone new it can be offputting. Sure they can see their transaction in block explorer, but. . . .
There is a huge amount of missing infrastructure, like merchant software etc etc etc.
I think it is very premature to try and promote heavily without more of the basic building blocks available to the average end-user or the average merchant. Sure some nerds and geeks can figure it out eventually, but so what?
Bingo. Premature promotion is exactly why bitcoin is in the negative position it's in right now in terms of both public opinion and exchange rate. It wasn't ready for all the attention it got and a lot of that attention was generated by bitcoin promoters mouthing off about how fantastic it is ("up, up, up", etc.).
Really, with all the focus on media attention it seems like people are only interested in having yet another pump and dump, after the Bitcoin conference (announcements that will change the Bitcoin world!!!!!!!!) turned out to be a failure in this regard. I hope those people will finally jump off at some point
Im disappointed with the way things went ever since Bitcoin has gone parabolic, as it will take Bitcoin a very long time to recover any legitimacy in the eyes of the public, if it ever happens. This community certainly doesnt help it.