Questions:
1. When and why did you become interested in cryptocurrencies?
Around 2011 I was a member of Anandtech and read some posts about making real money (well fiat but I didnt know the difference at the time) using GPUs. As I was already doing stuff like SETI and Folding@Home I was immediately interested in the tech. I had a couple gaming rigs that sat idle so did the folding thing when not playing (marriage has a habit of cutting into gaming so they sat idle as far as games so they spent a lot of time on those projects). It was only much later when I understood (more or less) the whitepaper and the elegance and simplicity of what Satoshi had created.
2. When and why did you buy your first bitcoin?
Not for years after I discovered btc. I mined early on in 2011. To test the system I used my ATI HD4850 to mine, then sent to mtgox, then to dwolla, and then to money in the bank. It was a total game changer.. it actually worked! Money from GPUs (and electricity of course). I took a while to figure out pools, workers, the core wallet and such but I stuck at it after a few false starts. Once I proved this worked (to my wife mainly heh) I picked up a few more GPUs (mainly HD58xx and 68xx GPUs).
Around 2013 I joined coinbase (mainly to sell) but I did buy a bit. So mostly all my coins came from mining.
3. How did you get on the forum?
I just entered bitcoin forum into a search engine. Back then (2011) about the only hit was bitcointalk.
4.1. When did you start mining? Is this a hobby or your main job?
2011. Mainly as an experiment (the Grand Experiment) and as a hobby to subsidize my gaming rigs. A few years later as the price started to rise it was more as a source of income but it was never a business to me. I didnt have to infrastructure for real mining as a job. And a job.. eeeww. I had enough of jobs, hobbys are my thing, not working.. although work is work. I believe in supporting my family no matter what the job. Shoveling shit, medical, whatever. I do not like handouts. And I never will look down on anyone who works for a living, no matter what the job.
4.2. What is the power consumption of all your devices? How much does 1 kilowatt of electricity cost?
Its varied. I once had maybe 1800 watts of gear at maybe .12 cents USD at one time (its varied considerable over the years) but I never really kept track. It was part of the hobby and all hobbys cost money. Thats my view anyway and mining was a lot cheaper (and safer!) than many of my other hobbies.
4.3. What is better for mining: ASICs, video cards, FPGA?
Right now? Mainly FPGAs and a few GPUs for when a new coin come up and an algorithm can make use of them.
4.4. How do you think mass advertising of gambling projects has a positive effect on the development of the forum or harms the community?
Im not a gambler. But there is a substantial draw so I suppose its a good thing.
5. What do you think of the current Merit system and signature campaigns? Do they harm the forum?
I think its a good thing (full disclosure: im a merit source). It certainly got rid of a lot of farmed accounts and shit posts. Although Im sure theres some abuse of that just like anything else.
6. The most useful forum topic? Most helpful users?
In the beginning I learned the most from the mining topics. Later the technical topics. And the Wall Observer thread is an invaluable source of the pulse as to where btc is going (although its an acquired taste, and bring eye bleach). As for users? Too many to count and im afraid i would leave someone out.
7. 3 things you would implement on the forum?
Bring back that glowing ignore icon. That's about it.
8. Do you trade on exchanges or invest in projects?
I traded for about a year. And while I didnt lose my shirt I lost enough to convince me Im not a trader.
9. Tell a story about your big profit or big loss?
Profit? Hodling btc of course. Losing? The etherum DAO. And losing via trading but that wasnt too bad as far as a loss. I got out soon as I realized I sucked at it.
10. What do you think about the DEFI ecosystem?
Never heard of it aside from its being mentioned in this thread. Not interest in it at this time.
11. Is your anonymity a vital necessity or precaution?
At 1st, back when corn was only a few bucks it wasnt a real concern. Now? Its more important. But Im not super paranoid.
12. The last cryptocurrency book you read?
Dont recall, Ive read a few. None really stand out at this time. My suggestion is read as many as you can.
13. Advise 3 cryptocurrencies/tokens for investment in the next 1-2 years?
Bitcoin. Full stop.
14. How much will Bitcoin cost at the end of 2020?
Just pulling a figure out of my *cough*, Id say 15k
15. P.S. (Optional)
Stay frosty my friends. Bitcoin is the wildest ride ever. Dont miss out on it.