I wanted to do a comparison between DRK and XC, and I invite input from anyone.
It seems that DRK has an advantage in that it preceded XC and gained a significant following before XC appeared. However after that I'm not sure how it is better.
1. DRK relies on Masternodes. With XC each wallet can act as a node. Better for XC?
DRK "relies" on masternodes, XC "relies" on xnodes... Branding differences. Given that most people open their wallet to transact and then close it, or have their PC off, dedicated hardware is better for network reliability. However there is nothing preventing one from running a masternode on their laptop.
2. DRK has a mixer (coinjoin) XC has a mixer that is also encrypted? Better for XC?
DRK has encrypted transactions as a planned feature since January.
3. Both coins have talented developers, but XC 's developer has important business experience too, which may help in gaining widespread adoption...?
Adoption for cryptocurrencies in general is problematic. It will take years - and I'm not talking about 2-3-5-10 merchants accepting DRK or XC. We are talking about tens of thousands of merchants doing so. The attention span of most people in cryptoland is too short for waiting so long.
4. It is claimed that XC is building an entire platform ? Is DRK doing this or seeing it as important?
The potential to provide network services that are paid for them, is a DRK concept. The difference being that XC is a PoS coin and as such cannot pay with block generation, so it'll have to do it with fees.
5. The name Darkcoin is very different in it's connotations to XC 11 coin. Will Darkcoins name possibly impede it's progress?
People said that since the beginning... It's working great so far and the global media love it for portraying it as the darker brother of bitcoin or something. I think the name is a definite hit.
6. DRK presently trades much bigger volume and is on at least one bigger important exchange
7. XC is a lot cheaper.
Tends to happen with all market leaders.