I like the idea of mining BTC, am currently using 1 x 6970 @ 400MH, not profitable, so discontinuing GPU mining & will be researching the FPGA options.  However using exchanges to just buy  BTC seems to me like the best overall option.  Just buying BTC is approx 1/2 the cost to me of mining with 1 x 6970!   Buying from an exchange is cheaper for me than even using 3 x Radeons for mining (assuming approx 400MH per card).

When mining starts to pay 25 BTC/block, then I don't see the point of any mining, and BTC payment has a long way to decrease from 25 BTC/block!
Why bother mining for 1/2 (and then less & less later on) the previous reward?   Just buy the  BTC!!

..... unless BTC _really_ jumps in price & mining using the expensive FPGA options actually becomes more economic than buying using fiat money.

Anyone's comments on the economies of mining for 25 or less BTC/block??