Quote from: bitcoinanon on August 13, 2014, 12:59:30 AM

... It is sad that so many are quick to judge based on charts and forum posts. Is it really appropriate to call other crypto-currencies scams when are current economic system is already scamming us? I would take any crypto-coin in the #20 spots on coinmarketcap.com over fiat.
...

Many alt-coins do appear to be scams. Somebody was good enough to Write up a guide for spotting them.
Edit2: A guide investigating Insta-mines.

I have been told the the innovative cryptonote-based bytecoin appears to be a scam (80% pre-mine with false history of "stealth mining"). I hope to investigate how true that allegation is when I have time because I like the innovation. (Ring signatures being used to provide privacy.)

Edit: I should add that Bitcoin is still an experiment. Major changes to the protocol may invalidate any experimental results. One question Bitcoin should answer within the next 15 years is: "Is it possible to have a secure networked application?"