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Ask Slashdot: Would You Accept 'Bitcoin-Ware' Apps?

Posted by timothy on from the better-than-nagware dept.

After the E-Sports Entertainment Association admitted to sneaking Bitcoin-mining code into its client software, an anonymous reader writes "I thought that could have been a pretty clever idea, if it was made clear to the users that they could get the app and run it for free as long as, let's say, they accept that it would be run for Bitcoin mining for five hours a week, when their computer is idle. That could make a lot of profit for the developers if their app is truly successful, and without the users having to pay much (only a limited number of hours per week, and if the user is no longer running the app then it won't try to mine anymore). What do you think about this?"

5 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. Only if the source code is included by kthreadd · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So that I can remove the Bitcoin bits.

  2. So It's An Indirect Intangible Gamble? by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So basically you're proposing a move from just give me a little cash upfront to let me leech off your electricity bill in a ridiculously circuitous way to gamble for BTC (keeping in mind that the more people that adopt your model of "BitCoin-Ware" the more people will be vying for BTC the less your expected value will return)?

    An interesting idea and definitely one for the mathematicians but simply unsustainable and risky and ... I guess deceptive if you don't point out the small cost to their electrical bill ...

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:So It's An Indirect Intangible Gamble? by rastilin · · Score: 4, Insightful

      And yet, I much prefer this method to having to watch ads, so long as the thread's priority isn't so high that it interferes with the running of the machine.

      --
      How do you kill that which has no life?
  3. Why play games? by default+luser · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And yet, I much prefer this method to having to watch ads, so long as the thread's priority isn't so high that it interferes with the running of the machine.

    If you're going to drop cash, why do it indirectly through your electric bill? Just drop the app a buck or two!

    --

    Man is the animal that laughs.
    And occasionally whores for Karma.

    1. Re:Why play games? by schizz69 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Because this way kids can get paid for apps with out having to steal their parents credit cards, they just make them pay indirectly through their power bills. Genius!.