https://the-looser-it-s-me.net Superblogging Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:18:39 -0400 en https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-obama-sees-china-as-a-partner-in-mars-mission https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-obama-sees-china-as-a-partner-in-mars-mission Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:18:39 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-headlines-obama-sees-china-as-a-partner-in-mars-mission "(What) the president has deemed worth discussing with the Chinese and others is that when the time comes for humans to visit Mars, it's going to be an extremely expensive proposition and the question is whether it will really make sense - at the time that we're ready to do that - to do it as one nation rather than to do it in concert,” Holdren said in response to a question from Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., a staunch China critic who chairs the powerful subcommittee that oversees NASA spending.


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-world-headlines https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-world-headlines Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:47:23 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-world-headlines Hypo Venture Capital Zurich Headlines: Google+ Pulls In 20 Million in 3 Weeks

When Google Inc. launched its Google+ social-networking site three weeks ago, executives handed out sailor hats to the hundreds of employees working on the project, symbolizing their year-long journey to that point.

So far, the sailing has been mostly smooth. On Wednesday, Web-traffic watcher comScore Inc. estimated Google+ has had 20 million unique visitors since its launch, including five million visitors from the U.S. A Google spokeswoman declined comment.


Google's rapid growth spurt on Google+ suggests that people are hungry for more social network options, WSJ's Jen Valentino-DeVries reports.

ComScore, whose estimates are based on a "global measurement panel” of two million Internet users, similar to the approach Nielsen uses to measure television ratings,doesn't have data on the number of minutes people spent on Google+.

Still, the growth of Google+ has impressed observers because access to it is by invitation only, meaning people can join only if a current member invites them. And the company hasn't yet marketed the service to the more than one billion monthly visitors who use its search engine, Gmail and other services.

Google+ lets people share comments, articles, photos and videos with various "circles” of friends or contacts, or they can share content publicly with any userwho wants to view their posts. Eventually, Google plans to incorporate features of Google+ in its other services, such as its YouTube video site.

"I've never seen anything grow this quickly,” said Andrew Lipsman, vice president of industry analysis at comScore. The only other site that has accumulated as many new visitors in a short period of time is Twitter in 2009, he said, "but that happened over several months.”

The new data follow comments by Google CEO Larry Page last week that Google+ had more than 10 million users.Mr. Page said Google+'s traction was evidence that there are "more opportunities for Google today than ever before.”

Of course, Google has a long way to go to reach the scale of Facebook Inc., which has more than 750 million users, and Twitter Inc., which has more than 200 million registered accounts.

With Google+, Google is aiming to match rivals like Facebook, which used personal information posted by its members to create a multibillion-dollar advertising business that lets marketers target specific demographic groups or people with certain interests. Google also hopes the service can become a home for brands and celebrities.

The data Google obtains about people's interests could also help it change the way its Web-search engine works. Sites in its search results could potentially be ranked based on what users and their friends like or find useful, Google engineers have said.


In addition to adding numerous features over time, Google will eventually allow software developers to create "social” games and other applications that would run on top of Google+, similar to Facebook's successful "platform” for applications, people familiar with the matter have said.

Google+ also has unique technology, such as a "hangouts” feature, that lets people do "video chats” using their computer webcams, speaking to numerous friends simultaneously. The company plans to include Google+ in its suite of online software for businesses.

In an email to investors Tuesday, Barclays Capital equity researchers said that "given positive initial traction from users we believe Google is now better positioned to compete and integrate social cues across its products than before, which could drive increased relevancy in search going forward.”

Even some privacy advocates who lambasted Buzz, Google's prior social-networking effort, have lauded Google+. "The product has been designed to make it easier to share with one group of your friends while retaining some measure of privacy with respect to your family, coworkers or other groups of friends,” said Peter Eckersley, a senior technologist at privacy-advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation, in an email.

But Mr. Eckersley added: "Google+ won't be as good for protecting your privacy against Google or against governments or lawyers with the power to compel Google to turn over your information.”

Ben Hopper, a 29-year-old photographer in London who joined Google+ just after it launched, said "it feels a little empty right now” compared with Facebook, where he has more than 4,000 "friends.” But he said that he "needs to be everywhere to show my photography,” and if Google+ becomes integrated with Gmail, Google's email service, "for me it will have the upper hand.”


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-zurich-streets-among-europe-s-most-congested-2 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-zurich-streets-among-europe-s-most-congested-2 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 03:02:10 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-zurich-streets-among-europe-s-most-congested-2 http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Zurich_streets_among_Europe_s_most_congested.html?cid=30634398
Everyone needs to learn to share the streets
Zurich car drivers spend more time stuck in traffic jams than in most other European cities, but the city is unrepentant about its pedestrian friendly policy.
A recent survey has revealed that more than a quarter of roads in Switzerland's main business conglomeration are clogged, putting Zurich in 16th place in the list of most congested cities.
The survey by Dutch navigation system maker TomTom comes days after a critical report in the New York Times accusing Zurich of "working overtime in recent years to torment drivers”.
The article reports that traffic lights are programmed to favour trams while pedestrian crossings have been moved from underground passages to street level.
The TomTom analysis found that daytime traffic on 27.4 per cent of Zurich city's streets was forced to travel less than 70 per cent as fast as during the night when roads are less busy.


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-zurich-2 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-zurich-2 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:56:58 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-zurich-2 Brightbridge Wealth Management: For Mutual Fund Investments
http://www.brightbridgewm.com/mutual-funds.phpConsider a Brightbridge mutual fund account for investing beyond your normal investment strategies. You'll be able to invest in funds that fit your needs, no matter what you're striving for financially. Seventy-five percent of Brightbridge funds outperformed their peer averages over the past decade. Key benefits of mutual funds Pooling your money with other investors in a mutual fund can offer these advantages:Diversification. A single mutual fund most likely holds more securities than you could ever buy on your own.Professional management.


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-21 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-21 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:45:46 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-21 Live » Social-Bookmarking.Net
www.social-bookmarking.net
Browse daily news, bookmarks, images, profiles, bloggs, videos and more. A pure web 2.0 social media network is waiting for you and your friends. Feel free to submit your content, comments or votes...


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/what-other-services-does-atlantic-international-partnership-freight-services-provide--5 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/what-other-services-does-atlantic-international-partnership-freight-services-provide--5 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:37:03 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/what-other-services-does-atlantic-international-partnership-freight-services-provide--5
Aside from freight services, they also offer Customs Clearance, Marine Cargo Insurance and Supply Chain Management.
Source(s):
http://www.atlanticintl.co.uk/

They arrange shipments internationally but specialises in the US market with their knowledge of complex regulations and provide services such as AMS Filing, USA Customs brokerage, handling DDP shipments and ISF Filing.
Source(s):
http://www.atlanticintl.co.uk/


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/bradley-associates-gaining-access-to-key-decision-2 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/bradley-associates-gaining-access-to-key-decision-2 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:13:09 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/bradley-associates-gaining-access-to-key-decision-2
A survey* of senior executives was conducted to determine under what circumstances they would respond to a contact from an unknown salesperson. Responses showed that eighty percent (80%) of senior executives are unlikely to ever respond to an inbound sales call. Not great odds. Other than golf, not many people enjoy an effort that yields such disappointing results.

The executives surveyed further indicated that the most likely way to gain access to them is a referral from someone inside their own company. Eighty-four percent (84%) will always or usually respond to an internal referral. A prospecting technique that has been shown to have 84% effectiveness? What sales person wouldn't use it? -- once they are shown how to use cold calling to generate internal referrals. I conduct CustomerCentric Selling® Cold Call Seminars and real-time Cold Call Coaching, and the most common error made by reps is the lack of a plan for a successful calling session. Before calling the targeted Key Player, I coach the rep to intentionally call laterally or one level lower, as well as to non-key players within that company.



The objective of these calls is to gain an insight into the prospect company that cannot be gleaned from researching their website or other sources. The sales rep is looking for a "hook." I recommend that the rep be very upfront about the reason for the call - they are gathering facts to prepare for a conversation with one of the prospect's executives.

The rep should be prepared with questions that reflect the research done on the prospect before the call. The questions will help the sales person to identify a goal, need or issue within that prospect that might be addressed by your company's offerings. Conscientious and relevant questions also demonstrate to the prospect that the rep is credible, interested and respectful of the contact's time.

Surprisingly, most people called are open to these conversations, and at ease in responding to questions. After all, the sales rep isn't trying to sell anything to them - they are just asking for help. Even very busy executives rarely rebuff a sincere request for assistance. Often a lateral or subordinate executive will offer that, "Yes, you may indicate we spoke, and these were my thoughts.” Bingo! The sales person has crafted the referral from inside the company.

The result of cold calling with such an approach is this: The rep can make each cold call productive. Knowledge - if not access - can be harvested from every conversation. After only a couple calls, the sales person will have documented many pages of useful notes from these "staging” conversations within the target company, and, as a result, will be much more knowledgeable about the prospect. This achievement in itself makes cold calling much more satisfying. And the sales person becomes increasingly confident as they polish their cold calling abilities.

Selecting from the gathered notes, the rep crafts a unique script. Yes, the rep should prepare a written script for the call to the targeted Key Player, and should practice that script until it sounds fluid but not "scripted.” This script can refer to the earlier conversations within the company, use the referring colleague's name, and highlight the issues or goals uncovered.

Then, with confidence and skill, the rep tackles that critical cold call to the Decision Maker -- this time with the odds in your favor


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/mortgage-refinancing-experience-atlantic-international-partnership-funding-group-prusa-net-press-release-1 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/mortgage-refinancing-experience-atlantic-international-partnership-funding-group-prusa-net-press-release-1 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:22:11 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/mortgage-refinancing-experience-atlantic-international-partnership-funding-group-prusa-net-press-release-1 Mortgage Refinancing Experience - Atlantic International Partnership Funding Group
PR-USA.net (press release)
While applying for mortgage refinancing, I asked the loan officer for credit score wisdom based on her experience. I knew most of the advice but I found some of her comments interesting so I'll post the collection of advice, tips, and cautions. ...


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/what-other-services-does-atlantic-international-partnership-freight-services-provide--1 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/what-other-services-does-atlantic-international-partnership-freight-services-provide--1 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:19:33 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/what-other-services-does-atlantic-international-partnership-freight-services-provide--1 Source(s):
http://www.atlanticintl.co.uk/

They arrange shipments internationally but specialises in the US market with their knowledge of complex regulations and provide services such as AMS Filing, USA Customs brokerage, handling DDP shipments and ISF Filing.
Source(s):
http://www.atlanticintl.co.uk/


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/atlantic-international-partnership-article-reviews-1 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/atlantic-international-partnership-article-reviews-1 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:16:16 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/atlantic-international-partnership-article-reviews-1 Atlantic International Partnership Headlines: Will ‘The Donald' get the spotlight back from Obama?..
altlantic-internationalpartner?ship.com
Donald Trump, who doesn't hesitate to make painfully blunt remarks, sort of got overlooked during the past week, and will have to work diligently to recover his popularity.


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-investing-money-for-2011-and-beyond--best-investment-strategy-3 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-investing-money-for-2011-and-beyond--best-investment-strategy-3 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:43:47 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-investing-money-for-2011-and-beyond--best-investment-strategy-3
1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-s-hint-for-long-term-investors-remain-totally-invested-1 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-s-hint-for-long-term-investors-remain-totally-invested-1 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:33:08 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/hypo-venture-capital-zurich-s-hint-for-long-term-investors-remain-totally-invested-1 Here at Hypo Venture Capital we are committed to offering our clients access to the latest and broadest range of financial services and products on the market. We know that choosing the right strategy, the right investment and the right product is no easy task in this day and age! Whether its advice, investments or financial planning we are here to answer all your questions and facilitate all your financial needs.
The American Association of Individual Investors in its regular study today reveals the amount of bulls at 24%, compared to 48% bears.
The last period these were reduced had been August of a year ago, when the bullish group entered at 21%, versus 50% bears. That became a great purchasing option.
Whether or not the past is going to repeat stays to be seen, however belief along with the oversold readings have definitely shifted from the suitable course.
The CBOE (equity only) put/call percentage index had been 1.11 in June 15. A lot more puts purchased than calls. This can be the greatest single-day reading ever since the 1.18 reading in September 11, 2008, following the S&P 500 decreased 3.4% two days before.
The 'development' that induced the ultimate lack of assurance had been the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers that was officially recorded on September of that year.
The prior higher reading of 1.35 took place on March 13, 2008. The event activating that intense reading had been the entire lack of assurance in Bear Stearns' power to remain in business.
Inside a Fed-arranged union, it had been bought out by JPMorgan Chase (JPM). Its collapse had been tracked back to subprime loans.
The existing high reading possibly relates to a probability of the default of Greek sovereign debt. In a flight to safety, MarketWatch states the fact that return achieved a great "all-time” low of 0.3% on US two-year treasury notes lately.
Clearly, complacency of late April continues to be substituted for a lot of issue that is the condition in the cycle of stock modifications.
With my impression, the existing sell-off signifies the modification in a continuing bull market. The current sell-off often had been extended late, since the Dow Industrials acquired 32% by July 2010 thru its latest peak in April 29.
Although the Russell 2000 increased 44% on the identical time-frame, which is an amazing shift considering it took place just 10 months. Every time a main bull market runs into the pullback in the present degree, this doom-and-gloomers turn out to be significantly shrill, and it may become unnerving to a lot of traders.
The facts in the issue usually modifications are generally unavoidable. The bull market is in no way the one-way highway. Actually throughout the strongest bull market, there's usually restorative action that establishes for the following progress.
A couple of the best challenging yet vital cornerstones of investment philosophy are:
Using a stop/loss approach;
Along with a ready to risk paper revenue in the course of unavoidable market modifications, using the objective for long-term profits.
At this time, the second part of the technique is basically experimented with.
With these designs in the positive setting, the guidance regarding long-term investors would be to remain totally invested. Traders are encouraged to keep track of mental stops each day.
Want to know more?
Hypo Venture Capital is an independent investment advisory firm which focuses on global equities and options markets. Our analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best possible investment decisions. All views, comments, statements and opinions are of the authors. For more information go to www.hypovc.com


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-radbone-8 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-radbone-8 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:38:47 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-radbone-8 Shane Radbone founded his own business, Executive Fitness Management (EFM) at 20. After a successful career in AFL playing for Essendon, Shane appreciated the need to have more than just sport in his portfolio.

Under Shane?s management, EFM grew into Australia?s largest Corporate Fitness Company with more than 3500 clients around the country. A single operation turned into 25 franchises in four states, resulting in EFM winning the Australia Day Business Award in 1996.

Shane then sold his controlling interest in EFM in 2000 to become CEO of Wendy's, a 310 store chain in Australia and New Zealand. The company achieved three successive years of record profit, a $120m annual turnover, and won numerous awards for Innovation.

However, after five years in a corporate environment, Shane Radbone formed a very firm opinion. He didn?t want to be just a CEO, but rather one that had a vested interest in the company.

After doing due diligence on a company called Epac Salary Solutions, a premier provider of Salary Packaging services to Business and government within Australia, Shane decided to invest in the company, and later became its Managing Director.

Shane is also very community minded, being the Chairman of the Burns Trust Australia, the Alex Von Doussa Memorial Fund and the Highgate Schools Foundation.


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-rad-bone-cooking-up-a-new-cafe-concept-valerina-changarathil-cookie-4 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-rad-bone-cooking-up-a-new-cafe-concept-valerina-changarathil-cookie-4 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:29:55 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-rad-bone-cooking-up-a-new-cafe-concept-valerina-changarathil-cookie-4
EASTWOOD, AUSTRALIA, July 17, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Man and Baskin Robbins owner Allied Brands will roll out its specialist cafe concept in SA as part of a national expansion plan, Adelaide-based CEO Shane Radbone says.

There are two Villa and Hut outlets at the Adelaide Airport, with plans to launch the concept and open more stores in major shopping centers around the state.

The Villa and Hut concept started in Melbourne and uses a unique business model, selling not just food and drinks but also the furniture used around the cafe.

''It's the 'Body Shop' of cafes where we use organic blends, recycled products and recycled timber furniture from Indonesia,'' Mr Radbone said.

By June 2010, the company hoped to open 45 Villa and Hut shops around Australia.

Allied Brands would also launch more co-branded Baskin Robbins & Cookie Man stores here to capitalize on the 40 per cent higher sales compared with individual outlets. Most of the expansion would use the $4.9 million funding commitment from New York based Spring Tree Global Investor to help grow its franchise services division in the next two years: ''this is a great coup for the group. The investment . . . is testimony to our new strategy and the opportunities in the market . . . domestically and internationally.''

The Cookie Man brand has stores in India, China, Greece and Singapore.

ABOUT SHANE RADBONE:
Young, dynamic and highly successful Shane founded his own business, Executive Fitness Management at age 20 in 1991. After a successful career in football that took him as high as playing for Essendon, Shane appreciated the need to have more than just sport in his portfolio. However taking his on field attitude to the corporate arena, Executive Fitness Management (EFM) grew into Australia's largest Corporate Fitness Company. It started with 1 client and grew into more than 3500 clients around the country. A single operation, turned into 25 franchises in four states which led EFM to winning the Australia Day Business Award in 1996.

After an approach by Wendy's, Shane sold his controlling interest in EFM and acted on the offer to become CEO of Wendy's Supa Sundaes.

In March 2000, he joined Wendy's Supa Sundaes. Wendy's is a 310 store chain in Australia and New Zealand. Over the course of his five year tenure he took Wendy's from a $75m business to $120m business for the group.

The company achieved three successive years of record profit result and won numerous awards for Innovation.

In December 2004, Shane was voted "Young Leader of the Year Award" in South Australia. After more than five years in a CEO role, Shane decided it was time to move on. He purchased a share in an on-line salary packaging business that he successfully sold his interests in the company 18 months later.
Active with bounds of energy and enthusiasm, Shane has completed the New York marathon three times, the London marathon, The Berlin Marathon and also the Kokoda Track. Currently, Shane is very active in the community.

Shane Radbone has enjoyed a successful business career and sporting career. Shane played SANFL and AFL football with Sturt and the Essendon Football Club. This begun with starting his own business, Executive Fitness Management, which became the largest Corporate Fitness business in Australia from one customer to more than 3,500 clients. In 1996, Shane was awarded the Australia Day Business Award for contribution to the industry and in 2004 he was awarded the Young Leader of the Year Award for South Australia.
Shane then became CEO of Wendy's and VIP Home Services. During his 5 years, as CEO at Wendy's, he took the business from $75m to $120m.
Shane has been speaking to a number of companies over the past three years on his experiences both in business, sport and life.


1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-radbone-7 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-radbone-7 Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:38:41 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/shane-radbone-7 Other
Jake's, Julian Burton Burns Trust, Fireflies, Slurpee Australia, Slurpee , Lake Ohau Lodge and Ohau Snow Fields
Contact Information
Facebook http://facebook.com/shane.radbone


2 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-7 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-7 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:18:14 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-7 Our highly qualified asset managers and research analysts use advanced analytical tools to conduct capital market and fund management research. We then turn global investment insights into an efficient portfolio, specially tailored to your long or short-term goals and risk sensitivity.

Institutional Investment Management
Private Client Asset Management
Asset Management Consulting Services
Asset Recovery Team

1 Vote(s) ]]> https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-bitcoin-struggles-as-it-tries-to-change-e-currency-1 https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-bitcoin-struggles-as-it-tries-to-change-e-currency-1 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:16:30 -0400 dadvandenberg https://the-looser-it-s-me.net/story/brightbridge-wealth-management-headlines-bitcoin-struggles-as-it-tries-to-change-e-currency-1 How it works

Bitcoin wants to change currency the way the Internet changed publishing, and essentially addresses a few specific issues. It wants to making online transactions anonymous, do away with transfer fees, and attempt to take some power away from government-centralized banking, as well as disable government ability to simply create and issue money. Anyone with an Internet connection can use Bitcoins and you use various sites to exchange your cash for the digital currency (or sell something for them). You can trade them for merchandise or services, you can exchange them for hard currencies, or you can mine for Bitcoins. Mining isn't terribly common, but those who are dedicated to it are an extremely important part of the entire scheme. It's a complicated process not advised to the average user, but it basically means you need a seriously capable computer to run software that generates new Bitcoins.
The crash

While Bitcoins are very different than the dollar or other currency, they are still subject to economic woes. There was a significant crash in Bitcoin value this weekend: They went from worth roughly $17 a piece to a handful of pennies on the most-used exchange site, Mt. Gox. It's being reported a hacked account is to blame and all trading operations have been halted for the time being. Worse than suspended use is the fact that a copy of Mt. Gox's database has been leaked, meaning user data and passwords are making their way across the Internet.

It appears the security breach is due to Mt. Gox's vulnerable site and that this alone has caused Bitcoins' worth to plummet as its value has been maintained on other exchange sites. But the Bitcoin market has been inconsistent to say the least: Their worth has risen to remarkable levels and deflated just as quickly prior to the Mt. Gox hack, which is just an added concern to the entire thing. Symantec also reportedly found a Trojan malware program earlier in the weekend. "The Trojan is Infostealer.Coinbit and it has one motive: to locate your Bitcoin wallet.dat file and email it to the attacker," the security firm explained in a blog post.
Is there a future for Bitcoin?

While the security breach at Mt. Gox and inflation-prone worth of Bitcoin have likely made non-believers even more disinterested, there is still a strong contingent of Bitcoin users. The more serious users encrypt all their information and loyally defend the organization. The P2P element of Bitcoin is what sets it apart from other e-commerce platforms in general, but this type of networking is what can isolate Bitcoin from finding a wider user base. Without any centralized regulation, security worries and unstable market value could continue and hurt Bitcoin's long term ambitions. Transforming the way we think about online transactions is difficult enough without these types of setbacks. Which isn't to say it's a doomed project, just one that might have a longer evolution then its proponents would like. Despite any roadblocks, the concept is revolutionary and the fact that it's been able to find its following this quickly is something to consider.

1 Vote(s) ]]>