Over the last few weeks, LBRY has been offline quite a bit and this has affected both our books and podcasts, while we've been getting some questions about this.
We Understand The Problems
One of the many disadvantages of using new technology, like LBRY, is that doesn't always function like you think it will, or it's in the process of scaling and meeting current challenges. However, this creates problems for the end user. In the case of LBRY, most people aren't on the platform ... yet. In addition, I've observed miners hurting their own platform in their obsession with greed - by dumping LBC at any price, they're encouraging people to stay away from the platform, limiting its marketing ability. If smart miners appear (and I'm doubtful for now because of too many other distractions), this will begin to work itself out.
The worst and best thing to mine is something that has attracted incompetent miners. On the one hand, easy earnings. On the other hand, it may take a while for patience to pay. Either way, the idea and platform are great, it does need work though.
Work Around
If you're interested in a podcast or book, you can get in touch with us directly and we can send you the LBRY address. We also take other crypto-tokens, like Steem Dollars, if you prefer others instead. I will admit that I am surprised how many of these platforms don't have a built in store, when they claim they want people to use their platforms more. A store is the most basic need of any business - talk about missing a very obvious problem most merchants have!
I am bullish about the future of LBRY, and we must remember that only a small percentage of people are on the platform and most people mining it are impatient (the "dumpies" as I call them). In time, as more people join and stronger hands become miners, things will begin to work themselves out. Miners were dumping bitcoin at less than $1 at one point and masternodes were dumping Dash below $9: people were acting with a get-rich-quick mentality without seeing any vision.
Like most new technologies, this won't be smooth sailing for a while. You do have other options, such as OpenBazaar and we are looking to create an integrated store ourselves, which may even feature PayPal in the long run.