The STEEM blockchain is a sleeping monster, @finnian. Steemit (Condenser) is merely a layer on top and not the "best" layer either. The Steemit platform is not utilizing the new features that are being built on the backend. There's soon going to be more features that will be 'built in' but 3rd party interfaces like Utopian.io and Busy.org have already proven better UI, features, capability is not solely dependent upon Steemit.com - they created their own layer much like DLIVE and DTUBE etc. There are 380+ (some live some dead) apps running on this blockchain already.
I have NO DOUBT there is a new frontend coming that will offer some exciting features and a robust environment. I might even know who is making it.. 😉 Have you claimed your BYTEBALL yet? First Steemit Airdrop! Exciting times ahead, brother. I just $80 from them, half liquid now and half unlocks in 1 yr.
Let me know if you are interested and I can assist - you need a verified attested user to send you the funds for attestation. You won't have trouble finding a donor as they receive a bonus as well. Pretty wild times on the horizon...
Yeah, I'm at 5K SP, so I've been really torn over investing more or not. I'm tempted to slowly accumulate up to 10K SP. I will check out Byteball, thanks! As you already know, this place just needs a few minor upgrades (programmers are giving me the evil eye here I'm sure) to start seriously replacing sites like Twitter and Facebook.
I am a firm chart guy, so I can only suggest what I see and I am no advisor. If I had excess funds that I had no other use for and could stand to lose or lock up for a long period - I'd buy more STEEM. Unfortunately, crypto is at the mercy of the Momma BTC and downtrending markets are basically shaking the tree of retail investors which can be dangerous for a long term investment.
There are many things that will happen on this blockchain and Steemit is merely one of them. The Steemit team is doing a lot to help expand developers horizons here so that is maybe why we do not "see" so many updates but the work is being done. @steemitblog shows there is much in the works behind the curtain but we might not see it all for a bit