The best way to understand about bitcoin, would be to jump in and get several in your “pocket” to obtain a feel for how they work.
Despite the hype about how difficult and dangerous it might be, getting bitcoins is easier and safer than you may think. In plenty of ways, it really is probably easier than opening an account at a normal bank. And, given what has been happening in the bank operating system, it is probably safer too.
There are a few things to learn: getting and using a software wallet, learning how to receive and send money, learning how to buy bitcoin from the person or an exchange.
Preparation
Before getting started, you need to get yourself a wallet. You can do this easily enough by registering with one of many exchanges that may host wallet for you personally. And, although I think you are going to want to have one or more exchange wallets eventually, you need to start with one on your own computer both to have a better feel for bitcoin and as the exchanges remain experimental themselves. When we reach that stage of the discussion, I will be advising that you will get in the habit of moving your cash and coins off the exchanges or diversifying across exchanges to help keep your money safe.
What is a wallet?
It is a solution to store your bitcoins. Specifically, it really is software that has been made to store bitcoin. It usually is run on your desktop computer, laptop, mobile device (except, as yet, Apple) and can also be made to store bitcoins on things like thumb drives. If you are worried about being hacked, then that is a great option. Even the Winklevoss* twins, who have millions committed to bitcoin, put their investment on hard drives which they then placed into a safety deposit box.
*The Winklevoss twins will be the ones who originally had the idea for a social media site that became Facebook. They hired Mark Zuckerberg who took their idea as their own and became immensely rich.
What do you should know about having a bitcoin wallet on your computer?
Below you can download the initial bitcoin wallet, or client, in Windows or Mac format. They are not just wallets, but are actually section of the bitcoin network. They will receive, store, and send your bitcoins. You can create one or more addresses with a click (an address is a number that appears like this: 1LyFcQatbg4BvT9gGTz6VdqqHKpPn5QBuk). You will see a field where you can copy and paste a number like this from the person you wish to send money to and off it will go directly into that person’s wallet. You can also create a QR code that may let someone have a picture with an app on their phone and send you some bitcoin. It is perfectly safe to provide these out – the address and QR code are both for my donations page. Feel free to donate!
NOTE: This type of wallet acts both as a wallet for you personally and as the main bitcoin system. The reason bitcoin works is that each transaction is broadcast and recorded as a number across the entire system (and therefore every transaction is confirmed and made irreversible by the network itself). Any computer with the proper software can be section of that system, checking and supporting the network. This wallet serves as your individual wallet and in addition as a support for that system. Therefore, remember that it will take up 8-9 gigabytes of your computer’s memory. Once you install the wallet, it will take as much as each day for the wallet to sync with the network. This is normal, does not harm your personal computer, and makes the system all together more secure, so it’s a good idea.
Bitcoin Qt
The original wallet.
This is a full-featured wallet: create multiple addresses to get bitcoins, send bitcoins easily, track transactions, and back up your wallet.
Outside of the time it takes to sync, this is a very easy to utilize option.
Search for Bitcoin Qt wallet download to get their site.
Armory
Runs on top of Bitcoi Qt, so that it has each of the same syncing requirements.
Armory allows you to back up, encrypt, and the ability to store your bitcoins off line.
코인선물 out Bitcoin Armory Wallet to find their site.
If you don’t want that much memory used or don’t desire to await your wallet to sync, you can find good wallets that not make you sync the entire history of bitcocin:
Multibit
A lightweight wallet that syncs quickly. This is very good for new users.
Search for Bitcoin Multibit Wallet to find their site.
Electum
In addition to being quick and light, this wallet permits you to recover lost data using a passcode.
Search for Bitcoin Electum Wallet to find their site.
After you obtain the wallet set up, take a few minutes clicking around. Things to look for:
o There will be a full page that shows you just how many bitcoins are in your wallet. Understand that bitcoins can be broken up into smaller pieces, so you might see a decimal with a lot of zeros after it. (Interesting note, 0.00000001 is one Satoshi, named after the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin).