This is a step-by-step tutorial to help new users start using bitcoin. After you read this page, you'll know the basics of what bitcoin is and how it is structured, how to get and install the bitcoin client, where to get coins, and how to use the client to send and receive transactions.
You can start exchanging bitcoins within a few minutes.
=What is Bitcoin=
== On Windows ==
: Main Article: [[How bitcoin works]]
=== Installation ===
[http://bitcoin.org Download] and install Bitcoin.
Bitcoin is a distributed currency based on strong cryptographic principles. Each coin is assigned to the owner's public key, and is transferrable via cryptographically signed messages.
[[File:Download it fin.png|frame|none|Download the "Windows (exe)" version]]
In this section, you'll learn where to get the client, how to install it on different operating systems, and download the [[block chain]].
=== Initialisation ===
==Download and install the client==
The first time you run Bitcoin, it needs to download all the blocks to setup. You already have your bitcoin address at this point, but you won't see any transactions before the initialisation is complete (it can take from an hour to a few hours).
First, download the bitcoin client from http://bitcoin.org/. Choose the appropriate link depending on your operating system, and install in the usual manner. For Windows, easiest is probably the executable installer. See screenshots on the right.
[[File:First time run fin.png|frame|none|Bitcoin is initialising by establishing a connection to other clients and downloading the blocks.]]
[[File:Download it fin.png|frame|none|Downloading the "Windows (exe)" version]]
[[File:Bitcoin all blocks fin.png|frame|none|Completed download of block-chain.]]
For Linux, note that the tar.gz contains the binary build, in addition to the source, so if you run a recent distribution, you should be able to just run the binary without compiling yourself.
=== Getting my first coins ===
==Starting the client and connecting to the network==
The [[Bitcoin Faucet]] [https://freebitcoins.appspot.com/ website] currently hands out 0.05 BTC to new bitcoin users. Fill in the form with your bitcoin address.
[[File:First time run fin.png|400px|thumb|right|Bitcoin is initializing by establishing a connection to other clients and downloading the blocks.]]
[[File:Get some btc.png|frame|none|Getting free coins from the Faucet]]
Bitcoin comes with a GUI client called "bitcoin", and a CLI (text-mode) client called "bitcoind". It is probably more user-friendly to start with the GUI, so launch the bitcoin client.
When you start for the first time, your bitcoin wallet will be created automatically, and the client will attempt to establish connections to other nodes on the network and start downloading the bitcoin [[block chain]]. You must get all of the blocks in the chain before sending/receiving transactions. [http://blockexplorer.com/q/getblockcount Click here] to see the current number of blocks in the chain. This download may take as long as several hours.
==Client features==
[[File:Bitcoin all blocks fin.png|400px|thumb|right|Some bitcoin client features.]]
Your starting bitcoin address (you can have as many as you want - we'll talk about [[#Bitcoin addresses|addresses]] later) shows in a text box at the top. Right below it is your total bitcoin balance, which, of course, to start with will be zero. There is a list box below it showing all your transactions, which can be variously filtered with tabs, which again will be empty to start with.
The status bar at the bottom will display some important information. If you have [[#Generating bitcoins|bitcoin generation (block hashing)]] turned on, on the left the client will display your hash rate. To the right of that, you will see the number of bitcoin nodes your client is connected to, then, the number of blocks your client has in its chain, and finally, the number of transactions you have in your wallet.
=Using bitcoin=
In this section you will learn about bitcoin addresses, sending and receiving transactions, the block chain and transaction confirmations, where to get your first bitcoins (faucet), generation. Tips on keeping wallet safe.
==Getting your first bitcoins==
There are few things more exciting than getting your first bitcoins! So once you have all the blocks downloaded, head on over to the [https://freebitcoins.appspot.com/ bitcoin faucet], fill out the form and put in your bitcoin address, and receive some free bitcoin! (You can do this before finishing the block chain download, but you won't see the coins in your wallet until you finish downloading the blocks... which would put a damper on the whole excitement bit.)
A new entry should appear in Bitcoin. The network hasn't yet confirmed it, but you know it's being processed. After about one hour it should get 6 confirmations. You are able to spend the coins when there is only one confirmation.
[[File:Get some btc.png|frame|none|Getting free coins from the Faucet]]
The confirmation counter will, just like the block counter, increase by one every 10 minutes approximately. Six confirmations are considered as 100% sure a transfer has been processed.
Once you submit the form successfully, you should see a new transaction in your client within seconds. But it will be grayed out, and have 0/unconfirmed status:
[[File:First btc recv.png|frame|none]]
[[File:First btc recv.png|frame|none]]
Once your transaction makes it into the block chain, the confirmation count will grow in step with the number of blocks in the chain. By default, the client stops showing "unconfirmed" after the transaction is 6 blocks deep in the chain:
thanks to the block chain, you don't need to be online for receiving BTC...
==Bitcoin addresses==
You can create as many new addresses as you like. Using a different address each time helps to preserve your [[anonymity]].
You cannot send BTC to an invalid address. Client will refuse to send payment to a misspecified address. (Though with care you can craft a valid but nonexistent address.)
talk more about addresses here
==Generating bitcoins==
talk about generation here
[[Category:Introduction]]
* You don't need to be online for receiving BTC.
* You can create as many new addresses as you like. Using a different address each time helps keep you [[Anonymity|anonymous]].
* You can be anonymous with adequate precautions.
* You cannot send BTC to an invalid address. Typos are not a worry as the payment will refuse to send.
Revision as of 16:43, 7 January 2011
You can start exchanging bitcoins within a few minutes.
Download the "Windows (exe)" versionComplete installation wizard
Initialisation
The first time you run Bitcoin, it needs to download all the blocks to setup. You already have your bitcoin address at this point, but you won't see any transactions before the initialisation is complete (it can take from an hour to a few hours).
Bitcoin is initialising by establishing a connection to other clients and downloading the blocks.Completed download of block-chain.
Getting my first coins
The Bitcoin Faucetwebsite currently hands out 0.05 BTC to new bitcoin users. Fill in the form with your bitcoin address.
Getting free coins from the Faucet
A new entry should appear in Bitcoin. The network hasn't yet confirmed it, but you know it's being processed. After about one hour it should get 6 confirmations. You are able to spend the coins when there is only one confirmation.
The confirmation counter will, just like the block counter, increase by one every 10 minutes approximately. Six confirmations are considered as 100% sure a transfer has been processed.
Points to remember
You don't need to be online for receiving BTC.
You can create as many new addresses as you like. Using a different address each time helps keep you anonymous.
You can be anonymous with adequate precautions.
You cannot send BTC to an invalid address. Typos are not a worry as the payment will refuse to send.
