'''Some contents can be outdated or deprecated. To see up to date documentation visit the [http://electrum.org/documentation.html Documentation] page'''
===Graphical User Interfaces===
===Documentation===
Electrum has two GUIs: one that is based on Gtk, and a newer one based on Qt. The Qt GUI is enabled by default. To use the gtk interface, type:
<pre>
$ ./electrum -g gtk
</pre>
In addition, Electrum has a rich set of commands for the command line interface.
===Brain Wallet===
Up to date documentation is now hosted on http://electrum.orain.org
Electrum uses a type 2 deterministic key generation algorithm.
This means that all the keys are derived from a seed.
Typical seeds have 128 bits of entropy. Electrum provides mnemonic code in order to represent the seed.
Example:
*hexadecimal: 431a62f1c86555d3c45e5c4d9e10c8c7
*mnemonic: "constant forest adore false green weave stop guy fur freeze giggle clock"
You can display the seed with the command line interface. Example:
<pre>
$ ./electrum getseed
Password:
431a62f1c86555d3c45e5c4d9e10c8c7 "constant forest adore false green weave stop guy fur freeze giggle clock"
</pre>
===Wallet File===
The default wallet file is called default_wallet which is created when you first run the application and located under the /wallets folder.
On Windows
*Show hidden files
*Go to \Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Local\Electrum
On Mac
*Open Finder
*Go > Go to folder (shift+cmd+G) and type ~/.electrum
On Linux
*Home Folder
*Go > Location and type ~/.electrum
===Multiple wallets===
Electrum uses one single file per wallet. Your default wallet is located in your user account as listed above.
If you want to use another wallet, use the -w option followed by the wallet path and name:
<pre>
$ ./electrum -w /path/to/my/wallet/wallet_name
</pre>
===Export and import addresses===
You can export your private keys using the 'dumpprivkeys' command:
Electrum is a lightweight Bitcoin client, based on a client-server protocol.
It was released on november 5, 2011.
Main features:
Encrypted wallet: the file that contains your bitcoins is protected with a password. You are protected from thieves.
Deterministic key generation: If you lose your wallet, you can recover it from its seed. You are protected from your own mistakes.
Instant on: the client does not download the blockchain, it requests that information from a server. No delays, always up-to-date.
Transactions are signed locally: Your private keys are not shared with the server. You do not have to trust the server with your money.
Freedom and Privacy: The server does not store user accounts. You are not tied to a particular server, and the server does not need to know you. You can export your private keys.
No scripts: Electrum does not download any script. A compromised server cannot send you arbitrary code and steal your bitcoins.
No single point of failure: The server code is open source, anyone can run a server.
Firewall friendly: The client does not need to open a port, it simply polls the server for updates.
Free software: Gnu GPL v3. Anyone can audit the code.
Written in Python. The code is short, and easy to review.
Support for Bitcoin URIs, signed URIs and Bitcoin aliases