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Bitcoin => Bitcoin Discussion => Topic started by: worldinacoin on October 30, 2011, 12:59:19 AM



Title: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: worldinacoin on October 30, 2011, 12:59:19 AM
Sorry to ask a newbie question https://www.bitaddress.org what is this for?  I mean it generate out an address, so how are we going to put it in our bitcoin client or how do we use it?


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: terrytibbs on October 30, 2011, 01:05:07 AM
You would import the private key with a tool like Pywallet (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=34028.0), or with your Bitcoin client patched with sipa's key import/export patch (https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/220).

It's useful mainly for so called "paper wallets", you can save the bitaddress source code to a thumb drive, load it up on a computer never connected to the internet, print the address and private key, and send your Bitcoin savings to that address.

Ten years later, you'd be able to import what would then be either a couple of million-dollar-sport-cars, or just some stupid cryptocurrency not worth the paper the private key is printed on.


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: worldinacoin on October 30, 2011, 01:09:49 AM
Deeply appreciate the reply, some tools are cool, just that it seems not for the novice :)


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: terrytibbs on October 30, 2011, 01:15:56 AM
Deeply appreciate the reply, some tools are cool, just that it seems not for the novice :)
Sure, no problem.

I also just remembered MtGox allows importing of private keys in their "Deposit" section. It's a really nice practice if you've got a lot of Bitcoins.


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: worldinacoin on October 30, 2011, 01:23:13 AM
But a few months back, quite some problem with them.  Or they will be the best choice I guess, anything you need to exchange or buy, can easily be done.


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: Tuxavant on October 30, 2011, 01:41:49 AM
You can experiment with the import of private keys at strongcoin.com as well.


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: worldinacoin on October 30, 2011, 01:55:43 AM
Another great tool to read and learn about, thanks a million.

You can experiment with the import of private keys at strongcoin.com as well.


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: Stephen Gornick on October 30, 2011, 02:24:47 AM
The bitcoin wiki is loading slowly lately, but contains some info:
 - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/BitAddress

Because the addresses can be generated offline (i.e., on a computer not connected to the internet), this is one of the most secure methods for storing bitcoins.

The code is open to review, including review by security professionals and improvements to the code have already been made as a result.

I suspect this code can end up getting used as a low-tech merchant point of sale solution as described here:
 -http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=43496.msg538311#msg538311


Title: Re: bitaddress.org what is it for?
Post by: worldinacoin on October 30, 2011, 02:36:06 AM
The bitcoinmap at your signature is quite a good addition to the bitcoin community too :)

The bitcoin wiki is loading slowly lately, but contains some info:
 - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/BitAddress

Because the addresses can be generated offline (i.e., on a computer not connected to the internet), this is one of the most secure methods for storing bitcoins.

The code is open to review, including review by security professionals and improvements to the code have already been made as a result.

I suspect this code can end up getting used as a low-tech merchant point of sale solution as described here:
 -http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=43496.msg538311#msg538311