Bitcoin Forum

Hi again  ;D

Right due to my paranoia I didn't feel I was safe with Bitcoin core so after downloading the offline bitaddress.org page from Git-hub Rep I dumped it into an USB key and turned my old computer on in the garage (no WiFi card or network at all) from there I created a paper wallet that I printed.
Now my problem after that was how do I check my balance and how do I use it to pay into it without having to take it out or carry it with me?
I created a blockchain wallet and from there I was allowed to add a "watch only" address, now I will never use my paper private key on line till the day I want to cash out,  hopefully in a few years, so my main question is how safe is my money? Can I keep paying into my paper wallet as much as I want/can? Have I taken the right steps or did I make any mistake It might cost me later?

Thanks in advance for your replies!!
   

Tackling how to work with exchanges is my next step if there's no major security breaches in what I've done.
;D price seems to be falling

Are you asking how do you memorize your paper key so you don't have to have it on you when you want to use it?

There are numerous memorization techniques that will amaze you with how much you can easily remember in your head via some seemingly nonsensical story or other easy to remember phrase.

You can check your balance (or the balance of any key) through: blockchain.info

And yes, you can continue to send money to that paper wallet as long as you remember the public key/address. A lot of people keep their savings on a paper wallet and have an online wallet for transactional purposes only.

Well you only paste your public address into the search of blockchain.info and you will see your paper wallet balance.  ;D

Remember to laminate your paper wallets, and to keep backup copies on a second location. {Water & fire proof method to keep them safe}

Good luck and happy bit coining. 

Hi. Yes, it looks safe enough.

Now as said, you must protect your paper wallet from the real word :P

I tip my hat to you sir.  One of the smartest posts by a noob I have ever seen.  Well done.  You seem to know what you are doing so far but if you ever have any specific questions I will attempt to answer them for you.

Thank you for your replies

I believe good support is essential to get more of "us" non technical guy/girls on board and this forum is great  ;D



 

You should take a look at the Trezor hardware wallet.

The risk is when you want spend paper wallet on online computer. Eighter use armory offline for signing transaction or create another paper wallet with small ballance to check first if your online computer is safe right before importing higher ballance paper wallet

Your bitcoin is safe as long as you keep your paper wallet safe. So, please make backups, laminated them and keep them in different secure places.
Yes you can keep sending bitcoin to your address as much as you want.

You may check this paper wallet generator project that uses a thermal printer, it has a startup cost in time and money (getting a rasp pi, a thermal printer, setup time...) but then creating paper wallets will be safe (cold, offline), easy and fast (just type a command in the terminal and hit enter), see:  http://paperbank.it and let me know what you think about it or if you have suggestion on how to improve the project. Thanks.

There are products kinda for this http://www.coindesk.com/mycelium-announces-entropy-offline-usb-paper-wallet-creator/

I have seen one in person they are a neat tool but of course pros and cons of it.  The biggest con I see is there is still small chances of bad things with printers still.  But it is definitely a step into a good paper wallet.

You could look into cold storage and completely keep your wallet offline when not needed.

Looks like fun project! But is there a danger that the thermal printed paper wallet fades over time?

Sure, you must keep it away from light and heat, you can laminate it (no heat, remember, cold laminating adhesive pouches are good though) to protect against friction/rubbing on other surfaces.
The common thermal paper usually it's guaranteed to last 5-7 years, you should re-make another paper wallet and transfer the funds to the new paper wallet.

I searched for a "photo pocket/mini printer" but I found nothing under 100 bucks that was inkjet (not thermal), linux compatible, and suited for the project, if you know of one please tell :) but I think we'll have to wait some time for it to appear on the market at a decent price

Hey, you may want to check out my guide: http://www.btcguys.us/blog/how-to-create-offline-wallet-with-electrum-bitcoin-client-and-broadcast-transactions

This guide you show you to check file integrity (ie file is from the author and has not been tempered with), how to create offline wallet with Electrum, check balance online and enables you to spend BTC online without ever revealing your private key(s).

You can always check your balance through any blockchain explorer like blockchain.info

Apart from using a paper wallet, you can use an offline wallet or Trezor (hardware wallet) to store your bitcoin safely.

I am not sure if this works: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-8827A001-CP-200-Photo-Printer/dp/B0000B0ADN
It is now $69 and should work with gutenprint: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2077324

Nice find! These canon photo printers are cheap! I see that the CP200 is thermal, so I think no big gain with that, but others are inkjet (like for example CP820) ! I would prefer a printer that it's USB only and has no bluethooth / wifi, will try one soon and see  If I can add it to the project. Thanks!