I'm not a techy so I may be off with my speculation.

Lets suppose someone with a super computer, such as china with their Tiahne-2, decide to start mining bitcoins. Wouldn't this one computer, doing 33 Petaflops/s, push everyone else out? Maybe I am just crazy and lack some kind of understanding, but if someone was able to use these super computer to begin mining, they wouldn't give anyone else a chance.

I guess I am waiting to see what going to happen when a few college kids with access to these supper computers start mining with them for a weekend or two at a time.

What do you think will happen if a bunch of super computer begin mining? would the public notice? Is this already happening?

What if someone hacked one and began using it to mine for themselves?

Any other advice?

Where can I get a wallet from? What are the pro's and cons or each? what is your advice on making a first transaction, using an exchange or going local? Looking for maybe .01BTC -.1BTC as a first purchase.

Also, are all wallets compatible? Can I send/receives Bitcoints from anyone regardless of what wallet they use?

Links to resources would be helpful.

Thank you all.

I have yet to buy a single Bitcoin and yet something still tells me no one should get involved with you.

I'm in. I totally trust someone with my money if they use the word aint in a conversation. Not to mention the profanity. I'll give you double what you are asking!

Thank you for the advice so far.

I wish I had the ability to get into mining. Seem like the best way to make money doing this. Otherwise it seems like luck.

Hello all,

Silver sucks....

Looking for some advice on getting started with bitcoins. Other than knowing I want to buy a few bit coins, I don't know where to start.

From what I have read I need to get a wallet... How do I do this?

How do I buy a bit coin? I understand I should not try to buy with a credit card. so cash must be the best way to do this. Who can I trust? I've never been comfortable sending cash/check/money order in the mail to a company I don't know. Who do you trust? what are the steps you take when you want to use USD to buy  bitcoins?

How do I ensure others don't gain access to my wallet. I don't plan on making huge investments so the basics are fine. I don't want to create a boot cd with a second operating system(just read that thread).

Are there any posts or links to resources that will give me the basics of how buy my first bitcoin.

Thank you all for your advice, AND your patients.