I just got my second account to start fresh. When you log into blockchain.info it is quite clear what your public key is because it is printed large on the webpage. 

I was told if blockchain.info goes bankrupt I still have my bitcoins b/c I have the private key.  Where is this private key?  It is no where to be found on the website? 

Thanks

So what is the difference with Import vs Sweep?

Sweep moves the money it looks like and import brings in the public key.  Why would one choose one over the other?

There are three distinct choices for blockchain:

1) Watch
2) Sweep
3) Import


If you choose sweep and the next day blockchain shuts down and is bankrupt(wiped off the face of the planet forever), are your bitcoins lost and unrecoverable because they got swept into the public key issued by blockchain?

I am new and I am catching onto the knowledge slowly.

I have a:
coinbase account with public key(I can't find a private key)
blockchain account with public key(I can't find a private key)
paper wallet with public and private key.

1st I thought you needed a private key to send money....why doesn't coinbase or blockchain have a private key?
2nd I want to move my paper wallet into my blockchain account so I can spend it.  If I import my key do I retain complete control over that money still?  ie. If blockchain goes bankrupt am I still in control over those monies b/c I imported vs sweeping?

Thanks.

I've only used block chain. Info and coin base.   Is block chain my client?

What is the difference between address and keys?

What client should I use so I always have my bitcoins and the client is only doing the transaction nothing else?

Do I get my private key and public key from this client?   

Sorry but even after reading plenty I am still confused.

To keep this really simple I want to know how to have complete and total control of my bitcoins, no exhanges or mining software.  I’d prefer just to write down my public and private address and that’s it if possible.

I guess my first question is what really is a wallet?  Is it the private and public address combination?

So far I went to blockchain.info and got:
Identifier
Address

I thought this was getting a wallet setup  I am not sure why I did this now.

Then I went to coinbase and got a bitcoin.  I need to get this bitcoin in my wallet somehow on Friday.


Someone said in another thread that blockchain doesn’t have access to my wallet.   What did I get the identifier and address for, I thought the address is the wallet?  How do I simply get a wallet so I can move money by myself and then only have to worry about the public and private address?

Also, someone said you need to ‘backup’ your wallet.  If I have my keys written down and I never lose them why do I need to back anything up.  It seems as though when I spent bitcoins they are gone from my wallet and when I receive them I get more….why do I need to back anything up?

If I keep my bitcoins in my wallet and do not use exchanges what program/website do I go to when I need to send money to someone?  Or how do you check your balance?

Thanks, makes sense....

what website or application do I need to run to have my bitcoins in 'my' wallet free from any 3rd party.

Thanks...so if Coinbase goes belly up I would lose my coins just like those exchanges.

Why would you want to ever keep a coin in their wallet?

Thanks

I set up 2FA on both, thanks....

1) You speak of a 'shared wallet'.  I'm simple minded....does that mean it's in their wallet or mine?  It can't be both.  I don't want my bitcoin anywhere but in my wallet....I'm guessing the moment I get verified data that my wallet in coinbase has a bitcoin in it I need to immediately move the bitcoin into my wallet?  If this is true then do I use the 'send money' icon as if I was sending it to someone else although it is just me sending it to me?

Thanks....

New user of bitcoins as of today.  So far I have done this:

I went to blockchain info and got a wallet address, identifier, catchphrase
I went to coinbase and verified my checking account and phone number
I bought a quarter of a bitcoin as a test
Coinbase said it won't be until Friday I have my coin, I'm not thrilled there but I ain't in a hurry.

A few newbie questions....thanks:

1) how does coinbase have my wallet address I never gave it to them?  There is a tab on coinbase titled 'wallet', I just don't understand how they have my address when I never gave it to them.
2) On blockchain I have a catchphrase, identifier, and address.  Do I need to make damn sure I don't lose any of these, which can you lose and be okay?
3) When I buy something online is my transaction public knowledge?  I ask b/c I see transactions being posted all over the place?  It appears it is public knowledge but I thought bitcoin was partly for privacy, but I'm a rookie here so please slap me with a fish across my face.

thx

Thanks for the discussion, it cleared up many of my questions. 

I'd like to sign up for a wallet and possibly entertain accepting bitcoins for a small business I started.

If you know of any pitfalls that are common and hard to escape thru hours of reading I welcome the discussion.

Thanks,

ltp

I understand better now....

When you get a wallet do you get an address(for instance what I see in greyhawks signature?)?

Are you given one private key no matter how many bitcoins you collect or do you get a private key for each transaction?

1) So as long as you remove your bitcoins from the exchange immediately then you are still in possession of your bitcons, correct?
2) To get USD in return for bitcoins I assume you reverse the process and send your bitcoins to an exchange?
3) Is there another purpose for these exchanges, for instance do some people store their bitcoins there for weeks/months? 


I'm confused what is the benefit of storing your bitcoins at an exchange?  I would just store my private key in my safe at home and a few other hiding places outside of my digital harddrives.

I don't understand why an exchange is a risk.  Let me explain my confusion in a real world example and then slap me with a dead fish and save my confusion please.

1) So, I want to buy my first bitcoins. 
2) I find an exchange I like and wire them 1,000USD and let's say I get 2 bitcoins in return.
3) From my reading, I get a private key that I write down and stick in my favorite hiding place.
4) The exchange I bought the bitcoins from goes bankrupt and no longer exists.
5) I still have my bitcoin b/c I have the private key identifying my coin from all others

The only risk I see is during the 10 minutes or so of me wiring money and me getting my bitcoin key.  After I get the key, I thought I am basically my own bank and the only protector in the world of that bitcoin.

Where am I off base?

Thanks.