Thanks for the reply.
I am, actually, viewing it as a possible venue for speculation but more so as a ends-to-a-means, if you will, in my efforts to better understand this brave new world. Getting up to speed in the market has--so far--introduced me to Tor and the hidden web; encryption; emerging concepts regarding eCommerce and finances; and of course privacy issues. I'm also developing my understanding and facility with eMail clients, certificates, browsers, and the like.

It's a form of continuing education whose ultimate payoff is uncertain. Always good to fatten my skill-set though and keep my eyes peeled for opportunities.
Thanks again and hello to all newcomers.
Bru 

Very many thanks for the replies, especially the BitInstant-to-BTC direct clarification.
Looking forward to messing about until I fully get my bearings.

Cheers,
Bru

Hey Hey! // I tried posting this intro-Q in another thread but received no replies:

// Welcome all around, then.
I am a super-newbie too and have been scanning the forums to make sense of how this all works.
After checking with many suggested sites & resources I think I understand this but please, correct me if I'm wrong:

So. I went to http://bitcoin.org/ and dwnld'd the BTC app. Now I install that to have my "wallet" wherein will reside my BTC currency.
{I should use TrueCrypt or somesuch to secure said wallet and make back-ups to a flash drive}
Do install TrueCrypt to my flashdrive or to my laptop (or both?) ... and ... do this before I install the BTC app?

Next: I setup an account with Mt.Gox that will allow me to buy BCT, but first I need to fund with say, USD and to be expedient, I can use https://www.bitinstant.com/home to take cash to my local bank and have it sent to my Mt.Gox account. Thereafter, I buy BTC at Mt.Gox which will send them to my "address" on the "wallet", right?

(Of course, I can wire-transfer straight to my Mt.Gox and/or eventually explore the options available at http://bitcoin-otc.com/ and https://www.bitcoinary.com , but since I'm new and without experience, feedback, and history, I'm unlikely to get any sellers until I have a few transactions under my belt.
{I am however, more than willing to buy with my secured, business PayPal acct, but PayPal is decidedly not the choice among sellers, I see}.

So and again, now that I (will) have BTC in my "wallet" I can send the "address info" in an encrypted buy message to any willing seller for goods or services on say, a Tor marketplace?

Is that about right?

Any suggestions or corrections?
Many thanks in advance.

PS. I'd like some clarification of the Mt.Gox exchange too: Can it be used without a "personal wallet"/BTC client to make payments directly from my account to sellers?

[I posted this as a reply in another thread but received no answers so I thought I might post it as a standalone thread instead.]: **I'd apologize for seeming simple-minded, but hey! This board IS for noobQ's **


\\I am a super-newbie too and have been scanning the forums to make sense of how this all works.
After checking with many suggested sites & resources I think I understand this but please, correct me if I'm wrong:

So. I went to http://bitcoin.org/ and dwnld'd the BTC app. Now I install that to have my "wallet" wherein will reside my BTC currency.
{I should use TrueCrypt or somesuch to secure said wallet and make back-ups to a flash drive}
Do install TrueCrypt to my flashdrive or to my laptop (or both?) ... and ... do this before I install the BTC app?

Next: I setup an account with Mt.Gox that will allow me to buy BCT, but first I need to fund with say, USD and to be expedient, I can use https://www.bitinstant.com/home to take cash to my local bank and have it sent to my Mt.Gox account. Thereafter, I buy BTC at Mt.Gox which will send them to my "address" on the "wallet", right?

(Of course, I can wire-transfer straight to my Mt.Gox and/or eventually explore the options available at http://bitcoin-otc.com/ and https://www.bitcoinary.com , but since I'm new and without experience, feedback, and history, I'm unlikely to get any sellers until I have a few transactions under my belt.
{I am however, more than willing to buy with my secured, business PayPal acct, but PayPal is decidedly not the choice among sellers, I see}.

So and again, now that I (will) have BTC in my "wallet" I can send the "address info" in an encrypted buy message to any willing seller for goods or services on say, a Tor marketplace?

Is that about right?

Any suggestions or corrections?
Many thanks in advance.

PS. I'd like some clarification of the Mt.Gox exchange too: Can it be used without a "personal wallet"/BTC client to make payments directly from my account to sellers?

Welcome all around, then.
I am a super-newbie too and have been scanning the forums to make sense of how this all works.
After checking with many suggested sites & resources I think I understand this but please, correct me if I'm wrong:

So. I went to http://bitcoin.org/ and dwnld'd the BTC app. Now I install that to have my "wallet" wherein will reside my BTC currency.
{I should use TrueCrypt or somesuch to secure said wallet and make back-ups to a flash drive}
Do install TrueCrypt to my flashdrive or to my laptop (or both?) ... and ... do this before I install the BTC app?

Next: I setup an account with Mt.Gox that will allow me to buy BCT, but first I need to fund with say, USD and to be expedient, I can use https://www.bitinstant.com/home to take cash to my local bank and have it sent to my Mt.Gox account. Thereafter, I buy BTC at Mt.Gox which will send them to my "address" on the "wallet", right?

(Of course, I can wire-transfer straight to my Mt.Gox and/or eventually explore the options available at http://bitcoin-otc.com/ and https://www.bitcoinary.com , but since I'm new and without experience, feedback, and history, I'm unlikely to get any sellers until I have a few transactions under my belt.
{I am however, more than willing to buy with my secured, business PayPal acct, but PayPal is decidedly not the choice among sellers, I see}.

So and again, now that I (will) have BTC in my "wallet" I can send the "address info" in an encrypted buy message to any willing seller for goods or services on say, a Tor marketplace?

Is that about right?

Any suggestions or corrections?
Many thanks in advance.

PS. I'd like some clarification of the Mt.Gox exchange too: Can it be used without a "personal wallet"/BTC client to make payments directly from my account to sellers?