I am glad I found this forum

[globalvillage]

I have discovered bitcoins just recently, and I am completely mesmerized by them.  I am trying to learn about them as much as I can and there is still so much to understand... 

My question for you guys: is using external wallets such as blockchain a disservice to the bitcoins community?

Now there are many external ewallets to choose from and newbies often prefer them then the downloaded version.  My reasoning, if our governments decide to somehow start controlling bitcoins, those external wallets sites could be the first one to hit on...  So, bitcoin education should include the importance of having ones own, internal wallet, am I correct?   

[nobbynobbynoob]

It's definitely advantageous to run a full node (Bitcoin-Qt or bitcoind). But using an e-wallet is surely preferable to not using bitcoin at all...

The patience needed to set up Bitcoin-Qt while the blockchain gets downloaded and synchronized could be a hindrance to true n00bs, it has been opined.

[bbit]

Welcome to the world of Bitcoin!

[Gabi]

It is important to NOT use an online wallet wich may steal your bitcoin and wich will make your bitcoin disappear if it goes offline forever.

Blockchain.info is safe if you backup your wallet, so incase blockchain.info is attacked/seized/nuked you still have it.


This said, running a full node help the network.

[theymos]

Yes, non-Web clients are safer. Automated services should always use Bitcoin-Qt, but for casual use I like Electrum.

Blockchain.info is safe if you backup your wallet

Only if you use the browser plugin. Otherwise blockchain.info can change its JavaScript at any time to steal your wallet.

[globalvillage]

Thank you for your replies, it looks like my reasoning was correct