Struggling to get started.. please help!

[JustSomeGuy]

Alright guys and girls, just joined the forum.. So im using Bitcoin Wallet and and GUI Miner v2012-12-03..

Joined a pool, got my username password, put in my wallet address on the pools website.. hit start mining..

2013-03-27 12:08:40: Running command: poclbm.exe JustSomeGuy.worker1:h3RxFRYe@api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 --device=1 --platform=0 --verbose -r1
2013-03-27 12:08:40: Listener for "Default" started
2013-03-27 12:08:40: Listener for "Default": api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 27/03/2013 12:08:40, started OpenCL miner on platform 0, device 1 (AMD A4-4300M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics)
2013-03-27 12:08:40: Listener for "Default": api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 27/03/2013 12:08:40, checking for stratum...
2013-03-27 12:08:41: Listener for "Default": api2.bitcoin.cz:8332 27/03/2013 12:08:41, diverted to stratum on stratum.bitcoin.cz:3333

I'm running at 1.1Mhash/s, and it says Shares: 0 accepted, 2 stale/invalid..

Nothing else seems to be happening. Is it mining or am I missing something here?

I realise I sound like an enormous newbie right now.. so a push in the right direction would be much appreciated!

Cheers
JSG

[DeathAndTaxes]

It is mining but at 1.1 MH/s you might as well go look for spare change in the parking lot instead.  Mining is becomes more of a "serious" activity.  It requires the right hardware, a significant investment, good electrical rates, and decent technical knowledge.  The days of just running a miner on any random junk hardware are long gone.

[israeltucker]

It takes time. Lots of time.  How long?  I dunno.  But do find a way to enjoy googling or binging "mining bit coins timetable".  There are several news articles and pages and other forums that will give you more estimates.  From what I've read, it takes time and patience. I hope someone responds with more specifics and experience.  I just googled and spent some time reading some bits on other people's experience and strategies. It seems involved.

[Gator-hex]

2 stale/invalid..

probably because your graphics card is so slow someone else has already solved them by the time you do.

[JustSomeGuy]

DeathAndTaxes, thanks - appreciated! im running it off a brand spanking new laptop, and was considering getting my desktop involved in it aswell, like I say, im just dipping my toes at the moment. What would you recommend for speeding it up? Overclocking?

It certainly does seem involved, but it also seems to be still in it's infancy - looking at the big picture, anyway - so I want to get on it!

[Gator-hex]

Buy a graphics card for your desktop like a 5830 or higher.

Alternatively, try mining LiteCoins instead, they're been designed so you are not competing against FPGA & ASICs.