So, now I've got a blockchain

[Jet Cash]

I've downloaded the blockchain, and it looks as if I've got a couple of addresses. Now how do I test things? Do I join a faucet, and see if I get a transfer?

[VirosaGITS]

I've downloaded the blockchain, and it looks as if I've got a couple of addresses. Now how do I test things? Do I join a faucet, and see if I get a transfer?

You could buy Bitcoin or a small miner. It would take a long time to accumulate enough dust to be able to pay the transaction fee. Then you could send BTC to your addresses to "test things".

[Holdaaja]

I've downloaded the blockchain, and it looks as if I've got a couple of addresses. Now how do I test things? Do I join a faucet, and see if I get a transfer?

You could buy Bitcoin or a small miner. It would take a long time to accumulate enough dust to be able to pay the transaction fee. Then you could send BTC to your addresses to "test things".

But it would take a lot time to get roi on that miner...

So you should just buy your btc directly or get it from faucets.

[shorena]

Code:

-----BEGIN BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----
magic?
-----BEGIN SIGNATURE-----
16ECkNB9GKJMLGAyAxCWEHRrchsgGYYMsH
IPIIbulYK/Ag1Jg6sb2hiVrvfW0rkVaJYMeeIQeTKlNtYS5QHO+6+ULrT3pS4YJV0kzZMfAw07YXoSaLeMbJTGw=
-----END BITCOIN SIGNED MESSAGE-----

[Jet Cash]

I've been looking for faucets, and I can't find any sensible info about them. Also I suspect it might take a while to get enough to be transferred. Maybe I'll just find someone in the UK willing  to make a small sale, or I'll sell a .com domain name or something.

[VirosaGITS]

I've been looking for faucets, and I can't find any sensible info about them. Also I suspect it might take a while to get enough to be transferred. Maybe I'll just find someone in the UK willing  to make a small sale, or I'll sell a .com domain name or something.

There are many exchanges at which you can buy BTC with a bank account, interact or just master cards (with fees). If you have stuff to sell, that could work, too.

[Holdaaja]

I've been looking for faucets, and I can't find any sensible info about them. Also I suspect it might take a while to get enough to be transferred. Maybe I'll just find someone in the UK willing  to make a small sale, or I'll sell a .com domain name or something.

Check out Faucetbox. https://faucetbox.com/en/list
It will make it easier to reach payout threshold because it combines your claims from all faucets instantly.

[Jet Cash]

Wow, thanks Shorena - that came in quickly. Do you want a .com domain name in exchange, or shall I send it back to make sure that sending works?

[Holdaaja]

Wow, thanks Shorena - that came in quickly. Do you want a .com domain name in exchange, or shall I send it back to make sure that sending works?

I see you got 4.20$ to play with now, nice

[shorena]

Wow, thanks Shorena - that came in quickly. Do you want a .com domain name in exchange, or shall I send it back to make sure that sending works?

or get a coffee for it, its yours.

I've been looking for faucets, and I can't find any sensible info about them. Also I suspect it might take a while to get enough to be transferred. Maybe I'll just find someone in the UK willing  to make a small sale, or I'll sell a .com domain name or something.

They usually require you to hit a certain amount first yes. Its not feasible currently to transfer 60(00) satoshi. Anything below 10k satoshi is essentially eating a very high transaction fee to get transfered. Anything below 2730 satoshi is considered dust and might have problems getting a confirmation even if you pay a high fee for it.

[Jet Cash]

How did you discover that? Is it in the message?

[shorena]

How did you discover that? Is it in the message?

The address? Its in your signature. The signed message is just to verify that indeed I send you coins. You can verify it with core (File -> verify message) to make sure its correct.

The stuff about faucets is from experience, I started grinding them for weeks and months when I got to know about bitcoin. They have some downsides[1] esp. when you are starting out. I wanted to spare you that.


[1] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1044399.0

[Holdaaja]

How did you discover that? Is it in the message?

You mean how I know how much you got?
It is all publick, see: https://blockchain.info/address/167YShzmzSRZcfoFjAv8JBx31v6DwGwCtt

[arthurminton]

How did you discover that? Is it in the message?

You mean how I know how much you got?
It is all publick, see: https://blockchain.info/address/167YShzmzSRZcfoFjAv8JBx31v6DwGwCtt

Well I did not knew about this but now when you have shared this I have a question...
If it is all public then what is the point of calling bitcoin anonymous??
If someone have my bitcoin address can they tell who I am or my user name or specifically my IP address??

[Holdaaja]

How did you discover that? Is it in the message?

You mean how I know how much you got?
It is all publick, see: https://blockchain.info/address/167YShzmzSRZcfoFjAv8JBx31v6DwGwCtt

Well I did not knew about this but now when you have shared this I have a question...
If it is all public then what is the point of calling bitcoin anonymous??
If someone have my bitcoin address can they tell who I am or my user name or specifically my IP address??

They can only see the address.
There is no way to know who owns specific address unless the owner shares that info.
You can spend days searching blockchain but you wouldn't see what address is mine unless I post my address here, that is why it is anonymous.

[micaman]

How did you discover that? Is it in the message?

You mean how I know how much you got?
It is all publick, see: https://blockchain.info/address/167YShzmzSRZcfoFjAv8JBx31v6DwGwCtt

Well I did not knew about this but now when you have shared this I have a question...
If it is all public then what is the point of calling bitcoin anonymous??
If someone have my bitcoin address can they tell who I am or my user name or specifically my IP address??

Bitcoin is not anonymous. Bitcoin might be, at best, pseudonymous. There are no usernames, only addresses. IP addresses only identify relaying nodes, not where transactions are sent from.
You can generate a new address right now and send coins to it, and nobody would know it's yours. We can, though, track the origin of the coins you sent and may or may not establish a relation between addresses and identities. The fact that you posted an address here, can establish a link between your forum username and the bitcoin address, "losing anonymity".

[Velkro]

I've downloaded the blockchain, and it looks as if I've got a couple of addresses. Now how do I test things? Do I join a faucet, and see if I get a transfer?

Best sign up to some exchange and buy bitcoins for 1$. Then try to send it anywhere to see how it works. Easiest learning in the world

[notlist3d]

I've downloaded the blockchain, and it looks as if I've got a couple of addresses. Now how do I test things? Do I join a faucet, and see if I get a transfer?

Best sign up to some exchange and buy bitcoins for 1$. Then try to send it anywhere to see how it works. Easiest learning in the world

I would go with exchange as well.  It will be more work the first time you use it.  But it's nice later on that you have it all set up and is easy to use.

Faucet time is just to slow.  You will waste a lot of time if you go this route.   But some do it.

[Decoded]

Congratulations,  the blockchain is currently nearing 100 gigabytes. I cant bear to download that. I only have 270 gigabytes of data each month,  so I just use electrum...

[achow101]

Congratulations,  the blockchain is currently nearing 100 gigabytes. I cant bear to download that. I only have 270 gigabytes of data each month,  so I just use electrum...

The blockchain is only around 50 Gb right now. That isn't near 100 Gb, but that depends on your definition of "nearing" I suppose.