QUick easy question someone help!

[M3t]

Just got bitcoin-qt.

So it generated me a wallet. Is this the public or private key?

[M3t]

;-; help!

[deepceleron]

I would recommend this as a starting place to understand addresses and wallets:

http://we.lovebitco.in/bitcoin-addresses/
http://we.lovebitco.in/the-wallet/

Also expect it to take about 8-12 hours of downloading and processing the blockchain before the client is ready for use; leave Bitcoin open overnight.

[RyNinDaCleM]

Just got bitcoin-qt.

So it generated me a wallet. Is this the public or private key?

When you click the "receive" tab, the address listed is what you would put in your sig, or give out as a payment address when someone owes you coins.

[Mogumodz]

In receive coins you should have a wallet address.

If yes, Congratulations you have a Bitcoin address.

Wait for the rest of the blocks to download if you have downloading blocks in the client at the bottom.

[M3t]

I would recommend this as a starting place to understand addresses and wallets:

http://we.lovebitco.in/bitcoin-addresses/
http://we.lovebitco.in/the-wallet/

Also expect it to take about 8-12 hours of downloading and processing the blockchain before the client is ready for use; leave Bitcoin open overnight.

already up to date! did it this afternoon

[M3t]

So, those are public addresses I can give out, right?

But I hear a lot about how a wallet has both private and public keys, where the private keys are what send money.

Can someone please clarify this? ;-;

[RyNinDaCleM]

So, those are public addresses I can give out, right?

But I hear a lot about how a wallet has both private and public keys, where the private keys are what send money.

Can someone please clarify this? ;-;

You can't mess this up! You need to run a dumpprivkey command to gain access to the private key, so don't worry about that.

[Mogumodz]

Also, when you encrypt a wallet you use a passphrase, it's like your pin number with cash cards but can be anything. Never tell anyone this code. You also can't send payments without the passphrase if you encrypt it. Never loose it

[deepceleron]

So, those are public addresses I can give out, right?

But I hear a lot about how a wallet has both private and public keys, where the private keys are what send money.

Can someone please clarify this? ;-;

Bitcoin addresses use asymetric Public-key cryptography. For each address you create, there is a secret matching part that is stored in your wallet, but is never shown to you. The secret key is used for digitally signing messages transferring your bitcoins to someone else when you want to send a payment, to prove that you authorized the transfer.

This is merely an interesting fact. To receive a payment, just give someone your address. To send a payment, just put in their address and the amount to send, and press "send coins".

[cryptotrade]

In your bitcoin wallet - click on Receive Coins
you will see an address
click copy address

this puts the address in your clipboard and you can paste it anywhere.

You can also customize addresses, so you know who is actually paying you.

For example:


Click new address and you will see a pop up window,

it will say label and address

You can simply label this new address to make it custom.

Suppose you are expecting payments from 2 people - John's Bitcoin Plaza  and  Sally's Cupcake Store

You would create two addresses and name the first one: John's Bitcoin Plaza
and the second, Sally's Cupcake Store

When your transactions come in you will know exactly who paid you and how quickly they paid.

I do this all the time and it's very helpful.

Best of luck!

[XXthetimeisnowXX]

;-; help!

ya it takes foooorrrreevveerrr. i changed to multibit. it only takes about an houre

[M3t]

So, those are public addresses I can give out, right?

But I hear a lot about how a wallet has both private and public keys, where the private keys are what send money.

Can someone please clarify this? ;-;

Bitcoin addresses use asymetric Public-key cryptography. For each address you create, there is a secret matching part that is stored in your wallet, but is never shown to you. The secret key is used for digitally signing messages transferring your bitcoins to someone else when you want to send a payment, to prove that you authorized the transfer.

This is merely an interesting fact. To receive a payment, just give someone your address. To send a payment, just put in their address and the amount to send, and press "send coins".

Your knowledge is sexy, my friend.