Transactions which go to more than one address

[artgoodluck]

I noticed on blockchain.info the biggest recent transaction,  seems to split into two address,

http://blockchain.info/fb/1tbcq2

Which I didn't think was possible.   Is this transaction split into two,  or is the small transaction the transaction fee. If so, it seems rather large.  I thought transaction fees for fixed rather than a percent.

Also,  how can you send funds to more than one address in on transaction using the Satoshi client.  Is it possible?

[kjj]

A transaction is very little more than two lists.  The first list is previously unspent transactions that are now being redeemed as inputs to the current transaction, the second list is new outputs that will be available in the future.

Note that being unable to specify multiple outputs means that change is impossible and you'd only be able to spend if you had a set of inputs that summed to exactly what you wanted to spend.

[Rothgar]

Yes there is a way to pay several people with one transaction with the satoshi client.  When sending funds there is a button add address.  This could cut fees by as much as 1/5 if you send bitcoins often.

[porcupine87]

If to your adress has been sent 100 BTC and you want to spend 1BTC, you start a transaction with one Input (= the output of the transaction, in which your adress were sent the 100BTC) and two outputs. 1BTC goes to the adress of the receiver you want to pay. The other 99BTC go to a adress, which you own by yourself.

[artgoodluck]

Thanks guys.  I get it now.