Beginner looking for a learning roadmap

[DevelopFI]

Hi everybody,

I just recently developed an interest in cryptocurrency. I'm a CompSci student with a love for finance and investing so this is a quite convenient middle ground. I would like to one day possibly transition to a career in this field so I would like to learn as much as i can about all aspects of cryptocurrency. I tried googling for a learning roadmap of sorts but haven't come up with anything. I'm interested in the general concepts behind them, more specialised tech that differentiates altcoins, market movement & investing, how to research and evaluate an altcoin, trusted exchanges & wallets and anything else that could be useful.

What i have read so far:

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin
-http://suitpossum.blogspot.hr/2013/04/how-to-explain-bitcoin-to-your.html
-https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2013/11/19/12-questions-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask-about-bitcoin
-https://coinreport.net/coin-101/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-bitcoin/
-http://tech.eu/features/808/bitcoin-part-one/  and the rest of the series

I also read quit a bit from different subreddits related to this matter. I would also be interested in the community resources. What are the biggest communities (besides this and reddit), most objective news sources, good blogs to follow, community figureheads to look for, etc...

So far i only made a small investment ($20). I bought around 12 different altcoins on Poloniex based on speculation I saw in the community (probably not a smart thing to do, I know).  I did that just to familiarize myself with the platform and to force myself to do some research. Also i don't have a wallet outside of Poloniex. Is that bad? Can i just leave my investment there for years and expect for it to be "safe"?


Any resources, tips and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Cereberus]

Great read so far but you are missing the starting point of many many other very experienced member of this forum and that is the legendary website :

bitcoin.org
bitcoin.com

After reading, this forum is the best source for more. Try to read every day a bit from every section here. You will learn a lot just like everybody before you did.

[rizzlarolla]

Say goodbye to much of your $20!  
(probably, one way or another. but if you can afford that, it will be invaluable experience!)

I suggest keeping "most" of any longer term "investment" in cold storage bitcoin, not altcoin.
You are still an early adopter in bitcoin's journey at this stage.

Most altcoins are simply repackaged hype, designed to part you from your bitcoins.
These altcoins will be pushed on bitcoin "news" sites, such as cointelegraph. (if cointelegraph are paid to do so)
And here, many "farmed accounts" give the appearance of popularity to the latest long con altcoin. (overseen by admin)
You are their mark  

Just take a bit more time, keep reading. Learn to spot what is really going down before loosing big.
(click on my profile/showposts to find my threads if you are interested in a deeper understanding of what i say here!)

[Coin-Keeper]

Welcome to the forum.  As you start your journey I would suggest that you concentrate some on storing your coins OFFLINE.  Especially no having your coins held at an exchange (online).  Regardless of what you read on their "policy pages" you don't have control in that circumstance.  There are too many companies and threads to highlight about this issue.  This is my suggestion for a nice starting point.  Have fun and give out TRUST sparingly until you learn the industry.