Lets make ARMORY Instructions for noob.

[Av8Surf]

Step 1. Have 180GB of FREE space to download the entire Bitcoin core block chain.  This takes days and will slow every connection down in house.

Step 2. Download and run bitcoin core. https://bitcoin.org/en/download

Step 3. Dont even download Armory until the above is done. (2 different websites) Obviously on a PC install Armory.  Create wallet and PW.

Step 4.  Run Armory and let it sync with block chain.  Can take 1 to 12 hours.

Step 5.  Send SMALL amount of bitcoin to wallet and then search for it.....

[1715386091]

1715386091

[1715386091]

1715386091

[Holliday]

Armory isn't software that is well suited for noobs. It's an advanced wallet with extreme privacy and security measures in place for savvy users who take the time and effort to learn about the software (and Bitcoin itself). It also allows the convenience of offline transaction signing without compromising your security.

A full block chain sync with Core takes me about 24 hours and barely uses my bandwidth. Uploading the block chain to 60+ peers, now that's bandwidth intensive. The reason I point this out is to highlight that everyone's internet service is different, so making blanket statements like "this takes days and will slow down every connection in the house" is counter productive.

Also, if your computer is taking 12 hours for Armory to build the database maybe you want to purchase a new(er) computer before purchasing bitcoins. It takes my 12-year-old q6600 machine less than an hour. Again, not everyone will have a similar experience here but 12 hours seems extreme to me (running a full node plus advanced wallet on a laptop is probably a bad idea).

Your "noob guide" completely ignores cold storage, which is why most people choose Armory in the first place. If you are going to have private keys on a networked machine, might as well use a light wallet as well because your security is already non-existent.

[gangtraet]

I think an "Armory for newbies" webpage is an excellent idea.  I agree that Armory is not recommended for newbies, but it would give them an informed choice.  And the not-so-newbies attempting to install armory for the first time will find it useful, too. 

A lot of time is wasted by people trying out Armory without knowing how demanding it is (mainly regarding computational resources).

[Stroto]

Step 1. Have 180GB of FREE space to download the entire Bitcoin core block chain.  This takes days and will slow every connection down in house.

Step 2. Download and run bitcoin core. https://bitcoin.org/en/download

Step 3. Dont even download Armory until the above is done. (2 different websites) Obviously on a PC install Armory.  Create wallet and PW.

Step 4.  Run Armory and let it sync with block chain.  Can take 1 to 12 hours.

Step 5.  Send SMALL amount of bitcoin to wallet and then search for it.....

between step 4 and 5 I would say:

Step 4.1 disconnect with internet, make and print a paper back up and store it somewhere safe.

Step 4.2 check https://bitcoinfees.21.co/ for the most recent fees and browse the internet a bit to educate yourself on what fees are and why it is useful to use a higher or lower fee.

after (or maybe before) step 5:

Step 6 get yourself familiar with blockexplores like https://tradeblock.com/bitcoin https://www.blocktrail.com/BTC and https://blockchain.info/ on how to check transactions, the funds in an address, the latest block and transaction backlog.

[Stroto]

Your "noob guide" completely ignores cold storage, which is why most people choose Armory in the first place. If you are going to have private keys on a networked machine, might as well use a light wallet as well because your security is already non-existent.

non-existent is a bit short sighted imo. I think armory, once running for a noob, is perfectly suited to be used for both hot and cold wallets (not on the same machine of course).

(running a full node plus advanced wallet on a laptop is probably a bad idea)

Again that really depends on your setup

[HCP]

I think you guys missed the invisible [sarcasm] tag that the OP wrapped around his comment... he has been raging in other threads about how Armory has caused him nothing but headaches...

Looks like a simple case of attempting to run before they've learned to walk... Armory isn't exactly n00b friendly, but there is nothing preventing n00bs from going and learning how Armory and/or Bitcoin works BEFORE attempting to use either

[gangtraet]

But still, putting up a sign telling people to learn to walk before attempting to run (and simple instructions on how) might still be a good idea.
 

[toshiva]

Please do!

I'm locked in from creating a wallet many versions ago. So I grasp the concepts but I'm not highly technical, and now struggling to get an online watching-only version up and running. I'm running Bitcoin v0.14.1.0 on Ubuntu 14.04. Which is the best/most stable version of Armory for me?

[Holliday]

Which is the best/most stable version of Armory for me?

Try latest version. If you have any issues with that, you could try the latest testing build.

[Arntek1331]

I think it is a great Idea. I struggled through it years ago and it is far better now. I think its ready for a step by step for Windows and Linux.

I have an issue that is eating me up. WE are warned not to make an unencrypted backup of the wallet because hackers could get your wallet info. Yet as a creation or first time back up it asks you to make an unencrypted backup.  No problem because more reading tells you to keep those back ups offline weather they are encrypted or not. My installation on win 10 does not ask me where I would like to back up so I am looking for the encrypted and non encrypted back ups to move off the system onto a usb. In the directory where the wallets are the wallet files are:

armory_2********_.wallet
armory_2********_backup.wallet
armory_2********_wallet.lmdb
armory_2********_wallet.lmdb-lock

Which wallet is the unencrypted one ?
By deduction of file armory_2********_wallet.lmdb and armory_2********_wallet.lamb-lock are the encrypted wallet information.
armory_2********_.wallet is the wallet loaded in Armory and armory_2********_. backup.wallet is the unencrypted one that should be off the system.
Is this correct or is there an unencrypted back up wallet file some where else then the appdata/roaming/Armory directory? I would like to get this off my system before I actually begin to use the wallet and I can not confirm this anywhere so far.

[goatpig]

What about you use the wallet's properties dialog instead?