For those of you who have earned bitcoin... Advice for official newbie

[NxDxcx]

So I have read a lot about bitcoin and spent time getting my arms around it but still do not completely understand ways to earn bitcoin other than buying into mining groups or buying one of the mining processors. 

For those of you who have actually made any kind of substantial bitcoin...  What would you suggest doing to somebody just getting started? Quit while all I'm ahead (only time invested in researching the concept and have not invested anything) or do you have any real methods of actually making some income doing this?

Also, macbook pro with ATY / Radeonx1600 video card for mining?  Would I be wasting my time?  Not looking to invest until I substantiate the ability to make something worthwhile of it to myself.  Would appreciate any direction you may have to offer. 

[1715508036]

1715508036

[1715508036]

1715508036

[1715508036]

1715508036

[URSAY]

Don't mine.

Keep your regular job.

Pick up some btc here and there, make friends in the community, hold long, have fun. 

[01BTC10]

Read, read and read!

Never invest more than you can afford to lose. A bitcoin that is not in a wallet in your control is not yours and can get taken away from you. Learn to create a paper wallet and use it for long term storage: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Paper_wallet

Mining on a laptop is a bad idea.

To get an idea of the yield with your specs (wich is a waste of time):

Bitcoin:
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_hardware_comparison
http://www.bitcoinx.com/profit/

Litecoin:
http://litecoin.info/Mining_Hardware_Comparison
http://ltc.kattare.com/calc.php

[NxDxcx]

Don't mine.

Keep your regular job.

Pick up some btc here and there, make friends in the community, hold long, have fun. 

Thank you! I do web development so I'm on my computer anyway, figured might as well check it out.  Love the straight forward answer =)

[Rebelution]

work

[astutiumRob]

What would you suggest doing to somebody just getting started? Quit while all I'm ahead

Quit While Ahead is the *only* strategy worth following