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BitSeeds: Overview of Using a Cryptocurrency Wallet

 

This video continues the tutorials on BitSeeds with an overview of the wallet application. All cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin use a “wallet” which is a program that works kind of like a cross between a traditional physical wallet and a bank account. 

They’re free to use with no need to fill out lots of personal information and ask permission to use money the way you do with a bank. Anyone with a computer can use them and many currencies also have mobile wallet apps that work on your phone, too. [Click for full post]

device driver update example

What is a Driver and Should You Pay to Update Them

This is an older video of mine I first recorded back in 2008 which explains the often-misunderstood computer term “driver” or “device driver” in non-technical language.  While I’m at it, I also make sure you understand the related terms “software” and “hardware.”

I recently was sent an email by a new student named Marcos who had seen this video and had a follow-up question I wanted to answer.  Marcos wrote:

“Now that you’ve cleared up what drivers are — (thanks!)  why do I need to update them?  [Click for full post]

Video – The Parallels Between Traditional Wampum and Bitcoin

In this video I want to talk a little about a cryptocurrency I discovered a little while ago called Wampum or Wampumcoin

 This video continues my series of videos on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Basics Explained for Non-Technical People

 I think that in many ways, Wampum (in particular, Wampum belts) used traditionally in Native American cultures has many parallels to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, including specifically to the blockchain technology that is the core of crypto.

Indulge me for a moment while I wax enthusiastic about the idea of Wampum as a cryptocurrency; why I’m personally enthusiastic about it – not just because of my Native American ancestry, but also for the parallels I see between ancient Wampum belts and modern technology. [Click for full post]

What is Bitcoin & Altcoin Mining Explained in Non-Technical Terms

 In this lesson I want to explain the poorly understood concept of mining. This explanation is for non-technical people:

 This video continues my series of videos on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Basics Explained for Non-Technical People – make sure to watch the other videos if you missed them!

With traditional currencies and payment systems there is a network needed for the system to work.  Decades ago this was a physical network of human tellers handling cash and checks sent through the postal system or carried from one location to another.  Over time, this gradually migrated to a digital computer network used today by banks and payment companies such as Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, and Western Union. [Click for full post]

What is a Bitcoin & Altcoin Wallet Explained in Non-Technical Language

 In this lesson I want to explain the concept of a wallet and a wallet application which is used with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to send, receive, and hold onto funds. We also take a look at an example of a wallet program. This explanation is for non-technical people:

 This video follows up from my previous lesson that gave a non-technical introduction to Bitcoin and how it’s more than most people think it is, so make sure to watch that lesson if you missed it.

 A wallet “stores” your money and is sort of a cross between a traditional (physical) wallet and a bank account. In reality, the wallet holds something called a private key which “unlocks” your access to the funds that are actually stored on the blockchain, which is the public ledger system used by Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. [Click for full post]

Video: What is Bitcoin? (It’s More Than You Think)

This video is the first of a series and will help you understand Bitcoin better in non-technical terms.

More and more people want to know what Bitcoin is – Is it a currency? A payment system?

The answer is yes to both, but that’s not the whole story – those are just part of a bigger picture.

This first video should answer some of your questions but may leave you with new ones — let me know what you most want to understand about Bitcoin and I’ll answer a selection of them in future lessons. [Click for full post]

Question: Lessons for How to Use Android Devices

Hello,Do you have lessons for a 7inch Android mini computer?Thank you,Dora Fowler 

Hi Dora,
  I’m sorry, I don’t do lessons on Android at this point. The problem is that there are many different companies making Android devices, but each one works very differently than the other and so I’d pretty much literally have to buy one of every single make and model on the market and record specific lessons for each one.  

  I actually recommend

Overview of How Computers Work Explained in Simple Terms

In this audio lesson I’m going to take a number of the simple explanations for specific computer terms which I’ve used over the years and tie them all together to help you better understand how the computer works.

Just about everything I mention here also applies to any kind of computing device including smartphones like the iPhone, or tablet computers like the iPad.

In this easy audio computer lesson you’ll learn and finally understand the following things:

What is a USB Flash Drive – Computer Terms in Plain English

In this audio lesson & transcript, I’m going to take a question from Mark. He writes and asks, “What’s a flash drive?”   Transcript of computer lesson begins: A flash drive is a type of storage device for a computer. A storage device is the broad or general term for anything that is used to store data or files. A hard drive in your computer is a storage device. An old floppy disk is a storage device. A CD-ROM or DVD is a storage device, and so is a flash drive. A lot of people call flash drives by specific brand names. They think that is the correct name for them. Sometimes they’ll refer to them as a thumb drive, jump drive, go drive, key drive or any number of things. These are actually all brand names or partial brand names that people have mistakenly thought was the correct general term for that type of device. A flash drive is a

Computer Question About Ubuntu and Free Open Source Software

I received a computer question by email from a subscriber named Willa Valdez, who is wondering what I think about Ubuntu and Open Source software in general. Here’s her question: “Dear Worth, Mahalo Nui Loa for your Newsletters. Your computer lessons have helped me tremendously. I am thinking of purchasing a netbook. They both have the operating system Ubuntu (latest version) already installed. I am a newbie when it comes to Linux but I am curious about how how this system works. I installed Ubuntu via WUBI along side VISTA, however, my computer would freeze when I chose to boot with Ubuntu. I was able to boot with Ubuntu a couple of times and liked the Gnome desktop. Unfortunately, some of the applications I use were not supported i.e. Skype. I did not delve into learning the Command Line just yet. I would appreciate your thoughts on Ubuntu and your general opinion on the Open Source concept. Again, thank you for expertise and assistance. Aloha, Willa Valdez” Below is a partial transcription of the audio: What do I think about Ubuntu and open-source? There are a few things. Let’s start with some definitions.