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Ask HN: What's the best way to learn about the blockchain?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to learn about the blockchain?

#71

Post by AroundTheBlock_ »

MereKatMoves wrote: post #51
brighton36 wrote: post #42

Blockchains are just databases rebranded to be something interesting when cryptography is applied. There's no magic to keeping transactions in 'folders'. Database journaling, and message signing has been performed since the 80's (or older)

Your statement is lacking in a few ways, so to correct you in simple terms... a database contains data that can be deleted and/or overwritten. Other than examining changelogs and reverting changes according to 'external requirements', a database is a non-auditable pot of changeable information. A blockchain cannot be re-written without a "hard fork" of the network that makes it exist. It is that simple. Consequently,…

You're wasting your time. He's Bitcoin's biggest troll.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to learn about the blockchain?

#72

Post by AroundTheBlock_ »

brighton36 wrote: post #44
scott_ci wrote: post #30

I've found that getting a wallet and sending some Bitcoin is a great first step. This course introduces Bitcoin and also surveys an array of other decentralized, blockchain projects: https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/bitcoin-decentralized-te... (caveats: self-promotion, pay-walled, but the free trial allows you to watch 95% of it). Bear in mind that the word "blockchain" is an evolving word; almost every definition…

Blockchain is now a buzzword that means 'good database'

People aren't going to magically sell Eth and buy Bitcoin just because you're spamming the Hacker News thread, Chris.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to learn about the blockchain?

#73

Post by jerguismi »

kalleboo wrote: post #65
jerguismi wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He is otherwise great chap, but I don't think he is the guy to turn to on bitcoin/blockchain topics. He has focus certainly somewhere else, and to me his rants about bitcoin sound more like a general complaining because he missed the train.

You should probably also not turn to someone heavily invested in Bitcoin, since they have a lot to lose...

True, but those who invest their money usually invest their smarts and time also on the topic. So the info is most definitely biased, but on the other hand those who don't invest money probably don't care that much about the topic, and focus their efforts on other topics.

On the other hand, there are some people who have been bitcoin enthusiasts but have since left the scene, such as mike hearn.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to learn about the blockchain?

#74

Post by olliey »

MereKatMoves wrote: post #51
brighton36 wrote: post #42

Blockchains are just databases rebranded to be something interesting when cryptography is applied. There's no magic to keeping transactions in 'folders'. Database journaling, and message signing has been performed since the 80's (or older)

Your statement is lacking in a few ways, so to correct you in simple terms... a database contains data that can be deleted and/or overwritten. Other than examining changelogs and reverting changes according to 'external requirements', a database is a non-auditable pot of changeable information. A blockchain cannot be re-written without a "hard fork" of the network that makes it exist. It is that simple. Consequently,…

Did you read what he wrote ?

Database journaling ? Keeping things in folders ? what you have just described.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best way to learn about the blockchain?

#75

Post by bachback »

1) Read the original blockchain article: http://szabo.best.vwh.net/securetitle.html

2) Longest lecture Nick Szabo, inventor of blockchains, ever gave was in the money museum in Zurich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWuN2R2DC6c

3) Study the original source code (bitcoin version 0.0.1).

4) https://github.com/bitcoinbook/bitcoinbook

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