A great place to start

As there are many questions surrounding Bitcoin, I commonly refer many to the site weusecoins.com. This site is full of valuable information and resources for those who are interested in Bitcoin for personal use as well as merchants who wish to accept it as payment. 

If you're new to Bitcoin, the video on the homepage will be a great start. It explains the basics of this new virtual currency in a clear and concise manner. I also like their Getting Started page. Here they explain everything one should do when starting out and it's outlined in easy to follow steps.

The Q&A pages contain answers to some of the common questions that are asked.

Lastly I like their Bitcoin for Merchants section, here you’ll find details as wells as features and benefits for merchants who are considering Bitcoin for payment.

One thing I did not see, but would recommend for all web or mobile based wallets, is that you make sure to enable 2-factor authentication, like Google Authenticator, this will help protect your Bitcoins should someone gain access to your login and password. 2-factor authentication provides an extra layer of protection by requiring a one-time use code for logins or other actions. The codes are generally generated on your phone using an app, you can also print them in advance.

Welcome to the VillageCoin blog!

Here we'll discuss the topic of Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency (digital or virtual currency) used everyday by people throughout the world. 

The purpose of this blog is to provide insightful information on Bitcoin as well as updates on how we will help simplify access to Bitcoin through our placement and management of Bitcoin Vending Machines. 

To accomplish this goal, I’ll need to start by answering the most common question:

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin, also referred to as BTC, is a decentralized cryptocurrency, meaning

it's not issued or backed by any central bank or government. Bitcoin began circulation online in 2009 and is distributed over a peer-to-peer network in a semi-anonymous manner through the use of digital wallets. All Bitcoin transactions are verifiable and recorded on a public ledger known as the “blockchain” which is accessible online at blockchain.info. One can use Bitcoin to make purchases online and in person as well as to transfer value to another person anywhere in the world with almost nonexistent fees. All bitcoin transactions are irreversible, which makes it attractive to businesses concerned with chargebacks and fraudulent charges.

Why does it matter?

Bitcoin is important to me because of the fact that it allows individuals the ability to transact without restrictions, it allows for privacy regarding your purchases and it’s free from the exorbitant transfer, transaction and banking fees that we’ve become accustomed to.

My hope and goal is that by utilizing this blog as well as additional forms of social media, that I’ll be able to provide insightful information about this exciting technology to those who are interested, have questions about it and even those who know it in great detail, but seek something further or want to provide their insights to me and the world. The other goal is that we will have placed at least our first Bitcoin Vending Machine by summer of 2015, which will further the goal of simplifying access to Bitcoin.

Bitcoin Vending Machines look and work just like traditional ATMs, we'll likely use one, if not all three of the models pictured below. More information will be provided on the choice, use and placement as that time nears.

One should properly research this or any other item, currency or commodity they wish to invest in.