Stellabelle's BITCOIN SCHOOL is for absolute beginners and is free. The first class is tomorrow. There are 4 scheduled dates: July 29, August 12, August 26 and September 9, 2017. Each class will have a certain focus and cover more than just Bitcoin. Topics for future classes: What is a Blockchain?, Steemit, DAO, and others.
This post covers the first class: July 29, 2017.
Stellabelle's BITCOIN SCHOOL became a reality and tomorrow is the first class.
Below you will find the outline plus all the materials that we're going to cover during the class. I hope a volunteer will present themselves to film parts of the class so I can share it all on Steemit.
If you're a student of mine in BITCOIN SCHOOL, please comment below with any issues, questions that might pop up in between meeting times. We can use Steemit to share our concerns, issues, and questions, so that many people will learn along with us.
CLASS #1 OUTLINE
(due to the possibility of Bitcoin forking into 2 chains, we will hold off learning how to send Bitcoin to wallets at this time. Next class Bitcoin basics will be covered.)
Introduction: How I Found Bitcoin video + story
Everyone in class introduces themselves
STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE NOW:
1. Join Steemit.com
All student questions will take place on my blog on Steemit, so sign up for a Steemit account if you haven't already. Go to my blog and search for the Class # to ask your particular question in the comment section below the BITCOIN SCHOOL post. I will personally answer your questions on Steemit, but nowhere else. If you want a tutorial on the sign-up process for Steemit, watch this video done by 
2. Get a Bitpay Bitcoin wallet
The Bitpay Bitcoin wallet and Bitpay Debit Card are to be used as a gateway to convert your Bitcoin to US Dollars. Never store large amounts of Bitcoin on Bitpay. Also, due to Bitcoin forking, please don't do any Bitcoin transactions now. Just set up your wallet.
Brief overview of Bitcoin, Wallets, Recovery Seeds
Brief overview of Steemit and Steem
Demonstration of Steemit Account Creation and How To Use Private Keys
Q & A time
Eat Cookies and Socialize
In addition to the class outline, all students will receive a paper copy of:
BITCOIN GLOSSARY
Asymmetric Cryptography: system that uses pairs of keys: public keys which may be disseminated widely, and private keys which are known only to the owner. This accomplishes two functions: authentication, which is when the public key is used to verify that a holder of the paired private key sent the message, and encryption, whereby only the holder of the paired private key can decrypt the message. Bitcoin uses this system.
Bitcoin: A decentralized digital payment system invented by Satoshi Nakamoto. It was released as open-source software in 2009. Bitcoin’s main innovation is the blockchain.
Bitpay.com Bitcoin Wallet: A Bitcoin wallet that is used to store Bitcoin that you can send to your Bitpay debit card, in order to convert to US Dollars.
Blockchain: A distributed database that’s used to maintain a continuously growing list of records, called blocks. Each block contains a timestamp and a link to the previous block. Its design makes it immutable.
Coinmarketcap: a website that shows real-time market capitalizations of all cryptocurrencies. The app version is Coincap.
Cryptocurrency: a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange using cryptography to secure transactions and to control the creation of additional units.
Dan Larimer: programmer and blockchain engineer of BitShares, Steem and EOS. He invented the concept of a decentralized autonomous company, DAC, which was modified into a decentralized autonomous organization, DAO, by Vitalik Buterin quickly afterwards.
DAO: Decentralized autonomous organization. A self-governing organization that is run through rules encoded as computer programs called smart contracts. Its financial transactions and program rules are maintained on a blockchain. DAOs are open platforms where people control their identities and personal data.
Dash: a cryptocurrency focused on privacy and fast payments. It’s a fork of Bitcoin. It is a functioning DAO and has a solid governance structure that is designed to solve social, technical and economic problems within its community.
Ethereum: open-source, public, blockchain-based distributed computing platform featuring smart contract functionality, which facilitates online contractual agreements. It’s called the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and was first proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013. It went live in July 2015.
Fork: in software development when developers take a copy of source code from one software package and start independent development on it, creating a distinct and separate piece of software.
Hardware Wallet: A cryptocurrency wallet that is stored offline. These are one of the most secure, hack-resistant wallets that exist. Trezor and Ledger Nano S are examples.
ICO: Initial Coin Offering. Crowdfunding by use of a cryptocurrency which sells a right of ownership or royalties to a project.
Ned Scott: CEO of Steemit.com.
Open-source software: software that is freely licensed for anyone to use, copy, study and change in any way. Source code is openly shared. Bitcoin is an example of open-source software.
Private Keys (in Steemit): Private keys are like passwords. There are 4 different private keys, each of which has a different function: Posting, Active, Owner, Memo. You log into Steemit with your Posting key when you write a blog, vote and comment. An Active key is used when you want to move your money. An Owner key can do everything, including changing all your private keys. A Memo key is used for messages. Your master password is what creates your 4 private keys, so that needs be safeguarded.
Recovery Seed: a long list of words used to recover a digital wallet.
Satoshi Nakamoto: the name used by the unknown person or persons who designed bitcoin. Satoshi devised the first blockchain database. In the process, was the first to solve the double spending problem for digital currency. Satoshi was active in the development of bitcoin up until December 2010.
Steemit.com: a blockchain-based social media site that rewards its users with the cryptocurrency, Steem, for their participation and contributions. Dan Larimer and Ned Scott are founders.
Please be advised that despite the name, BITCOIN SCHOOL, many other blockchain projects will be covered. The name BITCOIN SCHOOL was chosen because it is very unlikely that the average person in my area has heard of Steemit. For marketing purposes, BITCOIN was chosen but Steemit will be covered the most in these classes since I know this system better than any other.
IF YOU ARE A STUDENT IN STELLABELLE'S BITCOIN SCHOOL, PLEASE ASK YOUR QUESTIONS BELOW AND I WILL ANSWER THEM. EVERYONE ELSE IS ALSO WELCOME TO ASK QUESTIONS, TOO.
Thank you!
Stellabelle
