<p>In fact, you can start mining with only a small piece of <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_software" rel="nofollow">mining software</a>.</p>

<p>When you mine for a <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Pooled_mining" rel="nofollow">pool</a>, a mining program will be sufficient to begin mining.</p>

<p>When you want to solo mine, you also need a client that connects you to the network for announcing new blocks you find. bitcoind is an obvious choice for this.</p>

<p>There are plenty of beginner's guides on Bitcoin mining available on the web.</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weusecoins.com/en/mining-guide" rel="nofollow">WeUseCoins mining guide</a></li>
<li>TechCrunch's <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/08/how-to-mine-bitcoins/" rel="nofollow">"How To Mine Bitcoins"</a></li>
<li>BitcoinMining.com <a href="http://www.bitcoinmining.com/getting-started/" rel="nofollow">"Getting started"</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=bitcoin%20mining%20guide" rel="nofollow">Google!</a></li>
</ul>

<hr>

<p><em>A small remark on your question</em>: InstaWallet is absolutely no requirement for participating to the Bitcoin network. A client is absolutelly everything you need. This can be the default <a href="http://bitcoin.org/en/download" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin-Qt</a>, bitcoind (which you download together with Bitcoin-Qt), the daemon implementation of the default client, or <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Software#Bitcoin_clients_2" rel="nofollow">any other client</a>.</p>

<p>InstaWallet is just a web service that allows a very easy and fast way to create a Bitcoin wallet, based on a URL.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-04-29T21:22:05.887Z
2013-04-29T21:22:05.887Z
Steven Roose
<p>I'm interested in dabbling with mining. I see that there are at least 2 pieces of software that are used when participating in the Bitcoin network:</p>

<ul>
<li>InstaWallet</li>
<li>BitcoinD (the daemon)</li>
</ul>

<p>I guess I'm looking for an intro to all the different software I'll need to even get my foot in the door, as well as any other "must haves" for a miner's software stack (for users or developers alike). Thanks in advance!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-04-29T23:49:31.957Z
Be aware: InstaWallet has shut down. Better to use QT, as Steven Roose says, or another online service like blockchain.info
George Pearce
<bitcoind><mining-software><instawallet>
A Modern Miner's Software Stack
TicketMonster
# A Modern Miner's Software Stack

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-04-29)

I'm interested in dabbling with mining. I see that there are at least 2 pieces of software that are used when participating in the Bitcoin network:

* InstaWallet
* BitcoinD (the daemon)

I guess I'm looking for an intro to all the different software I'll need to even get my foot in the door, as well as any other "must haves" for a miner's software stack (for users or developers alike). Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** bitcoind, mining-software, instawallet

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Be aware: InstaWallet has shut down. Better to use QT, as username_2 username_2 says, or another online service like blockchain.info  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-04-29. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

In fact, you can start mining with only a small piece of [mining software](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_software).

When you mine for a [pool](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Pooled_mining), a mining program will be sufficient to begin mining.

When you want to solo mine, you also need a client that connects you to the network for announcing new blocks you find. bitcoind is an obvious choice for this.

There are plenty of beginner's guides on Bitcoin mining available on the web.

* [WeUseCoins mining guide](https://www.weusecoins.com/en/mining-guide)
* TechCrunch's ["How To Mine Bitcoins"](http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/08/how-to-mine-bitcoins/)
* BitcoinMining.com ["Getting started"](http://www.bitcoinmining.com/getting-started/)
* [Google!](https://www.google.com/search?q=bitcoin%20mining%20guide)

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*A small remark on your question*: InstaWallet is absolutely no requirement for participating to the Bitcoin network. A client is absolutelly everything you need. This can be the default [Bitcoin-Qt](http://bitcoin.org/en/download), bitcoind (which you download together with Bitcoin-Qt), the daemon implementation of the default client, or [any other client](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Software#Bitcoin_clients_2).

InstaWallet is just a web service that allows a very easy and fast way to create a Bitcoin wallet, based on a URL.


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