What you need for this book

To follow along with the examples of this book, you will need a modern web browser and a stable internet connection. Many of the Bitcoin services mentioned in the book are web-based and will only work on modern equipment. An iOS or Android smartphone might be necessary for some operations and authentication.

To be able to set up and install a Bitcoin node, a fast internet connection and a computer with a strong processor is required. The hard drive should have a minimum storage of 50 GB available, but more will be needed as the blockchain grows in size.

For the various aspects that involve programming, a computer with access to a terminal is required. Mac OS/X, Windows, and Linux have console access within a terminal. There are some additional tools required for setting up, such as Node.js, in order to follow along with the examples. Lists of the tools are provided with the examples.

If you are interested in setting up a Bitcoin mining rig, special equipment is required. Some of the equipment might be difficult to find and expensive to purchase. As the market is still new, one can expect many changes in pricing and availability. It is recommended that you check the forums and online marketplaces, such as eBay and Craigslist, to find more information about purchasing the equipment.