Quote from: macsga on February 13, 2018, 09:23:35 PM

Quote from: Anon136 on February 13, 2018, 09:01:34 PM

Quote from: Toxic2040 on February 13, 2018, 08:51:20 PM

Quote from: Anon136 on February 13, 2018, 08:43:31 PM

Is this real? How do I use it? Or what is a good resource to explain how to use it?

https://99bitcoins.com/what-is-the-bitcoin-lightning-network-a-beginners-explanation/

This is a good beginning methinks.

Understand what it is and how it works (in theory). I'm wondering how do I physically utilize those nodes in that picture to my advantage right now?

I believe it can be done via scripting only for now, and ONLY on testnet. The ability of fast "direct" transactions and minimum fees is something everybody wants and fast. AFAIK, (haven't been following this to be honest) there's no release date yet. But, from an article I've read the LN needs to be thoroughly tested prior release (any different input is greatly appreciated). At these prices the problem of having a bug and release it out in the open is not recommended...

PS: Yes, I'm back... (kinda) Grin

It's already being used on the mainnet, although the developers advise against it, and are angry their work has been adapted to work on mainnet.

https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoins-lightning-network-problem-people-already-using/

Quote

Fake money is boring.

At least, that's the contention of many micropayment enthusiasts, whose impatience for the Lightning Network has led to an influx of real bitcoin being transacted over the network, even though developers caution people against doing so since it's still in the testing phase.

Quote

And they're not the only ones Blockstream launched a Lightning-only merchandise store using its own Lightning implementation, c-lightning, and a Lightning main net explorer suggests more than $33,000 in bitcoin has been transacted via Lightning Networks.