Quote from: drew1982 on October 20, 2014, 04:30:57 PM

After downloading and syncronising "Bitcoin Core" full node software, it then begins to help the network by using your PC power to validate transactions (i think).

Does this mean you are mining solo?
Or do you still have to buy ridiculously priced hardware and then join a pool?

The main bitcoin site gives no info about this at all! And people like me cannot find any answers using google.

If it doesn't mine then why would it be validating transactions?
Does any software actually mine using your own DESKTOP PC resources rather than buying third party hardware?

Thanks guys

your post help me to understand more things i dont know...thanks to all the ones who reply also...