I understand when you start up the bitcoin app, it must download the blockchain which is why it is laggy at first.  What exactly is this blockchain?

All help is greatly appreciated!

Note taken, I will trust no one except my encryption software!

Good to be here.  I think it should be made obvious when you first make an account that you have those restrictions.  I spent a long time looking for the "post" button on the other threads until I finally got here!

I am newbie here trying to make his way, I have a few questions I would like to post in the help forum. Anyone know of a way to get to a 4 post count without just posting things for no reason in this thread?