The Nxt Starters Guide: Account creation and basic client operations by Dave EvilDave Pearce, Jan 2016 On the 1st January 2016, the version 1.7 update to NRS (Nxt Reference Software) was released. This is the second part of the installation and set-up guide for this latest version of the NRS, covering: Account creation and basic operations with the NRS client. If you haven't already installed the Nxt server software, please see the first parts of this guide: Win64_Nxt_Startersguide.pdf or Win32_Nxt_Startersguide.pdf, depending on your Windows version. For more details on the Nxt NRS software itself, and on the NXT crypto-currency that it supports, please visit: http://nxt.org/ https://nxtforum.org/ http://nxtwiki.org
The first section of the Nxt Starters Guide explained how to install the Nxt Reference Software (NRS). how to start your Nxt server node and how to download the full Nxt blockchain. Once you've completed that process, the next steps are to start the client interface (available via any browser: IE, Firefox, Chrome...), create your first Nxt account and start using Nxt, giving you access to the NXT crypto-currency and other advanced Nxt features. Let's go: Make sure that your Nxt server node is running, and then access it via your Web browser. These links will automatically start your default browser, and direct it to the Nxt server on your own computer: http://127.0.0.1:7876/index.html or: http://localhost:7876/index.html or you may have a Wallet shortcut you can use.
If you already have an Nxt account that you want to access, you can skip this bit. If you wish to make your first Nxt account, please pay attention: Nxt uses a brainwallet system, with all accounts stored on the blockchain and accessed using just a passphrase. This means that the passphrase you choose is very important: please use the default passphrase generator included with the Nxt client, and only use a customised passphrase if you are an advanced user. To create a passphrase and its associated account: simply click on the big green button 'New? Create Your Account' on the initial screen. Nxt will then generate a random, secure passphrase for your new account. WRITE THIS PASSPHRASE DOWN, OR STORE IT SECURELY.
Nxt would like you to confirm the passphrase that you created in the previous step. Simply type it in again as a double check, then press 'Next', and your account will be created for you.
Congratulations...you've just created an Nxt account. Take note of the Nxt account number (top left, circled) that your passphrase has created. It's a good idea to log out and back in to your Nxt account just to be completely certain that you have the passphrase correctly stored. The following step is to get some NXT crypto-currency to use on your account. The easiest way is to use the NRS clients built-in Bitcoin > NXT conversion service (arrowed). This allows BTC holders to convert some BTC very quickly and simply into NXT. You can also convert other crypto-currencies directly to NXT via the main ShapeShift service: https://shapeshift.io/ or you can directly purchase NXT on any of the exchanges listed on www.nxt.org
Here's an example of the ShapeShift plug-in interface: carefully fill in all the details, send your chosen Bitcoin amount to the specified address, and wait. Your NXT will be sent to you after one confirmation on the BTC blockchain.
Once you have some funds on your account, it's a very good idea to make an outgoing transaction. This serves to announce your account to the Nxt network, increases its security, and will get rid of the annoying Public Key message (arrowed). The simplest way to make an outgoing transaction is to set your account information (circled):
Setting account information is basically giving your account a name. This can be absolutely anything you like, and serves as a useful way of making your account unique. Click on 'Set Account Info', choose a name or description for your account, submit your passphrase and click on 'Update Account Info' :
The Nxt client has a wide selection of options available: access them via the 'Settings' menu, represented by a gear icon (circled)
A useful feature of Nxt is that you have the option to log-in to your account either with the full passphrase, in order to carry out transactions, or just with the account number (in view-only mode) to simply check your account. You can switch between the two modes using the little blue button: a small person is the account view log-in, as shown below:
This is the passphrase log-in option (note the small key). You also have the further option (below the log-in field) to store your passphrase for that session, allowing you to authorise transactions without having to repeatedly give your passphrase.
If you see the 'Blockchain Downloading' display (arrowed, bottom right) in your client, you will have to wait for confirmation of any transactions until the blockchain is fully downloaded. Depending on your PC and Web connection, a full intial download can take up to 12 hours, but is more usually 2-4.
That's covered the basic elements of creating and using an Nxt account. There are literally hundreds of possible functions available within Nxt, so for more information and/or some support check out these sources: Forum : www.nxtforum.org Main site: www.nxt.org NXT Foundation: www.foundation.org Nxt Wiki: www.nxtwiki.org News and information: www.nxter.org Nxt helpdesk service: www.nxt.org/support