The Truth About Crypto: A Practical, Easy-to-Understand Guide to Bitcoin, Blockchain, NFTs, and Other Digital Assets

This was not a pump and dump where the author wanted us all to buy bitcoin and then sell his, but is a wide ranging, balanced view of digital assets. He covered the technology, the bitcoin network, investing in digital assets, NFTs, and getting started. Pretty much everything you need to know to get your foot in the digital asset door. I like that he covered some of the downsides of digital assets as well as the upsides. I particularly liked he only recommended investing 1% of your net worth in digital assets. This felt like a reasonable amount given the volatility in the digital asset space. I personally still worry about things like regulation and losing my encryption keys (and therefore the whole asset), but author does a good job explaining those risks and how to mitigate somewhat. I will never understand the value of NFTs but that is probably just me.

A few months ago I became very interested in learning about Blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, etc. and have bought several books. Ric's book is one of the best, if not the best. I do have to disclose that I am not completely unbiased in that I have read and enjoyed all of Ric's books (e.g., The Truth about Money, The Truth about Your Future). The Truth about Crypto is easy to read and understand. It is comprehensive but avoids the pitfall of being "technically geeky". It should be on anyone's bookshelf that is interested in this dynamic field.

Excellent guidance for a difficult technology!

This book does a great job of explaining EVERYTHING about crypto except forone thing... how it actually works.What is missing is a chapter showing the details of several bitcoin transactions.I'm not talking about the software programming details but just overview diagramsof the flow of transactions.I'm sure that Ric left this out because be believes that you don't need to know this...Kinda like "Don't mind the man behind the curtain" from the Wizard of Oz.But I disagree... a basic understanding of what is happening "behind the curtain"is necessary to get a feel of how the technology works.Please show flow diagrams of several key bitcoin transactions: - Adding pieces of a bitcoin to a wallet; done by $ or satoshis? - A purchase showing crypto currency being spent - A transaction showing crypto currency being collected from a sale of an item - A transaction where mined crypto currency is deposited in a wallet - Plus many more...Also, can you show a ledger of an actual wallet...as it changes during transactions.Here are some questions: How is it possible for me to own pieces (satoshis) of a bitcoin in my wallet? Will my wallet indicate my crypto holding as currency or bitcoin/satoshis? How is a bitcoin/satoshi uniquely identified? Is each contained in a single data file? How are theses pieces (satoshis) coalesced to use in a transaction? When does the actual mapping of currency to satoshis occur in a transaction? How is a transaction, which is made up of multiple bitcoins/satoshis, made atomic? Can I personally initiate a transaction from my PC or do I need to use an on-line wallet service provider? If I'm going to purchase something do I need to be connected to the Internet? Where in the cloud does a transaction begin? Step by step flow of a transaction... When does each satoshi leave my wallet during a transaction; step by step? When a bitcoin is successfully "mined", what is produced? a single data file? How does a Wallet actually work? Adding/removing crypto currency... Are all bitcoin "miners" competing against each other? Do they all get the same "problem" and the first one to complete it wins; while the other competitors blissfully keep trying only to be rejected when they present their results. Does anyone with a standard PC ever have chance of mining a bitcoin? If bitcoin is so secure... how was it possible for the DOJ to recover $2.3 million in crypto currency ransom paid by Colonial Pipeline? If I keep Bitcoins on my PC (not in a wallet) can someone just "copy the file" and spend them without my knowledge; and I won't know until I go to use them myself and find out that they are already "spent"?Don't get me wrong... I love the book... What I dislike is that we areexpected to just believe that crypto transactions are "just magic" and weshould just trust the network without any knowledge of how the "flow" ofeven a single transaction occurs.

I purchased this book to understand the intricacies of crypto and bitcoin. I was more than impressed with Ric's knowledge, and his ability to explain this in easy to understand language and examples. The book is very informative, easy to read and funny.

Read and then decide if crypto is what you want to invest. I can definitely trust Ric’s wisdom on this top.

easy to read and understand a complex subject matter

Easy to understand

I use the original G502 before hero came out for years then moved to the M65 which I loved.Now I have a NEW wireless set up using the G915 keyboard, I’ve been searching for the best WIRELESS gaming mouse for myself. I BOUGHT and RETURNED: G703, G902, G PRO, G502 LS, Dark Core, Razer mamba & viper. I was going to stick with the viper even thro it was too small for my larger right hand. Until I seen the Basilisk Ultimate release. Returned the Viper tried out the Basilisk and now my new wireless set up is completed. This is a true G502 killer, if you bought the G502LS well return it and buy this. The thumb paddle is better to press than the G502 and the Basilisk PTFE feet glides so smooth/feels better in my hand and RBS is amazing compeer to all wireless mouse and to top that off it weighs less with no double click issues and a RBG charging dockI really like the IDEA of the thumb “Clutch/Paddle” button but I do wish the piece was longer.I would of taking less battery power option if they could have got this down to 99g or less.Customizable Scroll Wheel Resistance is a fantastic idea to compete with Logitech free wheel.Every company should now be using PTFE feet glides. Good job Razer.Razer Synapse 3 works well for me no issues with software. Macros/KeybindsWifi 2.4 Hyperspeed Wireless is amazing NO LAG what’s so everI mostly use the NVIDIA SHEILD TV and play OVERWATCH or when I work from home/laptop.Since I use the Nvidia Shield to play Overwatch I need to map the mouse side buttons to a number/letter to make it work in game on the Shield. This works well and macros too. I have to save all settings to the ON BOARD MEMORY. I wish I had more than 5 profiles but I am happy that I have 5 and not just 1-3I am very DISSAPOINTED that no RBG lighting settings SAVE to OnBoard memory. Even a few simple options to be saved would have been grateful. Oh-well…Basilisk ProsHyperspeed Wireless – ZERO LAG and 100% amazingThe RGB charging DOCK is simply PERFECT, what a great feature.PTFE glides mouse feet are the best. All mice should come with this.Fits my right larger hand type very well.Love the thumb restClutch/Paddle (sniper) thumb button piece feels GREAT to pressSide buttons are larger than viper buttons.Perfect length on the left/right mouse clicksClicking all buttons feel GREATCustomizable Scroll Wheel Resistance (Logitech free wheel still better)Left/Right wheel buttons are great to have. (I use them for some macros)Works well on the Razer Sphex V2 & SteelSeries QcK mouse padsGrips very well, feels good in handSensor seem to be greatSmall size dongleGlides very wellStill can use wired if neededBattery life is amazingWorks great on the NVIDIA SHIELD TV deviceRBG lighting is absolutely beautiful !On board memory 5 profilesBasilisk Cons! On board memory does NOT save RBG lighting settings =( WTF WHY?The clutch button piece could be LONGER or longer option pieces (still better than G502)Not UBS-C (Doesn’t really matter as there is a charging dock)No Bluetoothbig scroll wheelSome Finger prints showWeight (Could be lighter - #1 thing to improve on)PRICE(But at $170 with dock it’s cheaper than getting a G502LS with charging mat)Its OCT of 2020 and mouse is working great love it. I have dropped mouse on floor few times with no issues still working fantastic. The software could be designed better but it is what it is.

Initial impression is quite positive. I’m coming from a Logitech G 903. This mouse, the basilisk ultimate, is a satisfying weight. Lighter than Logitech offerings. Performance is great, smooth and reliable. Love the paddle. Very comfy mouse to use. An upgrade in every way over the G903.Battery life is as advertised. Fantastic. For all that it offers and how it performs, this is great to get 100 hours. The dock is also surprisingly great plugged into my usb outlet. Let’s me charge the mouse whenever I’m away from my computer even if computer is powered off. Has a sticky/squishy rubberized bottom. Works great on my aluminum and glass surfaces to really keep the dock in one place. Not sure if it could stain wood and doubt it works well on any fabrics or irregular surfaces requires some effort to lift or move it once I stick it down good.I think this will be my favorite mouse for a while.The only ‘con’ is the price, which I feel really should be adjusted to $150 or below. Sort feel like I’m being charged extra over competition because they’ve really outclassed anything that used to sit in the price bracket. I don’t think I’m a fan of prices of a computer mouse creeping up to nearly $200 USD with taxes.... you can buy very cheap computers or even mediocre graphics cards and stuff for the price of this mouse. Anyways, disposable income clearly a requirement that limits who might be interested in the mouse.

Nothing is ever 5 stars - hence 4 star review.I haven't seen anything that compared this to the G502 on reddit (maybe I'm just not looking hard enough I suppose), so I just wanted to post something here, as a totally unofficial reviewer but a consumer.The way I play games, my wrist generally doesn't move or moves very little, if that gives you an idea of how I hold mice. The feel of the Basilisk is super similar to the G502, nearly the exact same shape which is a good thing because the G502 fit my larger hand very comfortably.I think the biggest other concern I had was the "clickyness" of the left and right mouse buttons. I had used a Deathadder Elite before and honestly, I just really hated it because of how squishy the left and right buttons felt. This mouse uses a different switch, and it feels a lot "clickier", nearly the same as the G502. Truthfully, the G502 is clickier and I think also has a cleaner click noise (seems like a shorter, sharper click noise than the Basilisk), but the Basilisk click is close enough to the G502 click that it hasn't bothered me at all. In terms of actuation force, I think the G502 required maybe a little bit more, but the force is fine on the Basilisk. The biggest thing to me was that it didn't feel smooshy at all, and it doesn't!Middle (mouse wheel) click is horrendous. Just do not use.Of course, the RGB is better than anything out there, and the included charging stand works well (and includes settings for lights changing based on various charging states).I've owned the G502 for nearly 2 years and I was curious to see how wireless mice had progressed since the last one I owned (another Logitech mouse, I think the 702 or something) back in 2015. So far, playing League of Legends (I use controller for FPS) I haven't noticed any problems, and it does feel quite liberating to not have the cable holding it back :-)Overall, I'm satisfied with the (expensive) mouse. I guess if there was one thing I could change on it, it would be to have the ability to charge it on that cool mousepad Razer makes that charges another one of their wireless mice (forget the name of it). Other than that, I think it's great and I think I will allow this to replace my G502.

Supposed to be brand new but the clutch didn't work. When pressed, stayed pressed even when let go. Returned immediately.Update: Received a new one and the clutch button only worked half the time, then, stopped working all together. Returned for yet another one.