EDIT: Due to time constraints, the current version of the satoshi client is no longer supported! Finally!
No more "Grandma, you just need to download this weird userspace runtime script and change the network settings to enable key import..." No more "Grandma, you just have to run weird, cryptic Python scripts to access bitcoin rpc calls...", no more "Grandma, you just need to compile your client with while applying xyz patch for 64bit mode!" No more "Grandma, you must download the correct version of python, no not that one, the OTHER one!" No more "Grandma, you must copy your libraries to the user folder to prevent your computer from crashing." No more "Grandma! This is the Console, you must type your commands here, NOOO not like that! You must enter: ./crypticcommandlinetoolinterface.py -a -b -c -d -e 12345 -]¢¶|[|¶¢[]¢¶] See, it's that easy..." - Those times are finally over because
I present:
The Fantastic Magic Wallet Creator v0.1
-
This simple tool creates a wallet.dat from a Bitcoin private key without the hassle to download and run weird and/or non-functioning command-line scripts with cryptic syntax. Just put your private key in the box on the left, click "Add key to wallet", and then save your wallet to your disk.
This tool supports all standard private keys and thereby allows you to import keys as they are found in
- Vanitygen
- bitbills
- casascius paper wallet
- bitcointools
- etc.
How to use?Simply add your private key to the textbox (be careful, your key must by typed exactly, additional symbols or spaces will generate a wrong wallet entry), click "add to wallet" and then finally save to your bitcoin folder. It can be found under "~/Library/Application Support/Bitcoin"
Once you are finished, you must run Bitcoin with the "-rescan" option. The easiest way to do this is to start the terminal.app and copy/paste "/Applications/Bitcoin.app/Contents/MacOS/bitcoin -rescan". Unfortunately there is nothing I can do here, but this will be the only place where you will have to use the command line, at least until the client has improved enough to support this by default.
It will take a while to start, but your Bitcoin address and the associated funds should appear eventually.
-> IMPORTANT!! If you don't read anything else, at least read this!! <-As of version 0.1 (current) the Magic Wallet Creator only adds a single address to the wallet. Although this will be improved in the future, right now you will have to spend ALL Bitcoins contained in the address at once, if you don't do this, the remainder WILL BE LOST!
The best way to approach this is to write down an address of your original wallet and then send
all the coins from the imported address to your real wallet.
Backing up your dataI think this should be obvious, but seeing how recent recklessness has lead to the loss of many a bitcoin, I feel obliged to point this out: ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR WALLET!
Since this tool will necessarily overwrite the wallet you find in the library folder, you should temporarily move that wallet out, and then, once your transactions is complete and you have enough confirmations, you quit the client, move back your original wallet.dat, and your transaction should appear there soon.
Yes, this is a hassle, the ability to add keys directly to your wallet might be added in the future.
Security concernsAs with all 3rd party programs, you need to be extra careful when using tools that access your wallet. You are dealing with real money here and should act accordingly. Although the source is included in the tarball, I do not expect everyone on this forum to be able to read or compile it, and even if they could, there is no guarantee the binaries you are running have not been compromised, particularly when downloading from 3rd party sites.
The best way of action is to physically disconnect your mac while using this (or any non-client) tool. To do this simply click on the AirPort icon on top, and deactivate. After you're finished, you can just reactivate again. Or pull the plug if you are on LAN. That way a compromised app cannot access the network and broadcast potentially stolen keys.
Additional FeaturesDepending on the reactions here, I might or might not expand the capabilities of this little tool to include functionalities such as
-auto wallet backup
-transaction import/export
-passphrase encryption
-deterministic wallet
-wallet management
-linux version
-windows version
-label editing
-individual key import/export
-multiple wallet support
-general encryption
-and many more...
However, I am a hard working man working in a mind grinding 9-5 job, while I also have to support a family. Writing features takes a lot of time and I will need a lot of support!
DownloadThe file can be found here:
http://www.realhatred.flimex.hu/mwc.tar.gz ≈1.398.031 Byte
The sauce is also in the included file. This is an xcode project with two dependencies, openssl and BerkeleyDB. You will have to install those libraries before you can compile this.
How you can helpUnfortunately I am very time constrained. Besides my day job, I also have a wife and two little kids (girl and boy
) so this means that future development will be highly dependent on your support. If you like this program, please consider donating: 1DuPPqzbQY6Rosj5nk7Vmo7CHoArhdBB6U Every Bit is very appreciated!
Besides this, you can also help by testing, if you have any problems, the best way to reach me is a pm on this forum.
Also, if somebody could provide a mirror for this^, I will be a very happy man!
Final wordsFirst of all, I'd like to thank everyone here for showing interest, besides this, my
Special Thanks go to:
- casascius
- etotheipi
- Matt Giuca
Very Special Thanks go to:
My wife and family for all their patience!
DisclaimerAs usual, the Magic Wallet Creator comes with no warranties or guarantees. By using this, you agree that I, the author, cannot be made responsible in case of a financial, or any other kind of loss.
If you like this program please donate:
1DuPPqzbQY6Rosj5nk7Vmo7CHoArhdBB6U
Much appreciated!
.