<p>You can always try the testnet it is really easy to mine on it since difficulty gets reseted to difficulty one.</p>

<p>Just start your bitcoin client with the -testnet parameter (and -gen if you want to CPU mine)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-15T02:46:41.590Z
From memory, the -gen option will only work on older versions of the Bitcoin-QT client, though they probably are still available for download.
Highly Irregular
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-15T02:42:46.533Z
2013-02-15T02:42:46.533Z
Gopoi
<p>Run Bitcoin Core with the -regtest flag set:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>For situations where interaction with random peers and blocks is unnecessary or unwanted, Bitcoin Core’s regression test mode (regtest mode) lets you instantly create a brand-new private block chain with the same basic rules as testnet—but one major difference: you choose when to create new blocks, so you have complete control over the environment.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-examples#regtest-mode" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-examples#regtest-mode</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-13T23:29:07.983Z
2017-07-13T23:29:07.983Z
Rich Apodaca
<p>Have you tried understanding why you have that desire? It might help you understand more about what makes you tick.</p>

<p>You might like to try <a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/1746/how-can-i-participate-in-a-mining-pool-that-is-mining-litecoins">mining Litecoins</a>, or even on the <a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/5770/516">Bitcoin Testnet</a>. Or, you could try some Bitcoin mining with the <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Eligius" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Eligius</a> pool, which from memory will pay out any amount after 2 weeks (whereas most pools have a minimum payout). If you can manage to mine 0.01BTC, that is enough to make a transaction from most eWallets (again, they often have a minimum transaction, usually 0.01BTC), and you could possibly even buy something from coindl.com with it.</p>

<p>Alternatively, you might get more satisfaction by playing <a href="https://minecraft.net/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Minecraft</a> (it has a free trial), which can give the same sense of satisfaction when  you find something of "value".</p>

<p>Another option to consider is earning some dollars, or whatever your local currency is, and exchanging it for bitcoins. Or even just save some dollars on electricity by not mining, and exchange those for bitcoins. Or, sell something on <a href="http://www.bitmit.net" rel="nofollow noreferrer">bitmit</a> maybe?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-15T02:39:21.067Z
2013-02-15T02:52:44.080Z
2017-04-13T12:47:33.743Z
Highly Irregular
<p>Bitcoins are hard to mine now. I've always wanted to actually earn them, but never actually gotten much of anything. I want to create my own blockchain, separate from any other networks, so that mining will be faster and I'll actually be able to experience the thrill of mining bitcoins.</p>

<p>Will someone give me a suggestion, program link, or what have you re: a private network? I just want to try it. Not a spendable coin fork, just something that I can enjoy watching for a bit.</p>

<blockchain><alternatives><testnet><cpu-mining>
How to experience the thrill of mining?
Austin Burk
# How to experience the thrill of mining?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-02-15)

Bitcoins are hard to mine now. I've always wanted to actually earn them, but never actually gotten much of anything. I want to create my own blockchain, separate from any other networks, so that mining will be faster and I'll actually be able to experience the thrill of mining bitcoins.

Will someone give me a suggestion, program link, or what have you re: a private network? I just want to try it. Not a spendable coin fork, just something that I can enjoy watching for a bit.

**Tags:** blockchain, alternatives, testnet, cpu-mining


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-02-15. Score: 10 | Accepted answer

Have you tried understanding why you have that desire? It might help you understand more about what makes you tick.

You might like to try [mining Litecoins](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/1746/how-can-i-participate-in-a-mining-pool-that-is-mining-litecoins), or even on the [Bitcoin Testnet](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/5770/516). Or, you could try some Bitcoin mining with the [Eligius](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Eligius) pool, which from memory will pay out any amount after 2 weeks (whereas most pools have a minimum payout). If you can manage to mine 0.01BTC, that is enough to make a transaction from most eWallets (again, they often have a minimum transaction, usually 0.01BTC), and you could possibly even buy something from coindl.com with it.

Alternatively, you might get more satisfaction by playing [Minecraft](https://minecraft.net/) (it has a free trial), which can give the same sense of satisfaction when you find something of "value".

Another option to consider is earning some dollars, or whatever your local currency is, and exchanging it for bitcoins. Or even just save some dollars on electricity by not mining, and exchange those for bitcoins. Or, sell something on [bitmit](http://www.bitmit.net) maybe?


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### Answer by username_1 on 2013-02-15. Score: 5

You can always try the testnet it is really easy to mine on it since difficulty gets reseted to difficulty one.

Just start your bitcoin client with the -testnet parameter (and -gen if you want to CPU mine)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: From memory, the -gen option will only work on older versions of the Bitcoin-QT client, though they probably are still available for download.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2017-07-13. Score: 2

Run Bitcoin Core with the -regtest flag set:

> For situations where interaction with random peers and blocks is unnecessary or unwanted, Bitcoin Core’s regression test mode (regtest mode) lets you instantly create a brand-new private block chain with the same basic rules as testnet—but one major difference: you choose when to create new blocks, so you have complete control over the environment.

<https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-examples#regtest-mode>


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