by Matthew Russell - Posted 2 years ago
Welcome again, my CryptoComics Compatriots. Today we will break down the fabulous MetaMask and let you know how you can use it with the CryptoComics Marketplace. At first glance, it seems like an overly complicated machine, but in reality, it is rather simple to use and easy to install.
There are a ton of sites and apps that require personal information; name, credit card information, email, and so on. Some now require pictures of you in order to even try to log on. Yes, facial recognition is a major hot topic when it comes to “Big Brother” and other organizations learning more and more about you.
Using such apps and programs tends to come with inherent risks. Credit cards are often stolen. Usernames and passwords are sold at an alarming rate. Identities are hacked. The list goes on. Bottom line, someone is always watching.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, hope for the future of things. Picture buying and selling powered by the Ethereum blockchain. Everything transaction is verified, and both are secret as well as the public at the same time. For more information about this, please read Blockchain Technology: Cryptocurrencies and beyond This is an absolutely wonderful article written by our own Lindsey!
So, how do you purchase assets, or store your currency? For any job, you need the right tools. In this case, you need a fast and secure crypto wallet. This is where MetaMask comes in.
MetaMask is your key to connecting you to these new tools and applications. It's a wallet for your valuables and data. It is also a shield against data collectors and hackers. Finally, it allows you to take back control of your data, moving seamlessly between sites.
Instead of a username and password, you will simply need a phrase that will act as a login, username, and password, and will show proof of actual ownership. The following example is what is known as a “Seed Phrase”. They are 12 words long.
This is not a real phrase, I simply picked 12 random words to show you what it will look like. You will be given the words, they are not chosen by you, but more on that later.
SYMPATHETIC
UNICORNS
WANDER
ENCOMPASSING
PLANETS
ANYONE
SPACE
MetaMask is a browser extension and app that is easy to use. To get this, simply look down and decide if you want it for a device or on your browser (or both). It works with amazing blockchain applications such as Aave, OpenSea, Rarible, Gitcoin, and especially CryptoComics.
If you head to the MestMask website (https://metamask.io/) you can see that it works on browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, & Edge. As of the time of this writing, it does not work on Safari but does have an app that works on iPhones and iPads (more on that later).
See the video walkthrough below for the easy-to-use instructions. These are the exact instructions I personally used, and it took no time at all. I set up a new seed account with a seed phrase here and kept track of that phrase to use on my Apple Devices.
Yep, you can even get it on either an android AND an Apple device! I installed it on 2 apple devices as well as 1 old and crappy android device. (I keep an old Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 from 2013 to test various apps and sites).
I used basically the same settings as in the above video; showing the Primary Currency as Fiat (although those that are extremely well-versed in various Crypto Currencies might leave the ETH checked).
If you click on the “Advanced” tab, you will see the options for “Download State Logs”. The video does not go into what these are or how to read them, so here you go, another excellent and informative video on the subject.
The State Logs contain public account addresses and sent transaction histories of your account. Once you download them, open them in a simple text editor such as Notepad (I used Notepad++). It is written as a .json file.
If you want a simple explanation as to what is said in the State Logs check out this website from Herongang.com. I know it’s a long URL, but it has great information for those that don’t speak geek.
I have personally set my wallet up to be able to send eth to certain freelancers that I use on a regular basis. Head back over to the original video and check the timestamp at 4:15 for more info here.
As a comic writer, I use 3 different artists regularly. I pay them half at the beginning of a project and the remaining half at the end. Since I use them regularly, I set up the contacts so that I know exactly to who I am sending any currency. Just to be on the safe side, I personally tested these with the most minuscule amount of Eth and then will call the artist to verify that they have it.
This way, if I typed the wallet address wrong, I’m only out a few pennies. If successful, this amount will be deducted from the amount that I pay upfront so that it will equal the first half payment.
Before the launch of CryptoComics I had several wallets, none of which used Matic from the Polygon network. At first, I can honestly say that I was confused with the setup. Many of you know that I am bald, well, I grew hair just so I could pull it out.
I then decided to simply stop trying to figure it out on my own and look up how to do it on YouTube. Trust me, that was easier than going alone.
Originally I found a great video that simplified everything and it was only 3 minutes long. Unfortunately, that video starts showing how to also use FTX, and that is not something I can get behind.
Here is another video that walks you through things pretty well and is easy to follow. Check it out and enjoy.
Now that this is complete, we are ready to roll! I can buy and sell NFTs, I can get more coins, and I can buy & sell securely! What more can you ask for!?!
Vote, buy comics, crowdfund, sell comics, make comics, or hire a freelancer (hopefully to make more comics and sell them on our Marketplace), now that you have MetaMask, what will you do first?
