Add article on mainnet, stagenet, testnet

docs/networks.md

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+# Networks
+
+Monero offers three separate networks and blockchains: **mainnet**, **stagenet** and **testnet**. Every blockchain has its own genesis block and is entirely seperate from others. Also, corresponding p2p networks are separate.
+
+## Mainnet
+
+Mainnet is the "production" network and blockchain.
+
+Mainnet is the only blockchain where XMR units have value.
+
+Mainnet is what people mean by default.
+
+## Stagenet
+
+Stagenet is what you need to learn Monero safely.
+
+Stagenet is technically equivalent to mainnet, both in terms of features and consensus rules. Similar to mainnet, use the [latest official Monero release](https://getmonero.org/downloads/) to be compatible with stagenet.
+
+To get started:
+
+* Connect your GUI or CLI to stagenet open node **monero-stagenet.exan.tech:38081**
+* Get free XMR from [stagenet faucet](http://stagenet.xmr-tw.org:38085/)
+* Check the [stagenet block explorer](http://162.210.173.150:8083/)
+
+Stagenet was introduced in March 2018 as part of Monero 0.12.0.0.
+
+## Testnet
+
+As a normal user, use [stagenet](/networks#stagenet) instead. Testnet is for developers.
+
+Testnet is the "experimental" network and blockchain where things get released long before mainnet.
+
+Testnet forks early and often. Most of the time you need to compile Monero from source to be compatible with testnet. Otherwise you will get stuck on the old not-forked version.
+
+To get started:
+
+* Build Monero from [source](https://github.com/monero-project/monero)
+* Connect your GUI or CLI to testnet open node **monero-testnet.exan.tech:28081**
+* Get free XMR from [testnet faucet](https://dis.gratis/)
+* Check the [testnet block explorer](https://testnet.xmrchain.net)
+
+## Why stagenet and testnet coins have no value?
+
+If mainnet and stagenet are technically equivalent then why only mainnet coins have value?
+
+This is simply the convention community embraced. Value only comes from a shared believe that mainnet coins will be accepted by other people in the future.

mkdocs.yml

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ nav:
     - Integrated: 'public-address/integrated-address.md'
     - Subaddress: 'public-address/subaddress.md'
 - Multisignature: 'multisignature.md'
+- Mainnet, Stagenet, Testnet: 'networks.md'
 
 theme:
   name: 'material' # 'material'