Ardor is the next step in the evolution of Nxt: a new parent/child chain architecture that will allow multiple, customisable, user-created blockchains to run in parallel with each other.The Ardor asset tokens have now been distributed to all NXT holders in proportion to their average NXT account balances throughout the snapshot process over the last three months.These tokens will be transferred to the main Ardor blockchain when Ardor goes live, in Q3 2017.If you held NXT on a main blockchain account over the last 3 months you will aready have received some Ardor. But, if you wish to buy some more Ardor there are a range of options.This is the Ardor asset:This is issued by account:Accept no substitutes for this asset! It is the only official Ardor asset and will, when the Ardor blockchain goes live in 2017, be swapped for 'real' Ardor on the new blockchain. It is intended that the Ardor asset be traded freely up until then, thus ensuring widespread distribution for the new Ardor platform.Be careful when trading! There are always people who like to take advantage of the excitement around a new system launch to be dishonest, so check carefully before you buy, especially if the offer is being made via a marketplace or a personal one-to-one deal.This is the first place that Ardor will be available, and is accessible via the main Nxt client.Download and install guides are here:Once you have the NRS (Nxt Reference Software) client up and running, you will be immediately able to connect to other peers to create an account and make transactions while the blockchain downloads in the background. Please pay careful attention to the account creation process, particularly in choosing (and securely storing) a STRONG passphrase.Fron the NRS main screen, click on Asset Exchange in the left toolbar, then on Add Asset, enter the Ardor ID in the search box: 12422608354438203866 , click Add Asset, and then you will see:Using this interface, you can safely trade ARDRNXT on the Nxt blockchain itself. The interface is simple and intuitive to use. Please note that as this is a blockchain based system, updates occur at approximately one minute intervals with each new block. Also, keep in mind that creating an order, cancelling an order, or taking an order costs 1 NXT.For the people who wish to buy into Ardor and Nxt without having to set up their own client and account, MyNxt will also immediately allow Ardor trading :MyNxt has a light wallet that allows you (via a plug-in) to access the Nxt Asset Exchange as shown above. All trading is in Nxt. Note that accounts created via MyNxt can be easily exported to the main blockchain, so are not lost even if MyNxt itself goes offlineIf you wish to buy directly into Ardor with Bitcoin, fiat, or other cryptocurrencies, you will have to go to a third-party service, such as an exchangeMajor cryptocurrency exchanges are opening Ardor markets now and over the next few days. Right now, the list of exchanges that offer Ardor trading are:Others:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------This guide was created by EvilDave with inputs from Wolffang. Minor edits by marenkar.