Oddbean new post about login | logout Gm ☕️☀️ Running a full Lightning node is still too complicated and costly for most people no matter how many of you keep parroting the "run a node" mantra that's been going around. Mmkay? Mmkay. 🫶
Running a node is easy, running a profitable node is hard
Agree here. I don’t want to capitulate on it’s too hard to run a node, even an LN node. Running a profitable routing node is a challenge, but a personal spending node is not difficult.
Good morning ✌️🧡 I self host a lot, but running a lighting node is like a career path.
💯🤣
Bitcoin nodes, not lightning.
The posts from the last few days began after Phoenix announced they were removing their app from US app stores so it has been about lightning nodes specifically.
Both !
Running a bitcoin node is only effective if you actually connect your wallet to it. Everyone who holds bitcoin should do it. Running a Lightning node is too costly and complicated of a task for most people.
You can run a node in your phone 😉 @ZEUS makes it’s easier
I use Breez. Cheaper fees.
I’m just saying that there are options that makes it easier already vs few years ago
Absolutely 💯 Phoenix was also one of them, which everyone pushed and now that they made that decision (a bad decision imho) people are shouting "run a node" which implies doing more than a mobile node, or maybe they just didn't know Phoenix was actually a node. Zeus, Breez, Blixt, etc are all good mobile node options.
Yes, is right that is not easy. But many forgot to specify WICH TYPE of LN node they should run: - PUBLIC - for public routing, that indeed require a lot of knowledge, resources and capital - PRIVATE - only for private use, with few private channels, connected to good LSP and done. I wrote several guides about these aspects, but who really want to learn more about Bitcoin MUST read. Bitcoin is not for the weak, is only for the breave ! 1. About nodes https://darth-coin.github.io/nodes/nodes.html 2. About wallets https://darth-coin.github.io/wallets/wallets.html 3. About merchants https://darth-coin.github.io/merchants/merchants.html 4. About beginners https://darth-coin.github.io/beginner/beginner.html
Your guides are always great 🔥💜
Private/unannounced channels should be the default setting in every node implementation when opening new channels. Users should have to explicitly choose to make a new channel public, and their node implementation should warn them what that means and what routing is.
Why?
Because private channels don't route other people's payments. Most people who need a node only need it for sending and receiving their own payments, and private channels do exactly that. Public channels are announced to the network and can route payments but unless you are going to dedicate significant funds to open larger channels and run a reliable routing node then it's unnecessary to have public channels on your node.
this is such good advice. a lesson i learned the hard way. really should come as default, or at least explained better
💯 I don't know why it isn't the default for new channels. It should be.
Thanks again for putting these together @DarthCoin Wonderful stuff!!
💯 Liquidity for opening channels is the biggest factor IMHO. A 1M SATs channel is USD635 or so.... If your a value creator or small start retailer and need inbound liquidity this is a stumbling block. After this channel balancing is another issue. If you have the funds to open some good size channels, joining a ring of fire is a good place to start.
What is a ring of fire
Good morning ☕️ running a lightning node is definitely not for the faint of heart
Just yesterday I spent reading about this topic mid-morning, it is extensive and requires medium-level technical knowledge. But above all of capital.
All of which is more than most people have. Lol 😂
And I see many clueless noobs nowadays very excited about running their "mobile LN node with Mutiny"... when in fact they are not far from using same old WoS... Mutiny wallet default on mutinywallet.com domain. That means: - you own the LN node keys, yes - you can manage your own LN channels, yes - but you DO NOT own that domain. If that domain goes busted (and can be any time), your funds CANNOT be accessed anymore. https://m.primal.net/IAuj.jpg I suggest to everybody that use Mutiny to review very seriously their setup and run their own Mutiny server. I really do not understand why we do not see any Mutiny dev and many other influencers encouraging the users doing so! Here you have the documentation: https://stacker.news/items/453267 Or run it with Start9 (is already in their app store) Alternative guide here: https://www.tftc.io/self-hosting-mutiny-wallet/
Valid point sir, thanks for the motivation.
This has always been my issue with Mutiny. Points of centralization quickly become Single Points of Failure in the fight between Bitcoin and Fiat. A Tor-only version would be a good first step to avoid complete and sudden shutdown.
Good point! I had some forced closes with Mutiny so might revisit down the track.
That is something else. Mutiny as a whole, LN node is OK, works pretty well for such a new app. I have nothing against it. I use it and also I installed my own server, testing stuff. The only thing I want to raise is this aspect: - Users are not well informed about the risks running the default settings. A simple warning in the app is NOT enough. The dumb normal user will just hit the next button and go away. - lack of documentation about running your own server and such and is not easy, even if you do it. - promoted everywhere as self-custodial, when in fact is not by DEFAULT This is just a warning for regular users.
thanks for the share.
If you do not run these services on YOUR OWN SERVER, Mutiny is not different than WoS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED https://m.primal.net/IBJc.jpg
Can they rug your sats in a LN channel?
being a computer nerd I probably have a duty to run my full lightning node...
We should not discourage people from running a BTC node, and we must make that distinction. People should be running their own node. Full stop. The choice to run a lightning node along side it comes later. I think it's dangerous to throw discouragement and confusion into the mix that could stop people from running a BTC node. BTC requires you to be sovereign in a hostile environment and we haven't seen it at the heights of hostile yet. So I'll say it again. Run a node!
