Running a LN node with private channels makes sense for heavy users of Lightning. For most people on Nostr that is not the case. Running a node with public channels is essentially a donation to the rest of the network. Not something everyone can do. And if you do it poorly then it's not really helping anyone, including yourself. But yea, go ahead and listen to everyone telling you to just run a node.

https://image.nostr.build/e4f65abc0941a3153d33dbc795324289449073ba38e545984a28889d1791024c.jpg


Why only one ln node???


If everyone needs to run a node for LN to succeed, it won't succeed.

I think it's enough that anyone CAN run a node.


More of us need to take complete self custody to help protect the devs.


How do you receive with only private channels if the originator cant plot a route?


Yes it's good that it's an option. Running a LN node is great for learning about bitcoin. It is a fun hobby if you have the means and time. And in some cases it makes sense for someone to run their own full fledged node. But the knee jerk reaction to Phoenix announcing their departure from the US has resulted in several Nostr users parroting bad advice the last few days that will get noobs rekt on fees and channel closures.


You include route hints in the invoice. It instructs which node(s) to go to first before reaching your private node destination.


"bruh, now that you have some Bitcoin you should run a node and diversify and check out trading and do some defi bruh"


Routing hints in the invoice


I think you're misconstruing operating a routing node with running a node in general.

Operating a routing node is not a money making endeavor currently for most people.

Receiving money to a lightning node using public or private channels is achievable, especially for business cases.

There is a step learning curve, but it is an alternative to traditional settlement rails that is less subject to censorship.


I'm not misconstruing anything. I'm addressing the reckless advice some are giving the last few days to "just run a node." It's a knee jerk reaction to Phoenix's announcement. I ran my own (small) routing node for over a year and that was long enough to understand the pros and cons of doing so. It makes sense for some users. For many it doesn't. Most people shouldn't run a node. Some people should.


it already failed, people just don't want to admit it


Most people on the planet? No. Nostr is not normal. I think most on nostr can and should run an LN node. Nostr is still a very wealthy technically elite subset of the worlds population. If someone needs to take a loss and take that hit to make it work for everyone, this is the best place to find those people.

My node may never be profitable strictly speaking, but what about my on chain fee savings? Knowledge gained? Sovereignty gained? Ability to help other plebs? Ability to uncle jim? Only thinking in $ profits is not the way.


I must be retarded cuz I don’t get it. running a routing node profitably is hard. Running a node with 1 channel to recieve and send payments is easy.


I disagree on your assessment of the majority of the nostr user base. I think you describe a much smaller subset of people here.


Sounds like you would fall into the first category I described then. This is the majority of heavy LN users and a mobile phone node like Breez, Zeus, Blixt, or Phoenix (where available) should suffice. The problem is that "run a node" implies more than that and is too technical and costly for the average user.


Your task is to go on any social network of your choice and pick a user at random. You have to pick someone who likes bitcoin enough to be interested, has the resources to afford it, and is technical enough to figure out a node with 2 open channels in 1 weekend to win 1 bitcoin.

What social network do you pick?

Let's help instead of just bitching.

What node OS do you tell them to run?
What LN package?
What manager?
What wallet?


Pointless thought exercise. Most people on Nostr can't do what you're asking without significant help. I've helped many people with many LN related issues here and before this on Twitter. The best advice you can give most people is to not try to run a lightning node. Power users (which are not most people) should use a node-in-phone-wallet. Everyone else is better off using a custodial service. Hard pill to swallow? Then you're being unrealistic about LN.


Start9, LND, thunderhub, and zeus are my answers.


A top node on a phone provider and a top custodial provider both just screwed all their customers. To say that is the good advice right now is laughable.

It sounds a lot like you started a node with dollar signs in your eyes and are holding a grudge because bitcoin doesn't have yield.


Not at all. I ran a routing node for about a year and learned a ton about bitcoin and LN in the process. There is a substantial cost in the way of capital and time to doing it right and provide good liquidity and connectivity to the rest of the network. The costs far outweighed the benefit I would gain from it right now. Maybe that changes in the future. Everyone needs to make a cost/benefit analysis for themselves, but the task itself does not become easier or less expensive simply because it becomes more worth it to you.


I tried to follow the steps to get started on Nostr, so when I was directed to nostrplebs to purchase the NIP-05 verification I was automatically redirected to Al by and voltage to get a node and so I did but I have no idea what it is for nor how to use it. It was surprising to me that I also received an invoice for it in dollars.
 I’m still learning.


Yu don't need verification. Skip it. It is only handy to verify if a website is yours.


Okay, thank you 🙏


The benefit *you* would gain *right now*

Are you in it for NGU or a low time preference attempt to make the world a more free place?

If it is only NGU then we will never see eye to eye. If you truly care about the cause please reconsider. More nodes is important to our success.


The best tip that I can give you is this:

use the search bar
the private messages that only you and one other can see are encrypted for the outside world.
the relay can see what you search for and what ip (internet) address you have, so use tor or a vpn.


Most people will become heavy users.


You're using a false dichotomy. NGU and caring about freedom are not at odds. You're also falsely assuming that caring about running something profitably is at odds with freedom.


Got it, thank you.


You quit because you lost money and you advise others not to do it because they'll lose money right at the moment when the news makes it clear how important it is. You put these things at odds not me.

I know that the NGU is so powerful that in $ terms the sats spent opening channels was a very brief dip in my $ net worth.


You're being irrational in this discussion and accusing me of things that simply aren't true. I won't reply further to you here.


Agree 100%

Agree 100%


Fair, that last post was a bit attacky and that is not my goal.

I know I'll never change your mind. I want the opposing view represented next to your posts so people on the fence reading this can make an informed decision knowing the pros and the cons.

I said elsewhere, the cons are real. I'm not disputing that. I just think the the low time preference freedom loving choice is to deal with them and do it anyway for a large number of people. Having different goals and time preference for my node doesn't make me irrational.


Running a LN node with private channels makes sense for heavy users of Lightning. For most people on Nostr that is not the case. Running a node with public channels is essentially a donation to the rest of the network. Not something everyone can do. And if you do it poorly then it's not really helping anyone, including yourself. But yea, go ahead and listen to everyone telling you to just run a node.

https://image.nostr.build/e4f65abc0941a3153d33dbc795324289449073ba38e545984a28889d1791024c.jpg


The learning experience of running a lightning node is priceless, if one is into dorking with software.   I imagine this is a small group of individuals though.

It would be nice to focus less on what to do and more on how to do it properly at minimal cost.


Yea I have a big channel with ACINQ and I bought 12 million in bound from LNBIG 3 years ago.  My only other channel is with my own Zeus embedded node/wallet.  Most my spending is Bitrefill Amazon gift cards. Great way to balance a channel if that’s your thing.


I got a reckless amount of corn stuck in limbo with Breez.

Only help I've gotten from support was to resync and leave the app running in the foreground for an hour afterwards. (And repeat until it works)

Three times in a row no luck. And unlike other options you can't just Honey your sister know that blue wallet, electrum or blixt.
 https://i.nostr.build/WGZ53.jpg


You'll never be a heavy user if you never take the plunge.

Chicken before egg?