Some thoughts on streaming...

Today was really cool, I broadcast on my Owncast server and Zap Stream, I had returning listeners and a lovely vibe in the chat. Loved it! There's a saying in music, you're only as good as your last gig and it's very true and deeply ingrained into my way of thinking. Return listeners is a big win for me.

What hasn't worked so well, for me at least is Zap Stream. Not to throw shade but it's been less reliable and the drop off rate is higher. Now this could just be people not digging it the music or me and that's totally cool. I've set out to play niche music, on niche platforms, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but I want to focus on a platform that I can control.

...a  bit of backstory. What got me hooked on the Indie Web (Fediverse/Nostr etc.) is ownership of data, I run my own server and node for a variety of services, my interactions with big tech are minimal, I ditched major platforms in 2019, no LinkedIn, no Facebacon, X or any other corporate shit that treats me like a factory cow, sucking me dry whilst doing some pretty dark stuff to manipulate emotions for profit. If my data is so valuable then I want money much more than I want arguments with random people about today's hot topic. Running a show on my own server gives me total control and if I don't have use third party services, it's cheaper to maintain. However, I'm also not particularly smart.

I wish to continue using just my own server. However, then there's the question of Value 4 Value, a defining part of the culture here and a concept I like a lot. It's honest, the accounting is true and if I earn a bunch of SATs for my time wicked! If I don't, ok I am doing a sad, but I know exactly where I stand. 

I'm wondering how to integrate Zaps with Owncast? I'm not a coder. I try my best with Linux and Command Line, I'm so far behind what is required to make this happen on my own and time is big factor. This is a side hustle on my existing work. I'm using Yunohost, a super simple Debian set up with most command line abstracted away. 

My dream is to incorporate zaps into my Owncast stream. Imagine that! My server, zapping direct to a wallet I control! There was a plugin for PeerTube but I was plagued with technical problems and I gave up. I don't now if it was the plugin or PeerTube itself but now Owncast is stable, I want to stick with it.

Is there a way I can *simply* integrate zaps into Owncast? Any pointers would be excellent!

Appreciate this is a long post so if you got this far, thank you!

#Music #LiveStream #Zaps #DataSovereignty #Owncast #Lightning