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@ 4857600b:30b502f4
2025-02-20 19:09:11
Mitch McConnell, a senior Republican senator, announced he will not seek reelection.
At 83 years old and with health issues, this decision was expected. After seven terms, he leaves a significant legacy in U.S. politics, known for his strategic maneuvering.
McConnell stated, “My current term in the Senate will be my last.” His retirement marks the end of an influential political era.
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@ 94a6a78a:0ddf320e
2025-02-19 21:10:15
Nostr is a revolutionary protocol that enables **decentralized, censorship-resistant communication**. Unlike traditional social networks controlled by corporations, Nostr operates without central servers or gatekeepers. This openness makes it incredibly powerful—but also means its success depends entirely on **users, developers, and relay operators**.
If you believe in **free speech, decentralization, and an open internet**, there are many ways to support and strengthen the Nostr ecosystem. Whether you're a casual user, a developer, or someone looking to contribute financially, **every effort helps build a more robust network**.
Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference.
---
## **1️⃣ Use Nostr Daily**
The simplest and most effective way to contribute to Nostr is by **using it regularly**. The more active users, the stronger and more valuable the network becomes.
✅ **Post, comment, and zap** (send micro-payments via Bitcoin’s Lightning Network) to keep conversations flowing.\
✅ **Engage with new users** and help them understand how Nostr works.\
✅ **Try different Nostr clients** like Damus, Amethyst, Snort, or Primal and provide feedback to improve the experience.
Your activity **keeps the network alive** and helps encourage more developers and relay operators to invest in the ecosystem.
---
## **2️⃣ Run Your Own Nostr Relay**
Relays are the **backbone of Nostr**, responsible for distributing messages across the network. The more **independent relays exist**, the stronger and more censorship-resistant Nostr becomes.
✅ **Set up your own relay** to help decentralize the network further.\
✅ **Experiment with relay configurations** and different performance optimizations.\
✅ **Offer public or private relay services** to users looking for high-quality infrastructure.
If you're not technical, you can still **support relay operators** by **subscribing to a paid relay** or donating to open-source relay projects.
---
## **3️⃣ Support Paid Relays & Infrastructure**
Free relays have helped Nostr grow, but they **struggle with spam, slow speeds, and sustainability issues**. **Paid relays** help fund **better infrastructure, faster message delivery, and a more reliable experience**.
✅ **Subscribe to a paid relay** to help keep it running.\
✅ **Use premium services** like media hosting (e.g., Azzamo Blossom) to decentralize content storage.\
✅ **Donate to relay operators** who invest in long-term infrastructure.
By funding **Nostr’s decentralized backbone**, you help ensure its **longevity and reliability**.
---
## **4️⃣ Zap Developers, Creators & Builders**
Many people contribute to Nostr **without direct financial compensation**—developers who build clients, relay operators, educators, and content creators. **You can support them with zaps!** ⚡
✅ **Find developers working on Nostr projects** and send them a zap.\
✅ **Support content creators and educators** who spread awareness about Nostr.\
✅ **Encourage builders** by donating to open-source projects.
Micro-payments via the **Lightning Network** make it easy to directly **support the people who make Nostr better**.
---
## **5️⃣ Develop New Nostr Apps & Tools**
If you're a developer, you can **build on Nostr’s open protocol** to create new apps, bots, or tools. Nostr is **permissionless**, meaning anyone can develop for it.
✅ **Create new Nostr clients** with unique features and user experiences.\
✅ **Build bots or automation tools** that improve engagement and usability.\
✅ **Experiment with decentralized identity, authentication, and encryption** to make Nostr even stronger.
With **no corporate gatekeepers**, your projects can help shape the future of decentralized social media.
---
## **6️⃣ Promote & Educate Others About Nostr**
Adoption grows when **more people understand and use Nostr**. You can help by **spreading awareness** and creating educational content.
✅ **Write blogs, guides, and tutorials** explaining how to use Nostr.\
✅ **Make videos or social media posts** introducing new users to the protocol.\
✅ **Host discussions, Twitter Spaces, or workshops** to onboard more people.
The more people **understand and trust Nostr**, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.
---
## **7️⃣ Support Open-Source Nostr Projects**
Many Nostr tools and clients are **built by volunteers**, and open-source projects thrive on **community support**.
✅ **Contribute code** to existing Nostr projects on GitHub.\
✅ **Report bugs and suggest features** to improve Nostr clients.\
✅ **Donate to developers** who keep Nostr free and open for everyone.
If you're not a developer, you can still **help with testing, translations, and documentation** to make projects more accessible.
---
## **🚀 Every Contribution Strengthens Nostr**
Whether you:
✔️ **Post and engage daily**\
✔️ **Zap creators and developers**\
✔️ **Run or support relays**\
✔️ **Build new apps and tools**\
✔️ **Educate and onboard new users**
**Every action helps make Nostr more resilient, decentralized, and unstoppable.**
Nostr isn’t just another social network—it’s **a movement toward a free and open internet**. If you believe in **digital freedom, privacy, and decentralization**, now is the time to get involved.
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@ 16f1a010:31b1074b
2025-02-19 20:57:59
In the rapidly evolving world of Bitcoin, running a Bitcoin node has become more accessible than ever. Platforms like Umbrel, Start9, myNode, and Citadel offer user-friendly interfaces to simplify node management. However, for those serious about maintaining a robust and efficient Lightning node ⚡, relying solely on these platforms may not be the optimal choice.
Let’s delve into why embracing **Bitcoin Core** and mastering the command-line interface (CLI) can provide a **more reliable, sovereign, and empowering** experience.
### Understanding Node Management Platforms
#### What Are Umbrel, Start9, myNode, and Citadel?
Umbrel, Start9, myNode, and Citadel are platforms designed to streamline the process of running a Bitcoin node. They offer graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow users to manage various applications, including Bitcoin Core and Lightning Network nodes, through a web-based dashboard 🖥️.
These platforms often utilize Docker containers 🐳 to encapsulate applications, providing a modular and isolated environment for each service.
#### The Appeal of Simplified Node Management
The primary allure of these platforms lies in their simplicity. With minimal command-line interaction, users can deploy a full Bitcoin and Lightning node, along with a suite of additional applications.
✅ **Easy one-command installation**
✅ **Web-based GUI for management**
✅ **Automatic app updates** *(but with delays, as we’ll discuss)*
However, while this convenience is attractive, it comes **at a cost**.
### The Hidden Complexities of Using Node Management Platforms
While the user-friendly nature of these platforms is advantageous, it can also introduce several challenges that may hinder advanced users or those seeking greater control over their nodes.
#### 🚨 Dependency on Maintainers for Updates
One significant concern is the reliance on platform maintainers for updates. Since these platforms manage applications through Docker containers, users must wait for the maintainers to update the container images before they can access new features or security patches.
🔴 **Delayed Bitcoin Core updates = potential security risks**
🔴 **Lightning Network updates are not immediate**
🔴 **Bugs and vulnerabilities may persist longer**
Instead of waiting on a third party, **why not update Bitcoin Core & LND yourself instantly**?
#### ⚙️ Challenges in Customization and Advanced Operations
For users aiming to perform advanced operations, such as:
* Custom backups 📂
* Running specific CLI commands 🖥️
* Optimizing node settings ⚡
…the **abstraction layers introduced by these platforms become obstacles**.
Navigating through nested directories and issuing commands inside Docker containers **makes troubleshooting a nightmare**. Instead of a simple `bitcoin-cli` command, you must figure out how to execute it inside the container, adding unnecessary complexity.
#### Increased Backend Complexity
To achieve **frontend simplicity**, these platforms make the backend more complex.
🚫 Extra layers of abstraction
🚫 Hidden logs and settings
🚫 Harder troubleshooting
The use of **multiple Docker containers**, **custom scripts**, and **unique file structures** can **make system maintenance and debugging a pain**.
This **complication defeats the purpose** of “making running a node easy.”
## ✅ Advantages of Using Bitcoin Core and Command-Line Interface (CLI)
By installing Bitcoin Core directly and using the command-line interface (CLI), you gain several key advantages that make managing a Bitcoin and Lightning node more efficient and empowering.
#### Direct Control and Immediate Updates
One of the biggest downsides of package manager-based platforms is the reliance on third-party maintainers to release updates. Since Bitcoin Core, Lightning implementations (such as LND, Core Lightning, or Eclair), and other related software evolve rapidly, waiting for platform-specific updates can leave you running outdated or vulnerable versions.
By installing Bitcoin Core directly, you remove this dependency. You can update immediately when new versions are released, ensuring your node benefits from the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. The same applies to Lightning software—being able to install and update it yourself gives you full autonomy over your node’s performance and security.
#### 🛠 Simplified System Architecture
Platforms like Umbrel and myNode introduce extra complexity by running Bitcoin Core and Lightning inside Docker containers. This means:
* The actual files and configurations are stored inside Docker’s filesystem, making it **harder to locate and manage them manually**.
* If something breaks, **troubleshooting is more difficult** due to the added layer of abstraction.
* Running commands requires jumping through Docker shell sessions, adding unnecessary friction to what should be a straightforward process.
Instead, a direct installation of Bitcoin Core, Lightning, and Electrum Server (if needed) results in a **cleaner, more understandable system**. The software runs natively on your machine, without containerized layers making things more convoluted.
Additionally, setting up your own systemd service files for Bitcoin and Lightning** is not as complicated as it seems**. Once configured, these services will run automatically on boot, offering the same level of convenience as platforms like Umbrel but without the unnecessary complexity.
#### Better Lightning Node Management
If you’re running a **Lightning Network node**, using CLI-based tools provides far more flexibility than relying on a GUI like the ones bundled with node management platforms.
🟢 **Custom Backup Strategies** – Running Lightning through a GUI-based node manager often means backups are handled in a way that is opaque to the user. With CLI tools, you can easily script automatic backups of your channels, wallets, and configurations.
🟢 **Advanced Configuration** – Platforms like Umbrel force certain configurations by default, limiting how you can customize your Lightning node. With a direct install, you have full control over:
* Channel fees 💰
* Routing policies 📡
* Liquidity management 🔄
🟢 **Direct Access to LND, Core Lightning, or Eclair** – Instead of issuing commands through a GUI (which is often limited in functionality), you can use:
* `lncli` (for LND)
* `lightning-cli` (for Core Lightning)
…to interact with your node at a deeper level.
#### Enhanced Learning and Engagement
A crucial aspect of running a Bitcoin and Lightning node is **understanding how it works**.
Using an abstraction layer like Umbrel may get a node running in a few clicks, but **it does little to teach users how Bitcoin actually functions**.
By setting up Bitcoin Core, Lightning, and related software manually, you will:
✅ Gain practical knowledge of Bitcoin nodes, networking, and system performance.
✅ Learn how to configure and manage RPC commands.
✅ Become less reliant on third-party developers and more confident in troubleshooting.
🎯 **Running a Bitcoin node is about sovereignty – learn how to control it yourself**.
## Become more sovereign TODAY
Many guides make this process **straightforward**
[K3tan](https://k3tan.com/about) has a fantastic guide on running Bitcoin Core, Electrs, LND and more.
- [Ministry of Nodes Guide 2024](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCRbH-IWlcW0g0HCrtI06_ZdVVolUWr39)
- You can find him on nostr
nostr:npub1txwy7guqkrq6ngvtwft7zp70nekcknudagrvrryy2wxnz8ljk2xqz0yt4x
Even with the best of guides, if you are running this software,
📖 **READ THE DOCUMENTATION**
This is all just software at the end of the day. Most of it is very well documented. Take a moment to actually read through the documentation for yourself when installing. The documentation has step by step guides on setting up the software.
Here is a helpful list:
* [Bitcoin.org Bitcoin Core Linux install instructions](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#linux-instructions)
* [Bitcoin Core Code Repository](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin)
* [Electrs Installation](https://github.com/romanz/electrs/blob/master/doc/install.md)
* [LND Documentation](https://docs.lightning.engineering/)
* [LND Code Repository](https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd)
* [CLN Documentation](https://docs.corelightning.org/docs/home)
* [CLN Code Repository](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning)
*If you have any more resources or links I should add, please comment them . I want to add as much to this article as I can.*
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@ 266815e0:6cd408a5
2025-02-18 17:25:31
## noStrudel
Released another major version of noStrudel v0.42.0
Which included a few new features and a lot of cleanup
nostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzqfngzhsvjggdlgeycm96x4emzjlwf8dyyzdfg4hefp89zpkdgz99qyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzfmhxue69uhkummnw3e82efwvdhk6tcqp3hx7um5wf6kgetv956ry6rmhwr
## Blossom
On the blossom front there where a few more PRs
- Expanded the documentation around CORS headers in BUD-01 thanks to nostr:npub1a6we08n7zsv2na689whc9hykpq4q6sj3kaauk9c2dm8vj0adlajq7w0tyc
- Made auth optional on the `/upload` endpoint [PR](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/pull/33)
- Added a `HEAD /media` endpoint for BUD-05 [PR](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/pull/42)
- Added range request recommendations to BUD-01 [PR](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom/pull/47)
With blossom uploads starting to be supported in more nostr clients users where starting to ask where to find a list of blossom servers. so I created a simple nostr client that allows users to post servers and leave reviews
[blossomservers.com](https://blossomservers.com)
Its still very much a work in progress (needs login and server and review editing)
The source is on [github](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossomservers)
I also started another project to create a simple account based paid blossom server [blossom-account-server](https://github.com/hzrd149/blossom-account-server)
Unfortunately I got sidetracked and I didn't have the time to give it the attention it needs to get it over the finish line
## Smaller projects
- [cherry-tree](https://github.com/hzrd149/cherry-tree) A small app for uploading chunked blobs to blossom servers (with cashu payment support)
- [vite-plugin-funding](https://github.com/hzrd149/vite-plugin-funding) A vite plugin to collect and expose package "funding" to the app
- [node-red-contrib-rx-nostr](https://github.com/hzrd149/node-red-contrib-rx-nostr) The start of a node-red package for rx-nostr. if your interested please help
- [node-red-contrib-applesauce](https://github.com/hzrd149/node-red-contrib-applesauce) The start of a node-red package for applesauce. I probably wont finish it so any help it welcome
## Plans for 2025
I have a few vague ideas of what I want to work on Q1 of 2025. but there are a few things i know for certain.
I'm going to keep refactoring noStrudel by moving core logic out into [applesauce](https://hzrd149.github.io/applesauce/) and making it more modular. This should make noStrudel more reliable and hopefully allow me to create and maintain more apps with less code
And I'm going to write tests. tests for everything. hopefully tests for all the libraries and apps I've created in 2024.
A lot of the code I wrote in 2024 was hacky code to see if things could work. and while its been working pretty well I'm starting to forget the details of of the code I wrote so I cant be sure if it still works or how well it works.
So my solution is to write tests, lots of tests :)