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Over the past few months, me mates and I played with the following node solutions:
@mynodebtc, @getumbrel, @SpecterWallet and @RaspiBlitz.
Here's what we learned, what we think and what is best for different users
A short thread
@mynodebtc, @getumbrel, @SpecterWallet and @RaspiBlitz.
Here's what we learned, what we think and what is best for different users
A short thread
First of all:
Why run your own node?
Many reasons, really.
Could be summarised with "verify, don't trust" and "support the #Bitcoin
network" 
But if you want to read all about it, @parman_the wrote about dis here https://armantheparman.com/why-should-you-run-your-own-bitcoin-node/
Why run your own node?
Many reasons, really.
Could be summarised with "verify, don't trust" and "support the #Bitcoin
network" But if you want to read all about it, @parman_the wrote about dis here
https://armantheparman.com/why-should-you-run-your-own-bitcoin-node/
So, you want to run your own. Welcome to the club!
Now, if you're a casual user (and a pleb), then you could run the node on your computer. It means the computer will work harder (and probably slower) and your node will need to sync after computer shutdown and that's no fun
Now, if you're a casual user (and a pleb), then you could run the node on your computer. It means the computer will work harder (and probably slower) and your node will need to sync after computer shutdown and that's no fun
Which is why it's best that your node will have its own small dedicated computer. It runs 24/7 and does not interfere with your busy online life.
The most popular choice is @Raspberry_Pi 4.
It's a tiny single board computer that does the job.
Well, kinda...
The most popular choice is @Raspberry_Pi 4.
It's a tiny single board computer that does the job.
Well, kinda...
Even comparing to your old laptop, Pi4 is weak. Really weak.
And it doesn't give much USB power to the SSD/HHD (which is an issue for many external drives).
It's so weak that it can't handle a 'heavy' wallet (i.e. one with many TXs, not necessarily with any balance)
And it doesn't give much USB power to the SSD/HHD (which is an issue for many external drives).
It's so weak that it can't handle a 'heavy' wallet (i.e. one with many TXs, not necessarily with any balance)
Don't trust me? Want to verify?
See Arman try and fail here
See Arman try and fail here
This brings me to the first important insight:
Use the hardware on the recommended list 
Seriously.
Otherwise, your node may experience all kind of crazy issues and you won't know why
Also:
FLIRC (no fan) case is awesome
SSD is much (much) better than HDD
Use the hardware on the recommended list Seriously.
Otherwise, your node may experience all kind of crazy issues and you won't know why
Also:
FLIRC (no fan) case is awesome
SSD is much (much) better than HDD
Alright, so we got the right hardware, now to the software bit.
@getumbrel is super easy plug & play node. Anyone could do it.
However, it's VERY basic, not much of 'Help' or 'Support' and you can't look under the hood & tweak stuff.
Here's what we loved the most about it
@getumbrel is super easy plug & play node. Anyone could do it.
However, it's VERY basic, not much of 'Help' or 'Support' and you can't look under the hood & tweak stuff.
Here's what we loved the most about it
@SpecterWallet was better. It's easy, it works, it has options.
Cons: still quite basic and switching between tabs takes a bit of time (at least when running it on pi4 and operating from thy computer).
Probably a good choice for non tech casual users though.
Cons: still quite basic and switching between tabs takes a bit of time (at least when running it on pi4 and operating from thy computer).
Probably a good choice for non tech casual users though.
@mynodebtc is probably the most popular choice.
It has MANY options, you could tweak stuff, plenty of support, large community and it's really, really cool.
However... at times it felt that it's trying to be and do too many things all at once. Also, glitches, resets and such.
It has MANY options, you could tweak stuff, plenty of support, large community and it's really, really cool.
However... at times it felt that it's trying to be and do too many things all at once. Also, glitches, resets and such.
And so we have come to @RaspiBlitz.
This is truely a beautiful choice. Respekt to the team.
You get to see the beauty of Linux
You can install/uninstall things you want or don't want.
It feels that it's a great fit for pi4
Definitely our favourite
/end
This is truely a beautiful choice. Respekt to the team.
You get to see the beauty of Linux
You can install/uninstall things you want or don't want.
It feels that it's a great fit for pi4
Definitely our favourite
/end
