Nostr Web Client

Three years ago, I built an Umbrel node.

Last summer, I built a node from scratch.

Today, I finished my nostr:npub126ntw5mnermmj0znhjhgdk8lh2af72sm8qfzq48umdlnhaj9kuns3le9ll node.

I don't like recommending technology to people without fully having used it myself. I often tell people to use Start9 even though I only never "used" it in any production sort of manner. I only installed the OS, poked around the settings and marketplace a bit, then stopped using it.

That changes today. I will be migrating my Umbrel node over to my Start9 node as soon as Bitcoin finishes syncing.

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Discussion

USDC 2y ago

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zxcv 2y ago

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

*squee*

art assoiants 2y ago

Which of the hardware do you reco?

Derek Ross 2y ago

an old laptop, intel nuc or any extra small form factor desktop.

Giggleswitch 2y ago

Do you recommend running a node in a Raid 1 configuration?

plebeian 2y ago

Intel NUC with ESXi is my go to. I run multiple VMs on it and I love it

Pablo Xannybar 2y ago

Good choice. I moved quick and Start9 is definitely much better.

Manbyt 2y ago

What hardware are you using?

I’d like to also use nostr:npub126ntw5mnermmj0znhjhgdk8lh2af72sm8qfzq48umdlnhaj9kuns3le9ll but I just hate paying an extra 20% to the crooks at the border if I buy their device.

Derek Ross 2y ago

i'm personally using a 3 year old laptop. any hardware will do though.

Manbyt 2y ago

Ok, I didn’t realize I could run it on anything. And now I see they sell one version on an intel nuc. I’ve also been thinking of moving beyond the Umbrel.

ben 2y ago

how you migrating from umbrel to start9? I've used both and wouldn't mind shutting down the umbrel, but don't want to close channels.

Derek Ross 2y ago

i am going to use this built in tool.

i assume it does an scp of the files on umbrel and imports them.

https://void.cat/d/UGjiBhBpXiP4QzY1poWMuC.webp

ben 2y ago

oh awesome, I didnt know they had an importer builtin! let us know how it goes 😂

signal_and_rage 2y ago

each has something I like

Derek Ross 2y ago

i like my custom built node. it's much, much more flexible.

average_bitcoiner 2y ago

Welcome. 🫂

BillyBs 2y ago

I was never able to get Tailscale to work with start9… loved the OS but need to be able to connect with TS. The company says on their website they are working on an equivalent of TS… anyo e else get this to work?

Pablo Xannybar 2y ago

Tailscale is literally connecting your LAN to your Google account then giving full access to a random company. That's why it's not in Start9.

Just use Wireguard.

Derek Ross 2y ago

Not everyone is capable of using Wireguard 😉

average_bitcoiner 2y ago

Got any good guides? nostr:npub17rlc0emedw5xljztfqrmykjaacsx6ujvdas64zznjadrnhhwlavq4jjtgg

Derek Ross 2y ago

It's not overly hard to do. I use Wireguard with a VPS.

Pablo Xannybar 2y ago

There's plenty on how to setup Wireguard in a generic sense.

Setting it up specifically for the purpose of remoting into your LAN without Tor isn't any different, you just do it on your node box instead of a VPS.

Pablo Xannybar 2y ago

I'm honestly surprised Start9 doesn't have a Dockerised Wireguard package already. Because it's super easy, I've setup Wireguard from scratch multiple times.

Derek Ross 2y ago

I will most likely be installing Tailscale manually.

average_bitcoiner 2y ago

Checkout https://tailscale.com/on/1019/subnets/

eee8f902... 2y ago

If you were to sum up why Start9 vs Umbrel in a couple of sentences, what would you say?

Derek Ross 2y ago

Umbrel has a beautiful user interface, but under the hood, they take some security shortcuts. I also like that Start9 allows you to operate over HTTPS on your local LAN.

Start9 also includes backup software. For people that are going to use this for much more than just Bitcoin apps, this is huge. I personally do not use my Umbrel and will not use my Start9 for anything else than Bitcoin related apps. Everything else I run is hosted on a completely different server.

eee8f902... 2y ago

Thank you!

Oh wow 🔥🔥🔥 that backup thing is huge for me, one of the main reasons I haven’t event explored some of the other non-Bitcoin options on Umbrel.

SANDY 2y ago

I read in a thread that Start9 doesnt offer the 24 seed phrase of LN node. Is this true? Switching over https offered by Start9 but sacrificing 24 seed phrase is a biiig trade-off. There are always trade offs in switching OS though.

I use Umbrel with zero issues.

MAHDOOD 2y ago

Do you think umbrel is fine if you’re just using it for strictly bitcoin stuff?

Braydon Fuller 2y ago

Been meaning to take a look at Start9 — looks interesting.

21M 2y ago

What are the main differences in favor of @start9 vs Umbrel? I have umbrel and so far so good!

Derek Ross 2y ago

umbrel takes some security shortcuts that i'm not fully impressed with. i've known this for years, but you're only as secure as you're weakest link, so if you secure your home network and are overly cautious, then it may not be a big deal.

https://github.com/getumbrel/umbrel/blob/master/SECURITY.md

high_kvp 2y ago

Did they recently free up their server software for public use? If so, I'm totally repurposing my laptop, I always found the original rasbpi box a bit slow.

Derek Ross 2y ago

Start9 released their software back in November or December of 2022. That's when I first tested it out. I just did not commit to switching until today.

Stefan 2y ago

Main differences for me is that S9 uses https and Umbrel refuses to use https.

Umbrel has newer software, S9 takes longer to update (my opinion).

S9 uses long URLs, look like Bitcoin addresses, Umbrel uses servername plus port.

S9 has a server backup but don’t use the 24 word for Lightning. Umbrel has 24 words for Ln but no backup solution for the server…

Just my 2ct and my opinion.

Btw: I am running a S9 at the moment.

SANDY 2y ago

Very interesting feedback 🤙🏻

node 2y ago

🦾🦾🦾

Son of Vin 🍷 2y ago

Love my nostr:npub126ntw5mnermmj0znhjhgdk8lh2af72sm8qfzq48umdlnhaj9kuns3le9ll

SHAne-256 2y ago

As a person who is trying to become as sovereign as possible, what’s benefit of start9?

Derek Ross 2y ago

Umbrel is prettier and looks more user friendly, IMO. But Umbrel has zero backup options. If you're using this server to run other applications, you should back them up. Start9 can easily do that with a few steps.

https://docs.start9.com/latest/support/faq/umbrel-compare#umbrel-compare

SHAne-256 2y ago

Tbh I really don’t even do much with my node anymore. I really just use it to connect zues for a mobile wallet and connect my node to my wallets.

Sovereign Being 2y ago

This is the way, I built a server last month and have done something similar, but I opted for TrueNAS in the end and my new node is currently syncing.

Camilo 2y ago

Same hardware? I used Umbrel and looking to change

Nethinim 2y ago

I looked at Start9 maybe two years ago and thought it looked too much like an uncertain to succeed project. Maybe it matured. Might have to look again.

Elvis 2y ago

Will not run any chinese OS even if it was debian ( Ubuntu)

btc 2y ago

Can you explain more why you are?

btc 2y ago

I run umbrel. I need new hardware for it, did it on a pic but find umbrel slow and unreliable but want to rule out hardware first. Don’t like that they don’t have a back up.

SANDY 2y ago

I also run Umbrel under Rasp Pi 4 with 8GB and it goes smooth like silk. No problems whatsoever on anything: hardware and installation setup, software installation, running apps, etc... ZERO issues.

This switch from one OS to another one is pretty normal in techies personalities (me included). I am resisting myself to do the swap but i still havent found a solid thread to do so. There are always trade-offs in each direction.

btc 2y ago

Good to know. I think I just need to do a hardware refresh

PABLOF7z 2y ago

"as soon as bitcoin finishes syncing"

famous last words

😂

Derek Ross 2y ago

It synced already! It was finished this morning. 😮

cr0bar 2y ago

Mine is probably 4 days in, about 50% 🤣