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BItcoin Core.

Again people make the same mistake over and over again.

Do you know what the Bitcoin consensus is? Do you understand? What consensus exists if there is only one dominant implementation and everyone abides by its changes?

Here are some implementations of the Bitcoin protocol:

Bitcoin Core

Bitcoin Knots

Bcoin

Blockcore

BTCD

Gocoin

Libbitcoin Node

When a new version of Bitcoin Core comes out, think that if you run it, you are voting in favor of those changes, no matter how few they are. Be cautious and think about the importance of consensus.

From my point of view it is necessary that we have several dominant implementations, this would strengthen the consensus and make bitcoin more resilient to problematic changes.

I'm not saying that version 0.25 is bad, far from it, but think of each version of Bitcoin Core as a vote to the network, don't vote without thinking, it's not just updating the software.

I feel as if in many ways the Bitcoin community has failed to understand certain things, especially the "influencers".

Too ignorant of technology with thousands of followers.

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Discussion

SMS 2y ago

Hey Punk, where is your bit license to operate those protocols, bruh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4QbJRAWvRU

Bitcoinmasteroid ☄️ 2y ago

Very true 💯 thanks for reminder.

hh 2y ago

There are some non tech people like me (probably few, granted) who nevertheless "get BTC" and want to run our own node and participate, but we can't judge by ourselves.

So inevitably, we rely on "influencers" or just go with the majority.

It seems that there are always three or four options for everything, which is good, but "tech people" will invariably split in camps that tell you that this tech is bad for privacy, and that tech is centralized, the other one is too complex... and the other camp will tell you the same about "theirs".

I have been trying to pull the trigger on a node solution for months. Start 9? Umbrel? Just run Bitcoin core on my bloody 2010 laptop?

Because personally I am an extreme skeptic, I mistrust "advice" proportionally to the "social clout" of the one advising. Yet, I lack the knowledge to do a detailed technical dive and make a decision.

So, how do people like me participate?

Cyph3rp9nk 2y ago

It is not so much a matter of recommendation as of common sense.

The comment is directed specifically to influencers who are supposed to understand the technical side of Bitcoin because that's how they sell themselves and right now they are promoting fast upgrade to 0.25.

Obviously everyone has their own favorite options, but it is about recommending good practices.

Whenever a new version of Bitcon core comes out it's worth waiting 6 months than upgrading fast, with the exception of a security bug, but believe me, you'll find out about it.

SMS 2y ago

The world was on fire and no one could saw me but you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oadhHk2xs6c

RealJohnDoe 2y ago

I've been running Bitcoin from the beginning, and I never upgrade fast. Rapid upgrades should always set off alarms and red flags. Especially with Bitcoin.

That's a power move to fuck you up the ass. Don't do it. In fact slow down and take longer. Let the bulshit start to reveal itself to the poor dumb fuckers that took the bait..😆

RealJohnDoe 2y ago

See my post..🙂

₿TC Fiend 2y ago

Agreed. Blind acceptance of software updates only serves to further empower the role of the development community within the #Bitcoin ecosystem. A check to that balance is a well educated network of node operators.

Toshi 2y ago

I recently started running my own node. I'm running Bitcoin Core 24.0.1.

When I decided to run a node and download it, I didn't even think about downloading an older version. But when the new version was released, I didn't update for exactly the same reason you're warning people about: I don't know what the changes are.

Is there a digestible source or place where these changes are discussed so that even non-technical people can make informed decisions?

Thanks for the reminder.

134355345 2y ago

Since most upgrades do not touch consensus rules, I view them as routine "security upgrades". But maybe the code does not really need any more changes. Core devs are paid with grants, and I suppose they have to do something otherwise why paying them.

🍊💊⚡️🌽 2y ago

“When a new version of Bitcoin Core comes out, think that if you run it, you are voting in favor of those changes, no matter how few they are. Be cautious and think about the importance of consensus.”

Never thought about it this way!

Thank you!

Nosthor 2y ago

"Too ignorant of technology" is not the point, the point is the biased and common human habit of passively accepting only one truth that is transmitted top-down by something or someone who is diffusely idealised and trusted. Instead of making the effort to think about a topic and make an independent decision. The ultimate outcome of this behaviour is centralisation. This applies to everything, not only the #Bitcoin consensus.

Not my name 2y ago

This is an excellent observation and post.

Travellr 2y ago

Good to reflect on this!