I'm not sure this chain survives scrutiny in a world where there's a thick market in fiat-btc exchange and central banks control the fiat supply. It may make some sort of statement, but I find it difficult to believe that there's any appreciable practical effect.

Periodic reminder that if you save in fiat you are helping to finance senseless slaughter abroad. Proof of work not proof of war. #Bitcoin

To put it in perspective, to obtain 150 grams of protein from regular food you'd need to consume either:

* an entire chicken

* 24 chicken eggs

* 8 hamburger patties

* 1.25 pounds steak

Markets aren’t efficient. They are robust, redundant, complex, and highly adaptive.

They are what is needed to survive and respond to changes in the real world. That isn’t efficiency, it’s anti fragility.

Nod to Bitcoin is Venice

#[0]​ & Sacha Meyers

Chapter 2 really changed how I think about the concept

By popular demand, Start9 has provided a brief compare/contrast between StartOS and Umbrel.

HOW ARE THEY ALIKE?

Both Umbrel and StartOS dramatically simplify the process of discovering, downloading, and installing services onto a private server, and that is where the similarities end.

HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

**Appearance**

Umbrel uses MacOS's aethetic. The user interface is clean, colorful, and customizable. StartOS offers a functional design with little color or customization.

**Services**

As of May 30, 2023, there are approximately 100 services available for Umbrel, and 40 services available for StartOS. Both offer developer docs that permit anyone anywhere to package anything, and neither is capable of gatekeeping.

**Architecture**

Umbrel itself is an *app* that can be *installed* onto most Debian or Ubuntu computers and virtual machines. StartOS is an *operating system* (Linux distro) that can be *flashed* onto most computers and virtual machines.

**Config**

Services often provide config files, such as Bitcoin's bitcoin.conf. On Umbrel, updating config files requires using SSH and the command line. With StartOS, config files are presented as rich forms, including descriptions, downdowns, toggles, validated inputs, etc.

**Backups**

When it comes to self-hosting, nothing is more important than making backups. With the exception of LND, Umbrel does not provide a means of backing up services. With StartOS, encrypted backups can be made by pushing a button.

**Encryption**

On Umbrel, communications over the LAN are done over plain http. This means that anyone connected to your home WiFi network can trivially steal your passwords and money. With StartOS, communications over the LAN are done over encrypted https.

**Monitoring**

Umbrel does not provide tools for monitoring the health or performance of services. SSH and the command line are needed to view service logs. StartOS offers custom health checks that display service health, and a live screen for viewing service logs.

**DIY Options**

Both Umbrel and StartOS can be installed for free. As an app, Umbrel can be installed on the Raspberry Pi and devices running Debian or Ubuntu. As an operating system, StartOS can be flashed on just about any computer or virtual machine.

**Price**

Both companies offer plug and play devices. Umbrel offers a single device for $700. It has a 2.9GHz processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 2TB NVMe SSD. Start9 offers the same device for $563.

Start9 also has other options ranging from $199 to $1546

This is what I asked my wife for my birthday. I did not get it, but GD this bitch is 🔥🔥🔥

...both the wife & the BMW R68

haha

Ever get sick of sitting in front of a computer screen and just wish you were out in the fields herding sheep or something?