Thread by @MichaelLevin

1/10: The events of this past week change nothing about the long term mission and potential of #Bitcoin . Stay calm, stack sats, and run your own node. I just built a node with @getumbrel. It was simple + straightforward.

A thread on how I did it 👇👇

2/10: First, I bought the materials necessary to construct a node using my @fold_app card (always be stacking). The list of materials is on the @getumbrel website. I was able to buy everything I needed on Amazon.

3/10: Next, I inserted the SSD into the Hard Drive Enclosure. I put the Raspberry Pi into its case and connected the Hard Drive to the Raspberry Pi.

4/10: Then, through the @getumbrel site, I downloaded the @getumbrel OS for Raspberry Pi and Balena Etcher to enable the flash of the OS onto the microSD, which will be inserted into the Raspberry Pi.

5/10: I inserted my 32GB microSD card into a SD card reader and plugged it into my computer. Then, using Balena Etcher, I flashed the @getumbrel OS onto the microSD. It took <5 minutes.

6/10: Once the flash was complete, the card reader was auto-ejected. I removed the microSD and put it into the Raspberry Pi. I then plugged the power source and Ethernet cable into the Raspberry Pi.

7/10: I plugged the whole setup in and connected the Ethernet cord to a wall Ethernet port. After waiting 5 minutes, I navigated to http://umbrel.local per the instructions on the @getumbrel website

8/10: From there, I named my node, set up a password, copied down my key words, and then Bitcoin core started to sync. I was done with the physical setup in less than an hour. The full chain sync is still in progress.

9/10: It’s a magical feeling to realize that, with just a few hours and ~$200, anyone can take full control of their money. No permission needed. If #Bitcoin is freedom money, then running a node is the key to unlock oneself from the shackles of trusting third parties.

10/10: I encourage anyone who hodls #Bitcoin to run their own node. Stacking and hodling are only the first steps. Opt into a financial future that empowers the individual, not institutions, banks or governments. Run your own #Bitcoin node.

P.S. Here is the @BTCsessions video that I used to guide this process. Next up, I'll be going through the process of connecting a wallet to my node and working through the setup of some @lightning channels.