⚡️ needs you. Yes, you.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/7lui2v/needs_you_yes_you/

created by mtaborsky on 24/12/2017 at 10:12 UTC

2867 upvotes, 87 top-level comments (showing 25)

We need lightning network on mainnet yesterday. But it very much alpha software and will not be deployed unless it gets tons more testing and dev work. However, not everyone is a developer and even if you are a developer, contributing to crypto is not easy. I was in the same position.

But there are other ways! I installed Bitcoin Core on testnet and both Lnd and Eclair and tried opening channels, sending payments, closing channels etc. After a day or so, I discovered two bugs, filed them and cooperated with developers in tracking them and fixing them. If you are a bit tech savvy, you can do that too. In the process, you might also discover how lightning actually works and when it really comes, you'll be ready to take full advantage.

Please go educate yourself: http://www.lightning.network/[1] https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd[2] https://github.com/ACINQ/eclair[3] https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning[4]

1: http://www.lightning.network/

2: https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd

3: https://github.com/ACINQ/eclair

4: https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning

Comments

Comment by armin3d at 24/12/2017 at 10:31 UTC

380 upvotes, 6 direct replies

That's it, I'm going to install bitcoin core first vand see where I'll go from there. Hope to crunch as much as bugs as possible.

Comment by Akkowicz at 24/12/2017 at 12:51 UTC

122 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Setting up all three implementations, gonna tinker a bit and try to fuck things up :)

Comment by redd_now at 24/12/2017 at 12:02 UTC

89 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I'm going to try to contribute in whatever way i can. I am a developer and hope i can have some bug fixed to my name!

Comment by ssesq at 24/12/2017 at 16:18 UTC

32 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Any non-tech ways to help? For instance, I am a licensed attorney and currently work as an AML compliance officer for a large international bank. My bitcoin enthusiast friends are forensic accountants, financial analysts, bankers, etc.

Comment by Satoshi_Hodler at 24/12/2017 at 10:27 UTC

68 upvotes, 3 direct replies

I got to the part where I

installed Bitcoin Core on testnet and both Lnd and Eclair and tried opening channels, sending payments, closing channels etc

But what should I do next? How do I properly discover and report bugs?

Comment by tripledogdareya at 24/12/2017 at 14:40 UTC

45 upvotes, 4 direct replies

One of the best ways to help prepare for the Lightning Network is to make sure you're ready to run a secure node and teaching others to do the same. Receiving payments on the Lightning Network requires that the recipient's node be online with autonomous access to the unencrypted private keys used to manage its payment channels. There is a substantial difference in the security requirements of an LN node compared to holding a Bitcoin wallet or even full node. Nothing will undermine public confidence in LN faster than if a widespread malware outbreak ends up stealing funds from early adopters. The pervasive data breaches across companies large and small demonstrate that most are not yet prepared for the responsibility that awaits them when Lightning strikes. The community must act now to promote strong security or look on as LN flashes and fades, leaving only the rumble of disillusioned supporters.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/7l5bqj/the_best_thing_that_you_can_do_to_help_ensure/

Comment by temp_bitcoin_throw at 24/12/2017 at 18:45 UTC

28 upvotes, 4 direct replies

Can someone answer me this 1 question?

You tie up say 1 BTC in a Lightning channel. Takes a few days to get in the channel because well the network will still be clogged (don't kid yourself 7tx/sec is terrible even with 8MB blocks it's only 56). Great now you can spend it fairly easily, quickly and cheaply. Now, uh oh, the channel unexpectedly closed. You'll get your remaining balance back eventually. But in the meantime you have no funds to spend and even if you did have reserved coins it'll still take a while + fees to open another channel.

It's like locking up your debt card for a few days while you wait a week for a new one in the mail.

Please tell me where I'm wrong. And if your answer is something to the effect of the mempool won't be backlogged, please refrain from even commenting because that's asinine

Comment by [deleted] at 24/12/2017 at 13:07 UTC

18 upvotes, 1 direct replies

For the non-tech savy, can we have a tutorial video on where to go, how to install, and how to test, and then how to report. Just say a few minutes video showing where to click, etc, someone doing it on their computer for us to see.

Comment by [deleted] at 24/12/2017 at 15:16 UTC*

27 upvotes, 2 direct replies

[deleted]

Comment by torrust at 24/12/2017 at 14:47 UTC

13 upvotes, 3 direct replies

is the following true?: if i want to send 2btc over the LN everybody along the route needs to have at least 2btc in their payment channel?

I tried to find information about it myself but the paper on LN is extremely hard to understand.

Comment by alchemyriot at 24/12/2017 at 17:27 UTC

6 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I wish I understood a word of what you guys are all talking about.

Comment by djrevmoon at 24/12/2017 at 12:37 UTC

9 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Good post. I was considering contributing in some way but was thinking too difficult. This is easy and will certainly help. I will also talk to my friends. Thanks!

Comment by forexross at 24/12/2017 at 13:49 UTC

5 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Would be very nice and helpful if you provide more details. Maybe on the wiki so people can contribute too.

Comment by codedaway at 24/12/2017 at 22:40 UTC

3 upvotes, 1 direct replies

We need a sticky that explains step by step how to test, where to report, and for which OS.

Not just for lightning but for everything that needs tested for release in Bitcoin. It doesn't make sense to constantly hope that the top posts are repetitive posts on "Please help test". /r/bitcoin Mods, create a sticky with all of the information!

I'll be posting one once the holidays are over but I suspect there's already a few that have been made and have not been stickied.

Comment by JanchK at 24/12/2017 at 11:29 UTC

42 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Doing the same thing. My node is at 40%. Going to use Eclair. It is amazing to be able to help your investment from your living room. And as a bonus you can help with the demise of Roger Ver and Bcash. Social media smearing is not sufficient.

Comment by starkbot at 24/12/2017 at 18:43 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Check out the developer site we put together for lnd. http://dev.lightning.community

Comment by btcsa at 24/12/2017 at 22:17 UTC

4 upvotes, 0 direct replies

The positive messages from people all wanting to help, is how this sub used to be back in the day, before big blockers were a thing

Comment by ViolentlyPeaceful at 24/12/2017 at 17:51 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I don't even have Bitcoin and I'm willing to help on this. If Bitcoin crashes in value because of the lack of LN then all the cryptocurrency sphere will suffer with it. Bitcoin is the mother of all coins and I want it to be healthy. Count me in.

Comment by chillingniples at 24/12/2017 at 16:38 UTC

9 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Is there somewhere that those of us who are not as technically proficient can donate some of our money to hire more help for this cause? Certainly a couple million dollars for a handful of worthy devs should help, though i know finding high quality workers is easier said than done. finding money would be the easy part. I would give a couple thousand usd for sure.

Comment by botolo at 24/12/2017 at 16:02 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

This is a great post, thanks for sharing. I will start learning more about the Lightning Network and I will do some alpha-testing on testnet.

Comment by xaudius at 24/12/2017 at 16:36 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Good job Op

Comment by ScroogeMcDuck00 at 24/12/2017 at 17:51 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Upvoted. What we need is to find the bugs BEFORE implementing, to maintain security. The complexity of the network will increase with lightning, and to be a true store of value, the Bitcoin network must be implemented with the highest security.

Comment by tashtrac at 24/12/2017 at 21:07 UTC

3 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I actually code in Python for a living and have Q&A background but I'm pretty swamped at the moment. Is there a need for people that can put in only a few hours a week or is it more of a full scale commitment?