ℹ️ Pro tip: after updating to StartOS v0.3.4.4, be sure to use HTTPS (instead of HTTP) when visiting your StartOS UI. It is way faster!

Crazy simple guide for running StartOS on your Mac M1/M2 at near native speeds. Total setup is 5-10 minutes! This is a great way to experiment with StartOS or to run a permanent server. https://blog.start9.com/running-startos-on-apple-silicon/

By popular demand

🎉 0.3.4.3 is live with meaningful improvements to Tor reliability. Bitcoin version 25 is also live! This version of Bitcoin obsoletes Bitcoin Proxy, which has now been removed from the Marketplace. As always, make a backup before updating. Enjoy!

📣 Announcing SimpleX Server (https://simplex.chat/) for StartOS, now available on the Start9 Registry 📣 Brought to you by #[0] 👏 TLDR: SimpleX might be the most promising solution to simple, private, decentralized messaging yet! So far, it does direct messages, group messages, calls, voice messages, and video calls, and everything is e2e-encrypted and can be self-hosted. Like Nostr, SimpleX is neither P2P nor federated. It uses servers to relay messages. You define which server to use for receiving messages, and your contacts define which server to use for receiving messages. Every conversation is likely to use 2 different servers! Servers are simple relays adhering to the SMP protocol; they do not store profiles, contacts, or groups, and they only retain messages until they are delivered to clients. Read about the SMP protocol here:

GitHub

simplexmq/protocol/simplex-messaging.md at stable · simplex-chat/simplexmq

⚙️ SimpleXMQ - A reference implementation of the SimpleX Messaging Protocol for simplex queues over public networks. - simplex-chat/simplexmq

SimpleX was designed with Tor servers in mind, and since servers do not connect to each other, there are no issues with interoperability:

Privacy & security

#[1] 📣

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

Our new Server Lite is an 8GB Raspberry Pi, StartOS pre-installed, Flirc enclosure, 128GB high endurance microSD, speaker, ethernet cable, and power supply...For $199 with free shipping. Good luck even finding a Raspberry Pi alone for that price.

Specter Wallet 2.0 is now available on the Start9 Registry! The electrs integration and new user interface are 🔥

🚀 Announcing StartOS v0.3.4.2, the Server Lite, and the all new 2023 Server One! 📣 StartOS v0.3.4.2 introduces PWA support, which means your private StartOS website(s) can now be installed directly onto your mobile devices. When used in this way, initial launch times are faster and the browser context disappears, creating a native app experience! 📣 v0.3.4.2 significantly expands hardware possibilities for free DIY. StartOS can now be installed on Aarch64 (ARM) computers and virtual machines, as well as many laptops, desktops, and mini-PCs that require proprietary drivers for hardware modules. 📣 Introducing the Server Lite, a Raspberry Pi-based device that runs entirely off the microSD card, eliminating common power delivery issues and lowering cost. At just $199, the Lite is a low-cost, reliable server that can easily be upgraded later. https://store.start9.com/products/server-lite 📣 Start9 has partnered with the @CryptoCloaks to offer exactly 100 of these limited-edition cases for the Server Lite! https://store.start9.com/products/server-lite-limited 📣 Introducing the 2023 Server One. This device blows the Raspberry Pi out of the water. It has an 11th gen Intel processor, 16GB RAM, and an NVMe SSD up to 4TB. The best part, it costs about the same as the old, Pi-based Server One, starting at only $499! https://store.start9.com/products/server-one 📣 Our flagship product, the Server Pro, now has a reduced price of $1,546. The Pro offers unmatched privacy and security guarantees with an open software stack all the way down to firmware, including the neutralization of Intel's Management Engine.

Start9 Labs

Server Pure (clearance sale)

Purchase includes a lifetime membership to Start9 Support ($300 value) EU Customers EU customers can purchase our servers locally from the followin...

📣 The above prices are available on our Bitcoin Store. https://bitcoin-store.start9.com