Okay. The "contribution" thing really depends on how well your node runs, how good your uplink is, how much people sync off you, and so on. In general, small, slow nodes are a burden to the network, so make sure to keep learning how to help the network best.

For actually verifying your own blocks and posting your own transactions, it's of course a great use-case.

optimism

bitcoin_beginners

Bitcoin Knots Synchronisation Lost

spiderman

> What are you using your node for?

I read that it in itself is a small contribution to the network, and also, when it synchronises, I plan to use it to broadcast my sparrow wallet transactions. 
