207 sats \ 4 replies \ @Alby 3 Sep \ on: My journey to find the ideal Uncle Jim node bitcoin
Hey, let us know if you need help with Alby Hub!
The most useful Uncle Jim setup is to create Isolated NWC Connection in your Hub (Connections -> Add New), and then to share this NWC Connection Secret with another Alby Account on getalby.com - so your family members or friends could have another lightning address, wallet interface and a separate balance, while sharing the liquidity of your node.
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35 sats \ 3 replies \ @ACYK OP 3 Sep
Thanks! I’m sure I’ll have questions as I get into it. My general plan the next day I get a few hours to play around with it (likely next week) will be working through the following (and likely generating some questions in the process):
  • Install Alby Hub, likely on the Raspberry Pi4 I have my Raspiblitz LND node running on (no channels open on it, as it was offline for a while for a move).
  • See how easy it is to get Alby Hub set up with an LSP to start such as Phoenixd.
  • See if it is possible to onboard a family member with a single link (something I really like about Shockwallet). Even better if I can send a single link that provides a pre-funded wallet (not yet in Shockwallet, but coming soon). If not, I’ll move forward with giving them an Alby referral and make notes on the workflow of them getting set up and adding a NWC Connection Secret provided by me.
  • Go through the process of adding NWC to send and receive from Alby Hub in Stacker News (something Shockwallet can’t do yet).
  • Go through the process of adding NWC to send and receive from Alby Hub in various Nostr clients (something Shockwallet can’t do yet).
  • Connect to Alby in a few Podcasting 2.0 Apps that support connecting via Alby, such as Podverse, Castamatic, Podcast Guru, etc. (something Shockwallet can’t do yet).
  • Assess the options for static payment addresses (Lightning address, Bolt12 address). For example, does a user still get a getalby.com lightning address even if the Alby Hub is behind Tor and only connecting via NWC? What are the options for me to bring my own domain and make custom lightning addresses? Is Bolt12 support on the roadmap (or already possible)?
  • If I change the funding for my Alby Hub (move from Phoenixd to opening my own channels in LND) is that all hidden from family members who may be using my Alby hub via NWC? i..e no reconfiguring for them?
  • Can I connect to my LND backend (which is connected to Alby Hub) via Zeus so I can open larger channels via hardware wallet that when closed, go back to being secured via my hardware wallet? Are there other more direct ways to open channels in Alby Hub via hardware wallet?
  • Are there any issues (speed, reliability, etc.) with being behind tor that I need to figure out a secure way to get my Alby Hub directly reachable on clearnet?
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251 sats \ 2 replies \ @rolznz 4 Sep
Hi, to answer some of your questions:
  • You need to use the LDK or LND backend rather than Phoenixd, if you want to do an Uncle Jim node with Alby Hub. You still easily can get liquidity with one of the LSP partners in the app. There is a one-click channel opening during the onboarding.
  • For single link invitations, this will be possible in the "Friends and Family" app coming out in 1.7.0 in the next few days. There is also the Jim app (https://github.com/getAlby/jim) which connects to your hub and allows 1-click wallets (Nodana even offers one-click deployments of that: https://nodana.io/)
  • Bolt12 is on our roadmap but not available yet
  • You cannot easily switch to a different node backend. If you plan to use LND, I would start with LND from the beginning. Alby Hub can connect to an existing node.
  • You do not need clearnet access for apps powered by Alby Hub to work. Alby Hub can and is meant to run behind a firewall or in a private network. NWC (through the relay subscriptions) allows communication with the world
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100 sats \ 1 reply \ @ACYK OP 4 Sep
Awesome, thanks for all of this great info. Maybe I'll wait for the "Friends and Family" app to be ready, and then go through the full workflow of setting up Alby hub, getting some initial liquidity, and setting a family member up with a wallet (testing out the Friends and Family App, as well as the Jim App). Really appreciate it!
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121 sats \ 0 replies \ @rolznz 4 Sep
1.7 has been released now with the Friends & Family app, so do try it when you get the chance! it'll be even easier as the Alby Go mobile app becomes generally available, as this is the simplest wallet interface to use as an onboarded family member or friend.
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