I've decided to step up my community involvement and personal commitment by setting up a witness node.
Server Specs
- 1gbit/s network
- 200 GB HDD
- 8GB DDR3 ECC RAM
- 4 cores of an Intel Xeon E3
I'm starting off with the basic server recommendation from @someguy123. I'm going with @privex hosting because I like the idea of supporting a fellow Steemian, and I can pay with STEEM or SBD. See their intro post here and check them out for your hosting needs. This node is hosted in Germany.
Depending on the level of support I get, I will also add a seed node. I'll be closely monitoring this initial setup and expand it as needed.
Why lukestokes.mhth?
I want a separate account from my blog for automated activities, such as this witness node. The MHTM stands for More Human Than Human with a nod to Blade Runner.
You can vote for me here:
"Why Should I Vote For You?"
Good question.
- I've been successfully running an online business, FoxyCart.com, with my business partner and team for over 10 years now.
- I've been programming since 1996 with a degree in Computer Science Engineering from UPENN, an Ivy League university.
- I'm passionate about the Steemit community and have been an active member since July of 2016.
- I have a high reputation score (currently 71.2, ranked #62 on SteemWhales), over 1,500 followers, and over 5,400 posts and comments.
You can learn more about me personally from my introduction post.
"What Do You Contribute To Steemit?"
- For over 40 weeks, I've consistently produced the Exchange Transfer Report because I believe in transparency and in understanding how value transfers in the system impact those who are vested in the platform and the price of STEEM and SBD over time.
- I try to be an active communicator. My Steemit blog aims to be thought-provoking (some might say occasionally controversial), encouraging, educational, and interesting. I truly value the excellent relationships and conversations here and will continue to stay even more engaged as a witness.
- As a developer, I aim to be actively involved in evaluating hardfork code change proposals. As a witness, I'll be even more motivated to do so and to actively work with the community of witnesses to maintain reliable consensus.
- I've been actively involved in the economic discussions related to STEEM and SBD since I first joined. As a witness, I'll be even more involved.
- I value non-violent communication to understand myself and others. Witnesses need to be comfortable wth conflict while still working together for consensus and I feel my communication here so far demonstrates my willingness and ability to do that effectively.
- I believe in the long-term value and success of STEEM and Steemit and will continue to promote it and educate others on why this is all so awesome!
Thank you for your consideration. If you have the ear of those with high Steem Power, I would really appreciate you suggesting my witness for their vote.
To vote, visit https://steemit.com/~witnesses and add lukestokes.mhth to the box, click Vote, and use your Active key.
Update: Thank you to those who've already given me you support! I greatly appreciate it. I also put together a more detailed post about the importance of witnesses and why you should vote for them or proxy your vote to others. I hope you find it useful.
You just got my vote @lukestokes :)
Thank you, Charles!
No problem, i know you will be a boss witness :)
Non-violent communication + your latest post about Gridcoin certainly make you someone I'd like to see have more influence in the community. Voting for you and following you from now on.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your support.
Glad to see you onboard and happy to support! :)
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
Had to vote for you too @lukestokes
:P
Thanks! :)
I have found your posts to be some of the best and educational ones out there! I have voted for you to be a witness and also set you as my proxy. I actually feel guilty because I removed someone from that position but I just feel like you're a much better candidate and qualified for the job, good luck!
I really appreciate your support. Witness voting can be a tricky, and I understand the feelings there. I try not to take it personally when people move their support around. I'll keep working to earn the support I get. Thank you.
Good luck!
Glad to see ya jumping on the witness train - I feel we need a bunch more and glad to see you being one of em!
Thanks so much, Aaron! I really appreciate your support.
VERY silly question.
I wonder what do we, as users, get for supporting a witness?
I don't think that's silly at all. It's healthy to have a "What's in it for me?" understanding of something since we're all driven by our motivations (intrinsically and extrinsically) whether or not we acknowledge them.
Witnesses need votes in order to perform their job as a witness. The top 19 create new blocks every round while the others are rotated in based on the weight of support they get. We all get to control who holds those important positions. If, for example, someone was running a node which missed blocks or if their actions weren't in the best interests of the community, the users can (and should) remove their support. In essence, by voting for trustworthy witnesses, you get to ensure the Steemit network you enjoy continues running smoothly which protects your investment.
Luke, I didn't want to beat around the bush. Just wanted to ask it bluntly. And I am glad I did. I only voted for one Witness - which was today - and the website said I can vote for 30.
Looks like it's similar to electing a president - we vote for the candidate we believe will do justice to our country, yes?
Except witnesses don't send drones around the world to kill people, so that's a major plus. ;)
I have yet to vote for a witness. I am going to figure out to give you the vote. Good luck, if you could could you explain or point me to a good explanation of what a witness node and what a seed node is. Sorry if it's too noob of a question, I am kinda new here. Following now and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!
No, that's a great question!
@pfunk put together an excellent guide here explaining what a witness is: https://steemit.com/steemit-guides/@pfunk/a-full-steemit-user-s-guide-to-steem-witnesses
Essentially witnesses create new blocks for the Steemit blockchain and ensure the system continues to run smoothly. They make decisions about future code changes to Steemit as well as parameters which impact the economics and signup fees.
In other blockchain systems, the miners have all the control and sometimes they don't act in the best interests of the users. Also, they can't be voted out of their position of influence. The Steem blockchain is different and uses delegated proof of stake which @dantheman recently explained in this white paper. Witnesses are part of that system and they can only hold that position if the network votes to give them that role.
Thanks for getting back to me. That helps me understand tremendously. I will be voting for you today. Best of luck. Let me know if I can help in any way!!
Awesome. I think you'll enjoy it.
Thanks @bacchist! I've learned a bunch already, and I know I will continue to learn more as I go.
You have my vote for witness. I've seen the humility you bear come through in your language, and I've seen your commitments to quality and a broad sense of value. I've seen that you have a life partner that guides your emotional state along an arrow of order, and that you have a mindset of growth.
Steemit has become a sufficiently complex human affair such that we will see all the best and worst of who we are here. There will be givers and takers, leaders and tyrants, and you seem to me to be a strong example for the side of that fight I want to be on.
It would be nice to think that we can all just join in creativity and mutual social support, and many of us will, but there is always the pull of entropy... always the cost of being haunting us across domains and at all scales.
It is this existential suffering that drives us to become creators, and it is awareness of and and engagement with this transcendental process that makes us great. That awareness is called faith, and you seem to be a man made of that.
My first impressions are pretty good these days, but please tell me if I'm wrong. :D
Take care!
Wow, thank you for such an encouraging message, especially coming from the “worst critic” :)
I do my best to be my own worst critic. It is a handle I choose more than 10 years ago for use on creative writing forums. :)
I have voted for you as my witness @lukestokes
More human than human....and the chorus of a good Rob Zombie song :-)
Like that you are using Privex, read up on it and the steem acceptance is nice.
You have my vote brother!
Thanks so much for your support!
Yeah, so far, the experience I've had with @Privex has been fantastic. I like how committed they are to supporting Steemit.
Nice to see you here. With tons of your followers it would be easier to educate "common users" about how important is to vote for witnesses.
Good luck! :-)
Thank you! I've posted on that before and will certainly post on it again, especially now that I have a little extra motivation to do so. :)
Good on you mate. Massive contribution and I am sure you will be great. :)
Thank you for the encouragement.
I'm glad I you're doing this. I just voted for you. I hope it worked (I'd didn't seem to get a confirmation of any sort).
Thanks Sean! It worked great and you can verify that here: https://steemd.com/@lukestokes.mhth
This morning I'm going through some exercises and worst case scenarios like server reboots, blockchain rebuilds, etc. Thankfully there's a way to disable my witness node while I do this so I wouldn't be missing any blocks in the process. Learning a bunch and enjoying the process so far. :)
YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL THE VOTES!
And I'm not just saying that because you used to pay me haha! You're one of the most genuine people on here, and you go to great lengths to help others out. You have become such a solid beacon here, and I'm glad that you've finally decided to put up a witness node. All hail!
Hahaha! Thanks Jed. I really appreciate your encouragement and support. It's surprising how nervous I feel about this. It's a big deal for me and a big responsibility. I know I'll learn a lot through the process, and I don't want to screw up. :)
@lukestokes @jedau @scaredycatguide @rok-sivante @jesta @aggroed Am following the people on this reply and trust them... If they all trust You, then I trust You because they've been here a lot longer and I trust their judgement & comments on this post. (( Quick note: Jed your post on getting engaged to your girlfriend was great !! ))
UpVoted, Following, Resteemed and Voting to be a Witness... Have a Great Week !!!
Thank you so much. I take this position seriously and will be learning and growing constantly in it.
Steem On indeed!
Hi Luke, Can You double check that I voted as a witness for You... the first 2 times I voted it didn't work. This last time I believe my vote went through okay, but I'm not 100% sure. Thank You Luke
Thank you! Yes, I see your vote right here: https://steemd.com/@lukestokes.mhth Much appreciated!
You're more than welcomed... I'm the one who is thankful to be here with so many great & giving people aka STEEMIANS.
Have a Great Week !!
You know, I've been waiting a while for you to do that, but I didn't want to push you because you have a lot on your plate. When I first understood what a witness does, I quickly thought of you. You are the very definition of it!
It's great that I'm able to encourage and support you like this. It is a huge responsibility, but I know that you're going to absolutely crush it. I have the utmost faith in you, man :D
You're a valuable voice and asset to the community. You have my vote. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words and support.
Welcome friend i have done vote for witness to @lukestokes.mhth
Thank you! I think you may have approved me and then unapproved me though, based on what I see here.
Sory you were right now again vote for witness you are most welcome,
nice....rs and upvote for you
Great. I am also with you buddy.
Done
done.
ah, Blade Runner... was about to ask if that was from White Zombie.... haha
For some reason, this line always stuck with me:
Such an amazing movie on many different levels.
Thank you for your support!
Excited to vote for you.
Thank you!
Really like your content, you certainly have my support!
You got my vote.
This is great news! I'm very happy to hear it.
Thank you. :)
You pipped me by a day :(
Ha! Sorry, it wasn't intentional. I'm not even sure what "pipping" someone means, but I assume it's like beating you to it or something?
Yeah, usually for bidding. If you up the bid by a small amount it's a pip. Best of luck on the run!
As long as you very carefully consider which witnesses you vote for in turn (no must to vote if you don't want to either) I will most definitely vote for your witness Luke.
Nice to see the witnessing spread and among such eloquent people! =)
You know you've got my vote :)
Thanks Jason.
Great to see you set up a witness! You're an inspiration to many and an asset to the Steemit community... you have my vote!
Thank you! :)
Awesome! I wish you all the best
My voice is for you! I wish you success)))
Good job for witness..
I like it.
🙌🏻
This is a total no-brainer as for as I'm concerned. Very well liked and respected member of the Steemit community. 100% you got my vote, pal...
Thank you so much. :)
My pleasure, bro. Hope you go far as a witness. :)
Voted and started reading the Steemit Whitepaper! 👍
Nice!
Keep in mind, some details in it may have changed over the past year. I'm hoping an updated version will be coming out in the future.
Yeah. I know the holding period is different now, right? Still exciting to read! 😁
Welcome to the Witness Club!
Glad to play my part. I've witnessed two blocks so far! :)
I tendered my proxy vote to you last night. I don't understand the full mechanics of witnesses yet, but I feel confident in giving you my votes until I becoming better informed on how witnessing work. Thanks also to @the-ego-is-you for re confirming that trust.
SDG
Thank you! :)
I noticed you set @lukestokes.mhth as the proxy, but that's just my witness account (it's currently not voting for anyone and it doesn't have much Steem Power anyway). Would you mind switching your proxy to @lukestokes ? That's where the voting happens. Thanks!
My apologies, @lukestokes, this is one of the reasons I'm tendering proxy to you. Corrected, thanks for your work.
You seem to be a worthy candidate. Casted my vote for you. Wish you the best!
I so appreciate that. Thank you.
You just got my vote! As well as my 100% upvote!
Thanks so much, Matt!
Very much welcome!
Actually, I already knew your awesomeness... lol- I voted for you last week!
Thanks! :)
My pleasure!!
@lukestokes Voted for you buddy and i wish you all the best. Voted because you have helped with some great upvotes so I appreciate it and returning the kindness!
Thanks!
You got my vote too @lukestokes I've read a few of your posts and like the cut of your gib.
You can tell a lot about people from their writing over time.
My assessment is that you are one of those rare things. A good guy.
Thank you. :)
Luke I just voted for you as a witness on @lukestokes.mhth because I appreciate your help on my witness post a few weeks ago and your consistent service to our community here as you are providing in the witness channel for example right now!
Thank you, Jerry! I really appreciate that as I know many new Steemians look to you for leadership and have you set as their proxy. If I'm ever not following through on my commitments are providing enough value to the network, please let me know so I can continue to improve.
You're welcome Luke and I will do that!
I just voted for you as a witness.
I like your clear writing style, willingness to share technical details and your perspective and background is similar to mine.
The Blade Runner reference didn't hurt either. :)
Excellent! Thank you very much. :)
You got my vote,good luck!🙏
I am relatively new to Steem , how about setting @lukestokes.mhth as my proxy?
I have @lukestokes.mhth set to use @lukestokes as a proxy, so I guess it's all the same thing.
Very nice,,,
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Now that I fully understand what witnesses are and what they do (overrated miners :p). I have voted for you. I think you're cool.
PS: I'm doing my best to create a world we all want to live in too! We have a lot in common. We can talk about nothing. Change the world, we got a world to change ;)
Thanks for your support. :)
Glad to give you a witness vote. Thanks for everything you do for this community.