Get Started with Bitcoin Using Docker

Like me, you’re probably more comfortable on a CLI. Here’s a quick way to use docker to set up a Bitcoin Wallet and trade Bitcoin for free on Testnet with Electrum. You can use the same tools to manage your real Bitcoin wallet too.

Setup

Make sure you have Docker for your OS ( Mac, Windows, Linux)

Run the electrum-cli docker image

Electrum is a python-based Docker wallet with a both a gui and good cli. I’ve put together electrum-cli, a lightweight Alpine-linux Docker image with Electrum signed and installed with jq.

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First Things First, on AWS

I was chatting with a buddy who was moving his web sites from dedicated hosting to AWS. Let’s just say the FTUE isn’t great. That triggered a quick brain-dump of what you should do when you first get started with AWS.

• understand pets v cattle. In aws all resources should be “cattle”, not pets. Periodically terminate instances to test this.
• activate cloudtrail (in all regions). Use Loggly to index cloudtrail (free or ~$20/mo)
• create restricted IAM users. Never use your root acct. Activate MFA.
• Use IAM ec2-instance roles instead of stored credentials whenever possible.
• Get familiar with IAM management ( use managed policies, groups & the policy tool) .
• Start using opsworks. Avoid launching EC2 instances directly through the console–quickly becomes a management nightmare.
• activate trusted advisor (and pay for the $100/mo upgrade)
• start creating cloudwatch alerts.
• Activate librato ($30/mo) and send cloudwatch to librato
• use loggly or cloudwatch logs
• get familiar VPC & security groups . Use POLP when creating Security groups
• understand regions & AZs – get familiar with cross-region latency.
• use multi-AZ RDS and extend the backup retention
• use the AWS forums – activate your forum account

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