Introduction and Where to Start?
Greetings Everyone,
I’m starting my journey on Start9 as a developer/builder with the primary goal of creating a packaged service that makes it easier for anyone to configure, secure and run a Sessions Router (node) locally for the benefit of the Sessions Messenger and Lokinet user community.
I currently operate a session router (node) non-local and as a noobler in that community too found it very spooky when getting started. I’m hard headed and used to falling on my face throughout the entirety of my life so I was able to muddle my way through. My contribution to that community and to privacy seeking folks all around is to try and make it easier to run a Session Router locally, configure, secure and operate it as easily as possible with potential automated updates, and other goodies that would help to onboard both infrastructure builders and general users alike.
I currently operate a construction company that focuses on building small structures, garages, sheds and the like. I enjoy building things and creating systems in this realm. That being said, I don’t have an IT background just a moral and personal code that obligates me to fight for what I believe provides me and my community the greatest measure of personal freedom.
My current education path has me working towards a degree in Cyber-Security with a follow on MS in Business management within IT systems. I’m also in a pipeline for various foundational level IT certs, currently CompTIA’s A+ core 1 and 2 which I plan to test out core 1 in December of 2025. My long term goal is to create a consultation business focusing on helping others build out and maintain their own personal data and help them securely network that data locally. I’m also very interested in learning to build and code from the ground up!
I hope to transition into the IT field fully in 2026 to 2027 and also planing to move to Japan in this time period to study the Japanese language in Nagoya/Aichi area. If anyone in the community is living in Japan I would love to connect when I put boots on ground. I’m also a resident of Liberland working on attaining citizenship! Any Liberland folks in the community?
I think that lengthy introduction should come to a close and I hope I’ve been clear on my objectives, my level of knowledge and some of what I value and hope to bring to this community.
Now on to where to start?
I have been lurking a little in the forum trying to parse out where I should get started. I had decided to buy a server and start running a bitcoin knots node as my starting/familiarization point for what a marketplace ready packaged service should/could look like.
Waiting on the re-stocking to take place for that purchase…
My next thought was to learn TypesScript as I’ve seen this language referenced several times in the forum. Would you folks agree I should start here at least in terms of coding necessary to set me on a successful path to achieve my aforementioned goals?
Here are a list of books I have currently have considered purchasing to aid me on my journey:
- Mastering TypeScript: Build enterprise-ready, modular web applications using TypeScript 4 and modern frameworks, 4th Edition by Nathan Rozentals
- TYPESCRIPT Programming, In 8 Hours, For Beginners, Learn Coding Fast: TypeScript Language Crash Course Textbook & Exercises by Ray Yao
- Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold
- A Philosophy of Software Design, 2nd Edition by John Ousterhout
- The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To Mastery, 20th Anniversary Edition (2nd Edition) by David Thomas
- Beginner’s Step-by-Step Coding Course: Learn Computer Programming the Easy Way (DK Complete Courses) by DK
- Mastering Web3 and Crypto: For Investors and Builders by Nitin Kumar
Can anyone suggest any other tombs to add to my DEV library? Or warn me away from ones I’ve selected? I love to read so anything that will help me move toward my goals would be appreciated!
Finally, outside of running a node, and learning TypeScript, what other pointers or suggestions could a DEV offer me here that I can use as a later reference?
Such as:
- Tools I can use?
- People I can follow on social media?
- Podcasts?
- Things I should do/not do?
- People or places to avoid?
- Foundational basics prior to moving forward?
I’m currently following NetworkChuck, DarkNet Diaries, Unixguy, Rob Braxman, Josh Madakor to name a few influencers I’ve been listening to this past year.
I very much appreciate any feedback and support on this journey I’ve begun. Sorry for the hyper lengthy introduction but I know that laying the foundation is an important first step on any “construction” project, and that’s how I’m approaching this series of goals.
Cheers everyone!