Grant proposel to create node starter kits to help newbies add to the blockchain ecosystem

Grants Proposed
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SMALL GRANT

Grant Proposal: Low-Cost Node and Starter Kit for Sia Network Newbies

Introduction

The Sia network is a decentralized cloud storage platform that empowers users to control their own data. However, setting up a node—either as a host (hostd) or renter (renterd)—can be technically challenging and costly for beginners. This complexity creates a barrier to entry, limiting the network’s growth and decentralization. This proposal seeks funding to develop a low-cost hosted or rented node option, a step-by-step guide manual, and a starter kit package for Sia coin. These deliverables will simplify the onboarding process for new users, enabling them to contribute to the Sia network’s storage and blockchain ecosystem.

Project Description

This project consists of three key components designed to lower the barriers for newbies joining the Sia network:

  1. Low-Cost Hosted or Rented Node Option

  • I will partner with a hosting provider to offer pre-configured Sia nodes (either hostd for storage providers or renterd for renters) at an affordable rate.

  • These nodes will be optimized for ease of use, requiring minimal technical knowledge to set up and maintain, making participation accessible to beginners.

  1. Step-by-Step Guide Manual

  • I will create a detailed, beginner-friendly manual that explains how to set up and manage a Sia node (covering both hosting and renting).

  • The guide will be freely available for download on the Sia website and other platforms, ensuring wide accessibility.

  1. Starter Kit Package for Sia Coin

  • I will develop a starter kit that includes a pre-configured node, the guide manual, and a small amount of Sia coins to get users started.

  • The kit will be available for purchase, and I will also allow others to create and sell similar packages, fostering community involvement and potential revenue streams.

Alignment with Sia Foundation’s Mission

The Sia Foundation’s mission is to promote user-owned data by enabling individuals to control their information without reliance on centralized services. This project aligns directly with that mission by:

  • Simplifying node setup, encouraging more users to join the network as hosts or renters.

  • Increasing the number of nodes, which enhances the network’s decentralization and resilience.

  • Empowering newbies to actively participate in the Sia ecosystem, reinforcing the principle of user-owned data.

Community Impact

This project will benefit the Sia community by:

  • Expanding Node Participation: Lowering the cost and complexity of running a node will increase the number of active hosts and renters, strengthening the network’s storage capacity and reliability.

  • Attracting New Users: Simplified tools and resources will draw more individuals to the Sia ecosystem, growing its user base and diversity.

  • Enhancing Network Health: More nodes improve decentralization, security, and performance, benefiting all Sia users.

Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

  • Goal: Increase participation in the Sia network by making it easier and more affordable for newbies to set up and maintain nodes (either hosted or rented).

  • Objectives:

    1. Partner with a hosting provider to offer low-cost, pre-configured Sia nodes.

    2. Produce a comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide manual for node setup and maintenance.

    3. Develop and launch a starter kit package that includes a node, guide, and Sia coins.

  • Measurable Outcomes:

    1. 100 new nodes activated using the low-cost option within 6 months of launch.

    2. 1,000 downloads of the guide manual within 6 months of launch.

    3. 50 starter kits sold within 6 months of launch.

Deliverable

The project will deliver:

  • A partnership with a hosting provider offering affordable, pre-configured Sia nodes.

  • A professionally written and designed guide manual, freely accessible online.

  • A starter kit package for purchase, including a node, manual, and Sia coins, with licensing for others to replicate and sell.

Qualifications: I bring experience in software development and technical writing, along with established contacts in the hosting industry. These skills and resources ensure I can successfully execute the project and deliver measurable results.

Risks and Technical Feasibility

  • Risk 1: Difficulty securing a hosting provider partnership at a low cost.

    • Mitigation: I will approach multiple providers and offer promotional exposure within the Sia community in exchange for discounted rates.

  • Risk 2: Technical challenges in creating a pre-configured node that’s simple for beginners.

    • Mitigation: I will collaborate with the Sia development team to ensure the node setup is optimized and user-friendly.

The timeline for completion is 6 months, which is reasonable given the scope. These risks are manageable and will not significantly impact the project’s outcome.

Budget Justification

The total grant request is $10,000, broken down as follows:

  • Low-Cost Node Option: $3,000

    • Covers partnership negotiation, setup costs, and initial node configuration with a hosting provider.

  • Guide Manual: $2,000

    • Includes writing, editing, and designing a professional, accessible manual.

  • Starter Kit Package: $3,000

    • Funds development, production, and inclusion of Sia coins in 50 initial kits.

  • Marketing and Promotion: $1,000

    • Supports outreach to attract new users via the Sia website, forums, and social media.

  • Contingency: $1,000

    • Reserves for unexpected expenses, ensuring project completion.

This budget is justified by the need for professional deliverables and partnerships to achieve the project’s goals. All costs are kept within the $1,000–$10,000 range recommended for small, focused grants.

Conclusion

This proposal addresses a critical need in the Sia community: simplifying participation for newbies. By creating a low-cost node option, a step-by-step guide, and a starter kit package, this project will increase node participation, enhance decentralization, and grow the Sia ecosystem. It aligns with the Sia Foundation’s mission, offers clear community benefits, and includes achievable goals with measurable outcomes. I am confident in my ability to deliver this project and contribute meaningfully to the Sia network.

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Thanks for your proposal.

Unfortunately, you did not quite follow the proposal format required for small grants. Please, answer the questions about the jurisdiction and add the developmental information specified on Sia - Grants. Do not forget to include examples of or links to of any previous works done by you.

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Welcome, Thank you for posting!

To be straight up, my initial take is that this doesn’t quite line up with what the Sia Foundation’s grant program is typically set up for, and I’m not sure it makes a whole lot of sense in that context.

Usually, the grants are pretty focused on software development that directly grows or improves the Sia ecosystem – building features, tools, integrating Sia into other things, that sort of technical contribution.

We’ve actually seen proposals kind of along these lines before, like a video series aimed at onboarding. Honestly, the community reaction wasn’t that great IMO, and the Foundation ended up deciding that stuff felt more like marketing or educational efforts that should probably happen outside the grant structure, rather than using grant funds for what were essentially marketing pitches.

Now, don’t get me wrong, a solid, beginner-friendly guide manual is always useful, and creating one could potentially fit the ‘public good’ idea that grants can fund. That’s probably the only part of this proposal that might be plausible for grant funding. But, honestly, the Foundation’s growth team is probably going to get all that core education covered anyway, and the community is great at jumping in with feedback on what should be included or added. So, even that aspect might be something that gets covered naturally.

Funding the actual low-cost hosting part? Yeah, I just don’t see the Foundation being willing to effectively subsidize hosting nodes. It feels too much like paying for a marketing stunt or subsidizing a service, and I’m not sure the network sees much direct technical benefit from that approach. Plus from my own experience, the foundation is not allowed to subsidize anything commercial.

And the starter kit thing, where the end goal includes making physical sales of something? That feels… well, it just feels weird for a grant that’s supposed to be funding public goods for the ecosystem. Using grant money to develop something where the ultimate aim includes physical commercial sales, even if others can replicate it, doesn’t really seem to fit the spirit or intent of the grants program as I understand it.

So yeah, while the goal of making Sia easier for newbies is totally valid and important, this specific approach, particularly the idea of using grant funds for hosting subsidies and developing physical products for sale, doesn’t seem like a good fit for the Sia Foundation’s grant program based on what they’ve funded and how they’ve evaluated past non-software proposals.

This is my own opinion, im not a decision maker, but you should take this opportunity probably to refine your idea or defend it if you really do think that it should be considered.

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All good, i think ill just work on my own projects. Thanks for hearing me out.