Merge pull request #378 from 8go/patch-89

node_operations: English, minor tuning on VPS offering

node_operations.asciidoc

@@ -44,15 +44,17 @@ Thus, software and hardware failures in the Lightning Network can easily result
 
 * **General Purpose Computers**: a Lightning Network node can be run on a home computer or laptop running Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. Typically this is run alongside a Bitcoin node.
 * **Dedicated Hardware**: a Lightning Node can also be run on dedicated hardware like a Raspberry Pi, Rock64, or mini-PC. This setup would usually run a software stack including a Bitcoin node and other applications. This setup is popular as the hardware is dedicated to running and maintaining the Lightning node only and is usually set up with an installation "helper".
-* **Specialized Hardware**: a Lightning Network node can also be run on purpose-built hardware specifically designed for it. This would include "out-of-the-box" Lightning node solutions that can be purchased as a kit or turn-key system.
+* **Pre-Configured Hardware**: a Lightning Network node can also be run on purpose-built hardware specifically selected and configured for it. This would include "out-of-the-box" Lightning node solutions that can be purchased as a kit or a turn-key system.
 
 ==== Running in the "cloud"
 
-Virtual Private Server (VPS) and "cloud computing" services such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, or Amazon Web Services (AWS) are quite affordable and can be set up very quickly. A Lightning node can be hosted for between $20 and $40 per month on such a service.
+_Virtual Private Server_ (VPS) and "cloud computing" services such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or DigitalOcean are quite affordable and can be set up very quickly. A Lightning node can be hosted for between $20 and $40 per month on such a service.
 
-However, as the saying goes, "'Cloud' is just other people's computers". Using these services means running your node on other people's computers, with all the privacy and security implications that has. A Lightning node running in the "cloud", will always be less secure, less private that one running on your own computer. Additionally, these cloud computing services are very centralized. The vast majority of Bitcoin and Lightning nodes running on such services are located in a handful of data centers in Virginia, Sunnyvale, Seattle, London and Frankfurt. When the networks or data centers of these providers have service problems, it affects thousands of nodes on so-called "decentralized" networks.
+However, as the saying goes, "'Cloud' is just other people's computers". Using these services means running your node on other people's computers. This brings along the corresponding advantages and disadvantages. The key advantages are convenience, efficiency, uptime, and possibly even cost. The cloud operator manages and runs the node to a high degree automatically providing you with convenience and efficiency. They provide excellent uptime and availability, often much better than what an individual can achieve at home. If you consider that just the electricity cost of running a server in many western countries is around $10 per month, then add to that the cost of network bandwidth and the hardware itself, the VPS offering becomes financially competetive. Lastly, with a VPS you need no space for a PC at home, and don't have any issues with PC noise or heat.
+On the other hand there are several notable disadvantages. A Lightning node running in the "cloud" will always be less secure and less private that one running on your own computer. Additionally, these cloud computing services are very centralized. The vast majority of Bitcoin and Lightning nodes running on such services are located in a handful of data centers in Virginia, Sunnyvale, Seattle, London, and Frankfurt. When the networks or data centers of these providers have service problems, it affects thousands of nodes on so-called "decentralized" networks.
 
-Running a Lightning node in the cloud is better than not running a node at all, and worse than running it on your own computer at home or in your office.
+If you have the possibility and capacity of running a node on your own computer at home or in your office, then this might be preferable to running it
+in the cloud. Nonetheless, if running your own server is not an option, by all means consider running one on a VPS.
 
 ==== Running a node at home