Merge pull request #234 from threefoldfoundation/development

Publish latest news

content/blog/power_saving/index.md

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+---
+id: power_saving
+title: "A Power-Saving Feature on the Grid – For Our People and Our Planet"
+image_caption: A Power-Saving Feature on the Grid – For Our People and Our Planet
+description: At the heart of ThreeFold’s mission is the benefit of the people & our planet. We aim to have a positive impact in the space of technology while keeping our ecological footprint low. Saving a maximum of energy has always been on our agenda. Now, with the rising bills of our farmers making it harder for them to keep on supporting the project, it became an even greater priority.  
+date: 2023-02-27
+taxonomies:
+    people: [victoria_obeegadoo]
+    tags: [community, grid, why]
+    categories: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: power_saving.png
+---
+
+At the heart of ThreeFold’s mission is the benefit of the people & our planet. We aim to have a positive impact in the space of technology while keeping our ecological footprint low. Saving a maximum of energy has always been on our agenda. Now, with the rising bills of our farmers making it harder for them to keep on supporting the project, it became an even greater priority.  
+
+<br/>
+
+## Rising Energy Prices 
+
+Energy prices have been on steady rise globally because of increasing costs of energy production, high demand, and the depletion of traditional energy sources such as oil and natural gas as primary drivers. However, the Russian-Western standoff due to the invasion of Ukraine has produced an [unprecedented increase in energy prices](https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/impact-war-ukraine-energy-prices-consequences-firms-financial-performance), especially in Europe. 
+
+<br/>
+
+Some statistics:
+* UK - Household energy bills [increased by 54% in April 2022](https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9491/), and a further increase of 20% is expected in April 2023.
+* USA - Consumers paid [14.3% more for electricity](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHt5D4t-_8AhUxUKQEHcUxCXcQFnoECA8QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.utilitydive.com%2Fnews%2Felectricity-prices-inflation-consumer-price-index%2F640656%2F&usg=AOvVaw1dL-3vVXBjEqA0wklxlmUt) last year on average.
+* France - As of February 2023, [electricity prices may rise by 15%](https://www.thelocal.fr/20220914/french-pm-to-present-measures-to-limit-energy-bills-in-2023/).
+
+<br/>
+
+These rising energy costs have a significant impact on the economy, affecting inflation and driving up the cost of goods and services.
+
+<br/>
+
+## Reducing Our Bills & Our Impact on the Environment
+
+Given the increasing cost of energy, it is more important than ever to adopt responsible energy use practices. Simple measures like turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using energy-efficient appliances, and properly insulating homes can make a big difference in reducing energy consumption and lowering bills. 
+
+<br/>
+
+By reducing energy waste, individuals and businesses can not only save money, but also help protect the environment and preserve natural resources for future generations. The world’s energy resources are finite, and the increasing demand for energy is putting pressure on the environment. By adopting responsible energy use practices, we can reduce our carbon footprint, decrease our dependence on non-renewable energy sources, and preserve the planet for future generations.
+
+<br/>
+
+Saving energy is important for the planet as it can have a positive impact on the environment and the economy. Some of the key benefits of energy conservation are:
+
+<br/>
+
+* **Reduces greenhouse gas emissions:** 
+    * By reducing the amount of energy we consume, we also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by power plants, which are a major contributor to climate change.
+* **Saves natural resources:** 
+    * Conserving energy helps to conserve our limited natural resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are used to generate electricity.
+* **Lowers energy costs:** 
+    * By using energy more efficiently, we can lower our energy bills, saving money and reducing our overall energy costs.
+* **Improves energy security:** 
+    * By reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy, we can improve our energy security and reduce the risks associated with energy shortages and price spikes.
+* **Creates jobs:** 
+    * The development and implementation of energy-efficient technologies and practices can create jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors.
+
+<br/>
+
+While it has been known for a long time that [consuming less energy meant a smaller ecological footprint](https://www.saveonenergy.com/green-energy/save-energy-go-green/), most people weren’t very motivated to do so. However, once their wallets started feeling the price increase, people became increasingly aware & careful of their energy consumption. So, in a way, while it is not a great thing for our economies, the rising energy prices are doing a good thing for the planet. 
+
+<br/>
+
+## Energy Usage of Nodes
+
+The energy usage of a node in a network depends on various factors such as the type of node, its hardware specifications, and the workload it is handling. Generally, nodes that perform more intensive computations and have more advanced hardware specifications will consume more energy compared to basic nodes.
+
+<br/>
+
+For example, nodes used in cryptocurrency mining operations are known to consume large amounts of energy due to the intensive computations they perform. On the other hand, simple nodes used for basic network functions such as routing or data storage may consume less energy.
+
+<br/>
+
+It is important to note that the energy consumption of a node can also be influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, network congestion, and power supply efficiency. By optimizing these factors, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption of a node and minimize its environmental impact.
+
+<br/>
+
+## ThreeFold 3Node Servers
+
+ThreeFold is a decentralized internet infrastructure that utilizes a network of nodes (referred to 3Nodes on our grid) to provide computing resources and data storage. Farmers can farm capacity for the ThreeFold Grid by building their own server and hosting Zero-OS on it, or by buying and running a preconfigured device. 
+
+<br/>
+
+In general, a 3Node cluster is expected to consume less energy compared to traditional server clusters, due to its focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. However, the exact energy usage will depend on the hardware specifications of the nodes, the workload they are handling, and the energy-saving measures implemented. It’s important to note that even a machine with nothing running on top of it consumes energy and brings a cost to farmers.
+
+<br/>
+
+## ThreeFold WOL Feature Comes as Part of Our Farmerbot
+
+Wake-on-LAN (WOL) is a feature in computer hardware that allows a network administrator to power on a computer remotely. The feature works by sending a special "magic packet" to the target computer, which contains the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the network adapter. The network adapter is programmed to recognize the magic packet and use it to initiate the power-on process.
+
+<br/>
+
+Wake-on-LAN is useful for remotely accessing a computer that is turned off, as it allows the computer to be powered on without physically pressing the power button. This feature is commonly used for remote administration and maintenance tasks, as well as for remotely accessing a computer for work or entertainment purposes.
+
+<br/>
+
+Wake-on-LAN requires specific hardware and software support, including a network adapter that supports the feature, a motherboard that enables the feature in the BIOS, and an operating system that supports WOL. Additionally, the computer must be connected to a network that supports WOL, and the feature must be enabled in the network adapter's settings.
+
+<br/>
+
+The community has been asking for an energy-saving solution for quite a while and we had been looking for one.  It took some time, as this was not the only topic that needed our team’s attention, and we had obstacles along the route to designing this solution, including limited funding and needful adjustments.
+ 
+<br/>
+
+We had been working on a WOL feature for power-saving set up directly on the chain, but it turned out to be a dead end. Instead of an independent WOL feature, our dev team started from scratch with [a new idea](https://forum.threefold.io/t/tfgrid-power-management-feature-for-3-8-1/3721)! We are now very close to delivering a solution: A [Farmerbot ](https://github.com/threefoldtech/farmerbot/issues/1)that uses WOL to switch nodes on and off when needed! 
+
+<br/>
+
+Farmers will be able to define their configuration in an easy markdown format. The Farmerbot will check which nodes can be turned off or not. Farmers will be able to personalize this feature according to their farm’s own needs and preferences.  
+
+<br/>
+
+## Conclusion
+
+Saving energy is crucial for the planet and has numerous positive impacts on the environment, economy, and society. By taking steps to conserve energy, we can help to reduce our environmental impact, lower energy costs, improve energy security, and create jobs in the clean energy sector. 
+
+<br/>
+
+Having a power-saving feature for ThreeFold nodes is one of our priorities. Together with the community, we agree that this is a pressing issue we need to solve. Our main incentive is to respect our engagement to be a sustainable network that puts the planet first. Supporting our farmers to get through difficult times financially is an extra one.
+
+<br/>
+
+If you’d like to contribute to making this a reality, there are several options:
+
+<br/>
+
+* [Become a farmer](https://threefold.io/farm/) and run your own [3Nodes](https://marketplace.3node.global/index.php).
+* Test the Farmerbot feature by signing up [here](https://forum.threefold.io/t/tfgrid-power-management-feature-for-3-8-1/3721/2).
+* Join our [community chat](https://t.me/threefold) and [forum](https://forum.threefold.io/) to participate in discussions.
+* [Deploy workloads on the Grid](https://www.threefold.io/build/) to make good use of our Grid.
+* [Spread the word](https://forum.threefold.io/t/threefold-content-creation-and-outreach-handbook/3686) about ThreeFold! 
+
+<br/>
+
+Together, let’s build a sustainable and profitable network! 

content/newsroom/cc_feb_23_rec/index.md

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+---
+id: cc_feb_23_rec
+title: 👀 Watch February’s Community Call!
+image_caption: Watch February’s Community Call!
+description: We talked about topics from green farming to the Quantum Safe Filesystem to potential plans for grid commercialization (a preview to an upcoming conversation) and more.
+date: 2023-02-23
+taxonomies:
+    people: [sam_taggart]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: cc_feb_23_rec.png
+---
+
+If you weren't able to join us on Tuesday, you can watch the recording of the call [here](https://forum.threefold.io/t/february-2023-q-a-community-call-recording/3803).
+
+<br/>
+
+We talked about topics from green farming to the Quantum Safe Filesystem to potential plans for grid commercialization (a preview to an upcoming conversation) and more.
+
+<br/>
+
+_Please note the content of this call is for information purposes only and is subject to change as the project evolves._

content/newsroom/cc_grid_commercialisation/index.md

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+---
+id: cc_grid_commercialisation
+title: ☎️ Grid Commercialisation Brainstorm Call - Save the Date!
+image_caption: Grid Commercialisation Brainstorm Call - Save the Date!
+description: Following the interest given to Kristof's message in the main chat last week, we have scheduled a call to discuss ideas regarding commercial uses of the Grid.
+date: 2023-02-24
+taxonomies:
+    people: [victoria_obeegadoo]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: cc_grid_commercialisation.png
+---
+
+Following the interest given to [Kristof's message](https://forum.threefold.io/t/grid-commercialisation-brainstorm-call/3808) in the main chat last week, we have scheduled a call to discuss ideas regarding commercial uses of the Grid. It will be held on Tuesday February 28th, at 17:00 CET / 11:00 EST.
+
+<br/>
+
+We encourage you to watch [this part](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryTqvUmM0rQ&t=2501s) of February’s Community Call beforehand, where Kristof gives a preview of existing ideas around the topic at hand.
+
+<br/> 
+
+_Find all the details & let us know if you'll join us in [this forum post](https://forum.threefold.io/t/grid-commercialisation-brainstorm-call/3808)._

content/newsroom/micro_vm_on_grid/index.md

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+---
+id: micro_vm_on_grid
+title: 💻 Working with Micro VM Images on the TF Grid
+image_caption: Working with Micro VM Images on the TF Grid
+description: Take a look at this video where Scott demonstrates how to create and manipulate micro VM images for deployment on the ThreeFold Grid.
+date: 2023-02-22
+taxonomies:
+    people: [sam_taggart]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: micro_vm_on_grid.png
+---
+
+Take a look at [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM9fikszyss) where Scott demonstrates how to create and manipulate micro VM images for deployment on the ThreeFold Grid.
+
+<br/>
+
+“Using Docker, we'll work through the process of installing an application, in this case Umbrel, inside of a container image, and then converting that container into an flist for use on the Grid. The end result will be a reusable image that anyone can deploy or which could be used as the basis for a new weblet.”
+
+<br/>
+
+_Here’s a [forum post](https://forum.threefold.io/t/deploy-umbrel-with-micro-vm-image-and-tailscale/3789) from Scott to help out, and keep an eye out for a second video this week which will show how easy it is to connect to VMs on the Grid using Tailscale, without needing public IPs, gateways, or Planetary Network_

content/newsroom/tailscale_grid_vms_video/index.md

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+---
+id: tailscale_grid_vms_video
+title: 💡 Using Tailscale Inside of Grid VMs
+image_caption: Using Tailscale Inside of Grid VMs
+description: Check out how a VM image with Tailscale integrated can make private networking and SSH super simple on the Grid.
+date: 2023-02-28
+taxonomies:
+    people: [sam_taggart]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: tailscale_grid_vms_video.png
+---
+
+Check out how a VM image with Tailscale integrated can make private networking and SSH super simple on the Grid.
+
+<br/>
+
+Join Scott for a demo and walk through of the features in [this video](https://youtu.be/Boqjo6WS7SM), or check out the written guide in [the forum](https://forum.threefold.io/t/ubuntu-tailscale-micro-vm/3793).

content/newsroom/tf_grid38_complete/index.md

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+---
+id: tf_grid38_complete
+title: ✅ Grid 3.8 Mainnet Upgrade is Complete
+image_caption: Grid 3.8 Mainnet Upgrade is Complete
+description: Thanks to the team for their efforts on this release and pushing it live on mainnet.
+date: 2023-02-21
+taxonomies:
+    people: [sam_taggart]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: tf_grid38_complete.png
+---
+
+That’s it! 🎉
+
+<br/>
+
+Feel free to take a look at the [release notes](https://forum.threefold.io/t/threefold-grid-v3-8-release-notes/3757) and be sure to check out [our updated grid manual](https://forum.threefold.io/t/new-grid-manual/3783).
+
+<br/>
+
+_Thanks to the team for their efforts on this release and pushing it live on mainnet._

content/newsroom/vms_containers_video/index.md

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+---
+id: vms_containers_video
+title: 📚 Learn About Full VMs, Micro VMs, and Containers on ThreeFold
+image_caption: 📚 Learn About Full VMs, Micro VMs, and Containers on ThreeFold
+description: Scott is back, this time with an informational / educational presentation about full virtual machines, micro virtual machines, and containers. 
+date: 2023-03-02
+taxonomies:
+    people: [sam_taggart]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: vms_containers_video.png
+---
+
+Scott is back, this time with [an informational / educational presentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5uH0qBJtQo) about full virtual machines, micro virtual machines, and containers.
+
+<br/>
+
+He explores how these three technologies are at play on the grid, how you can use each of them in deployments, and some of their advantages and quirks. A great resource for grid users and those looking to get started on the grid!
+
+<br/>
+
+_Note: This is an informational video, rather than a demo or tutorial. For more info on how to work with micro VM images, see this [recent video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM9fikszyss) from Scott_

content/newsroom/zonaris_sol_provider/index.md

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+---
+id: zonaris_sol_provider
+title: 👍 Zonaris Approved as Solution Provider
+image_caption: Zonaris Approved as Solution Provider
+description: We’re pleased to share that Zonaris has been approved by a DAO vote to become a solution provider on the ThreeFold Grid. 
+date: 2023-02-22
+taxonomies:
+    people: [sam_taggart]
+    tags: [update, technology, news, community]
+    news-category: [foundation]
+extra:
+    imgPath: zonaris_sol_provider.png
+---
+
+We’re pleased to [share](https://forum.threefold.io/t/zonaris-approved-as-solution-provider/3802) that [Zonaris](https://www.zonaris.io/) has been [approved by a DAO vote](https://polkadot.js.org/apps/?rpc=wss%3A%2F%2Ftfchain.grid.tf#/explorer/query/0x1780fd8132fb862054f38386ea4a0147f8a17d2e6ccd342f579d67857b53fa13) to become a solution provider on the ThreeFold Grid. Thanks to those who voted and congrats to the team at Zonaris!
+
+<br/>
+
+Not sure what a solution provider is? A solution provider offers a solution on the ThreeFold Grid and receives 50% of the TFT utilization revenues from the workload related to the solution. You can dig further into this topic and how to become a solution provider [here](https://forum.threefold.io/t/threefold-solution-provider-and-sales-channel/3746).
+
+<br/>
+
+_We highly encourage those in the community who are building solutions on top of ThreeFold to [apply to become a solution provider](https://forum.threefold.io/c/dao/solution-provider-proposals/115)!_