I needed a really simple API that could generate images, i.e. prompt in -> an upscaled image out, not intermediary steps for variations, or upscales (though I'll be adding that soon).
But what started as a personal need ended up as a subscription-based micro-SaaS.
I'm working on a hobby-ish project for video generation on various topics, which needs tons of images, thus my incentive to make this API. I chose MJ because it seems to generate consistently good-looking images, but more importantly, it can generate 16:9 images. I was previously using DALLE2, but it can only do 1:1 aspect ratio and it returned weird stuff more often than MJ, so I dropped it. I might SaaS this video generation tool too when it's ready, but it's a long way.
The system is pretty basic as it focuses heavily on functionality and ease of use. You basically create an account and can generate images right away if you already have a MJ sub (although I recommend using a different discord account for this), you get some free usage and can extend via a simple QR BTC/Lightning payment.
Tech stack:
Python (simple http server, Discord API),
certbot,
SQLite,
BTCPay,
voltage.cloud (BTCPay, Lightning),
Google Cloud (Compute, Storage),
HTML/CSS/Javascript,
Docker for the bots, running locally through a VPN (so if my IP is blacklisted for so many connections, I'll just compose down, compose up, and get a new IP),
nordvpn docker image (connecting the Discord bots through it)
Not looking to make any money from this, but it was a nice intro to the world of BTC Lightning payments, and oh boy how many possibilities it planted in my brain. I'm amazed that this is not yet widely adopted, even if there are wallets providing free liquidity, so as a simple user you just pay the normal btc fee when you top up.
> it was a nice intro to the world of BTC Lightning payments, and oh boy how many possibilities it sprung in my mind. I'm amazed that this is not yet widely adopted
I think there are two main roadblocks at the moment.
One: Media keeps talking only about the dollar price of BTC. Your average Joe does not understand the utility nor the need for BTC. They see it only as a speculative investments. The cryptobros do not help either, they only reinforce this idea.
Two: People don’t understand, and don’t want to understand, how to get Bitcoin. I’m not saying everyone should be mining. But most people are not yet interested in learning how to buy BTC on an exchange. Much less, to learn how to self custody.
The first time I transacted on the Bitcoin blockchain was in 2015. In late 2017 I got caught up in the speculation hype. Early 2018 I sold out, and had approx no gain nor any loss. Today I am using BTC as a store of value. The volatility is a bit uncomfortable sometimes but. I want to break free from the banker fricks, and I want to be in control of my money. I want to be able to save the money I make, by using BTC. And I want to one day buy a house. Soon. Not because of USD price of BTC, but simply because of working and making enough to afford a house without taking a bank loan. That is what BTC is, a store of value, and a means of transacting.
I’m always happy to hear when people use BTC for real life transactions. At the moment I still have to convert back to fiat to pay bills, buy groceries etc etc
But what started as a personal need ended up as a subscription-based micro-SaaS.
I'm working on a hobby-ish project for video generation on various topics, which needs tons of images, thus my incentive to make this API. I chose MJ because it seems to generate consistently good-looking images, but more importantly, it can generate 16:9 images. I was previously using DALLE2, but it can only do 1:1 aspect ratio and it returned weird stuff more often than MJ, so I dropped it. I might SaaS this video generation tool too when it's ready, but it's a long way.
The system is pretty basic as it focuses heavily on functionality and ease of use. You basically create an account and can generate images right away if you already have a MJ sub (although I recommend using a different discord account for this), you get some free usage and can extend via a simple QR BTC/Lightning payment.
Tech stack: Python (simple http server, Discord API), certbot, SQLite, BTCPay, voltage.cloud (BTCPay, Lightning), Google Cloud (Compute, Storage), HTML/CSS/Javascript, Docker for the bots, running locally through a VPN (so if my IP is blacklisted for so many connections, I'll just compose down, compose up, and get a new IP), nordvpn docker image (connecting the Discord bots through it)
Not looking to make any money from this, but it was a nice intro to the world of BTC Lightning payments, and oh boy how many possibilities it planted in my brain. I'm amazed that this is not yet widely adopted, even if there are wallets providing free liquidity, so as a simple user you just pay the normal btc fee when you top up.