NIP-05 is not verification. It's just a handle.

Owning name@domain.com doesn't verify I am name and not an impersonator.

Only case where this may be verification is if it's on your own domain.

Also, NIP-05 providers being centralized does not introduce any major risks unlike content -- the only risk is that the provider rugs or they revoke your name/point it somewhere else. No loss of followers/content.

the goal with this was encouraging more zap activity on nostr, alongside just a fun project

it is a bit rough so payments may not come through always

None of the links work except two... source code not available but I'm thinking that will be fixed.

I'd recommend https://keepassxc.org/.

because not everyone can set up their own NIP-05 identifier. and if your identity gets rugged, you still don't lose your followers, just an alias

This does not outsource the custody of your identity, it only allows you to get a NIP-05 identifier (an alias for your pubkey, which is more memorable and short). Your private key is still only known by you.

NIP-05 is just an identifier, for now. Relays can implement their own requirements for posting such as having a NIP-05 identifier.

For verification: Badges would be more useful for this. If you properly verified someone, you could give them a badge, and anyone's client that trusts you says "oh, okay, this person is verified by this person I trust, show a checkmark". Badges could also be useful for things like orange checks.

check amboss

Recipients also mine blocks to combat double spends, and everyone will keep their miner running since they may need it at any time and it's free sats anyway.

First, there probably will be pressure to reduce the minimum relay fee. If all users use 0.1 sat/vbyte then the miners can either mine empty blocks with reward or include 0.1 sat/vbyte txs. Second, it most likely will be cheaper to mine in the future. Third, there is a high possibility people mine blocks just because they want their own TXs confirmed. LN channels, on chain transactions, lot more.

Sparrow Wallet still allows you to connect to your own node

Then they get the sats not you

Non custodial as connected to your own node: yes! You can create LNURLw links from your own node using LNbits, create an LN address and/or LNURLp link using LnMe/BTCPay/LNbits/... and so on

No idea. Probably at least 2-3 years.

Currently, there's no way to reduce the sync time other than to get a copy from someone else/another device of yours or get better internet. Though Lightning nodes can run on Neutrino which is a light client until the sync is complete.

At this moment, Lightning gossip seems to be not too big of an issue. When it does get too big though, the only solution is to reduce channel updates and/or public channels.