Why Nostr?

Workflow Automation for Nostr

Rod — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 05:11:05 GMT

Tldr

Nostr is an open and interoperable protocol
You can integrate it with workflow automation tools to augment your experience
n8n is a great low/no-code workflow automation tool which you can host yourself
Nostrobots allows you to integrate Nostr into n8n
In this blog I create some workflow automations for Nostr
A simple form to delegate posting notes
Push notifications for mentions on multiple accounts
Push notifications for your favourite accounts when they post a note
All workflows are provided as open source with MIT license for you to use

Inter-op All The Things

Nostr is a new open social protocol for the internet. This open nature exciting because of the opportunities for interoperability with other technologies. In Using NFC Cards with Nostr I explored the nostr: URI to launch Nostr clients from a card tap.

The interoperability of Nostr doesn't stop there. The internet has many super-powers, and Nostr is open to all of them. Simply, there's no one to stop it. There is no one in charge, there are no permissioned APIs, and there are no risks of being de-platformed. If you can imagine technologies that would work well with Nostr, then any and all of them can ride on or alongside Nostr rails.

My mental model for why this is special is Google Wave ~2010. Google Wave was to be the next big platform. Lars was running it and had a big track record from Maps. I was excited for it. Then, Google pulled the plug. And, immediately all the time and capital invested in understanding and building on the platform was wasted.

This cannot happen to Nostr, as there is no one to pull the plug, and maybe even no plug to pull.

So long as users demand Nostr, Nostr will exist, and that is a pretty strong guarantee. It makes it worthwhile to invest in bringing Nostr into our other applications.

All we need are simple ways to plug things together.

Nostr and Workflow Automation

Workflow automation is about helping people to streamline their work. As a user, the most common way I achieve this is by connecting disparate systems together. By setting up one system to trigger another or to move data between systems, I can solve for many different problems and become way more effective.

n8n for workflow automation

Many workflow automation tools exist. My favourite is n8n. n8n is a low/no-code workflow automation platform which allows you to build all kinds of workflows. You can use it for free, you can self-host it, it has a user-friendly UI and useful API. Vs Zapier it can be far more elaborate. Vs Make.com I find it to be more intuitive in how it abstracts away the right parts of the code, but still allows you to code when you need to.

Most importantly you can plug anything into n8n: You have built-in nodes for specific applications. HTTP nodes for any other API-based service. And community nodes built by individual community members for any other purpose you can imagine.

Eating my own dogfood

It's very clear to me that there is a big design space here just demanding to be explored. If you could integrate Nostr with anything, what would you do?

In my view the best way for anyone to start anything is by solving their own problem first (aka "scratching your own itch" and "eating your own dogfood"). As I get deeper into Nostr I find myself controlling multiple Npubs – to date I have a personal Npub, a brand Npub for a community I am helping, an AI assistant Npub, and various testing Npubs. I need ways to delegate access to those Npubs without handing over the keys, ways to know if they're mentioned, and ways to know if they're posting.

I can build workflows with n8n to solve these issues for myself to start with, and keep expanding from there as new needs come up.

Running n8n with Nostrobots

I am mostly non-technical with a very helpful AI. To set up n8n to work with Nostr and operate these workflows should be possible for anyone with basic technology skills.

I have a cheap VPS which currently runs my HAVEN Nostr Relay and Albyhub Lightning Node in Docker containers,
My objective was to set up n8n to run alongside these in a separate Docker container on the same server, install the required nodes, and then build and host my workflows.

Installing n8n

Self-hosting n8n could not be easier. I followed n8n's Docker-Compose installation docs–

Install Docker and Docker-Compose if you haven't already,
Create your docker-compose.yml and .env files from the docs,
Create your data folder sudo docker volume create n8n_data,
Start your container with sudo docker compose up -d,
Your n8n instance should be online at port 5678.

n8n is free to self-host but does require a license. Enter your credentials into n8n to get your free license key. You should now have access to the Workflow dashboard and can create and host any kind of workflows from there.

Installing Nostrobots

To integrate n8n nicely with Nostr, I used the Nostrobots community node by Ocknamo.

In n8n parlance a "node" enables certain functionality as a step in a workflow e.g. a "set" node sets a variable, a "send email" node sends an email. n8n comes with all kinds of "official" nodes installed by default, and Nostr is not amongst them. However, n8n also comes with a framework for community members to create their own "community" nodes, which is where Nostrobots comes in.

You can only use a community node in a self-hosted n8n instance (which is what you have if you are running in Docker on your own server, but this limitation does prevent you from using n8n's own hosted alternative).

To install a community node, see n8n community node docs. From your workflow dashboard–

Click the "..." in the bottom left corner beside your username, and click "settings",
Cilck "community nodes" left sidebar,
Click "Install",
Enter the "npm Package Name" which is n8n-nodes-nostrobots,
Accept the risks and click "Install",
Nostrobots is now added to your n8n instance.

Using Nostrobots

Nostrobots gives you nodes to help you build Nostr-integrated workflows–

Nostr Write – for posting Notes to the Nostr network,
Nostr Read – for reading Notes from the Nostr network, and
Nostr Utils – for performing certain conversions you may need (e.g. from bech32 to hex).

Nostrobots has good documentation on each node which focuses on simple use cases.

Each node has a "convenience mode" by default. For example, the "Read" Node by default will fetch Kind 1 notes by a simple filter, in Nostrobots parlance a "Strategy". For example, with Strategy set to "Mention" the node will accept a pubkey and fetch all Kind 1 notes that Mention the pubkey within a time period. This is very good for quick use.

What wasn't clear to me initially (until Ocknamo helped me out) is that advanced use cases are also possible.

Each node also has an advanced mode. For example, the "Read" Node can have "Strategy" set to "RawFilter(advanced)". Now the node will accept json (anything you like that complies with NIP-01). You can use this to query Notes (Kind 1) as above, and also Profiles (Kind 0), Follow Lists (Kind 3), Reactions (Kind 7), Zaps (Kind 9734/9735), and anything else you can think of.

Creating and adding workflows

With n8n and Nostrobots installed, you can now create or add any kind of Nostr Workflow Automation.

Click "Add workflow" to go to the workflow builder screen,
If you would like to build your own workflow, you can start with adding any node. Click "+" and see what is available. Type "Nostr" to explore the Nostrobots nodes you have added,
If you would like to add workflows that someone else has built, click "..." in the top right. Then click "import from URL" and paste in the URL of any workflow you would like to use (including the ones I share later in this article).

Nostr Workflow Automations

It's time to build some things!

A simple form to post a note to Nostr

I started very simply. I needed to delegate the ability to post to Npubs that I own in order that a (future) team can test things for me. I don't want to worry about managing or training those people on how to use keys, and I want to revoke access easily.

I needed a basic form with credentials that posted a Note.

For this I can use a very simple workflow–

A n8n Form node – Creates a form for users to enter the note they wish to post. Allows for the form to be protected by a username and password. This node is the workflow "trigger" so that the workflow runs each time the form is submitted.
A Set node – Allows me to set some variables, in this case I set the relays that I intend to use. I typically add a Set node immediately following the trigger node, and put all the variables I need in this. It helps to make the workflows easier to update and maintain.
A Nostr Write node (from Nostrobots) – Writes a Kind-1 note to the Nostr network. It accepts Nostr credentials, the output of the Form node, and the relays from the Set node, and posts the Note to those relays.

Once the workflow is built, you can test it with the testing form URL, and set it to "Active" to use the production form URL. That's it. You can now give posting access to anyone for any Npub. To revoke access, simply change the credentials or set to workflow to "Inactive".

It may also be the world's simplest Nostr client.

You can find the Nostr Form to Post a Note workflow here.

Push notifications on mentions and new notes

One of the things Nostr is not very good at is push notifications. Furthermore I have some unique itches to scratch. I want–

To make sure I never miss a note addressed to any of my Npubs – For this I want a push notification any time any Nostr user mentions any of my Npubs,
To make sure I always see all notes from key accounts – For this I need a push notification any time any of my Npubs post any Notes to the network,
To get these notifications on all of my devices – Not just my phone where my Nostr regular client lives, but also on each of my laptops to suit wherever I am working that day.

I needed to build a Nostr push notifications solution.

To build this workflow I had to string a few ideas together–

Triggering the node on a schedule – Nostrobots does not include a trigger node. As every workflow starts with a trigger we needed a different method. I elected to run the workflow on a schedule of every 10-minutes. Frequent enough to see Notes while they are hot, but infrequent enough to not burden public relays or get rate-limited,
Storing a list of Npubs in a Nostr list – I needed a way to store the list of Npubs that trigger my notifications. I initially used an array defined in the workflow, this worked fine. Then I decided to try Nostr lists (NIP-51, kind 30000). By defining my list of Npubs as a list published to Nostr I can control my list from within a Nostr client (e.g. Listr.lol or Nostrudel.ninja). Not only does this "just work", but because it's based on Nostr lists automagically Amethyst client allows me to browse that list as a Feed, and everyone I add gets notified in their Mentions,
Using specific relays – I needed to query the right relays, including my own HAVEN relay inbox for notes addressed to me, and wss://purplepag.es for Nostr profile metadata,
Querying Nostr events (with Nostrobots) – I needed to make use of many different Nostr queries and use quite a wide range of what Nostrobots can do–
- I read the EventID of my Kind 30000 list, to return the desired pubkeys,
- For notifications on mentions, I read all Kind 1 notes that mention that pubkey,
- For notifications on new notes, I read all Kind 1 notes published by that pubkey,
- Where there are notes, I read the Kind 0 profile metadata event of that pubkey to get the displayName of the relevant Npub,
- I transform the EventID into a Nevent to help clients find it.
Using the Nostr URI – As I did with my NFC card article, I created a link with the nostr: URI prefix so that my phone's native client opens the link by default,
Push notifications solution – I needed a push notifications solution. I found many with n8n integrations and chose to go with Pushover which supports all my devices, has a free trial, and is unfairly cheap with a $5-per-device perpetual license.

Once the workflow was built, lists published, and Pushover installed on my phone, I was fully set up with push notifications on Nostr. I have used these workflows for several weeks now and made various tweaks as I went. They are feeling robust and I'd welcome you to give them a go.

You can find the Nostr Push Notification If Mentioned here and If Posts a Note here.

In speaking with other Nostr users while I was building this, there are all kind of other needs for push notifications too – like on replies to a certain bookmarked note, or when a followed Npub starts streaming on zap.stream. These are all possible.

Use my workflows

I have open sourced all my workflows at my Github with MIT license and tried to write complete docs, so that you can import them into your n8n and configure them for your own use.

To import any of my workflows–

Click on the workflow of your choice, e.g. "Nostr_Push_Notify_If_Mentioned.json",
Click on the "raw" button to view the raw JSON, ex any Github page layout,
Copy that URL,
Enter that URL in the "import from URL" dialog mentioned above.

To configure them–

Prerequisites, credentials, and variables are all stated,
In general any variables required are entered into a Set Node that follows the trigger node,
Pushover has some extra setup but is very straightforward and documented in the workflow.

What next?

Over my first four blogs I explored creating a good Nostr setup with Vanity Npub, Lightning Payments, Nostr Addresses at Your Domain, and Personal Nostr Relay.

Then in my latest two blogs I explored different types of interoperability with NFC cards and now n8n Workflow Automation.

Thinking ahead n8n can power any kind of interoperability between Nostr and any other legacy technology solution. On my mind as I write this:

Further enhancements to posting and delegating solutions and forms (enhanced UI or different note kinds),
Automated or scheduled posting (such as auto-liking everything [Lyn Alden](Lyn Alden) posts),
Further enhancements to push notifications, on new and different types of events (such as notifying me when I get a new follower, on replies to certain posts, or when a user starts streaming),
All kinds of bridges, such as bridging notes to and from Telegram, Slack, or Campfire. Or bridging RSS or other event feeds to Nostr,
All kinds of other automation (such as [BlackCoffee](BlackCoffee ) controlling a coffee machine),
All kinds of AI Assistants and Agents,

In fact I have already released an open source workflow for an AI Assistant, and will share more about that in my next blog.

Please be sure to let me know if you think there's another Nostr topic you'd like to see me tackle.

GM Nostr.

Nostr 2025 Predictions

Derek Ross — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 17:03:45 GMT

Here are my predictions for Nostr in 2025:

Decentralization: The outbox and inbox communication models, sometimes referred to as the Gossip model, will become the standard across the ecosystem. By the end of 2025, all major clients will support these models, providing seamless communication and enhanced decentralization. Clients that do not adopt outbox/inbox by then will be regarded as outdated or legacy systems.

Privacy Standards: Major clients such as Damus and Primal will move away from NIP-04 DMs, adopting more secure protocol possibilities like NIP-17 or NIP-104. These upgrades will ensure enhanced encryption and metadata protection. Additionally, NIP-104 MLS tools will drive the development of new clients and features, providing users with unprecedented control over the privacy of their communications.

Interoperability: Nostr's ecosystem will become even more interconnected. Platforms like the Olas image-sharing service will expand into prominent clients such as Primal, Damus, Coracle, and Snort, alongside existing integrations with Amethyst, Nostur, and Nostrudel. Similarly, audio and video tools like Nostr Nests and Zap.stream will gain seamless integration into major clients, enabling easy participation in live events across the ecosystem.

Adoption and Migration: Inspired by early pioneers like Fountain and Orange Pill App, more platforms will adopt Nostr for authentication, login, and social systems. In 2025, a significant migration from a high-profile application platform with hundreds of thousands of users will transpire, doubling Nostr’s daily activity and establishing it as a cornerstone of decentralized technologies.

Reflecting on my Nostr 2024 predictions

Derek Ross — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:25:44 GMT

As I look back on my predictions for Nostr in 2024, it’s clear I had some hits and misses. I believe my first two predictions were spot on, accurately reflecting the trends and developments we witnessed. However, my second two predictions missed the mark, proving to be far less accurate. Maybe I was too bullish?

nostr:nevent1qvzqqqqqqypzq0mhp4ja8fmy48zuk5p6uy37vtk8tx9dqdwcxm32sy8nsaa8gkeyqyghwumn8ghj7mn0wd68ytnhd9hx2tcpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgtcqypsm9tk39g20atwqskvjcvhq7rher5nkgwjr05lzspne4gf0uvyxukew5mg

What did I get right? Clients did increasingly prioritize user and content discovery while enabling users to easily select and choose their own algorithms. (DVMs, Trending, What's Hot, Feeds, etc.) This focus provided individuals with more tools, greater control, and unprecedented power over their social streams and attention than ever before. This is still actively happening and will continue to happen throughout 2025 too.

What did I get wrong? We didn't see an Other Stuff application breakthrough as a clear winner that became a mainstream favorite. I anticipated a standout application that would interest users and become a "must-use" within the ecosystem, but this didn’t happen. And we also clearly didn't hit 1M active users either. While adoption did increase, it didn’t reach the critical mass I expected.

But this doesn't mean 2024 fell short of expectations—in fact, quite the opposite. The year brought incredible client innovations (Damus Notedeck, Primal 2.0, TOR only Amethyst, Flotilla, Chachi, Olas, Coracle feeds, etc.) and relay milestones (Web-of-Trust relays, private relays, algorithm based relays, etc.) with the introduction of these innovative features and the launch of these new platforms.

Beyond technology, the Nostr community achieved something truly remarkable: a grassroots movement that united people globally.

From supporting Nostr meetups and events to hosting booths across continents at major conferences, the community came together to raise money to support these initiatives in ways no one predicted. This organic, ground-up effort showcased the strength and passion behind Nostr, creating a foundation that will #grownostr and success for years to come.

Too bullish? Maybe I wasn't bullish enough? As is tradition, I will post my 2025 predictions tomorrow.

I shared these same photographs on…

❒ PictureRoom — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 20:12:32 GMT

I shared these same photographs on my Substack, and while they got a lot of attention, I earned nothing for my efforts - not a penny, not a single sat.

Since joining #nostr a couple of months ago, I’ve earned more here from sharing my art and random life musings than on any legacy media app.

It’s been a great experience so far. I’m learning a lot, building connections, and feeling supported by this community. Big thanks to everyone who’s helped along the way. Let’s keep it going I shared these same photographs on my Substack, and while they got a lot of attention, I earned nothing for my efforts—not a penny, not a single sat.

Since joining #nostr a couple of months ago, I’ve earned more here from sharing my art and random life musings than on any legacy media app.

It’s been an incredible experience so far. I’m learning a lot, building connections, and feeling genuinely supported by this community. Big thanks to everyone who’s helped along the way. Thank uu.

#photography #grownostr

The Latest the Nostr: Weekly Recap - 16 December 2024 🗞️🚀

Nomishka Dilshan — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:13:40 GMT

🧠 Quote of the Week

“They can cancel my Instagram (1x) They can cancel my TikTok (2x) They can cancel my YT (2 strikes) They’ll never cancel my Nostr. Happy to be here 🥩”

🔗 author: npub14am887cf6kvwkce89nt7dsw3v9qrrn0uppxyvr6a2jd7xdwuwccqwnudp2 🔗 event : nevent1qqs2mctxa090gp9t38x4r4zs9fx6mdv8xqwfamssy2kyedd95p9zdcqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqglwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgampv3axjetnvd5kz6n9v3jkutnsdspzptmkw0asn4vcad3jwtxhumqazc2qx8xlczzvgc8464ymuv6aca3srj2386

🛠️ Tools, Updates, and Releases

Zapstore 0.1.7

Zapstore is a Nostr app marketplace for discovering, downloading, and managing applications. This latest release enhances performance with faster background downloads, introduces full-screen app images, remembers trusted signers for better security, and alerts users to certificate mismatches before installation. It also fixes navigation issues, app curation problems, and improves installation handling in error states.

Developed by: npub1wf4pufsucer5va8g9p0rj5dnhvfeh6d8w0g6eayaep5dhps6rsgs43dgh9 Source: https://github.com/zapstore/zapstore

Coracle v0.5.0

Coracle is a powerful client for engaging with the Nostr network. This release adds groupless support, improved navigation, message history, and Nostr-Editor integration for better content creation. It includes NostrConnect support, fixes for feeds, note-editor, and link editor issues, and enhances delayed sends, suggestions, and note status. Additional updates like better relay handling, inbox warnings, and ASCII tag fixes ensure a more refined user experience.

Developed by: npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn Source: https://github.com/coracle-social/coracle

NostrMarket v1.0.0

NostrMarket is a marketplace platform for buying and selling goods on the Nostr network. This major release introduces advanced product descriptions, streamlined product activation and deactivation, and fixes for UI issues like child component visibility updates. These updates provide a smoother user experience and improved functionality for managing listings.

Developed by: npub1cx4q5tcwzgga60zxu2zavjjprt9y7fgt6de2p6zmnrmad5pujfgscr8vf0 Source: https://github.com/lnbits/nostrmarket

Amber v3.0.2

Amber is an app designed for the Nostr network, offering streamlined functionalities and efficient onboarding. This update improves the onboarding process and ensures that the floating button is hidden when using the offline version. Users can download it from platforms like zap.store, Obtainium, f-droid, or directly from the release page. Additionally, it includes PGP verification instructions for ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the release.

Developed by: npub1w4uswmv6lu9yel005l3qgheysmr7tk9uvwluddznju3nuxalevvs2d0jr5 Source: https://github.com/greenart7c3/Amber

Nowser v0.0.3

Nowser is an app for managing Nostr-related activities, with features like relay support and signing functionalities. This update adds a built-in relay for remote signers, supports multiple relays, and integrates bookmarks with quick actions for mobile and desktop. It also fixes bugs, improves UI, and adds security measures such as rejecting private zap decrypt requests from Amethyst.

Developed by: npub19yeqjawls407xjnmgkk6yss7936pcd7qzd5srlj8wye6j8433vrsjazqwk Source: https://github.com/haorendashu/nowser

Zeus v0.9.3

Zeus v0.9.3 is a wallet and node management app for the Lightning Network. This update brings improved channel management with the ability to visualize reserves, along with a new invoice setting to display the requested amount. It also introduces a troubleshooting menu for embedded LND nodes and better UX in Zeus Pay. Additionally, the app now formats Bitcoin amounts with spaces and includes several bug fixes, including better handling of HTLCs and enhanced channel tab layouts.

Developed by: npub19kv88vjm7tw6v9qksn2y6h4hdt6e79nh3zjcud36k9n3lmlwsleqwte2qd Source: https://github.com/ZeusLN/zeus

🎁 Developer Tools, updates and Guides

Immortal v0.0.5

Immortal is a Nostr relay server designed to enhance data reliability and scalability. This update introduces a Redis bloom filter for WebSocket efficiency, NIP-13 proof-of-work support, NIP-42/NIP-70 authentication for protected events, and Kraken integration. It also includes a new HTML landing page for relays, updates to NIP-11 bootstrap configurations, and fixes for server message handling.

Developed by: npub1h49w8en79xty6j2pwgnpm3znjhyf767jua6xgt3kvyn3w80ms86s2z9kay Source: https://github.com/dezh-tech/immortal

Noscrypt v0.1.6

Noscrypt is a cryptographic utility for the Nostr network, offering tools for encryption and secure key management. This update focuses on improved reliability with updated dependencies, extensive automated testing, and memory leak checks. It also introduces enhancements to build processes and requirements, ensuring a more robust experience for developers.

Developed by: npub1qdjn8j4gwgmkj3k5un775nq6q3q7mguv5tvajstmkdsqdja2havq03fqm7 Source: https://github.com/VnUgE/noscrypt

btcpayServer v2.0.4

btcpayServer is a self-hosted payment processor designed to integrate with Bitcoin and Lightning Network. This update introduces a QR code for invitation emails, adds rate providers for Norwegian exchanges, and improves the store users API. It also includes bug fixes for iOS Lockdown mode, user creation errors, and invoice-related issues. UI improvements, including a new layout for the invoices link, and various plugin updates are also part of this release.

Developed by: npub1zfytz6ktce3av2svlfpl0e79e44tnskxmvlpkcmc7q0xct3qa49swvm60l Source: https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver

Citrine v0.5.8

Citrine is a lightweight and efficient Nostr client. This update focuses on performance improvements and usability enhancements. Key features include better connection handling and event processing, a dedicated database view for easier management, and enhanced data integrity checks. These updates are beneficial for both developers (improved debugging and management) and users (smoother experience and reliability).

Developed by: npub1w4uswmv6lu9yel005l3qgheysmr7tk9uvwluddznju3nuxalevvs2d0jr5 Source: https://github.com/greenart7c3/Citrine

🔥 Community Highlights

npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm Community Call - December 12, 2024

The npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm Community Call on December 12, 2024, brought together Nostr enthusiasts. The call included lively discussions, updates, and an opportunity to connect with the npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm community. At the request of npub19hs0lg9vyd0lghayeju5fnflx0melawjrl8etuqln9gkhd4mwtxq2t5jcn, npub14wxtsrj7g2jugh70pfkzjln43vgn4p7655pgky9j9w9d75u465pqvagcye explained the Nostr bounty program. Among the bounties discussed was the Alby extension language translation, which is a great opportunity for new developers.

For more details, you can check the bounty at https://guides.getalby.com/developer-guide/bounties.

🌱 Ecosystem Growth

Nostr is growing fast! There are now over 45 Nostr clients, and relays are running in more than 40 countries around the globe. According to https://nostrapps.com there are overall 68 nostr apps for now.

During this week: Total zaps: 42,232 , compared to 40,536 zaps the week before Total events: 6,308,872 , compared to 7,558,425 events the week before Profiles with bio users: 16,387 , compared to 538,147 Profiles with bio users the week before

Many thanks to stats.nostr.band by npub1xdtducdnjerex88gkg2qk2atsdlqsyxqaag4h05jmcpyspqt30wscmntxy for providing these insights.

🎓 Educational Resources

CoinGecko’s Introduction to Nostr: A Game-Changer for Decentralized Social Networking

CoinGecko has recently published an insightful video introducing Nostr to a broader audience. Aimed at those curious about decentralized social networking but not yet immersed in the ecosystem, the video serves as a perfect entry point for new users. The video highlights Nostr’s growing relevance, emphasizing its potential for mainstream adoption. It explains how Nostr empowers users to control their data, offering features like Bitcoin tipping through the Lightning Network (NIP-57) and seamless switching between clients like Damus (iOS), Amethyst (Android), and Primal (web/mobile). This video reflects a shift in Nostr's visibility, signaling increasing interest from mainstream audiences. If you’re already using Nostr, this could be a great resource to share with friends or colleagues curious about the protocol.

🔗 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6f6bdKWqF8

📅 Upcoming Events

Nostr at Tech Tuesday

📅 Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 7 PM – late EST 📍 Location: Seats2meet.com Utrecht CS, The Netherlands 🤹‍♀️ Organizers: npub1l77twp5l02jadkcjn6eeulv2j7y5vmf9tf3hhtq7h7rp0vzhgpzqz0swft, npub1qe3e5wrvnsgpggtkytxteaqfprz0rgxr8c3l34kk3a9t7e2l3acslezefe and npub1w98ems6ryhpv7zvmhwp5sv65p0pwrnvzw4lucn0ch776qan9ntdstscwpx 🔗 https://www.seats2meet.com/en/events/4313/tech-tuesday

Join npub1hw6amg8p24ne08c9gdq8hhpqx0t0pwanpae9z25crn7m9uy7yarse465gr at Tech Tuesday for an insightful session on Nostr, covering Epoxy (a framework for integrating technologies), Tollgate (a checkpoint mechanism for validating actions), and eCash (digital cash for secure transactions) as a shared topic. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn more about Nostr technologies!

FOSDEM 2025

📅 Date: Saturday, Sunday, February 1–2, 2025 - CET 📍 Location: Brussels, Belgium 🤹‍♀️ Organizers: npub1qe3e5wrvnsgpggtkytxteaqfprz0rgxr8c3l34kk3a9t7e2l3acslezefe, npub1l77twp5l02jadkcjn6eeulv2j7y5vmf9tf3hhtq7h7rp0vzhgpzqz0swft , pub1hz5alqscpp8yjrvgsdp2n4ygkl8slvstrgvmjca7e45w6644ew7sewtysa , npub1nkmta4dmsa7pj25762qxa6yqxvrhzn7ug0gz5frp9g7p3jdscnhsu049fn , npub1r30l8j4vmppvq8w23umcyvd3vct4zmfpfkn4c7h2h057rmlfcrmq9xt9ma 🔗 https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/

FOSDEM is one of the biggest gatherings for open-source developers and enthusiasts worldwide, taking place each year in Brussels. It’s a free, community-driven event where thousands of devs, innovators, and Free and Open Source Software contributors come together to demo projects, host talks, and share ideas. It’s a key place for making meaningful connections, learning from each other, and pushing open-source tech forward.

For NOSTR being at FOSDEM is a natural fit. It’s the perfect stage to introduce the broader open-source community to Nostr’s potential—how it can replace centralized social platforms, bring true ownership of data back to users, and encourage a more resilient, open internet. Engaging with fellow open-source projects and developers at FOSDEM helps Nostr grow its ecosystem, fosters new collaborations, and gains valuable feedback. The protocol is all about grassroots development, community contributions, and evolving without the constraints of centralized platforms, which aligns perfectly with FOSDEM’s collaborative spirit.

📅 Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

📍 Location: Toronto, ON 🤹‍♀️ Organizer: npub1ek36rza32zjc8pec8daz6veyywv55xtemzaxr0saymd04a4r66eqpxphdl 🔗 https://www.meetup.com/blockchain-developers-canada/events/304910752 This beginner-friendly meetup will be a tutorial that will teach participants to create Nostr accounts, send and query events, send encrypted events, and obtain a Nostr Internet Identifier. The session will be in JavaScript, and attendees are encouraged to install Node.js and Git beforehand.

Uncensorable: Nostr, Bitcoin, and the Fight for Digital Freedom

📅 Date: Saturday, January 5, 2025 - 12 PM MST 📍 Location: Jives Coffee Lounge, 16 Colbrunn Ct, Colorado Springs, CO 🤹‍♀️ Organizers: npub1t3gxvxcf9nrcdd2ukhtfzjd39x7uers96u3ce3jnm605vhkkn7gsfp9elk - Host of npub1jz42cy8qxw6dres86sn0cr42hww24pnjqssa4k9wxqvzm5l0mvqsq2f5ku (Nostr, YouTube) 🔗 https://www.meetup.com/bitcoin-lightning-and-nostr-plebs/events/dwnpntyhccbhb Join npub1t3gxvxcf9nrcdd2ukhtfzjd39x7uers96u3ce3jnm605vhkkn7gsfp9elk for a session on Nostr and Bitcoin. Whether you're new or experienced, gain insights into decentralized networks, Bitcoin's power, and learn how to set up your Nostr account and Bitcoin Lightning wallet. Don't miss this chance to explore these topics and digital freedom.

FediForum April 2025

📅 Date: April 1-2, 2025, 8:30 PM IST to 1:30 AM IST 📍 Location: Online Event 🔗 https://events.humanitix.com/fediforum-april-2025?hxchl=hex-pfl Join npub1h922hu6rjv4tc0pyks3wp7z0whfdd09da6stcnyv7dn80p83e5qqasjhr8 to explore the future of social media, including platforms like Fediverse, Bluesky, Nostr, and Mastodon. Discuss new technologies, funding models, and governance, focusing on building an open, trust-driven, and interoperable social web. Connect and collaborate with peers to shape the next generation of social media.

📰 Nostr in the Media

No updates this week. If you have some input for the next recap about recent Nostr Media resources, please share it and I will add it in the next recap.

⚡ Most Zapped Last Week

Nostr’s Value4Value (V4V) model is all about plebs directly rewarding creators for the value they receive—no middlemen fees, no ads, just pure community-driven support using sats via the Bitcoin Lightning Network. Thanks to zaplife.lol by @pablof7z for providing this data. Here are the top zapped posts from last week, showcasing creators who received the most engagement:

🔥 Top 3: Most Zaps

Running nostr

Author: npub14fkfcx9j0494g8zejfdxsr9t8raxt9n8vzkz6l5w4ef0gjysh4dqcsmkgv
Zaps Received: 173 Sats Earned: 441k 🔗 event: nevent1qqsdr7ds32jrgjyrt8hs0jt94zaaua08nfvysf4nkrczvrs43gl87xqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqgkwaehxw309aex2mrp0yh8qunfd4skctnwv46qzymhwden5te0dehhxarj9esny7pwwp6kyqguwaehxw309ahx7um5wghxzurs9ee82mn0denxcatc9e5k7q3q4fkfcx9j0494g8zejfdxsr9t8raxt9n8vzkz6l5w4ef0gjysh4dqkejrqt
They can cancel my Instagram (1x) They can cancel my TikTok (2x) They can cancel my YT (2 strikes) They’ll never cancel my Nostr.

Happy to be here 🥩

Author: npub14am887cf6kvwkce89nt7dsw3v9qrrn0uppxyvr6a2jd7xdwuwccqwnudp2 Zaps Received: 26 Sats Earned: 65k 🔗 event: nevent1qqs2mctxa090gp9t38x4r4zs9fx6mdv8xqwfamssy2kyedd95p9zdcqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqglwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgampv3axjetnvd5kz6n9v3jkutnsdspzptmkw0asn4vcad3jwtxhumqazc2qx8xlczzvgc8464ymuv6aca3srj2386
Author: npub1ymt2j3n8tesrlr0yhaheem6yyqmmwrr7actslurw6annls6vnrcslapxnz Zaps Received: 26 Sats Earned: 5k 🔗 event: nevent1qqsxz5rwv62ha5ce27uyvnmeheepdwgfp9sr865dc5w689k7wpg3pfcpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqpremhxue69uhkgatrdpjhxu6qdaexzmn8v4cxjmrvv4ezummjvuq3kamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwdehhxarjdakk7tnnda3kjctvqythwumn8ghj7un9d3shjtndv968g7tzwvhxcmmvqgszd44fgen4ucpl3hjt7muuaazzqdahp3lwu9c07phdweelcdxf3ugww9pce

💰 Top 3: Most Sats

Running nostr

Author: npub14fkfcx9j0494g8zejfdxsr9t8raxt9n8vzkz6l5w4ef0gjysh4dqcsmkgv Sats Earned: 441k Zaps Received: 173 🔗 event: nevent1qqsdr7ds32jrgjyrt8hs0jt94zaaua08nfvysf4nkrczvrs43gl87xqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqgkwaehxw309aex2mrp0yh8qunfd4skctnwv46qzymhwden5te0dehhxarj9esny7pwwp6kyqguwaehxw309ahx7um5wghxzurs9ee82mn0denxcatc9e5k7q3q4fkfcx9j0494g8zejfdxsr9t8raxt9n8vzkz6l5w4ef0gjysh4dqkejrqt
They can cancel my Instagram (1x) They can cancel my TikTok (2x) They can cancel my YT (2 strikes) They’ll never cancel my Nostr.

Happy to be here 🥩

Author: npub14am887cf6kvwkce89nt7dsw3v9qrrn0uppxyvr6a2jd7xdwuwccqwnudp2 Sats Earned: 65k Zaps Received: 26
🔗 event : nevent1qqs2mctxa090gp9t38x4r4zs9fx6mdv8xqwfamssy2kyedd95p9zdcqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqglwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgampv3axjetnvd5kz6n9v3jkutnsdspzptmkw0asn4vcad3jwtxhumqazc2qx8xlczzvgc8464ymuv6aca3srj2386
EN DIRECTO EN YT Y ZAPSTREAM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGeLZvs7pqw

Author: npub1yn3hc8jmpj963h0zw49ullrrkkefn7qxf78mj29u7v2mn3yktuasx3mzt0 Sats Earned: 25k Zaps Received: 4 🔗 event: nevent1qqs9ku6fe7lm3m49kprkwhcn07n07zta3y0xpat97e9r3xl3xm2n8uqpz3mhxue69uhkummnw3ezummcw3ezuer9wcqs7amnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wd4hk6qgdwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkcq3qyn3hc8jmpj963h0zw49ullrrkkefn7qxf78mj29u7v2mn3yktuasdc3nnu

👋 Stay in Touch & Zap

Nostr is built by the plebs, for the plebs. If you found this recap helpful, consider supporting me—Nomishka—with a zap. Right now, I’m in a tough spot: jobless and struggling to make ends meet. Most days, I’m barely able to afford food, and honestly, 210,000 sats per month would help provide a basic income to cover essential needs.

I’m committed to supporting Nostr, and I split a part of the zaps I receive for this note with the plebs mentioned in this recap for all their great effort. Thank you so much for being part of this journey. Let me know your thoughts about this first recap, share your tips and suggestions for the next weekly recap, and let’s keep #grownostr together.

Recap by npub19hs0lg9vyd0lghayeju5fnflx0melawjrl8etuqln9gkhd4mwtxq2t5jcn

The Latest the Nostr: Weekly Recap - 9 December 2024 🗞️🚀

Nomishka Dilshan — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 23:11:30 GMT

🧠 Quote of the Week

“The experiment was to see how easy it was to split a large file into chunks, then upload those chunks to multiple blossom servers and reassemble them on another computer”. - npub1ye5ptcxfyyxl5vjvdjar2ua3f0hynkjzpx552mu5snj3qmx5pzjscpknpr from nevent1qqsx9l2j7g5t8llkm8r9d987er3hwj0gmrq4k09d88hzvq4ujysmksgpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduq3vamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwdehhxarj9e3xzmnyqgszv6q4uryjzr06xfxxew34wwc5hmjfmfpqn229d72gfegsdn2q3fgjwk96y

🧡 Top Nostr News

🎥 Decentralized Video Archiving with Novia

Novia provides a decentralized alternative to the centralized platforms dominating video content today. By using the Nostr ecosystem, Novia allows users to store videos locally, while only sharing essential metadata on Nostr relays. How Novia Works: Local Storage, Global Access: Videos are stored locally, with metadata like thumbnails and info shared via Nostr. Video Requests and Recovery: Users can request videos, which are then retrieved and uploaded to Blossom servers for access. Personalized Archiving: Users can build their own video archives and run services to manage them on their devices. Novia empowers users with a web app for browsing and a service for hosting personal video collections, offering a decentralized approach to video storage. Why Novia is Needed: Today, video content is monopolized by centralized platforms, limiting users' control. Novia changes this by enabling anyone to archive, share, and retrieve videos in a decentralized manner. The Vision: Novia is for video enthusiasts and archivists who want to preserve content while maintaining privacy. Using the Nostr protocol, Novia ensures video files remain local, with uploads only occurring when requested by users. Get Started: For more details and to contribute, visit the official Novia 🔗 GitHub repository. 🔗 Event: nevent1qqszpw0pa3u9ey6g6h65m3rztux0t0t38ddeslp55748rhwatjl40egpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqzyzad8jq5fwtzut77fjfsrv09exp64xahq7tgw59lyxtarach7u0kknhg9wg

🌍 Nostr LATAM Tour

The Nostr LATAM Tour that happened the last couple of weeks has been an incredible success, thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of npub1hz5alqscpp8yjrvgsdp2n4ygkl8slvstrgvmjca7e45w6644ew7sewtysa and the passionate Nostr community! 🎉 Over the last few weeks, they’ve brought Nostr to South America with events in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and El Salvador. It was an unforgettable experience that highlighted the power of decentralized communication without the middlemen. At each event, the team onboarded dozens of new users, introducing them to the Nostr protocol and helping them make their very first posts. The community shared useful tips for newcomers, and one of the key things highlighted was the importance of hashtags like #introduction, which allows the broader Nostr ecosystem to engage with new users. The workshops were full of energy, with everyone excited to dive into this new world. People were thrilled by how easy it was to create their first Nostr account – some were up and running in less than a minute! The welcoming, supportive atmosphere throughout the events proved just how much the Nostr community cares about helping each other. It was inspiring to see so many people eager to join the movement, exchange ideas, and be part of something special. The buzz was palpable, and the spirit of collaboration was alive throughout each session. This was an amazing start, and there's so much more to come. The energy and passion from everyone involved will continue to drive the growth of Nostr across the region. Check out the video to relive the highlights of this journey and see the impact for yourself! 🙌 🔗 Event note12rjgue5g7uqtrkh2lv5wd44k900qglqe9yc942rmdydq7aaym3mqmt7a8v

📺 Nostr on TV

Why Nostr Will Win with npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr -

npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr is the founder and the CEO of primal.net. In this episode he discusses how Primal is enhancing the Bitcoin and Nostr experience by balancing sovereignty with user accessibility. The conversation covers the challenges between custodial vs. non-custodial wallets, the impact of the zapping economy on online interactions, and the role of mobile apps in mass adoption. npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr explains how integrating Bitcoin into everyday apps and using Nostr’s web of trust can help tackle issues like spam while maintaining decentralized values. Could this approach onboard millions to Bitcoin seamlessly? Tune in to explore the game theory of Bitcoin in action.

🔗 video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsc2pRPuj3E

🛠️ Tools, Updates, and Releases

Pokey v0.1.2 - alpha

Pokey is a handy Android app that gives you notifications of new replies, mentions, zaps, DM’s and so. This newest release gives multi account support, so when you have multiple Nostr profiles you can receive notifications of all of them. Developed by: npub1v3tgrwwsv7c6xckyhm5dmluc05jxd4yeqhpxew87chn0kua0tjzqc6yvjh Source: https://github.com/KoalaSat/pokey

Amethyst v0.93.1 Update

Amethyst, a popular Android Nostr client, now supports NIP-22 for interactive story replies, improving comment threading. The DVM feed displays service costs and customization options. The update also fixes bugs related to Satellite's blossom uploads, video feeds, and enhances Hex encoder performance. Developed by: npub1gcxzte5zlkncx26j68ez60fzkvtkm9e0vrwdcvsjakxf9mu9qewqlfnj5z Source: https://github.com/vitorpamplona/amethyst

Servus v0.1.4

Servus is a minimalist social media server for personal websites, combining a CMS, Nostr relay, and file hosting into one executable. It lets you fully control your content and data, without relying on databases or web servers. It supports file hosting with Blossom and Nostr NIP-96 HTTP File Storage Integration, ensuring privacy and ownership. The 0.1.4 release improves Nostr filters.

Ideal for tech-savvy users who want a simple, self-hosted website solution with Nostr integration. It's not for beginners, as it requires basic knowledge of the command line and DNS.

Developed by: npub1xvdg698f7fqdu2qu5azwa6fu8xhw8p0zpp272qe7qex7kpn5ks5su3am9l Source: https://github.com/servus-social/servus

Corny Chat v2024.11

Corny Chat is an open-source audio space for real-time communication, integrating Nostr and Lightning to foster interactive audio rooms and personalized conversations. This release introduces Nostr Custom Emojis, enabling sticky emojis and reactions for a more engaging experience. The Animation Toggle improves performance on slower devices, making the app more accessible for all users.

Developed by: npub1yx6pjypd4r7qh2gysjhvjd9l2km6hnm4amdnjyjw3467fy05rf0qfp7kza Source: https://github.com/vicariousdrama/cornychat

Snort v0.3.0

Snort is a Nostr webclient designed for streamlined and efficient use, offering smooth performance and optimized functionality across multiple devices.

This release includes small performance tweaks, ensuring faster and more responsive interactions, making the app smoother and more efficient for users.

Developed by: npub1v0lxxxxutpvrelsksy8cdhgfux9l6a42hsj2qzquu2zk7vc9qnkszrqj49 Source: https://snort.social/

Voyage v0.17.1

Voyage is a lightweight Android client with a Reddit-like UI, designed for seamless browsing and organization. This release enhances data integrity by preventing empty lists from being saved and treating empty list pairs as deleted. It also resolves a critical issue causing crashes from duplicate IDs, ensuring improved stability and reliability for users.

Developed by: npub1useke4f9maul5nf67dj0m9sq6jcsmnjzzk4ycvldwl4qss35fvgqjdk5ks Source: https://github.com/dluvian/voyage

Amber v3.0.1

Amber is a Nostr event signer for Android.

This update introduces a new design, removes the push notification server, and improves permissions management. It also includes bug fixes for crashes, layout issues, and relay connectivity. Key new features: set a custom PIN for security, copy public keys easily, and better handling of NostrConnect messages and rejected events.

Developed by: npub1w4uswmv6lu9yel005l3qgheysmr7tk9uvwluddznju3nuxalevvs2d0jr5 Source: https://github.com/greenart7c3/Amber

Alby Lightning Browser Extension v3.10.0 – "Ice Clouds over a Red Planet"

Alby is a webbrowser extension for managing Nostr signing, Lightning payments and wallets. Version v3.10.0 introduces an Alby Hub Connector for seamless wallet upgrades, a notification banner for upgrade alerts, and a fee credits feature for managing transaction costs.

Alby is shifting toward its new self-custodial solution, the Alby Hub. If you’re using an Alby shared custodian wallet, heads up—big changes are coming. Starting January 4, 2025, Alby will discontinue its shared wallet service. If you have funds there, you’ll need to act before that date. This new option puts you in full control of your Bitcoin and Lightning payments. Plus, Nostr Wallet Connect is integrated right into the Hub for a smoother experience, and if you opt for the cloud version, you can even set up a custom Lightning and Nostr address. No more limits—and no more relying on a shared service.

Developed by: npub1getal6ykt05fsz5nqu4uld09nfj3y3qxmv8crys4aeut53unfvlqr80nfm Source: https://github.com/getAlby/lightning-browser-extension

Nostr Web Services (NWS) v0.2.0 - Pre-release

Nostr Web Services (NWS) is a tool designed to route TCP traffic over Nostr relays, enabling secure and reliable communication within a decentralized network. It uses the Nostr protocol, known for its censorship resistance, to allow users to establish connections and transmit data efficiently. The v0.2.0 (Pre-release) update of NWS brings improvements like better context handling, enhanced security with the switch from NIP-04 to NIP-44, and fixes to the dial function. It also updates public exit node routing, refactors exit node creation, and restructures the protocol package for better scalability and maintenance, improving stability and performance. 🔗 GitHub: https://github.com/asmogo Developed by: Npub16uq0cyx52lh2unczavzdw9dq2jphu69zutgpp9cnstz7zqtdex0qmcxla3.

🎁 Developer Tools, updates and Guides

Cherry Tree - Chunked blobs on Blossom 🌸

For developers working with files such as media, there is a pull request by Main blossom developer npub1ye5ptcxfyyxl5vjvdjar2ua3f0hynkjzpx552mu5snj3qmx5pzjscpknpr that explores how to split large files into chunks, upload them to multiple Blossom servers, and reassemble them on another computer. The experiment demonstrated that Blossom servers treat these chunks as ordinary binary blobs uploaded from a public key, with no inherent understanding that they are part of a larger file. However, this method isn’t inherently private since servers could potentially examine and piece together the data. Adding encryption to the client-side blobs would enhance privacy. It’s important to note that this is currently a PR and has not yet been accepted within the Blossom protocol. For more background, try exploring the author's post or discussing it with them. You can review the PR for details at GitHub: github.com/hzrd149/blossom/pull/51, or experiment using public Blossom servers listed at blossomservers.com. The project uses several packages, including Applesauce (hzrd149.github.io/applesauce/), rx-nostr (penpenpng.github.io/rx-nostr/en/), and blossom-client-sdk (npmjs.com/package/blossom-client-sdk). Author Public Key: npub1ye5ptcxfyyxl5vjvdjar2ua3f0hynkjzpx552mu5snj3qmx5pzjscpknpr

🚀 Introducing nostr-nsec-seedphrase: Simplifying nSec Handling for Developers! 🔑

Are you a Nostr developer tired of manually copying and pasting nSec seed phrases? Look no further! The nostr-nsec-seedphrase npm package streamlines the process, making it easier to save and work with nSecs. Whether you're developing a new app or enhancing an existing one, this tool offers simple seedphrase functionality, including HEX-to-nSec conversions—no more repetitive code. Explore the open-source project on GitHub: https://github.com/HumanjavaEnterprises/nostr-nsec-seedphrase.

NostrDVMstars v1.0.4 - Latest Release

NostrDVMstars is a Python-based Nostr NIP90 Data Vending Machine framework. Nostr can act as a marketplace for data processing, where users request jobs to be processed in certain ways (e.g., "speech-to-text", "summarization", etc.), but they don't necessarily care about "who" processes the data. Version v1.0.4 fixes a bug related to NIP44 encryption, improving bot stability and functionality. Developed by: npub1nxa4tywfz9nqp7z9zp7nr7d4nchhclsf58lcqt5y782rmf2hefjquaa6q8 Source: https://github.com/believethehype/nostrdvm

Nostr Spring Boot Starter v0.0.4

Nostr Spring Boot Starter is a framework for building Nostr-based applications with Spring Boot. This release introduces key updates, including support for Repost Events (NIP18), Nostr URI scheme (NIP21), and Relay List Metadata (NIP65). It also adds a new nostr-persona module and improves connection timeouts. Some breaking changes in method signatures for relay and event handling are included, making this update crucial for developers looking to take full advantage of the latest Nostr features.

Developed by: npub1zcuquyvd78s5le34gkq2uxjhq2xuh92wldddjjxkeldzp9ss6lrsa88ezf Source: https://github.com/theborakompanioni/nostr-spring-boot-starter

Nostr PHP v1.5.2

Nostr PHP is a PHP library designed for Nostr-based applications. This release addresses a critical issue with the gmp_pow method in the phpecc package, fixing the bug reported in PHP issue #16870. The update improves stability and compatibility, ensuring smoother functionality for developers using the package. Developed by: npub1qe3e5wrvnsgpggtkytxteaqfprz0rgxr8c3l34kk3a9t7e2l3acslezefe Source: https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php

🔥 Community Highlights

🎙️ Thank For Nostr Podcast Highlights

npub1q6mcr8tlr3l4gus3sfnw6772s7zae6hqncmw5wj27ejud5wcxf7q0nx7d5, a Sovereign Engineering alum, OpenSats grantee, and Nostr developer. Also highlighted is npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn, the creator of the Coracle Nostr client and an OpenSats grantee. npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn focuses on designing healthier social networks and advancing this vision through Nostr. In the latest episode of the Thank For Nostr Podcast, npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn shares insights into his vision for a decentralized and meaningful social network, the principles guiding this work, and the role of Coracle in making it a reality. The podcast is produced by TGFB Media, an organization dedicated to educating Christians on Bitcoin’s potential for the glory of God and the good of humanity.

🌱 Ecosystem Growth

Nostr is growing fast! There are now over 45 Nostr clients, and relays are running in more than 40 countries around the globe.

During this week: Total zaps: 3,945,943 , compared to 3,909,750 zaps the week before Total posts: 441,169,786 , compared to 434,841,953 posts the week before Profiles with bio users: 8,133,703 , compared to 7,763,964 Profiles with bio users the week before

Many thanks to stats.nostr.band by npub1xdtducdnjerex88gkg2qk2atsdlqsyxqaag4h05jmcpyspqt30wscmntxy for providing these insights.

🎓 Educational Resources

No updates this week. If you have some input for the next recap about recent educational resources, please share it and I will add it in the next recap.

📅 Upcoming Events

Nostr at Tech Tuesday

📅 Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

FOSDEM 2025

📰 Nostr in the Media

NOSTR How and Why It Works

The Nostr protocol is transforming the way we think about social media by combining Bitcoin's cryptographic principles with decentralized communication. This innovative approach enables censorship-resistant platforms, offering users unparalleled freedom, privacy, and ownership in the digital age.

Speakers: npub147whqsr5vsj86x0ays70r0hgreklre3ey97uvcmxhum65skst56s30selt (YakiHonne), npub1c878wu04lfqcl5avfy3p5x83ndpvedaxv0dg7pxthakq3jqdyzcs2n8avm (LNbits, Nostr, Makerbits), npub1j8y6tcdfw3q3f3h794s6un0gyc5742s0k5h5s2yqj0r70cpklqeqjavrvg (BTCPayServer), npub1t6jxfqz9hv0lygn9thwndekuahwyxkgvycyscjrtauuw73gd5k7sqvksrw (Nostr Special Forces) Host: npub17plqkxhsv66g8quxxc9p5t9mxazzn20m426exqnl8lxnh5a4cdns7jezx0 (Nostr)

Watch the full panel discussion on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c7c7RugxiY

⚡ Most Zapped Last Week

🔥 Top 3: Most Zaps

My Bitcoin recap video also on nostr 🧡 I hope you like it.

Author: npub13jhh5jpak3sltvh5mxxc84edq8c6scuyhtkevfa7j568jrkkscysj7c5sq
Zaps Received: 206 Sats Earned: 279k
🔗 event:

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grateful for the time, sacrifice, and dedication of all the bitcoin developers around the world.

Author: npub1sg6plzptd64u62a878hep2kev88swjh3tw00gjsfl8f237lmu63q0uf63m Zaps Received: 121
Sats Earned: 118k 🔗 event: nevent1qqs2c3pvyc62pna2cp8dsh457e4qjz5lzamwgjswaa97n0y3wg4fjwqpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqglwaehxw309a3ksmmjw4ejumtfddjkg6tvvajhytnrdakn5dp5xspzpq35r7yzkm4te5460u00jz4djcw0qa90zku7739qn7wj4ralhe4z6a79m6
What Bitcoin Did is Back!

Author: npub16le69k9hwapnjfhz89wnzkvf96z8n6r34qqwgq0sglas3tgh7v4sp9ffxj
Zaps Received: 79 Sats Earned: 17k 🔗 event:

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💰 Top 3: Most Sats

My Bitcoin recap video also on nostr 🧡 I hope you like it.

Author: npub13jhh5jpak3sltvh5mxxc84edq8c6scuyhtkevfa7j568jrkkscysj7c5sq
Sats Earned: 279k
Zaps Received: 206
🔗 event : nevent1qqst4t56y3ul3emc6gd0g78rgn4ayz8glfdzdyjc27kltyy7svl8vqcpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgqgdwaehxw309ahx7uewd3hkcqg5waehxw309aex2mrp0yhxgctdw4eju6t0qgsgetm6fq7mgc04kt6dnrvr6uksrudgvwzt4mvky7lf2drepmtgvzgapfeq8
6 months ago I decided to try to get into a professional Muay Thai Fight 👀🥊

Author: npub1lelkh3hhxw9hdwlcpk6q9t0xt9f7yze0y0nxazvzqjmre3p98x3sthkvyz Sats Earned: 196k
Zaps Received: 51
🔗 event :

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Author: npub126erv2p9an0a56d8qq3a2406xkh5qal7am0n4yp84r8ekz2cs7msj8wetv Sats Earned: 127k Zaps Received: 16 🔗 event :

nevent1qqs8ww46c3xukvwfcz6vlfu62dnzg62czpgm38udygvnd54j2uqspmgpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgq3q26erv2p9an0a56d8qq3a2406xkh5qal7am0n4yp84r8ekz2cs7msvk63pr

👋 Stay in Touch & Zap

Recap by npub19hs0lg9vyd0lghayeju5fnflx0melawjrl8etuqln9gkhd4mwtxq2t5jcn

Exponential Growth is Cancer

nobody — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 04:20:44 GMT

We’ve watched them come and go: social networking attempts like Mastodon (Activity Pub), Blue Sky, and recently, Threads. They’ve begun to follow what feels very much like a pattern. First basic functionality is built out, then there’s a crisis of some sort on mainstream social media, then there’s a population explosion on the new social network, people quickly become disillusioned, then a population collapse.
It can be very tempting, while watching these networks explode their user bases into the millions overnight, to wish for that for ourselves on Nostr. I do not. In fact, I believe this sudden explosive growth is partially responsible for the inevitable decline and collapse of these attempted “replacements” for any of the big corporately owned networks. Social networks don’t fail due to technology issues - they fail because of social issues.

Culture Matters

When people exodus a media platform en masse, they bring their culture with them. Their expectations of the types of content they want to interact with, the ways they intend to behave, and the ways they engage with others. These patterns are influenced by two factors in mainstream social: moderation, and tradition.

Moderation forms the culture in a top-down way, by establishing the limits of what kind of content will be acceptable on the platform. Platforms with relatively loose moderation policies will tend to attract people that diverge from established norms of behavior, more than those who typically conform.
Tradition also informs culture in unique ways for each platform - the things that are easiest to find, provoke an emotional response, and are easy to share tend to dominate.
Functionality also plays a role, albeit a lesser one, but one that tends to form the unique humor of a platform. Reddit is a fine example of this with its long threads of puns, each one building on the previous post. Hell threads on other platforms are another example.
The problem arises because new platforms rarely meet the expectations of another culture formed on another platform. Functionality will be different in subtle but important ways, and the early adopters of the new platform will be interested in different topics. This is very true on Nostr, where posts are rewarded specifically for quality - a metric that is very difficult to quantify, but any long-time user can identify - and an overabundant quantity of posts is more likely to get you muted than followed.

Assimilation Matters

When users slowly trickle their way into a new platform, they are more inclined to ask questions, and attempt to understand the existing culture. They are the “new kid on the block” and will be more apt to seek feedback if they truly desire to achieve any sort of success. They then add the unique qualities of their personality to this information, and contribute something new to the culture, while still being a part of it.
When a large group of users joins all at once, they bring their own connections with them. When the group joining dwarfs the existing user base, they have less motivation to seek advice on how to best utilize the platform to its fullest potential, expecting that they will be able to continue connecting and communicating with their existing contacts in the same way they always have. This will inevitably lead to frustration when the new platform does not provide them with the same success that they had on the former platform - leading to the inevitable conclusion that the “new Twitter (or Facebook, Instagram, et al.)” is not as good as the old one.
And so we watch the tides of users go in and out, leaving old platforms in frustration for new ones, only to become equally frustrated with their inability to communicate and reach an audience as effectively as they used to, and returning to the old platform, or seeking yet greener pastures.

Stability Matters

Sudden growth causes sudden problems. Both Mastodon and Blue Sky encountered major issues that they were not prepared to handle, and handled badly. Mastodon operators found themselves facing enormous hosting bills, and Blue Sky faces serious obstacles in keeping their promises to provide a “safe” environment with the influx of new users.
A slow, steady growth model allows the operators of services to face problems in a more measured way, and to build out both infrastructure and content tools to allow users to have a pleasant experience. It is less likely to take an otherwise major contributor to a project, and make them “tap out” due to rising costs, frustrated users, and a constant crisis mindset.
Nostr is a distributed network, and has amazing potential for horizontal scaling. Even if one in ten-thousand users who onboards onto Nostr decides to run a relay, the network will be in good shape. Content distribution can be handled in a large number of ways - it isn’t tied fundamentally to the protocol itself - which allows many different providers to be used, and new ways of handling content to be built.
But creating those relay operators and content hosts out of newbies takes time. A truly educated relay admin capable of handling the job of maintaining a secure and reliable relay takes weeks or days at best, assuming they are already familiar with similar tasks. Adding 10 million users overnight - the way Threads did - is likely to swamp existing providers before new providers have time to step in a fill the gap. Which would also have the effect of chilling user experience.
There is a lot of new terminology and capability to take in when joining Nostr. For the mainstream person, they are going to have to learn about: cryptographic keys, Nostr Addresses (NIP-05), Lightning Wallets, Zaps and by proxy Bitcoin, and eventually Lists, Relay Management, Paid Relays, how to find content, moderate their own feed, and more. Right now, Nostr is doing an excellent job of answering those questions and educating users on the new terminology and techniques because the flow is small and steady with a few bursts.

The Tortoise and The Hare

I truly believe that the success of Nostr will be in no small part because it is growing steadily instead of all at once. Every user onboarded correctly adds to the army of people ready to help welcome the next little wave of people who learn about the decentralized and censorship resistant qualities of Nostr. These individuals are also given the time to become part of a kinder social group than is typically found on social media, and learn to truly become productive and successful as true Nostriches rather than just transplants from another place.

And that is truly the magic isn’t it? People don’t just move to Nostr, they become Nostriches. They become part of a real community, and they belong with us. We take refugees from other social media sites, and don’t leave them refugees. I think that’s beautiful and worth slowing down to do.

I don’t look to the short term for Nostr - I’m bullish for Nostr in the long haul. We are building to still be here after the others have already burnt themselves away. It reminds me of my home country:

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”