Join the decentralized internet of the future

Nostr is a decentralized protocol that, among other things, lets users communicate and share content without depending on central control or servers. This means that no single entity owns or controls the network, which makes Nostr censorship-resistant and more robust than traditional social platforms.

Nostr stands for "Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays".

Nostr uses public and private keys to identify users. Each user has a key pair, and you can have several if you want to:

• Public key (npub): This acts as your identity on Nostr and can be compared to a username. Your public key, also called "npub", is visible to everyone and is used to identify you when you send messages or update your profile.
• Private key (nsec): This is your password, which is extremely important to protect. Your private key, also called "nsec", is used to sign all your messages and actions on Nostr. If someone gains access to your private key, they can take over your account, and there is no way to reset or recover it. That is why it is important to store your private key securely, for example in a password manager.

As mentioned, Nostr is a protocol, and you can already do plenty of things with it that we won't cover in this introduction. BUUUT! one significant – and right now clearly the most widespread use of Nostr is within social networking, since it solves some of the big challenges that existing social media face:

• Censorship: Traditional social media platforms are subject to control from centralized authorities, who can censor or delete content. On Nostr, users choose for themselves which relays they want to connect to, and no single entity can control what gets posted.
• Data security: On central platforms like Facebook and Twitter, all your data is stored on their servers, and you have no control over how it is used or stored. On Nostr, users can choose for themselves which relays their data is sent to, and no third parties have access to your private keys or messages.
• Privacy: Nostr gives you full control over your actions and messages. Every message you send, and every update you make to your profile, is signed with your private key. This ensures that only you, with your private key (nsec), can perform these actions. With a Nostr address, which you can read more about further down this page, you can assure yourself and those who want to follow you that they find the correct profile and not a copy that might try to impersonate you.

Nostr works using a network of relays that forward messages between users. These relays don't store your data permanently, but distribute it to other users and applications you are connected with. Anyone with the technical prerequisites to set up a Nostr relay can do so, but it isn't necessary for you to use Nostr, and by far most clients already come set up with a range of relays from the start. You can add or remove relays at any time.

Creating a Nostr account:

• Choose a client: To use Nostr you need to choose a client. Clients are the applications that connect you to the Nostr network. There are clients for web, desktop and mobile, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
• Generate your keys: When you create an account in a Nostr client, a public and private key pair is generated automatically. Your public key (npub) acts as your "username", and your private key (nsec) is used to sign your actions.
• Store your private key securely: Since your private key acts as a password, it is important to store it securely. Consider using a password manager to protect your key so you don't lose it.

Getting started with Nostr is simple, but there are a few important steps you should follow to protect your account and get the best possible experience:

• Choose a client: Choose a Nostr-compatible client, such as:
  • Damus (iOS)
  • Primal (Android, iOS & Desktop)
• Add contacts: Once you're set up, you can start building your network by adding other users you want to follow. You can find users by searching for their public key or by adding their NIP-05 identity. To find other Danes on Nostr you can check out this page find.nostr.dk just as you can also follow hashtags in several of the well-known clients such as Damus and Primal.
• Verification via NIP-05: You can set up a Nostr address that ties a recognizable identity, such as 'alias@nostr.dk', to your public key. This makes it easier for others to find you and confirm the authenticity of your profile, since it prevents anyone from making a copy to impersonate you.
• Set up your Lightning wallet (optional): Nostr supports payments via the Lightning network, which makes it possible to send and receive small donations, called 'zaps'. This isn't necessary to use Nostr, but it's an exciting and fun way to pay people if you, for example, like a post, an article or something else. It also makes it possible for others to pay you. This model is known as Value4Value and is being used increasingly. To use this feature you need to set up a Lightning wallet that can be connected to your Nostr account. If you aren't familiar with Value4Value, Bitcoin or the Lightning network, you can visit Enogtyve to learn more.