Nostr
8 hours ago
- #decentralization
- #social-networking
- #cryptography
- Nostr is an apolitical, decentralized communication protocol enabling free information spread without corporate or government control.
- It uses a client-server architecture where clients connect to multiple servers (relays), unlike centralized platforms.
- Users are represented by cryptographic keys, ensuring message authenticity without central authority.
- Nostr supports diverse data types and interactions, fostering innovation like decentralized wikis, marketplaces, and more.
- Relays store and distribute cryptographically signed notes but cannot alter them, preserving content integrity.
- Users can switch relays easily, maintaining audience access even if a relay bans them or shuts down.
- Nostr employs strategies to combat spam and harassment, such as selective relay usage and blocklists.
- It contrasts with Mastodon and Bluesky by avoiding single points of control and enabling multi-master data sourcing.
- Nostr's design allows for local and community-specific search functionalities, avoiding the need for a global index.
- The protocol is open-source, with no ownership, encouraging broad participation and innovation.