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

🧠 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”. - @npub1ye5p...knpr from 📝nevent1qq...k96y

🧡 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: 📝nevent1qq...g9wg

🌍 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 @npub1hz5a...tysa 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 📝note12rjg...7a8v

📺 Nostr on TV#

Why Nostr Will Win with @npub16c0n...6nvr -

@npub16c0n...6nvr 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. @npub16c0n...6nvr 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: @npub1v3tg...yvjh 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: @npub1gcxz...nj5z 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: @npub1xvdg...am9l 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: @npub1yx6p...7kza 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: @npub1v0lx...qj49 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: @npub1usek...k5ks 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: @npub1w4us...0jr5 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: @npub1geta...0nfm 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 @npub1ye5p...knpr 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: @npub1ye5p...knpr

🚀 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: @npub1nxa4...a6q8 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: @npub1zcuq...8ezf 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: @npub1qe3e...zefe Source: https://github.com/nostrver-se/nostr-php

🔥 Community Highlights#

🎙️ Thank For Nostr Podcast Highlights#

@npub1q6mc...x7d5, a Sovereign Engineering alum, OpenSats grantee, and Nostr developer. Also highlighted is @npub1jlrs...ynqn, the creator of the Coracle Nostr client and an OpenSats grantee. @npub1jlrs...ynqn focuses on designing healthier social networks and advancing this vision through Nostr. In the latest episode of the Thank For Nostr Podcast, @npub1jlrs...ynqn 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 @npub1xdtd...ntxy 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 - 7 PM – late EST 📍 Location: Seats2meet.com Utrecht CS, The Netherlands 🤹‍♀️ Organizers: @npub1l77t...swft, @npub1qe3e...zefe and @npub1w98e...cwpx 🔗 Tech Tuesday

Join @npub1hw6a...65gr 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!

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

📍 Location: Toronto, ON 🤹‍♀️ Organizer: @npub1ek36...phdl 🔗 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.

FOSDEM 2025#

📅 Date: Saturday, Sunday, February 1–2, 2025 - CET 📍 Location: Brussels, Belgium 🤹‍♀️ Organizers: @npub1qe3e...zefe, @npub1l77t...swft , pub1hz5alqscpp8yjrvgsdp2n4ygkl8slvstrgvmjca7e45w6644ew7sewtysa , @npub1nkmt...49fn , @npub1r30l...t9ma 🔗 Fosdem

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.

📰 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: @npub147wh...selt (YakiHonne), @npub1c878...8avm (LNbits, Nostr, Makerbits), @npub1j8y6...vrvg (BTCPayServer), @npub1t6jx...ksrw (Nostr Special Forces) Host: @npub17plq...ezx0 (Nostr)

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

⚡ 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#

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

   Author: @npub13jhh...c5sq
   Zaps Received: 206 Sats Earned: 279k
   🔗 event:

⚡View on Nostr (nevent1qqs...)

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

   Author: @npub1sg6p...f63m Zaps Received: 121
   Sats Earned: 118k 🔗 event: 📝nevent1qq...79m6

2. What Bitcoin Did is Back!

   Author: @npub16le6...ffxj
   Zaps Received: 79 Sats Earned: 17k 🔗 event:

⚡View on Nostr (nevent1qqs...)

💰 Top 3: Most Sats#

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

   Author: @npub13jhh...c5sq
   Sats Earned: 279k
   Zaps Received: 206
   🔗 event : 📝nevent1qq...feq8

2. 6 months ago I decided to try to get into a professional Muay Thai Fight 👀🥊

   Author: @npub1lelk...kvyz Sats Earned: 196k
   Zaps Received: 51
   🔗 event :

⚡View on Nostr (nevent1qqs...)

1. Author: @npub126er...wetv Sats Earned: 127k Zaps Received: 16 🔗 event :

⚡View on Nostr (nevent1qqs...)

👋 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 @npub19hs0...5jcn