#HOWDONOSTR

What are relays?

Nostr relays are decentralized servers that are used to store and transmit notes and events on the Nostr protocol. They are essential for the operation of Nostr, as they allow users to communicate with each other without having to rely on a central server. Nostr relays are sometimes referred to as the "dumb" powerhouses of the protocol.

Nostr relays are run by volunteers all over the world. This makes Nostr censorship-resistant, as it is not possible for any one entity to control all of the relays.

When a user creates a note or event on Nostr, clients broadcast this information to the user's relays to be stored and later retrieved by other clients. Nostr relays are also responsible for verifying the authenticity of notes. This is done by using a cryptographic signature that is attached to each note. When a user receives a note, their client verifies the signature to ensure that the note has not been tampered with.

Nostr relays are a critical part of the Nostr protocol. They allow users to communicate with each other censorship-resistantly, securely, and anyone can run one.

What relays should I use?

You want to use a diverse set of relays along with relays that your friends, family, and people you know use. If you do not share at least one relay in common with someone, you may not be able to communicate with one another across the nostr protocol.

Nostr clients will either bootstrap a list of pre-configured, default relays for you to use or recommend relays for you to use. These are a good place to start, but it's recommended to reach out to your friends to see what relays they are using or to join a local community or interest based relay.

A list of all nostr relays can be found at https://nostr.watch

Should I run my own relay?

Yes.

This puts you in charge of your social data and your entire social graph for the very first time.

This helps you stay censorship resistant. If a relay would happen to censor you, ban you, or disappear, you still have all of your data on your own personal relay.


Onward 🫡


Wow, thank you for that easy to digest description of relays.  I'm not tech savvy so this really helps!..🙏


you're welcome. if you have questions, please ask them :)


Could you point to an article explaining how to setup your own relay using a Raspberry Pi (or similar low-cost server), please?


hmm. i don't know of a guide off of the top of my head, but i have been running this relay for the past 15 months. you can run it in a docker container.

https://github.com/Cameri/nostream


From: nostr:npub1e2rd2k45ym2jmctnysfadxumrvrr57vqj69ck6trt2y62c40r0kqs9lx8t


Quite a rabbit hole 🕳 🐇 with a high learning curve for us newbies, with little path definition.  Thank you for helping to bring some clarity! 👍🏻


Great work here. I am sure this will be easier in the future.


im sure the UX will improve or at least i hope it does. when it's done automatically, that's when users win.


Yes for sure. But there are already many relays running and it seems they are recognized automatically by the users app Damus.


I'm setting up a relay soon. Does anyone know of a good app for a marketplace/trade? Looking at NIP-15 that only calls out Nostr Market and Plebeian Market. Plebeian seems well made.


i dont want my data to be saved i want it gone after 30 days.


I'm sorry. That's not easily going to happen. Even if you decided to run your own relay and implement a policy to nuke database entries after 30 days, anyone on Nostr can still rebroadcast your notes to any existing relay. You could submit a request to have that event data to be deleted, but there's no guarantee that it will be honored.

Your best bet would be to make a new npub every 30 days. Though, doing this, you sacrifice your identity and web of trust.


Amethyst has a great marketplace, but doesn't use the marketplace NIP. It uses the classifieds NIP. Some developers seem to believe that's easier.


I took a look at that. Its a nice app. The classifieds NIP seems to be pretty simple but functional. Thank


Is this sufficient or should I his be expanded upon now that we have more types of relays?

nostr:nevent1qqsrske004u72kx6rcruu062crxncwqptsrtzfp95l468e0hjjumjhcpr9mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuumwdae8gtnnda3kjctv9upzq0mhp4ja8fmy48zuk5p6uy37vtk8tx9dqdwcxm32sy8nsaa8gkeyqvzqqqqqqy2n6rnh


old, but mostly still relevant nostr:note18pdj7lteu4vd58s8ecl54sxd8suqzhqxkyjztflt50jl099eh90s6vdwks


Is there bad relays?


Thank u for the relay breakdown

nostr:note18pdj7lteu4vd58s8ecl54sxd8suqzhqxkyjztflt50jl099eh90s6vdwks


Thank u Derek!