As a new #Nostr user, I didn't realize until I'd gone through the signup process and "spinning up a node" and all of that, something like two weeks later — that using crypto is absolutely **not** required to use Nostr. 

I had no idea!

As a #new user, I would have been far more comfortable onboarding, knowing I could leave the whole crypto thing to the side and use Nostr to stay in touch when there's no other way of staying in touch with family or what have you.

I could have had time to do more research to see which setup I may have preferred otherwise. I like to research when I have time and evidently, there are several choices to choose from. 

 What kind of node did you spin up? A Bitcoin and Lightning node?

But yes, Nostr does not need Bitcoin. Though, the two have a beautiful relationship if you choose to partake.