Nostr Web Client

True. We don't think about DNS, when we type an URL into the browser's address bar. We don't even think about the protocol (https) when we do that. Our focus is straight on the goal.

BUT, we can use some special DNS, if we have special needs like adblocking or privacy. The settings are there from the start, but not so obvious on the surface.

And I think most Nostr clients are taking the right approach. Each has its default relay, just like every ISP has its DNS. I don't see why a beginner should have to deal with that unless they want to.

If other clients do it differently, well then they're just doing it wrong, against the convention.

Garbage nsec 5mo ago

>I don't see why a beginner should have to deal with that unless they want to.

I think it's a more fundamental question of why is this beginner even here? If not for the relays? Relays are what make Nostr Nostr. Fiatjaf calls them Nostr's superpower, and I think he's right. If beginners are not coming specifically for a network that's built this way, and one that explicitly gives them these novel choices, then what are they coming for? The memes?

I see it like an electric car manufacturer saying let's ease people into the fact that these cars are electric over the course of a test drive. Okay but you won't get people signing up for the test drive in the first place.

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Discussion

Shawn 5mo ago

This is a fair and valuable analysis.

However, selling someone on a car that's electric is a far cleaner, more valuable proposition than selling someone on a social network that's relay-based. What does that mean relative to where they're coming from?

Gas/combustion --> EV <> X/FB/Tiktok --> relay-based

Garbage nsec 5mo ago

I think you hit on the exact question there. How can relays themselves be a marketable thing? Be *the* thing? Be the reason people come to try out Nostr. The thing they heard about that makes them think, cool, okay, that's new, I'm going to try this all out. Because if relays can't be that then nostr has no chance.

But if they are to be that then the whole relay narrative needs a major overhaul.

ابو مريم 5mo ago

Replace "relay" with "community" and I think it makes sense. Social has always been about community. Relay's need to dial in on this.

The narrative does need to change cause it is too focused on client UX. Clients can be vibe-coded in a weekend by a jr dev. The real nostr is on community based relays (paid or WoT). Get a good relay going with an engaged community and a client for it will rise organically.

Garbage nsec 5mo ago

Yes these are the lines to think along. New users can't be asked to choose a relay with no mental foothold at all.