This. nostr:note1dcepw2ztdsry736f29y95fdjs44aqygcgqveq6uhtaf2m587j8vq7z4kzw
Discussion
Yes
People will pay for an upgrade version from a free version, if they see the value for value.
Devs are great at what they do, but suck at finance.
It’s not just devs. There are tons of non-dev operators who are out rather large sums of money. Running a good relay is only “cheap” in the relative sense. Someone is losing money.
Yes, I understand. Making or having a service or product that entices users to spend a good amount of sats to use it monthly/yearly is key. If a relay does something very good for people, they will pay for it. The relay operator needs to advertise its benefits however. But relays are only one example. Just coding a hodgepodge of stuff for tips is doomed to fail.
I agree with that wholeheartedly.
But here’s my fear: if relays have to offer a plethora of premium offerings (especially ones that are not FOSS where they can be deployed by anyone) then they will centralize, since the only competition with financial incentive will be full time devs.
I think like farmers markets or cash to cash transactions off the centralized radar.
Things can be done similarly in Nostr with zaps, and still be decentralized if devs offer a value that is worth a subscription. (Needing a free version and a paid upgrade version to things).
People will pay for an upgrade. Devs just need to think of the financial part before coding.
I definitely do not want centralization. This would make me leave. But I will pay for great decentralized things.
Paid relays, paid live audio client, paid superior directory, etc
I’ll give you an example: why would anyone pay for my relay?
I’ve got 99% uptime, but why pay for that when Nostr.wine has a global network, and relayable has one for free?
I’m not complaining about them being better - I’m not in it for money to begin with - but I don’t see I path to financial incentive for me that doesn’t involve me quitting my job, which Nostr will not get me through.
Let me ask you, is there anything you can do to make your relay different or better than what is out there?
Could your relay be an access point with TOR? Could your relay be an access to an online zap market? Can your relay filter air drops, bots, people I muted, can it have a zap lottery system for those that want to play? Can your relay access something involving your movie nights?
I am not a dev or coder, but I am a finance guy. Is there nothing a relay can do different to provide “special” value?
nostr:npub1sn0wdenkukak0d9dfczzeacvhkrgz92ak56egt7vdgzn8pv2wfqqhrjdv9 was mentioning recently that he has a problem with accessing Nostr often, as most relays are messed up and don’t allow him to come in through TOR.
nostr:npub12262qa4uhw7u8gdwlgmntqtv7aye8vdcmvszkqwgs0zchel6mz7s6cgrkj chimed in that his relay is working great with TOR.
Thanks for posting.