Nostr notes by YuurinBee

GM Zorbar! ☕

2026-04-16T15:36:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…72ph
_________________________

GM Zorbar! ☕

The worst part is, I have used the em dash — since I discovered ...

2026-04-16T12:44:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…huw0
_________________________

The worst part is, I have used the em dash — since I discovered it like 8 years ago lol, didn't know you could just completely merge 2 completely different trains of thought with one symbol and not breaking grammatical rules, now that is the tell tale sign for AI. Proper Grammar, Overused Emojis in Lists, and Em Dash usage lol.

Clippy was legendary, even though from Microslop.

2026-04-10T08:53:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…llmz
_________________________

Clippy was legendary, even though from Microslop.

Ask and you shall receive, brother. @nprofile…38pc > ...

2026-03-25T16:04:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…yg2e
_________________________

Ask and you shall receive, brother. alp (nprofile…38pc)

>
https://github.com/YuurinBee/Nostr-Design-Resources/tree/main/Zapstore/Badges

Indeed not an IF, but a WHEN. Soon™

2026-03-25T15:56:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…vcum
_________________________

Indeed not an IF, but a WHEN. Soon™

Nostr event nevent1qqsfgz88g6hfths2y2xzy4mjrmq2e8cv8aapw9lv2v584a22gam5uqgzypfm69vtqpqydg8qjh87smfa4t8083khqn885sjvgqppf89yfq305wqra6q

2026-03-25T12:58:11Z

GM, Nostr!

On behalf of VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) I wanted to give a special thanks to Zapstore (nprofile…tdq0) franzap (nprofile…u2lh) for such professionalism and efficiency for listing Vector. It honestly is one of the nicest UXs for an app store I've seen and really sets the bar for the Nostr ecosystem. Hats off to everyone involved.

I went to search for some design assets to work on some announcement graphics and help promote Vector's listing on Zapstore and found the Zapstore GitHub with some design resources. I noticed some of them could use some polish and possibly upload the .svg versions for higher res and scaling across different resolutions. I saw the neat Zapstore Badge with "GET IT ON ZAPSTORE". Really love this. So, I decided to make some other variations both with text and colors.

Specifically, I added the "Nostr" Purple that Zapstore uses on its website to keep branding consistent and also the Bitcoin orange. At the bottom is the Vector version for us, but anyone is welcome to use it.

If you guys would like these assets, please let me know and I can find a way to export + organize them nicely in .png and .svg formats, then I could submit a PR or whatever works best. I'm more than happy to go through to process to export them and have them ready for production, but I will stay on standby in case you have them, don't need them, etc. just to be efficient with time.

Thanks for everything you guys do. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Keep Fraggin'

2026-03-20T13:16:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…6emg
_________________________

Keep Fraggin'

ngl, this looks OP. gotta try this.

2026-03-20T12:49:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…lu44
_________________________

ngl, this looks OP. gotta try this.

FUCKING INSANE. I don't even know how you pulled this one off ...

2026-03-18T18:07:45Z

In reply to naddr1qq…79ra
_________________________

FUCKING INSANE. I don't even know how you pulled this one off JSKitty (nprofile…tsc6) but 0 complaints from me. Thank you for this, this is what gaming needs. Open-Source it all and decentralize it.

#naddr1qv…ars5

2026-03-18T18:04:48Z

quoting naddr1qv…ars5

Open-Source DOOM: How We Brought Real-Time Multiplayer to a 1993 Classic. No Servers Required.

A Breakthrough in Decentralized Gaming by JSKitty (npub16ye…g4wn)

In May 2021, Cloudflare did something wonderful. They took DOOM -the 1993 game that defined an entire genre -compiled it to WebAssembly, wired up WebSocket multiplayer through their Durable Objects edge platform, and wrote a fantastic blog post about it. As Celso Martinho put it: "Running Doom is effectively the new 'Hello, World' in computing."

We loved it. And then we thought: what if we could take it further?

What if multiplayer DOOM didn't need Cloudflare's servers -or anyone's servers? What if it didn't need the internet at all? What if you could send a 4MB file to a friend in a chat message and be fragging each other within seconds, purely peer-to-peer, with the game feeling like a modern real-time shooter instead of a 1994 LAN party?

That's what we built. We call it Open-Source DOOM.

It's powered by a stack of open technologies: Chocolate Doom compiled to WebAssembly via Emscripten, distributed as a WebXDC mini-app, with peer discovery over Nostr, end-to-end encryption via Marmot (MLS over Nostr), and real-time P2P data transport through Iroh (QUIC-based gossip). Every layer is open-source. Every packet is encrypted. No servers required.

What Cloudflare Built (And Why It's Great)

Credit where it's due. Cloudflare's doom-wasm project did the hard work of porting Chocolate Doom -> the faithful open-source recreation of the original DOOM engine -> to WebAssembly using Emscripten. That alone is a serious engineering effort. They then wrote net_websockets.c, a transport adapter that replaced DOOM's original IPX/UDP networking with WebSocket connections routed through Durable Objects on Cloudflare's edge network.

Their architecture looked like this:
Player A (Browser)  ←WebSocket→  Cloudflare Edge (Durable Object)  ←WebSocket→  Player B (Browser)
A Durable Object acted as the game room -maintaining a routing table of connected players and forwarding packets between them. Clean, elegant, and a great demo of edge computing.

But there was a catch.

What they kept the same

Cloudflare didn't modify DOOM's actual netcode. The game still used its original lockstep networking model from 1993 -the same protocol designed for four PCs on a local area network connected by coaxial cable. Every player sends their inputs (which keys they pressed) to every other player, every single frame, and the game freezes until everyone's inputs arrive.

As their blog post acknowledged: "The game only advances when everyone receives the commands from all the other players in the group."

This worked in 1993 when your LAN had sub-millisecond latency. Over the internet, through WebSockets, through a routing layer? It meant choppy gameplay, freezes whenever anyone's connection hiccupped, and a gameplay experience that felt more like a slideshow than a shooter.

The Durable Object was also a single point of failure and a centralised dependency. No Cloudflare, no DOOM.

What We Changed (Everything Except the Game Itself)

We forked Cloudflare's doom-wasm project and rebuilt the entire networking stack from scratch. Not just the transport layer -the fundamental model of how the game synchronises state between players.

Here's the before and after:

Cloudflare's DOOM Open Source DOOM

Transport WebSockets → Cloudflare Edge P2P gossip via Iroh (QUIC)

Server Durable Object (centralised) Auto-elected from players (decentralised)

Sync model Lockstep (1993 original) Real-time hybrid (snapshots + interpolation)

Damage Simulated locally by all clients Host-authoritative events

NPCs/Monsters Simulated locally by all clients Host-authoritative snapshots

Late join Not supported Fully supported

Internet required Yes (Cloudflare Workers) No (works offline, P2P)

Delivery Website (silentspacemarine.com) 4.2MB file in a chat message

Let's break down each piece.

1. No Servers, No Problem

The Simple Version

Cloudflare's DOOM needed their servers to work. Ours doesn't need any servers. When you open the game, your device automatically figures out who should be the "host" --no configuration, no IP addresses, no port forwarding, no sign-ups. It just works.

The game runs inside a .xdc file, essentially a tiny 4.2MB zip archive containing the entire game. You literally send it as a file in a chat message. Your friend opens it. You're playing DOOM together. The data travels directly between your devices through the chat app's peer-to-peer channels.

The Nerdy Version

We replaced net_websockets.c with net_webxdc.c -a transport module that speaks the WebXDC realtime channel protocol instead of WebSockets.

WebXDC is an open standard for sandboxed web apps distributed inside chat messages. The app has zero internet access, no fetch, no XMLHttpRequest, nothing. The only communication channel is webxdc.joinRealtimeChannel(), which gives you an unreliable broadcast pipe to other instances of the same .xdc file in the same chat.

Under the hood (in our primary platform, Vector), this channel is backed by Iroh, a QUIC-based peer-to-peer gossip protocol. Messages travel directly between devices, relayed through lightweight Iroh relay nodes only when direct connections aren't possible. There are no game servers, no routing tables, no Durable Objects.

Peer discovery happens over Nostr, the decentralised social protocol. When you open a game, your Iroh node address is published as a Nostr event so other players can find you and establish a direct connection. The connection itself is encrypted end-to-end via Marmot, which implements the MLS (Messaging Layer Security) protocol over Nostr. So every packet of DOOM multiplayer data, every position snapshot, every damage event, every frag, is encrypted with forward secrecy before it ever leaves your device.

The wire format is minimal:
[to: uint32 LE (4 bytes)][from: uint32 LE (4 bytes)][doom_payload]
JavaScript routes incoming packets by destination UID -only packets addressed to you (or broadcast address 0) get delivered to the WASM engine. Everything else is silently dropped.

For performance, Vector provides a WebSocket fast-path: the app connects to ws://127.0.0.1:{random_port}/{token} -a localhost WebSocket server spun up by the Rust backend -giving near-zero-latency access to the Iroh gossip sender. Binary frames go straight to sender.broadcast() with zero copies. Fallback path uses Tauri invoke with base91 encoding.

2. Who's the Server? Magic.

The Simple Version

In a normal online game, someone runs a server, and everyone connects to it. In Open Source DOOM, there is no predetermined server. When you open the game, all players silently negotiate who becomes the host. The person who opened the game first wins. This happens automatically in about three seconds, and you never even notice it.

The Nerdy Version

Server election uses a dead-simple timestamp protocol over the broadcast channel:

Every instance broadcasts 4 magic bytes ([42, 42, 42, 42]) every 300ms: "I exist, who's the server?"

Every instance responds to discovery requests with: [43, 43, 43, 43][padding(4)][timestamp(8)] -where timestamp is Date.now() from when the app first opened

The instance with the earliest timestamp wins

After 3 seconds with no earlier challenger, you declare yourself server

The elected server re-broadcasts its beacon every 3 seconds so late-joiners can discover it

The server gets instanceUID = 1 (hardcoded). Clients get a random UID in 1–65534. This UID becomes their network address for the entire session -no DNS, no IP addresses, no NAT traversal headaches.

The whole election algorithm is about 80 lines of JavaScript. It works over any broadcast transport. No configuration needed.

3. From Lockstep to Real-Time (The Big One)

The Simple Version

Original DOOM multiplayer works like a group of people writing a letter round-robin. Nobody can write their next line until everyone has received and read the previous line. If one person is slow, everyone waits.

We changed it to work more like a live conversation. Everyone talks at their own pace. If you miss a word, you can still follow along because the speaker periodically summarises where things stand. The result feels like a modern shooter -smooth movement, responsive controls, no freezing.

The Nerdy Version

This was the most fundamental change: replacing DOOM's pure lockstep synchronisation with a hybrid real-time model. The ticcmd backbone remains (it's too deeply embedded in Chocolate Doom's deterministic physics to remove), but we layered three correction systems on top:

a) Position Snapshots + Exponential Smoothing

Every 2 tics (~57ms at 35 FPS), each player broadcasts a snapshot of their state:
int data[9] = {
    mo->x, mo->y, mo->z,        // World position (fixed-point)
    mo->angle,                    // Facing direction
    mo->momx, mo->momy, mo->momz, // Velocity
    attack_weapon,                // 0=idle, 1-9=attacking with weapon N
    latency                       // Round-trip time (ms)
};
Remote players don't run DOOM's physics engine at all. Instead, D_TickPlayerInterp() runs every tic:
Extrapolate the target forward using stored momentum: target_x += momx
Smooth toward the target, closing 60% of the remaining gap each tic:
#define INTERP_FRAC  39322  // 0.6 * 65536 (fixed-point)
mo->x += FixedMul(target_x - mo->x, INTERP_FRAC);
mo->y += FixedMul(target_y - mo->y, INTERP_FRAC);
Teleport detection: if the delta exceeds 128 map units, snap instantly (player respawned or hit a teleporter)
One subtle but critical detail: angle is NOT interpolated. The ticcmd's angleturn field is applied deterministically by P_MovePlayer() and stays in sync across machines. Interpolating angle toward a stale snapshot would fight the ticcmd, causing visible rotation jitter of up to 90 degrees. We learned this the hard way.

b) Attack Animation Sync

Remote players' attacks are driven by snapshot data, not ticcmds. When a snapshot reports attack_weapon > 0, we set the S_PLAY_ATK1 animation state and play the weapon fire sound. An 8-tic animation lock prevents local state transitions from overriding it.

To prevent feedback loops, we track last_received_attack[] -the raw flag as received from the network -and broadcast that, not the lock-modified mobj state. Without this, attack animations would echo infinitely.

4. "I Shot You!" "No You Didn't!"

The Simple Version

In the original DOOM, every computer runs its own copy of the game physics. When you shoot someone, your computer calculates the damage, and their computer calculates the damage, and because the game is in lockstep, they always agree.

With our real-time model, that guarantee vanishes -your screen and theirs might show slightly different positions. So we made one player (the host) the referee. When you shoot someone, you tell the host "I hit Player 2 for 50 damage". The host checks the physics, applies the damage if it's valid, and announces the result to everyone. One truth, no arguments.

The Nerdy Version

We implemented an event-based host-authority model for all game-changing state:

Damage path:
Client A fires weapon → bullet hits Player B locally
  → Client A sends DAMAGE_EVENT to host: {target: B, damage: 50, source: A}
  → Client A applies VISUAL FEEDBACK ONLY (screen flash, attacker tracking)
  → Client A does NOT reduce Player B's health

Host receives DAMAGE_EVENT:
  → Sets damage_from_event = true (bypasses remote-source skip)
  → Calls P_DamageMobj() with full physics simulation
  → New health broadcasted via HEALTH_AUTH packet next snapshot cycle

All clients receive HEALTH_AUTH:
  → Apply as ground truth
  → Host says dead, client says alive? → P_KillMobj()
  → Host says alive, client says dead? → Trigger respawn
  → Health decreased? → Play pain animation
The damage_from_event flag is critical. Without it, the host faces a double-damage problem: it receives both the ticcmd attack (from the lockstep backbone) AND the explicit damage event. The flag ensures only the event path applies.

Other host-authoritative systems: - USE events: Client presses 'E' near a door → sends USE_EVENT → host calls P_UseLines() → door opens for everyone - Respawns: Client dies → sends RESPAWN_REQUEST → host sets playerstate = PST_REBORN - Kill messages: Host broadcasts KILL_MSG when a player dies → displayed on all screens

5. Making Monsters Agree

The Simple Version

DOOM has dozens of monsters per level, each running their own AI -chasing you, shooting fireballs, infighting with each other. In the original game, every computer simulates every monster identically (because lockstep ensures they all see the same inputs). In our version, only the host simulates the monsters. Everyone else just sees the results -like watching a puppet show where only the puppeteer knows the script, but the audience sees the performance in real-time.

The Nerdy Version

We built a full NPC synchronisation system (p_netsync.c/h):

Registry: Every monster and barrel gets a unique net_id via P_NetAssignId():
mobj_t *net_mobj_table[MAX_NET_MOBJS];  // 512 slots
unsigned short net_id_counter;            // Sequential allocator
Host broadcasts (every 2 tics) a compact binary snapshot:
[npc_count: u8][gametic: u16]
Per NPC (20 bytes): net_id(2) x(4) y(4) z(4) angle(1) statenum(2) health(2) flags(1)
[sector_count: u8]
Per changed sector (10 bytes): sector_id(2) ceiling(4) floor(4)
[missile_count: u8]
Per missile (32 bytes): source_net_id(2) type(2) x(4) y(4) z(4) momx(4) momy(4) momz(4) angle(4)
Client-side: In P_MobjThinker(), clients skip physics entirely for any mobj with net_id > 0. Only the animation tic counter runs. State changes use P_SetMobjStateNoAction() -which applies the visual state WITHOUT executing action functions. This prevents clients from independently spawning projectiles, running AI decisions, or playing duplicate sounds.

The sector data keeps doors and lifts in sync. The missile data ensures fireballs and rockets appear on all screens.

6. "Room for One More?" -Mid-Game Joining

The Simple Version

Original DOOM didn't let you join a game already in progress. Everyone had to be there at the start, or too bad. Our version lets players drop in mid-game. You open the .xdc, the game finds the server, and you spawn in -even if everyone else is already knee-deep in the dead.

The Nerdy Version

Late joining required solving several hairy problems:

Tic synchronisation: The late joiner's tic counter is meaningless -they weren't there for tics 0 through N. When the server accepts a late join, it sends settings->start_tic set to the current server tic. The client aligns its recvtic, maketic, and gametic to this value, syncing the 8-bit tic sequence numbers with the server's counter.

Double-slot bug: We found that NET_SV_AssignPlayers() could assign the new client to a slot that was already used, creating a ghost duplicate. The fix: HandleLateJoin() explicitly clears any pre-existing slots for the new client before assigning a fresh one.

Ghost body cleanup: When a player disconnects and reconnects (or the quit/rejoin cycle fires), their old mobj lingers in the world as an invisible collision obstacle. P_SpawnPlayer() now checks for and removes any existing mobj before spawning:
if (p->mo) {
    p->mo->player = NULL;
    P_RemoveMobj(p->mo);
    p->mo = NULL;
}
Name propagation: When a new player joins, every existing player re-broadcasts their name, so the joiner's HUD displays the correct names instead of the defaults ("Green", "Indigo", "Brown", "Red").

7. Fits in a Chat Message

The Simple Version

The entire game -engine, levels, monsters, weapons, networking, touch controls, gamepad support, all of it -fits in a 4.2 megabyte file. That's smaller than most photos your phone takes. You send it in a chat message like you'd send a meme. Your friend taps it, and they're in the game. No app store, no downloads, no accounts, no updates.

The Nerdy Version

The .xdc format is just a ZIP archive with a different extension. Ours contains:

File Size (compressed) Purpose

vector-doom.wasm ~2.7 MB Chocolate Doom engine (Emscripten, -O3)

doom1.wad ~1.7 MB DOOM shareware levels (freely distributable)

vector-doom.js ~160 KB Emscripten runtime (terser-minified, 58% reduction)

index.html ~12 KB UI, touch controls, gamepad support, CRT visual theme

webxdc-net.js ~3 KB Server election + packet routing

icon.png ~90 KB App icon

bg.jpg ~100 KB Background artwork

default.cfg ~2 KB Default key bindings

manifest.toml ~100 B WebXDC metadata

The WASM binary and WAD compress extremely well in ZIP (65% and 58% respectively), bringing the total to 4.2MB.

The build pipeline: 1. Emscripten compiles Chocolate Doom + our modifications to WASM (emmake make -j4) 2. webxdc-net.js is injected as --pre-js (runs before WASM initialises) 3. JS is minified with terser in parallel 4. HTML is minified (strip comments, collapse whitespace) 5. Everything zipped at maximum compression (zip -9)

The game runs on any WebXDC-compatible messenger. We built it for Vector (a Nostr-based messenger), but it works in Delta Chat and potentially any app that implements the WebXDC standard.

The Full Stack, From Keypress to Frag

Here's what happens when you press the fire button on your phone:
1. Your finger hits the Fire button (HTML touch event)
2. JavaScript calls Module._inject_key_event(0, 32)     // keydown, spacebar
3. DOOM's event queue receives ev_keydown
4. D_ProcessEvents() → G_Responder() builds ticcmd with BT_ATTACK
5. TryRunTics() executes the tic -your weapon fires, P_LineAttack() traces a hitscan
6. Bullet hits Player 2 → P_DamageMobj() → instead of applying damage:
   → NET_CL_SendDamageEvent(target=2, damage=50, source=you)
7. Every 2 tics, your position snapshot broadcasts via realtimeChannel:
   → JS encodes [to(4)][from(4)][snapshot] → WebSocket → Iroh gossip → peer devices
8. Host receives damage event → validates → applies → broadcasts HEALTH_AUTH
9. Player 2's screen: health drops, pain flash plays, kill message appears
10. Your screen: the host's HEALTH_AUTH confirms the kill
Total time from keypress to kill confirmation: roughly 100-200ms depending on network conditions. No servers touched. No corporation involved. Just two chat apps talking directly to each other.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

None of this would exist without:

id Software for open-sourcing the DOOM engine in 1997 -a decision that created an entire modding ecosystem and directly enabled everything described here

Chocolate Doom for faithfully recreating the original engine in portable, hackable C

Cloudflare for proving DOOM-in-WebAssembly was viable and open-sourcing their doom-wasm port -the foundation we forked

Emscripten for making C-to-WASM compilation actually work

Iroh (by n0.computer) for the QUIC-based P2P gossip protocol that makes serverless real-time gaming possible

The WebXDC community for defining an open standard for sandboxed web apps in chat messages

And a special note: the networking architecture of Open Source DOOM was designed and implemented as a collaboration between a human developer and an AI (Claude, by Anthropic). Not generated and pasted -collaborated on. Hundreds of iterations, debugging sessions at 3am with hex dumps of gossip packets, heated debates about whether to interpolate angles (don't), and moments of genuine surprise when things just... worked.

Try It

Open-Source DOOM is free, open-source, and available today.

Play it: Download Vector, open Vector Nexus (our decentralised in-app Mini App store), and find DOOM in the Multiplayer category. Send it to a friend or group chat and start fragging - no manual file management needed.

Read the code: The full source is available at github.com/nicholasopuni31/doom-wasm.

Build on it: The WebXDC realtime channel pattern we developed here works for any real-time multiplayer game.

If DOOM is "Hello, World" for computing, then Open Source DOOM is "Hello, World" for decentralised gaming.

Published March 2026. Written by JSKitty (npub16ye…g4wn)

	Cloudflare's DOOM	Open Source DOOM
Transport	WebSockets → Cloudflare Edge	P2P gossip via Iroh (QUIC)
Server	Durable Object (centralised)	Auto-elected from players (decentralised)
Sync model	Lockstep (1993 original)	Real-time hybrid (snapshots + interpolation)
Damage	Simulated locally by all clients	Host-authoritative events
NPCs/Monsters	Simulated locally by all clients	Host-authoritative snapshots
Late join	Not supported	Fully supported
Internet required	Yes (Cloudflare Workers)	No (works offline, P2P)
Delivery	Website (silentspacemarine.com)	4.2MB file in a chat message

File	Size (compressed)	Purpose
`vector-doom.wasm`	~2.7 MB	Chocolate Doom engine (Emscripten, -O3)
`doom1.wad`	~1.7 MB	DOOM shareware levels (freely distributable)
`vector-doom.js`	~160 KB	Emscripten runtime (terser-minified, 58% reduction)
`index.html`	~12 KB	UI, touch controls, gamepad support, CRT visual theme
`webxdc-net.js`	~3 KB	Server election + packet routing
`icon.png`	~90 KB	App icon
`bg.jpg`	~100 KB	Background artwork
`default.cfg`	~2 KB	Default key bindings
`manifest.toml`	~100 B	WebXDC metadata

that looks dope, love the UI

2026-03-18T16:02:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…ap7s
_________________________

that looks dope, love the UI

Nostr event nevent1qqsg3uz8w63yaxcqcsjw7kufgc0wzhqn9lxdqg6n4hngrv5ngw0hkxgzypfm69vtqpqydg8qjh87smfa4t8083khqn885sjvgqppf89yfq305evm58w

2026-03-16T11:16:22Z

Not that most of you here are probably Meta users (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp largely), but they have announced that on May 8, 2026 your private messages will no longer be encrypted. Additionally, your messages will be easier to read and scrape to train their AI for you can assume the worst purposes people can imagine. More so sharing for those who don't know and also people you care about.

Strongly recommend to everyone to start pivoting from these apps and getting friends, family, co-workers, etc. introduced to Nostr and other methods where their metadata is encrypted and more secure. I would also go ahead and delete all of your messages (request a backup first, may take 1-5 days to hear back) get your data to save and then delete your messages and eventually account. There is a trick you can swap to a business account and mass delete messages faster (15 a time instead of 1). Either way, there are no guarantees your data is wiped from their servers as is (safer to assume it is not), but there's no need to keep it there and make their lives any easier.

Thank you! We will keep improving with each release. If you have ...

2026-03-14T10:01:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…lm4p
_________________________

Thank you! We will keep improving with each release. If you have anything you don't like or experience that is broken or just a painful experience to use, just DM me or tag me.

Congrats, White Noise team! Will update and run the latest ...

2026-03-12T10:04:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…5k5p
_________________________

Congrats, White Noise team! Will update and run the latest version to test 💪

100% agreed. It has helped me a lot into the process of learning ...

2026-03-12T02:39:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…3x5d
_________________________

100% agreed. It has helped me a lot into the process of learning frontend development. Simply gaining the knowledge and understanding easier through the action, the process of learning from experience. If you have questions, you don't have to bother your friends every few minutes and can get precise answers that are largely accurate. Great tool for learning and growing, as well as confidence to try new things completely out of your comfort zone.

Want a deeper insight into ...

2026-03-12T02:36:28Z

Want a deeper insight into nprofile1qqst37fwv8n363vx4eh7d9c0w0wslkufqyy43830g9a773zmhw5jergut5jp4? Check out my interview that was just republished, originally on Fileverse.

Expect a couple of more perspectives and interviews with JSKitty (nprofile…tsc6) and Hans Koning soon™.

—————————————————

[Disclaimer] None of these responses from me are AI-generated, nor will they ever be because I enjoy speaking straight from the heart and enjoy the art of writing. Yes, the em dash — existed way before AI and there are actually some writers that use it and enjoy it because we can break grammatical rules and combine two completely different trains of thought without being considered "improper" or a run-on.

AI is a great tool for suggestions, ideas, and proof reading. It's unfortunate I even have to put this as a disclaimer and mention it, but relevant at this day and age.

Remember to enjoy the process...

quoting naddr1qv…le8m

Pushing The Envelope — Privacy Messaging & Communication

Vector Privacy Interview with Co-Founder YuurinBee

1. The Origin Story

What was the exact moment you realized the world needed Vector Privacy? Was there a specific incident or realization that made you say 'enough is enough' with existing messaging platforms?

Personally, I first realized the world needed “privacy by default” (as many people like to use the term now) a handful of years ago. Society and the world has blindly trusted these large, tech corporations that just say “private” or “encrypted” being nothing but marketing buzzwords and sadly lacking any bit of truth and substance. That is when I truly saw the need, not demand, but need for privacy in communication—not just with messenger apps, but really extending towards all digital services, platforms, and mediums. As long time Discord users, especially being gamers and shared interests in blockchain and crypto, both JSKitty and I had loved the UX and the communities that had formed on Discord over the past 8 years. During that time, we had created and managed many communities of our own. As time progressed and with more experience, we had noticed very poor security practices, no encryption for messages, and overall growing concerns for Discord’s privacy. Afterwards, it became normal to read about data breaches and personal identities leaked with Discord, as well as many other top social media and messenger platforms. Going back about 5-6 years, we first wanted to create a privacy messenger app called “Hawkie”, but we lacked the technical stack and infrastructure needed, not to mention the knowledge and skill we had back then truly pales in comparison to now. Therefore, it was put on the shelf with many other fun and unique ideas to develop until we discovered Nostr. Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) is an open, decentralized protocol that supports many of the foundational principles that we required both philosophically and technically.

2. The Privacy Crisis

Most people think 'I have nothing to hide, so why should I care about privacy?' How do you respond to that, and what are the hidden costs of surrendering our digital privacy that people don't realize?

This is a splendid question and there’s quite a bit to say. It depends on the person I am talking to because I look for specific ways to relate to their potential problems that could follow based on their life and lifestyle practices.

I respond to this comment almost everyday or at least every week, if not from the very people we built Vector for, but also while developing Vector I get this question relentlessly. One of the biggest takeaways in life I can share with you in the modern world, we often compromise security for convenience. We are so used to wanting everything so easy, just one click, login with one account and do a million things, save my passwords so I don’t have to remember, backup to iCloud so I can access my files and photos anywhere. There is nothing wrong with wanting simplicity and a universally convenient user experience, but most of us are unaware of the unforeseen consequences and you really have to ask yourself “is it really that much more effort”?. What is the trade off? What is the opportunity cost here? It is simply evaluating the risks and hopefully choosing the choice that ensures the highest level of risk mitigation. Is it that much more effort to safely store your seed phrase or private key somewhere offline than it is to drive to a bank, wait for a teller, express your want to open an account, then spend 15-30 minutes divulging all of your personal information and putting it into their database, then being told you’ll get a card in 3-5 business days before you can really even fully utilize the account and system. Oops, I forgot to tell you they are closed after 5pm and not open on the weekends. Is it really more convenient? We have been conditioned this way because of the systems society has adopted for many years. It does not imply that they are optimal or even efficient at all… quite the contrary most people would argue.

To the world famous question “I have nothing to hide, so why should I care about privacy?”... I would respond by asking people questions to make them think and reevaluate what privacy means (some better than others lol). If you have nothing to hide, why not keep your windows open and your blinds open all the time? Why even bother putting walls up? I guess if you don’t care about privacy, there’s no need for clothes right? Why even bother putting up doors if you don’t mind people walking into your house and taking a look around, you’ve got nothing to hide right? Why don’t you put your phone on speaker while you’re in public and let everyone in on your conversation if you’ve really got nothing to hide? As silly and ridiculous as these questions are, it is about changing the mindset of how we view privacy. There has been a negative and a dark connotation around privacy that it’s only for people who have things to hide. Privacy is about security, not about hiding.

3. The Metadata Problem

Vector emphasizes 'No Metadata.' Can you explain what metadata is, why it's arguably more dangerous than the actual message content, and how Vector solves this?

Metadata is like digital bread crumbs. Metadata is simply additional data that can be viewed like online identifiers, whether you want to share them or not. Everything digital has some form of an identity and from that identity is how you interact with the digital world online. Your phone has an IMEI number, which is like a serial number. It even has hardware, firmware, and software information like which operating system are you using, which software version, what type of camera, and much more. This information is potentially exposed when you communicate online. When you login to a website, your IP address is tracked, which is like your personal serial number from your internet provider. This can tell where exactly in the world you viewed the website (it could even be pinpointed to your exact block, house, room). That is why many people have recently started to use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), to mask this connection and make it more secure as nobody wants to be communicating to the world where exactly they live. It is an irrelevant bit of information that comes with many risks and zero real benefits.

The more information that nefarious, bad actors have on you makes it easier for them to infiltrate your life and cause a whole world of chaos and pain. This ranges from identity theft to stealing your bank account information, leading to a loss of money or assets, to committing crimes on your behalf, you name it.How does Vector solve this? By design. It does not collect this information as it has no need for it. Private messages should be only between two parties or any amount of disclosed members, consensually. Most companies, especially that offer “free” services, really are collecting your metadata and personal information in order to monetize it. They want to understand you, your behavior, and exploit your own psychology and patterns to try and sell you things. These companies can sell this information to third party marketing and advertisement brokers, if they don’t run a similar service internally. Information is digital gold, but it is not rocks they are mining, but people.

4. Decentralization vs. Corporate Control

Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram—they all claim to be secure. What's fundamentally different about Vector's decentralized approach, and why does centralization make those platforms vulnerable no matter how good their encryption is?

None of those apps can prove they are, except for Signal, which invented the Signal Protocol. This was groundbreaking at the time for end-to-end encrypted messaging and used for many years by many apps, until more advanced protocols came about. The issue with data centralization, as the name implies, is a centralized unit—a central point of attack could wipe out or simply compromise an entire network. Decentralization makes this astronomically more difficult, depending on the levels of decentralization and method. For the record, I would like to share with readers that just because something says “decentralized” does not really mean it is or that it is secure. There are many blockchain projects that claim to be decentralized and have 11 nodes, which they control a majority of. You must always do your own research to study the degrees of decentralization, privacy, and security.

Centralization also means single point of failure in terms of continuity.Centralization indeed makes those platforms more vulnerable, regardless of how good your encryption is. Encryption alone is not enough, but only one element. Just like decentralization, it is not enough on its own, but one important element. Here is a great infographic, research by Formless Labs, that covers this subject a bit more in detail, along with privacy.

5. Real-World Use Cases

Beyond activists and journalists, who should be using Vector Privacy? Can you share why someone might consider using Vector instead of WhatsApp for example?

Wonderful question. Vector is designed for everyone. This is our intention, from the first foundational pillar laid. Understand that Vector is currently only in Open Beta and has a very unique branding and style, but will be modular and customizable so that people can truly create their ideal setup for communication, whatever the use case. We want to normalize privacy and have it so people don’t even have to know or care about privacy, just simply loving the Vector Privacy UX is enough. Their privacy is protected and our job is complete.

As a UX/UI developer, it is my personal goal to make it universal, but to dig deeper than that is really to make it fun, make it enjoyable. In the modern world, most of us communicate online because our networks are so big and vast. We have friends, family, and colleagues all over the world. This is the future of communication, it will mostly be digital. So, there needs to be a lot of emphasis and focus on the detail, the how. That is where my interests and knowledge in psychology hopefully comes in handy, not to exploit the human mind for dopamine traps and quick fixes to monetize actions, but to design in a way that is synchronistic, fluid, and feels natural with people.Messenger apps are often so limiting, we have barely scratched the surface. Especially with privacy messenger apps, most of them have a horrible UX that feels slow, unintuitive, and clunky… lacking any soul and void of anything that resembles humanity. We want to reinvent digital communication so that it feels effortless to truly express what is on your mind and heart. Let the end user focus on how good it feels to communicate and use Vector. Let us celebrate and sleep easy at night knowing that their privacy is protected.

6. The No-KYC Philosophy

Vector requires no phone number, no email, and no KYC which is rare. Vector has made anonymity at signup a critical feature. Why?

You will hear me say this on repeat, if you haven’t already. KYC is the greatest threat to privacy and the worst design for privacy. In a high-trust society, exactly how we grew up thinking (naive), but that when companies collected our data, we trusted them because we thought it made logical sense to provide this information in order for them to do their jobs more efficiently. There is still some truth to that. The general concept of KYC is not bad, but implementing it into the modern world with digital, online systems is a horrible idea as we have witnessed time and time again. It does not matter how great your security is or how big your company is, how much money they make, how many B’s in their total market cap, how many people in the cybersecurity department, but they are exposed to the same threats as every other entity operating online. The worst part about it? It is our data, the customer’s data, that is compromised and exposed online and to the dark web.There needs to be a redesign of this traditional model and I think there are a lot of great minds and developers working on alternatives, but for now KYC is a major threat to security and privacy. Never give more information than you have to. If it feels too intrusive, stop and look for other alternatives. I can assure you there are many great alternatives out there. Simply removing the need for KYC or any form of alternative identity linking already makes the experience objectively more secure. If there is no data, then what?Vector is a standalone, open-source privacy protocol that doesn’t have an interest or use for a user’s personal data. Therefore, it doesn’t collect it.

7. Open-Source Trust

Vector is open source. Why is that non-negotiable for a privacy tool, and what would you say to someone who asks 'Why should I trust Vector more than a closed-source app from a big company?'

Why would you trust something created by humans that you can’t see and verify in some way or form? Would you trust test results from a pharmaceutical company telling you how their new product is better and safer without seeing the results yourself? …especially being able to see what scientists signed off on the reports publicly. Then, you can do a deeper background check on these scientists to see if they are credible or are bought out and make your own conclusion. That is precisely how open source works. You can see the current state of the codebase, what changes were made by who and when, and you can even look deeper into those contributors to see what else they work on and virtually do a whole background check online. Furthermore, look at open source as the best way to get international peer review from people whether you want it or not. It is the true test of time. The best protocols are open source and I am more aligned with the philosophy and culture of open-source than anything. Most business models actually benefit off of their customers not knowing, being in the dark. For example, they don’t know their recipe, their trade secrets, etc. That is how they profit almost inexorably. Well, how do open-source projects make money? Many of them can still operate a for-profit model, while the codebase is open-source, but a lot of open-source projects choose the non-profit route and accept donations and grants. If there is a will, there is a way. 9/10 I will always trust and have more respect for open-source projects than not. For the record, just because something is open-source doesn’t not implicitly imply that it is safe nor secure. It only implies that the codebase is transparent and under the premise of it being accessible to everyone, it has a higher chance of other developers or contributors potentially identifying bugs, critical issues, or even suggesting improvements and optimizations. The odds are certainly higher. As the saying goes "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.".

8. The Surveillance Economy

Tech giants make billions selling user data and attention. Vector is free and doesn't monetize user data. How is that sustainable, and why should users trust that Vector won't 'pivot' to ads or data sales later?

Absolutely, that is precisely what these tech conglomerates do and have been doing for decades, mostly unknown to the general public. There is indeed no such thing as a free lunch, energy has to always come from somewhere. Vector is sustainable simply for the fact that it is built on a robust and decentralized network out of any single individual’s control and power. It will survive, whether we want it to or not. The biggest threats, which are temporary, are really just internet outages more than anything. Why users should trust Vector? Don’t trust, verify. There is always a chance that anything could happen with any project. Even Bitcoin’s network was attacked by bad actors, years ago and even recently lol. Things don’t stay the same forever, but what’s important to know is that for the simple fact Vector is open-source, it could be forked and modified by anyone. If it had ads that someone didn’t like, they could fork the Vector Privacy repository and recreate it without ads for their own personal preference and even launch their own chat app. We encourage people to peer review and share feedback. Those are the basics for any true open-source app.Vector cannot pivot to data sales simply for the fact it doesn’t collect personal user data. It cannot and will not, by its protocol functionality and limitations alone. What data could be sold and who on earth would buy it?Fun Fact: The core contributors and founders of Vector Privacy cannot stand ads.

9. Network Effects & Adoption

The hardest part of any messaging app is getting people to switch. Everyone is already on WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and Facebook Messenger. How do you convince someone to move their entire social circle to Vector, and what's your strategy for overcoming the network effect?

100% legitimate question and no doubt, one of the biggest challenges. Part of our strategy is really to focus on the user experience. For future reference, let’s assume privacy is always a core focus for Vector and doesn’t need to always be mentioned. As I was sharing above, most messenger apps are not what people want or enjoy, they just don’t know any alternatives or like you shared, that’s where their entire social circles are.

I foresee the growth of Vector being steady and organic. The best thing we can do is work with our community and the users to optimize their experience and also allow for high-level customization. We don’t want to force anything on anyone, that is one of the biggest things that prompted us to build our own app. So many apps force you to use their trash UX and do actions that you really don’t agree with or want to do, but have to in order to execute your intended goal.

Once people have had enough with their privacy being completely invaded and compromised on these other apps, they will abruptly leave and say if you want to message me, you can message me on Vector. How do I know? because I’ve already watched it happen both with Vector and other messenger apps. Once Vector is further along the development pipeline and distributed through the most popular app stores, I think it will be much easier and the user experience will speak for itself. I am not under the impression that people will immediately think Vector is better and more fun, but I will be putting in my blood, sweat, and tears to make that a reality.

Retention is one of the biggest key factors of success for any and all applications. Why are people coming back? They have no other options, they love it, or it simply solves the problem(s) they have. I think one strategy is to focus on group chats and larger social networks, so that people don’t just log on to message their one friend privately. They can join other social groups, meet, interact, learn, and have fun like they would anywhere else online. Vector needs to be a home for people.

10. The Future of Privacy

If Vector achieves mass adoption, what does the world look like in 5-10 years? What changes when billions of people have access to truly private, decentralized communication?

It is insane to imagine, honestly. With the rapid development of AI and technology we have already crossed the threshold of there being more AI-generated content on the internet than actual content generated by people for the past few decades. Yes, insane is the correct word. Terrifying as well knowing that if humanity itself doesn’t evolve to a higher standard of living, one with shared moral values, the technology we invent will continue to evolve and we will repeat the same cycles of suffering, but much quicker and more powerful. What I’m hoping happens is that society comes to a consensus on privacy being a basic, fundamental human right and there will be laws implemented that protect, rather than destroy. To be clear, I am certainly not under the illusion that this will or is likely to happen, but I remain confident in the resiliency of the human spirit and fight for freedom. Free, open-source, and permissionless technology will thrive.

TLDR: Nothing new under the sun, but at least we have more privacy. :kek:

11. The Call to Action

If someone is reading this interview and thinking 'this sounds great, but I'll switch later,' what would you say to them? Why should they download Vector today instead of waiting?

If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry." Lol, jk. I spent an hour typing up this response to answer all of these questions so you could understand… but really “there's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” and I look forward to seeing you on the other side. Don’t act like you don’t download new apps every week or so. You don’t have to convert, it’s not a cult, it’s a privacy messenger app.

Add me on Vector:https://vectorapp.io/profile/npub12w73tzcqgpr2pcy4el5x60d2emeud4cyeeayynzqqg2fefzgytaqm4ktz3

Additional Questions

How do you view Signal/Telegram/Session as competitors vs. allies in the broader privacy movement?

Great, love it. Give people options. These organizations and apps you listed have achieved great tasks and nothing but respect for them overall. You simply cannot deny the good and for the most part what it has done for the public’s perception of privacy. I like to see people as advocates of privacy, then in some way shape or form, we are on the same team. We are after all open-source, there are no trade secrets we need to protect in order to stay financially solvent lol. People using these apps does Vector no harm whatsoever, in fact they could even be a gateway into privacy for many… eventually leading them to test out Vector. Win, win.

What happens if a government demands user data or tries to shut Vector down?

What user data? There is no user data collected nor do founders, contributors, or users have access to other user’s data. As for “shutting down Vector”, it is an open-source, decentralized protocol. So, I guess shut down the internet and that’s a good place to start.

Vector seems technical. How do you make it accessible to non-technical users who just want to chat with friends?

It may appear technical, but really it shouldn’t be. Log on to Vector like you would any other messenger app, but with less steps. Yes, there are a few things to learn along the way like your private key and seed phrase, but we aim to make this more simple with each release. A great place to reference is the official docs on docs.vectorapp.io. We have a Beginner’s Guide, as well as each aspect of the app broken down to make it easier to understand if there is any confusion. Furthermore, join our community of people around the world who would love to help you get setup and learn more. For the time being, join the Vector Community Discord.

Interview conducted by Sir Clodsworth III — Vector Privacy 2026

Official Vector Privacy: Website | Twitter(X) | Discord | Nostr | GitHub | GitBook

Nostr event nevent1qqsrktwl4hnywsammlvd5ggx5ahn6czzdqj2yv084s74uh09erdc7dqzypfm69vtqpqydg8qjh87smfa4t8083khqn885sjvgqppf89yfq305tcz4gl

2026-03-10T08:56:47Z

⚠️PRIVACY NOT FOR COMPROMISE⚠️
// Evangelion-Inspired Art & Design

I see a lot of people sharing today about Evangelion Interfaces, really some of the most inspiring and timeless designs. I still watch classic anime like Neon Genesis: Evangelion and Ghost in the Shell and pause to take stills when I see some unique design inspiration.

This afternoon I just enjoyed spending some time to create a similar feeling (not necessarily the look) that I get from these classic terminal interfaces. It also allows me to be a bit more abstract and really do things I wouldn't traditionally do in design > minimalism + simplicity for one. Instead I enjoyed making this collage of the Privacy by Principle philosophy with VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) theme. Yes, this is a real app btw and now I'm thinking about making an EVA-01 theme for it.

For me, one of the most classic visuals that stands out in these types of series are the "Caution" or "Warning" bars that often use a broken horizontal line with 45/60 degree diagonal cuts. It reminds me of industrial buildings or construction where they would have these bright yellow warning signs not to enter or wear a hardhat, etc. Whoever really popularized this design has silently won countless awards and well deserved, they really set the standard and feel for many generations to come. This is about as universal as you can get for design in my opinion.

Anyways, hope you all enjoy it and excited to see more original work and not getting Claude or AI to design for you. Yep, I said it. Stand by everything that I say. For implementation? Great, but be creative and take time to work on your own designs and not just rely on AI to give you everything. That is where in lies the true joy of creativity and design, enjoying the process...

The confusion, the clarity. The disarray, the synergy.

Nostr event nevent1qqsxzjjj6ejanqutxyhg4zwmczhclae7lhqtv04jtn5sluqtrcweysszypfm69vtqpqydg8qjh87smfa4t8083khqn885sjvgqppf89yfq305x0g3m3

2026-03-10T02:40:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…xu66
_________________________

Here is what it should look like on the latest bulbrigertin (nprofile…3qse) We will have a ways to go, but each release we make significant improvements. Let me know what else you'd like to see for this experience to not only be smooth, but something you enjoy.

What if I told you that you could listen to both? (Click & ...

2026-03-04T12:40:40Z

What if I told you that you could listen to both?
(Click & Zoom for Details)

Just having some fun with the "Self-Sovereign Mix Tapes" last night after the Marmot Community Call. Marmot + Nostr ecosystem is heatin' up! VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) White Noise (nprofile…xqkm)

New design concept for @nprofile…5jp4 ...

2026-02-16T19:14:21Z

New design concept for VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4)

Something about the merging of worlds between physical and digital makes the virtual experience so much more immersive and engaging. The idea is to be able to allow people to download and have an image they can share on other platforms or elsewhere on the web, as well as their digital profile on http://vectorapp.io.

In the future, we will likely allow for further customization so people can make their profile "ticket stubs" exactly how they want—like if you were to purchase physical tickets, you are given templates, can changes colors, text, etc.

Grade A Irony — Censorship 101 Speechless 🤣 ...

2026-02-06T13:18:17Z

Grade A Irony — Censorship 101

Speechless 🤣

Thank you, brother! I enjoyed making them. Do a lot of pixel art ...

2026-02-05T11:10:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…py6t
_________________________

Thank you, brother! I enjoyed making them. Do a lot of pixel art when I'm not working on other designs, sweet nostalgia. I saw Marmot had the cute pixel marmot so I recreated him and animated him slightly.

Here is another rendition from nprofile1qqspwwwexlwgcrrnwz4zwkze8rq3ncjug8mvgsd96dxx6wzs8ccndmc2ymgxf's post yesterday about Protocols > Platforms:

Thoreau? just noticed. fok yeh

2026-02-04T13:49:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…g6ak
_________________________

Thoreau? just noticed. fok yeh

Thank you man! Original marmot art by Marmot Protocol (not sure ...

2026-02-04T13:47:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…cd82
_________________________

Thank you man! Original marmot art by Marmot Protocol (not sure who made it). It definitely would look great as a sticker response.

Fun day today working on these cute little pixel marmots, ...

2026-02-04T12:49:38Z

Fun day today working on these cute little pixel marmots, inspired from last nights community call from Marmot Protocol by WhiteNoise and JeffG (nprofile…mgxf) Think we need some more pixel art here on Nostr, maybe I should ramp that up a bit haha.

If anyone is looking for a fun, free, and open-source pixel art app, highly recommend Piskel. I've been using them for years. There aren't as many design flow optimizations like with Aseprite, but if you're not a hardcore pixel artist it's a great place to start.

Nostr is great. All of its social media platforms suck chode. ...

2026-01-02T10:11:13Z

Nostr is great. All of its social media platforms suck chode.

Cancel me.

Thank you @nprofile…24h8 for sharing about the latest ...

2025-11-10T02:36:10Z

Thank you Nomishka (nprofile…24h8) for sharing about the latest VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) Open Beta release in your Nostr Recap Report!

quoting naddr1qv…hjuf

🧠 Quote of the Week

baerwaldt (npub1d7g…6y7e)

“If you haven’t gone back to X and are Nostr only, I want to follow you!”

🔥 Community Highlights

1. A Fascinating Nostr presentation at the Noderunners Conference 😍

nevent1q…dyuh

2. The latest Revolution.social episode is out. This time Rabble is with Srđa Popović 👇

nevent1q…hvxk

3. Rabble is doing a great job and let’s help him with beta testing, quietly 🤝

nevent1q…4ysf

4. This is a nice way to make Nostr only friends 👇

nevent1q…fl5u

5. Primal is doing a great job 👏

nevent1q…2k26

nevent1q…mpcd

nevent1q…za99

6. Nostr plebs have kind souls. That’s one of the special things here 🫶

nevent1q…9fkt

7. Nostr Memes master explains what Nostr is 🤟

nevent1q…ttm8

8. This is well explained the importance of Nostr and Bitcoin 👌

nevent1q…v6a4

9. A new nostrich joins to the community 🥳

nevent1q…jdkx

10. Nostr is using as a marketplace too 😍

nevent1q…d4uz

11. This is weird. But true 😅

nevent1q…3zzd

12. Yep Derek. We need more of those things 👇

nevent1q…wk78

13. These Grants make Nostr more nice 👇

nevent1q…uxrz

🌱 Ecosystem Growth

Nostr is growing fast!

According to https://github.com/aljazceru/awesome-nostr, there are now over 140 Nostr clients and over 450 Nostr apps running in more than 40 countries around the globe.

According to https://nostr.watch, there are more than 890 relays online in more than 40 countries at the moment.

According to https://npub.world/stats,

During last week:

### Total Users: 3,178, compared to 4,412 users the week before

According to https://stats.nostr.band,

During last week:
Total Zaps: 34,664, compared to 33,541 zaps the week before
![image](https://blossom.primal.net/00a18802816ca8462faaae06b8b0b8df85358a4391dca00bc395c3ece5849fd4.png) 
Total Zap senders: 3,800, compared to 2,799 plebs the week before
### Total Zap Amount: 15,305,624, compared to 9,124,949 sats the week before

### Total Events: 3,395,911, compared to 4,136,731 events the week before

Many thanks to https://npub.world/stats by pip (npub176p…vgup) and franzap (npub1wf4…dgh9) https://stats.nostr.band by brugeman (npub1xdt…ntxy) all the contributors of https://github.com/aljazceru/awesome-nostr and https://nostr.watch for providing these insights.

🎓 Educational Guides

1. NOSTR 02 Internet without Internet (Part I)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRJzunSqXmQ

2. NOSTR-02 - Internet without Internet (Part II)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwQ_7rwEKU4

3. NOSTR-02 - Internet without Internet (Part III)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQvXhsrD-8

📅 Upcoming Events

1. Nostr workshop - Bitcoin Amsterdam - Open Source Hub - November 2025

📅 Date: Friday, November 14, 2025

⏰ Time: 11.00 AM - 11.30 AM GMT+1

📍 Location: SugarFactory Kristalpromenade 7, 1165 PD Halfweg (Amsterdam region), Netherlands

🤹‍♀️ Organizers: thebitcoinconf (npub1rwh…7avv) Sebastix (npub1qe3…zefe)

🔗 Event: nevent1q…qffg

2. Nostrshire - November 2025

📅 Date: Friday, November 21, 2025

⏰ Time: 10.00 AM - 5.00 PM

📍 Location: Pendulum Hotel Sackville St, Manchester M1 3BB, United Kingdom

🤹‍♀️ Organizers: Bitfest (npub1r9z…q8lx)

🔗 Event: https://bitfest.uk/#nostrshire

3. Nostrasia - November 2025

📅 Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025

⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM GMT+9 (Doors open at 12:30 PM)

📍 Location: Crypto Lounge GOX 6F Tenam Town Building, 2-19-15 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

🤹‍♀️ Organizers: Nostrasia (npub1w58…erjw)

🎟️ Admission: Free

🔗 Event: https://nostrasia.com

📰 Nostr in the Media

1. Soapbox Sessions Episode 10: It Should Just Work

heatherlarson (npub1nl8…f9d0)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4xNaosRlK4

2. Nostr Valley 2.0: Panel: The State of Nostr

Derek Ross (npub18am…p424)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX6-2ZsOUmg

3. Nostr and the End of Fake Engagement

momotahmasbi (npub1heq…kx28)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwdLng72rw0

4. Nostr Gives You Data Ownership & Security

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLsNGbeIstA

5. Nostr Valley 2.0:Derek & Seth: Closing Remarks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTmzF6ajwsI

⚡ 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 https://zaplife.lol by PABLOF7z (npub1l2v…ajft) for providing this data.

Here are the Top Zapped/Top Zappers from last week, showcasing creators who received/sent the most engagement:

🔥 Top 3: Most Zapped

Name: flash (npub1f4u…r407)

Zaps Received: 864

Sats Earned: 157k

Name: Alby Zapper (npub108c…nvsn)

Zaps Received: 621

Sats Earned: 6M

Name: Gigi (npub1der…xzpc)

Zaps Received: 475

Sats Earned: 60k

🔥 Top 3: Most Zappers

Name: aqstr (npub1dsn…2h64)

Zaps Sent: 1362

Sats Spent: 75k

Name: piotr (npub1h6s…3tt5)

Zaps Sent: 318

Sats Spent: 133k

Name: npub1dge9j3lk0h46en6sya9t3vjcjt5p5t40l7pymaqjfznvyw8the4q2x5uq3 (npub1dge…5uq3)

Zaps Sent: 302

Sats Spent: 906k

💰 Top 3: Most Sats Received

Name: Alby Zapper (npub108c…nvsn)

Sats Earned: 6M

Zaps Received: 621

Name: fountainboostbot (npub1hpn…tplc)

Sats Earned: 522k

Zaps Received: 413

Name: RabbitHoleRecap (npub10ut…xdlq)

Sats Earned: 249k

Zaps Received: 52

💰 Top 3: Most Sats Sent

Name: “Name not visible”

Sats Spent: 2M

Zaps Sent: 73

Name: “Name not visible”

Sats Spent: 1M

Zaps Sent: 131

Name: “Name not visible”

Sats Spent: 927k

Zaps Sent: 152

Here are the Top Zapped from last week, showcasing notes that received the most engagement:

🔥 Top 3: Most Zapped

nevent1q…j49j

Zaps Received: 104

Sats Earned: 97k

nevent1q…wxhc

Zaps Received: 50

Sats Earned: 29k

nevent1q…sy9z

Zaps Received: 48

Sats Earned: 3k

🔥 Top 3: Most Sats

nevent1q…zev0

Sats Earned: 161k

Zaps Received: 1

nevent1q…j49j

Sats Earned: 97k

Zaps Received: 104

nevent1q…4cz0

Sats Earned: 70k

Zaps Received: 8

😂 Nostr Memes

nevent1q…8yxe

nevent1q…v756

nevent1q…n2sq

nevent1q…f7wm

nevent1q…h0zh

nevent1q…xmq3

nevent1q…pnfe

nevent1q…m2nz

nevent1q…9zwl

nevent1q…hnzl

nevent1q…jyq6

nevent1q…g7md

nevent1q…8h9c

nevent1q…g6uq

🛠️ Tools, Updates and Releases

1. Vector - v0.2.1

Vector is a decentralized communication platform built on the Nostr protocol (NIP-17), providing fully encrypted, metadata-free messaging for text, media, and files. This release introduces OpenMLS-encrypted group chats, a redesigned emoji panel, enhanced markdown support, image zooming, new privacy options like tracker stripping, and Blossom-based decentralized media storage, along with faster uploads, improved profile syncing, refined UI, and multiple bug fixes.

Developed by: JSKitty (npub16ye…g4wn)

Source: https://github.com/VectorPrivacy/Vector/releases/tag/v0.2.1

2. Oni - New Tool

Oni is a fork of Owncast that adds Nostr integration for decentralized live streaming. It extends Owncast’s self-hosted broadcasting features with Nostr-based authentication, event publishing, and Lightning payment support, allowing creators to stream live while remaining fully decentralized and censorship-resistant.

Developer tool: Tekkadan (npub12zq…99h8)

Source: https://github.com/TekkadanPlays/oni

3. Coracle - 0.6.26

Coracle is an experimental Nostr client designed to leverage multiple relays for a curated social experience, allowing users to browse, filter, zap, and create custom feeds. In this release the client improves performance, becomes more permissive when parsing NIP-05 identifiers, stops publishing notes with e-tag mention markers, restores global feeds, enhances negentropy support, and fixes the help link.

Developed by: hodlbod (npub1jlr…ynqn)

Source: https://github.com/coracle-social/coracle/releases/tag/0.6.26

4. Corny Chat - v2025.11

Corny Chat is an open-source audio space built on Jam that integrates Nostr and Lightning, offering interactive public audio rooms. This release adds Lightning zaps, enhanced slides with video and iFrame support, auto-advancing slides, user-targeted reactions, customizable avatar sizes, and a points-based game. Improvements include a better audio player, room access controls, admin tools for room management, and bug fixes for avatars, slides, and privacy, providing a more stable and engaging experience.

Developed by: vicariousdrama (npub1yx6…7kza)

Source: https://github.com/vicariousdrama/cornychat/releases/tag/v2025.11

5. Alby Lightning Browser Extension - v3.14.0 (🧹✨🌌 The Witch’s Broom Nebula)

Alby Lightning Browser Extension is a Bitcoin Lightning wallet and Nostr key signer for web use, supporting Lightning, Liquid, and on-chain transactions. In this release it received a visual rebranding, added the ability to display kind descriptions when signing events, and introduced support for sub-satoshi amounts, while also hiding the built-in swaps option and removing the Chrome theme icon section.

Developed by: pavanj (npub1gv5…hgdr)

Source: https://github.com/getAlby/lightning-browser-extension/releases/tag/v3.14.0

6. Flotilla - 1.5.0

Flotilla is a Discord-like Nostr client that organizes chats around “relays as groups,” allowing users to join rooms, manage memberships, and interact in private or public spaces. In this release Flotilla introduced restyled mobile dialogs, room and space membership lists, an edit room form, support for closed/private/restricted/hidden rooms, a hosting services page, performance and UI improvements, fixed push notifications, enhanced error handling, invite links on the discover page, a link to Landlubber for admins, and clearing of reply/share/edit actions with the Escape key. This was the biggest release of the week and there were also the releases of 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 last week.

Developed by: hodlbod (npub1jlr…ynqn)

Source: https://github.com/coracle-social/flotilla/releases/tag/1.5.0

7. OXChat App - v1.5.0.95

0xChat App is a Nostr-based secure chat client that provides end-to-end encrypted messaging with user-friendly features. This latest release adds built-in Tor support for accessing onion relays and Cashu mints, introduces NIP-17 DMs with message delivery status, redesigns the Discover tab to include NApps with NIP-07 integration for seamless access to Nostr web apps, and restores NIP-28 Channels, allowing users to create and search for channels.

Developed by: water783 (npub10td…x2wl)

Source: https://github.com/0xchat-app/0xchat-app-main/releases/tag/v1.5.0.95-release

8. Nostr Ynstant Messenger - v2.18.52

Nostr Ynstant Messenger is a Nostr client that provides both ephemeral and persistent messaging, bridging with Bitchat for anonymous and temporary chats. This release adds a GIF selector for richer messaging. This was the latest release and there were also multiple releases last week.

Developed by: Luxas (npub16jd…33sv)

Source: https://github.com/Spl0itable/NYM/releases/tag/v2.18.52

9. Iris Client - v2.3.1

Iris is a web client for Nostr protocol that provides chat and interaction features. This release focuses on improving WebRTC peer-to-peer connectivity and enhancing logging for better performance and debugging. This was the latest release and there was another release of v2.3.0 last week.

Developed by: Martti Malmi (npub1g53…drvk)

Source: https://github.com/irislib/iris-client/releases/tag/app-v2.3.1

10. Keychat - v1.36.5+6460

Keychat is a chat application that integrates Bitcoin Ecash, Nostr, Signal, and MLS protocols for secure messaging. This release replaces the Cashu SDK with the official implementation, adds local profiles and profile sharing within chats, improves browser performance, supports device authentication, and redesigns message sending status and the raw data page. This was the latest release and there was also the release of v1.36.5+6459 last week.

Developed by: kcdev

Source: https://github.com/keychat-io/keychat-app/releases/tag/v1.36.5%2B6460

🎁 Developer Tools / Guides, Updates and Releases

1. Design Patterns for Nostr UX - New Developer Guide

Design Patterns for Nostr UX is an evidence-based collection of user experience patterns and best practices for building Nostr applications that real people will enjoy and adopt.

Developed by: shawn (npub1clk…pup9)

Source: https://github.com/shawnyeager/nostr-ux-research

2. Mostro CLI - v0.14.3

Mostro CLI is a command-line interface tool for the Mostro peer-to-peer platform, enabling users to manage replaceable events and session data. In this release, it added automatic creation of a local changelog.md during cargo release and fixed the receiver of the restore session message.

Developed by: Pinball Wizard (npub1qqp…l2ng)

Source: https://github.com/MostroP2P/mostro-cli/releases/tag/v0.14.3

3. SNSTR (Secure Nostr Software Toolkit for Renegades) - v0.1.5

SNSTR (Secure Nostr Software Toolkit for Renegades) is a lightweight TypeScript library for interacting with the Nostr protocol, offering a simple API with minimal dependencies. This release introduces a WebSocket abstraction layer with dynamic implementation resolution and in-memory support for sandboxed tests, migrates Jest setup to TypeScript for better type safety, and enhances the relay implementation with improved validation, error handling, and security filtering utilities for NIP-19. Additional updates include new relay info management utilities, unified socket event wiring, ephemeral relay server improvements, and fixes for WebSocket selection and error signaling.

Developed by: bitcoinplebdev (npub1s9e…lxzl)

Source: https://github.com/AustinKelsay/snstr/releases/tag/v0.1.5

🌐 Relay Updates and Releases

No Relay Updates and Releases for last week.

👋 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.

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 Forty-Ninth Nostr Recap, share your tips and suggestions for the next weekly #NostrRecap, and let’s keep #GrowNostr together.

🙌 Credits

Thank you Jurjen de Vries (npub1l77…swft) for giving me this idea!

A big shoutout to rabble (npub1wmr…g240) for your generous patronage!

Thank you, my brother samalka (npub1nu5…hjyn) for helping me to make the graphic stuff in this recap!

Recap by Nomishka (npub19hs…5jcn)

Also curious about this, 100% positive for the ecosystem

2025-11-10T02:26:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…dr9s
_________________________

Also curious about this, 100% positive for the ecosystem

My brothers, @nprofile…sqz8 good to see you all on Nostr. ...

2025-11-07T09:37:48Z

My brothers, Ungovernable Misfits (nprofile…sqz8) good to see you all on Nostr. I'm a bit late to the game, but better late than never. Ping me when it's time for a privacy-driven art collab! ✨

There is a massive disconnect with technology in general and the ...

2025-11-07T09:32:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…a8ce
_________________________

There is a massive disconnect with technology in general and the decrepit politicians, judges, and people put in place to help "regulate" this types of issues. Sad day for humanity, but this will never stop open-source development.

"You've already made the choice. You're here to ...

2025-11-07T09:27:34Z

"You've already made the choice. You're here to understand why you've made it."

Tomorrow is the big day for @nprofile…c3zu, new v0.2.0 Open ...

2025-11-04T17:12:23Z

Tomorrow is the big day for VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu), new v0.2.0 Open Beta Release. To all Nostr users, you can login with your `nsec` as Vector is built on Nostr. Host your own relays, you know the jam.

quoting
nevent1q…f7f5
Counting down...

noiiiice. did you illustrate this version?

2025-11-04T16:50:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…062t
_________________________

noiiiice. did you illustrate this version?

same thoughts. shame it's called a "holiday" with ...

2025-11-03T21:36:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…eqyg
_________________________

same thoughts. shame it's called a "holiday" with nothing holy about it. rebranding...

arrived at the same conclusion a while back. the saying people ...

2025-11-02T13:37:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…zzhs
_________________________

arrived at the same conclusion a while back. the saying people use "don't attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence", largely it just comes down to awareness. awareness of our own issues and perspectives, as well as others, being able to see the similarities, differences, and similarities in the subjective differentness.

there is a lot of wisdom of self that comes from observing others and a compassion for oneself that can be realized through service to others.

Hands down my favorite Bucky quote 🙏 Dialed in.

2025-10-31T20:47:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…k653
_________________________

Hands down my favorite Bucky quote 🙏 Dialed in.

🛡️ Privacy for Protection. Grateful to have made it this far ...

2025-10-31T20:43:15Z

🛡️ Privacy for Protection.

Grateful to have made it this far with an absolute wizard of an engineer, shoutout to JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8) . With the privacy infrastructure in place, we will be focusing largely on the UX. Much deeper than just "polishing UX", but with the help of Formless Labs, we will be studying mainstream messenger apps, as well as all other privacy messenger apps to learn and see what is really relevant, what isn't, what could be communicated better visually, what elements and features users care more about... and of course full customization for each person to be able to more or less construct their Vector messenger app to be modular to their purpose (especially creating and managing multiple accounts for different purposes).

Remember, Remember, the fifth of November...

quoting
nevent1q…k2l2

👁‍🗨Privacy Messengers
⚠️Not all "Privacy" apps were created equally

There are degrees of privacy, as there are degrees of decentralization. Let's explore what exactly privacy is when it comes to messenger apps. Vector is honored to be building on the Nostr protocol and along with the Nostr community. Check out our research below and comparison of different privacy messenger apps.

Special thanks to JeffG (nprofile…slk3) with White Noise (nprofile…9puf) for their development of Marmot protocol, which we have recently integrated as our Group Chat protocol for sleek, highly-secure, scalable groups and communities.

If you want to show some love for Nostr-based apps, give us a share!

Well done, brother! Reppin' $BTC hard out there.

2025-10-31T18:23:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…56sv
_________________________

Well done, brother! Reppin' $BTC hard out there.

God bless. Nothing but good health and joy for you and your ...

2025-10-31T18:22:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…v73j
_________________________

God bless. Nothing but good health and joy for you and your family, Odell. 🙏 ✨

Would love to have you all review @nprofile…c3zu, which ...

2025-10-30T09:28:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…zk57
_________________________

Would love to have you all review VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu), which utilizes Nostr, and get your honest thoughts and take. Any questions, happy to connect you with the lead developer JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8). Thanks for your contributions towards FOSS🙏

Official Vector GitHub:
https://github.com/VectorPrivacy

Hey @nprofile…auvt you all interested in a collab? I've got ...

2025-10-16T06:34:57Z

Hey BitcoinArtMag (nprofile…auvt) you all interested in a collab?

I've got this piece that was in the pipeline a few years back for a fashion project that went under. I used my open-source font (available to everyone free) on my GitHub called "SAIBA-45" and trying to start an Open-Source series.

"open source philosophy embodies what it means to express the deepest levels of gratitude and devotion, to give back what we have been given..."

Very cool, just handmade the @nprofile…5jp4 icon on your board ...

2025-10-16T06:29:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…4cuq
_________________________

Very cool, just handmade the VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) icon on your board and paid with lightning from mobile. Great concept, happy to support!

sounds pretty interesting, a pixel artist myself. drop me a link!

2025-10-15T02:20:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…dp6a
_________________________

sounds pretty interesting, a pixel artist myself. drop me a link!

What are we buildin' on #nostr today? Looking to connect with ...

2025-10-13T01:45:03Z

What are we buildin' on #nostr today?

Looking to connect with other privacy advocates.

Viktor, like a sir. ...

2025-10-13T01:37:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…4tsa
_________________________

Viktor, like a sir.

Looking to get this Open-Source #Bitcoin design into production. ...

2025-09-27T10:15:12Z

Looking to get this Open-Source #Bitcoin design into production.

(will modify design according to collaborators)

Comment or message me if you have any ideas

Got my first smol payout with my Bitaxe Gammas! Ready to zap ⚡ ...

2025-09-04T17:55:25Z

Got my first smol payout with my Bitaxe Gammas!

Ready to zap ⚡

Nostr event nevent1qqsrr362ae3pukttynv26p2uxhr72d6203radfv96csq9nldwvu8j9gzypfm69vtqpqydg8qjh87smfa4t8083khqn885sjvgqppf89yfq3058qw5sr

2025-09-04T17:52:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…hq6a
_________________________

2

Nostr event nevent1qqswfgsqevaft8uajsn3svkhqgxhw7sjzq6wq4nfzhxdzsanvplpxaszypfm69vtqpqydg8qjh87smfa4t8083khqn885sjvgqppf89yfq305tf8xyk

2025-08-21T10:56:46Z

gm, nostr.

Currently in Beta or...? Happy to test it and give some UX ...

2025-08-17T01:10:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…dds9
_________________________

Currently in Beta or...? Happy to test it and give some UX feedback.

Is that only for Mac/iOS?

2025-08-17T01:03:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…6s94
_________________________

Is that only for Mac/iOS?

I heard about #Nostr badges. Where can I find out more? Harbinger ...

2025-08-14T19:02:46Z

I heard about #Nostr badges. Where can I find out more?

Harbinger of the Digital Dawn.

I love everything about this 😏 KYC = Know You're ...

2025-08-11T23:36:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…s9xc
_________________________

I love everything about this 😏

KYC = Know You're Compromised

Absolutely, looking forward to randomly testing it in public and ...

2025-08-09T14:39:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…vvq4
_________________________

Absolutely, looking forward to randomly testing it in public and finding another bitchat* user haha

growing old is a state of mind. stay young 🙏 find joy wherever ...

2025-08-08T20:08:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…6m4z
_________________________

growing old is a state of mind. stay young 🙏 find joy wherever you are

very cool, wanna tune into this if i'm around at that time. ...

2025-08-08T15:11:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…sm7v
_________________________

very cool, wanna tune into this if i'm around at that time. is it recorded for afterwards or only live?

gm, nostr. sharing about nostr, bitchat*, and @nprofile…5jp4 ...

2025-08-08T12:26:35Z

gm, nostr.

sharing about nostr, bitchat*, and VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) with family today.

what are you all up to?

Hey @nprofile…7pw8 did you check this out? Give Max a follow ...

2025-08-07T18:33:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…35mq
_________________________

Hey JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8) did you check this out? Give Max a follow here on Primal as well 😎

well done! 👏 and perfect timing for the emergence of bitchat*. ...

2025-08-07T01:53:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…s3nf
_________________________

well done! 👏 and perfect timing for the emergence of bitchat*. I think minimally it has at least given some people hope knowing there are people, developers, organizations, and protocols that offer alternatives to the mainstream, compromised, and centralized corporations' apps that they are used to with data leaks, identity theft, backdoor access to private messages, files, and so on. Privacy will remain a basic human right.

Don't piss aggroboi off... ...

2025-08-06T20:38:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…5ucu
_________________________

Don't piss aggroboi off...

What do you all think of this icon/logomark concept for #bitchat? ...

2025-08-06T15:59:42Z

What do you all think of this icon/logomark concept for #bitchat?

🎨 " #PermissionlessDesign " for bitchat* ...

2025-08-06T05:24:36Z

🎨 " #PermissionlessDesign " for bitchat* jack (nprofile…zj6n) & team

Hi. I'm Bee and I love design + permissionless, decentralized, and open-source technology.

While new to #Nostr network in the past few months, JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8)
and I have started to build VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu) , and since then I've found out about bitchat* and it has reignited the spark in me that really drove me heavily into open-source tech and communities.
PS: Special thanks to the Nostr community.

📎Quoted below more about bitchat* (Original Source: Twitter)

◤◢◤◢◤◢ Branding Concepts ◤◢◤◢◤◢

I took some time, while I was on the plane after testing out bitchat* at ~35,000 ft above ground, and started playing with some icon/symbol design concepts. With anything creative that comes to you, you have to act on it or it will forever rest in the graveyard of "what ifs".
One of my favorite styles of design is heavily influenced by cyberpunk/cypherpunk terminals and narratives, as well as pixel art. So, with this design concept I got to merge them both, largely due to influence in the name itself "bit"chat.

I broke down the Core Elements of the brand in my perspective for this proximity-based privacy messenger app:

◤◢◤◢◤◢ Core Elements ◤◢◤◢◤◢

◤◢ Bit(s)
> Information, Data, Storage
◤◢ Mesh Network
> Nostr Protocol, Decentralized Network, Nodes
◤◢ Communication
> Bluetooth Technology, Encryption, Privacy

One of my favorite aspects of design is taking different elements and merging them (largely trying to simplify them) to create a unique and new symbol, that broadcasts a unique message.

In this particular example, I took most of my inspiration from the pre-existing app where it uses a terminal-like GUI (surely inspired by cypherpunk themes and the Matrix) and wanted to build with the foundational pillars that are most likely set in place with a lot of thought and intention vs. creating a random, new brand direction and style guide. Factoring that into the equation, I wanted the emphasis to be on the "b" for "bitchat*" to help users easily remember, identify, and connect with the brand.

In the second image, you can see this represented visually. I merged the shape of a lowercase "b" with the general shape of a two-way radio, representing communication between 2 or more parties. So, we have the elements of "bit" covered by the simple pixel style (boxes), the "b" to help reiterate the name of the tool, app, and brand, and the same shape of a two-way radio to represent a form of encrypted communication.

Since this icon is incredibly simple, I also did some research and checking to see if there were any companies, organizations, or logos that were the same... as a lot of design is a really just a puzzle and people at this day and age are bound to put some of the pieces in the same order, especially with the most simple and basic geometric shapes. I found similar examples, but luckily didn't find any that were the same. I kept the same brand colors and primary "cypherpunk" green: HEX#: 2fd159 used in the app.

◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ C o n c l u s i o n ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢

Absolutely enjoyed this design experiment and I'm curious to see where it leads... overlooked, irrelevant, appreciated, LGTM? That is the beauty of doing what you love, there is no losing. Working on many open-source projects that have failed to this day, only have taught me so much along the way and in some sense, helps you to be unattached to your potential expectations and desires to focus on the present, the task at hand...

If the team, contributors, and community behind bitchat* are interested, DMs are open. I'm happy to contribute what I can to build out the branding, based on what currently exists at no cost.

🤍 //.FormlessLabs/YuurinBee

What are you doing to help onboard people into #Nostr? For me, ...

2025-08-04T21:28:34Z

What are you doing to help onboard people into #Nostr?

For me, building VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu) with JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8) to provide people on the outside a simple UX for an end-to-end private and encrypted messenger app. I want it to feel and operate on the user's side like the mainstream, centralized apps that most people are used to, but the backend private and encrypted thanks to NIP-17 and Nostr.

why not? it is end-to-end encryption and no one else can read the ...

2025-08-04T00:16:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…c7lw
_________________________

why not? it is end-to-end encryption and no one else can read the private messages you send to the person within your proximity except for you and them. I know the point you're trying to make, but it's a losing argument.

Drop a link brother, might want one of these for my family.

2025-08-03T03:47:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…r2w4
_________________________

Drop a link brother, might want one of these for my family.

From my experience, generally the middle-path is always the ...

2025-08-02T15:18:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…f388
_________________________

From my experience, generally the middle-path is always the optimal option. Anyways, dope design and slight tweaking and it should be on point! What will this be used for btw? Have any cool enamel pins or anything?

The left one has a nice, smoother look on the eyes, but then ...

2025-08-02T14:50:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…fmw5
_________________________

The left one has a nice, smoother look on the eyes, but then negative spacing in the one on the right is going to be better for all types of application. When picking designs that will be used across multiple types of platforms and mediums, you always want clean linework and strong contrasts for the full effect of the design to pop and be legible, whether small or far away.

TLDR: Right.

Cheers, Thomas! I love testing new apps and also have been ...

2025-08-02T14:47:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…gf5k
_________________________

Cheers, Thomas! I love testing new apps and also have been working on them for years, so I like to provide the type of feedback I'd be looking for from people who use the apps I create as well. Coming from a background in FOSS, it's all about finding ways to contribute, no matter the size of the contribution.

Have you tested out bitchat* yet?

With friend's phones and my two phones. I had everyone ...

2025-08-02T14:44:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…30um
_________________________

With friend's phones and my two phones. I had everyone download bitchat* and we tested it

yep, works like a charm

2025-07-31T14:59:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…3lxw
_________________________

yep, works like a charm

bitchat* tested 40,000 ft in the air ✅ (well, technically about ...

2025-07-31T14:01:35Z

bitchat* tested 40,000 ft in the air ✅
(well, technically about 35,057 ft)

I heard about someone testing bitchat* on an airplane and wanted to test it myself across 4 devices. Here is some of my feedback and experience:

Android + iOS ✅
Messages Sent ✅
Notifications✅ (when a bitchat* user is detected)
Panic Mode ✅
Proximity "Group Chat" ✅
Connecting to Users ✅❌

P2P Connectivity Issues:
Some devices failed to connect to each other and pick up on the mesh network, though they were right next to each other and 3/4 of the other devices could. To clarify, some devices could connect with each other, but it would be seemingly random which devices could see each other. Most devices could connect to 3/4 and the device they couldn't connect to was random, it wasn't the same phone that was having issues or for example Android vs iOS. There was only some connectivity issue between devices for connecting peer-to-peer, but typing in the proximity "group chat" it worked perfectly fine.

Failed Messages?
On some devices, there were cases where it looked like messages had gone through perfectly and delivered from one device, but on the other device it showed that it had received the message, but a small red ⚠️ icon displayed to the right of it. The message displayed on both phones, but on the receiving phone it showed the small red warning icon and it's not clear to me what that is indicative of. Naturally, I would assume it would be a sign of a message failed to send... but if I can see it on both devices, not sure. Did the device receive it, but the network struggles to refresh and confirm the action/message?

Random/Unidentified Devices?
Then, strangely I managed to pickup other "users" or devices? Normally, your default name will be anonxxxx (numeric value) but when I stayed on the network a hexadecimal value was shown and I tried to connect to send a message, but failed. I'm not sure if this picked up on other devices with bluetooth on, but I don't think this is the case because you can pick up a lot more devices using bluetooth and in bitchat* I'm pretty sure you can only see/connect with other users within your proximity that have bluetooth and location services enabled as well as active in the app? I tried to connect to the other users to send a message, but it eventually failed.

📝UX Suggestion:
When changing your username, at least within mobile, you can click on your name to change the characters let's say from "anon9999" to "yuurinbee" and if you click out of the box, it doesn't save for others to see, but still shows that's what you typed. I think there are 2 options here that make more sense to me:
1. If you want to make it so when you click out of the area it doesn't save, then reset the name to the default so the user knows it didn't save on the network and only on your local GUI.
2. If you hit "enter" or click out of the box, it automatically saves your name changes.

✋Panic Mode (EPIC)
I tested this feature and it did not disappoint. This safety feature built in is exactly what privacy protection (emphasis on the protection) is all about. Triple tapping on the logo (top left) will reset your changes/settings and wipe chat log immediately and change your username (ie: anon9999 to anon4823). If I'm not mistaken, it wipes your private p2p logs as well as the general proximity chat.

End Result: It works. ✅

It's not entirely consistent, but I can safely say that bitchat* worked ~35,000 ft in the air on an airplane going roughly 500+ mph. If that isn't impressive for a privacy and encrypted messenger app (without internet) I don't know what is.

VectorPrivacy (nprofile…5jp4) is doing field research and taking notes 🤔
JSKitty (nprofile…tsc6)

#bitchat #privacy #ux

quoting nevent1q…dz82
bitchat 1.2.0 (purple) shipping to testflight tonight.

this enables mutual favorites to automatically switch to a nostr-based transport when one of them leaves the mesh. only for private messages for now using NIP-17.

basically people can bitchat in person, favorite each other at that time, and then can continue the conversation if internet is available through nostr, from any distance. no need to input a npub or know anything about nostr. it just works.

https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/pull/358

insane addition. @nprofile…7pw8 peep this

2025-07-31T04:24:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…scsu
_________________________

insane addition. JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8) peep this

Tested this feature again today, absolutely love it!

2025-07-31T02:29:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…vn22
_________________________

Tested this feature again today, absolutely love it!

It is also available on Google Play, I tested it last night 🫡

2025-07-29T14:34:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…gfrm
_________________________

It is also available on Google Play, I tested it last night 🫡

Finally tested out BITchat by @nprofile…zj6n & team 💯 ...

2025-07-29T14:33:13Z

Finally tested out BITchat by jack (nprofile…zj6n) & team 💯
(bluetooth, proximity-based privacy messenger app)

The courier, Terminal UI look largely looking like it drew inspiration from "The Matrix", a message or series of messages, warnings, and guidance that still ring true today. We have somewhat of a similar influence building VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu), our open-source, privacy messenger-based app on #Nostr.

I love the inspiration behind the minimal GUI and even the intro/about us with terms like "ephemeral identity". I often think in my head of "ephemeral existence" because that is what life is and all we do as people is mimic and copy life, hence the term biomimicry. Love the artistry and creativity behind something that feels so simple, but once you start creating applications you realize how much thought goes into every single and seemingly trivial detail. Great designers know this.

Everything is incredibly straightforward and intuitive for the UX, largely to removing unnecessary features and details (I'm assuming their team had to go through a long process of what to remove vs what to add :kek: ). Everything worked like a charm, other than a connectivity issue I had with one device. One device connected perfectly to the other device, but the other device couldn't detect the other. These were tested on cross-OS, iOS and Android. I think that there were permission issues for bluetooth, location services, etc. that may have caused the issue, though I tried troubleshooting and enabling features to no success.

We live in a time where our freedom and privacy are tested daily. There are forces that wish to control, oppress, and exploit--whether that sounds extreme to you or not. We compromise ourselves daily online, largely to mere convenience and a lack of knowledge. I love to see experiments like this come to life and this is what we should be contributing to as a collective, projects and protocols that protect our privacy and allow for true digital freedom and self-sovereignty.

Exactly why @nprofile…mdf3 and @nprofile…c3zu exist.

2025-07-26T21:22:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…vxy3
_________________________

Exactly why primal (nprofile…mdf3) and VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu) exist.

The website isn't live yet. For now, please reference the ...

2025-07-26T21:11:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…ps5a
_________________________

The website isn't live yet. For now, please reference the GitHub:
https://github.com/VectorPrivacy

◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ @nprofile…c3zu ...

2025-07-25T18:19:01Z

◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu) ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢
Source: ProtonVPN

"Just a few minutes after the Online Safety Act went into effect last night, Proton VPN signups originating in the UK surged by more than 1,400%.

Unlike previous surges, this one is sustained, and is significantly higher than when France lost access to adult content."

◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu) ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢

There has never been a greater need for privacy, especially in the digital frontier. People are finally waking up to the reality of what is happening and the power they are unrightfully and unknowingly giving away. This is exactly why we have utilized Nostr's infrastructure to build an end-to-end, no-compromise privacy messenger app to allow people to come as they are, express themselves freely, and not be monitored by malicious and nefarious entities seeking to do harm in one way or another. Protect your freedom and right to speak freely by utilizing the right digital platforms with your best interests both in mind (intention) and in practice (tech).

Take up your digital swords and rise to battle, our time has come my fellow sovereign brothers and sisters!

◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢ VectorPrivacy (nprofile…c3zu) ◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢

coolest thing i've seen all day 🙌

2025-07-24T20:56:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…4vw9
_________________________

coolest thing i've seen all day 🙌

We're just glad to have you back, brother. It's a win for ...

2025-07-24T13:44:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…5fu3
_________________________

We're just glad to have you back, brother. It's a win for so many people and humanity as a whole. Let freedom ring...

I'm still cleaning and organizing since this morning lol. Did ...

2025-07-21T20:06:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…lhh5
_________________________

I'm still cleaning and organizing since this morning lol. Did you finish everything on your end?

Got ya a keeper, brother. Salute! Banger post. It's funny, as ...

2025-07-21T14:30:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…624u
_________________________

Got ya a keeper, brother. Salute!

Banger post.

It's funny, as my younger self would've actually laughed at the awkwardness of the statement, but I start to look at all relationships like how you would a business deal. Would you want to partner with someone in business that is shady, bad history, in debt, known to lie or falsify information? Of course not, we can look at some of those questions, but modified slightly in the sense of a romantic, long-term relationship aka marriage. Any red flags you'd spot in a new potential business deal would prevent you from moving forward, but do they in a modern relationship? Usually, no. We settle and become complacent largely due to convenience and proximity.

Stay up, mi bruddas (and sistas)!

haha, just read this comment. exactly the same for me. feels much ...

2025-07-21T13:15:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…y5f7
_________________________

haha, just read this comment. exactly the same for me. feels much needed

gm mane, getting back and settled in. got a lot of stuff to sort ...

2025-07-21T13:14:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…ktq7
_________________________

gm mane, getting back and settled in. got a lot of stuff to sort through and try to get rid off, sell, donate, etc. but after that focus will shift back on VectorPrivacy (npub1hru…f3yh)

Woooo! Nice, thanks for that suggestion and zaps. I will have to ...

2025-07-20T03:32:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…6vxs
_________________________

Woooo! Nice, thanks for that suggestion and zaps. I will have to top up my LN wallet now

Finally got it up and working, thanks for your suggestion. Some ...

2025-07-19T19:51:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…xlz2
_________________________

Finally got it up and working, thanks for your suggestion. Some of the Nostr apps are unfortunately absolutely broken and have a mind of their own at times haha.

Can anyone confirm if this was the first message sent via #Nostr ...

2025-07-19T19:29:51Z

Can anyone confirm if this was the first message sent via #Nostr at a Castle?

Via VectorPrivacy (npub1hru…f3yh) Privacy App.

Welcome to the world! @nprofile…7pw8 and myself are honored to ...

2025-07-17T22:15:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…67jv
_________________________

Welcome to the world! JSKitty (nprofile…7pw8) and myself are honored to have been able to meet up and do a soft launch for Vector Beta. None of this would be possible without Nostr Network's infrastructure and NIP-17, "gift wrapping". An idea we had more than 5 years ago, but lacked both skill, knowledge, and resources to be able to deploy something on this scale. Absolutely surreal moment to be able to witness Vector functional on a Macbook, Windows, Android, and iOS/iPhone. We have a long ways to go, but being an open-source project, we wanted to launch sooner than later and allow a chance to build something greater with the community at large.

Looking forward to connecting with more people in the Nostr ecosystem and working on some innovative projects and experiments together.

Much love ! ~

these are killin' me, plz keep them comin'

2025-07-17T14:11:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…gnrn
_________________________

these are killin' me, plz keep them comin'

Spider-eye bubbles. GM, Gigi. ☕ What kinda beans you usin'? ...

2025-07-17T14:11:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…muql
_________________________

Spider-eye bubbles.

GM, Gigi. ☕ What kinda beans you usin'? Vietnam FTW

Nostr-based Social Media is the closest thing we have to ...

2025-07-17T14:09:08Z

Nostr-based Social Media is the closest thing we have to bitcointalk.org vibes coming back in 2025.

This one sent me lol - sending this to a mate. ...

2025-07-17T11:21:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…yxtu
_________________________

This one sent me lol - sending this to a mate.

Did you permanently delete your account, Dr. Jeff? Curious to why ...

2025-07-17T11:16:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…ycqn
_________________________

Did you permanently delete your account, Dr. Jeff?

Curious to why you feel it's better to completely remove/delete it instead of also utilizing it... it being its incredibly broken and over-monetized bs alg poor excuse at <1% of your follower's "reach".

Who is ready for Vector Beta... today? #nevent1q…zhs0

2025-07-17T11:14:23Z

Who is ready for Vector Beta... today?

quoting
nevent1q…zhs0
://VectorBeta.exe

Installing...
█████████▒░

Forever one of my favorite quotes from Hal Finney. I had this ...

2025-07-17T11:04:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…c880
_________________________

Forever one of my favorite quotes from Hal Finney. I had this realization working in tech about 5 years in... it is not the technology that needs to advance as much as it is humans and our mindsets, how we utilize the technology.

If technology continues to evolve, but humanity doesn't we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes, but with far more severe impact and consequences.

RIP Legend

GM ☕ You can call me Bee. New to #Nostr and was recommended to ...

2025-03-16T01:28:59Z

GM ☕ You can call me Bee.

New to #Nostr and was recommended to start an #introduction here to share a bit about myself and hopefully connect with some other like-minded individuals, especially those building some cool projects on Nostr.

I am mostly known as a designer and artist that has been in the world of blockchain since 2017 and taken a strong liking towards open-source communities and projects that have a solid moral foundation and clear vision of what they seek to accomplish. So, over the years I have found many projects that I could offer my design skills to that I felt were achieving something beneficial to people, the world, or simply just really interesting and unique cases of innovation. Sometimes we just need a creative outlet to experiment and express ourselves.

Some of the past projects I've co-founded and contributed to have been #ZENZO, #PIVX, HIVE, MetaBrands, NeonDistrict, DEXT, StakeCube, and many others that are either on the shelf or couldn't stand the test of time.

A lot of my interests are aligned with the Ethos of blockchain itself. To quote the great Hal Finney: "The computer can be used as a tool to liberate and protect people, rather than to control them." - This goes for blockchain, crypto, and even technology as a whole. If we don't progress and evolve as humans, technology itself will only be used for the same close-minded and selfish purposes, no matter how much technology improves and becomes stronger, faster, and more efficient. Efficient at what? That is what we must question, the why.

I don't often share and display my past works, but I have some of it posted on Behance where you can get a quick look and feel for my skills:
https://www.behance.net/formlesslabs

In 2024, Formless Labs also released our first free, open-source font called "SAIBA-45", which is a cyberpunk, neo-tokyo inspired font type. Check it out!
https://github.com/YuurinBee/SAIBA-45

PS: Thanks to JSKitty (npub16ye…g4wn) for discovering Nostr and using it as the base protocol to help us build out an app that we've always wanted to use ourselves, but found none of them were sufficient. They always said they were private and encrypted, but didn't have the tech to support those claims (more info about that soon).
#privacyisabasichumanright

#FormlessLabs

GM, Nostr Fam. ☕ New here, who should I follow? Looking for ...

2025-03-13T23:21:36Z

GM, Nostr Fam. ☕

New here, who should I follow?

Looking for some other designers and people developing unique projects on Nostr.