NOSTR: Building Better Social Media with jb55 AKA Will Casarin of Damus
"If Bitcoin didn't exist, I probably would just be at a fiat job and depressed and just like slugging away. So it really gave me a new perspective on life and on what I should be spending my time on."
"If Bitcoin didn't exist, I probably would just be at a fiat job and depressed and just like slugging away. And I don't know. So it really gave me a new perspective on life and on what I should be spending my time on,"
On this Nostr Talk episode of THE Bitcoin Podcast, Walker talks with jb55, AKA Will Casarin. Will is the developer behind Damus, an iOS client for Nostr. Today we dig into what’s new with Damus and Nostr more broadly, Will’s latest project Notedeck, Open source development on Nostr and Bitcoin, why content creators and everyone else should try Nostr, and a whole lot more.
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FOLLOW WILL ON NOSTR: https://damus.io/npub1xtscya34g58tk0z605fvr788k263gsu6cy9x0mhnm87echrgufzsevkk5s
Npub1xtscya34g58tk0z605fvr788k263gsu6cy9x0mhnm87echrgufzsevkk5s
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Summary
In this conversation, Walker and Jb55 discuss the rapid development of the Nostr platform and the challenges faced by the Damus app, particularly regarding Apple's App Store policies. They explore the evolution of Domus, the introduction of NoteDeck, and the importance of user onboarding and retention strategies. The discussion highlights the impact of external pressures on app development and the drive for innovation in decentralized applications. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the differences between Blue Sky and Nostr, discussing user moderation, adoption trends, and the influence of creators. They emphasize the importance of creator tools and discoverability in enhancing user experience on Nostr. The introduction of Note Deck, a new client for Nostr, is highlighted, showcasing its offline capabilities and performance. The discussion also touches on the potential for gaming integration within Nostr, the security concerns of web clients versus native clients, and the overarching role of Bitcoin in the development of these technologies. In this conversation, Walker and Jb55 discuss the integration of Bitcoin with Nostr, the potential of decentralized social media, and the importance of open-source development. They explore Elon Musk's relationship with Bitcoin, the future of Nostr applications, and the challenges of onboarding non-technical users. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear messaging and the unique interoperability that Nostr offers, positioning it as a revolutionary platform for communication and content creation.
Takeaways
The pace of development in Nostr has been rapid.
Apple's restrictions forced a reevaluation of the Domus roadmap.
Building a multi-platform client was a strategic response to challenges.
User onboarding is crucial for retention in decentralized apps.
Push notifications can help bring users back to the app.
The app review process is opaque and arbitrary.
Zaps were initially a key feature that attracted attention.
The community's response to challenges can lead to unexpected growth.
Decentralization poses unique challenges for user experience.
Continuous improvement in user experience is essential for success. BlueSky has a different moderation approach compared to Nostr.
User adoption often hinges on influencer engagement rather than technology.
Creator tools are essential for attracting and retaining users.
Discoverability is crucial for user retention on Noster.
Note Deck aims to enhance user experience with offline capabilities.
Visualizing user interactions can improve engagement on Noster.
NosterScript allows for personalized algorithmic feeds without third-party reliance.
Gaming integration could attract a new user base to Noster.
Web clients face significant security challenges compared to native clients.
Bitcoin remains a foundational technology influencing Noster's development. Noster's integration with Bitcoin is a significant advantage.
Elon Musk's control over projects may limit his engagement with Bitcoin.
Decentralized platforms need to focus on user experience to attract more users.
Open-source development fosters innovation and trust in software.
Onboarding non-technical users is crucial for Nostr's growth.
Interoperability is a key feature that enhances user experience on Nostr.
Clear messaging is essential to communicate Nostr's value proposition.
The future of social media lies in open networks and user control.
Building tools for productivity can expand Nostr's use cases.
Community engagement and feedback are vital for improving Nostr.
Keywords
Nostr, Damus, Bitcoin, App Store, NoteDeck, Development, Technology, Onboarding, User Experience, Zaps, BlueSky, user adoption, creator tools, discoverability, Note Deck, NostrDB, gaming, Bitcoin, web clients, Bitcoin, Nostr, Elon Musk, open source, microblogging, productivity tools, long-form content, interoperability, onboarding, decentralized social media