Derek Ross

Derek is a technical evangelist for nostr, a decentralized and censorship-resistant social communication protocol. He leverages his passion for technology and his technical expertise to advocate for nostr's potential to address social media and societal challenges, striving to make a positive impact on the world.

Nostrica

Background

Derek is a tech industry veteran with 20 years of experience, having excelled as a systems administrator, mobile tech journalist, and consultant. His impact extends to major events like Nostrica, Nostriga, the Baltic Honeybadger Bitcoin conference, and BTC Prague, where he speaks about nostr, a decentralized and censorship-resistant social communication protocol. Derek's talks revolve around nostr education, growing nostr adoption, and empowering users to choose their own algorithms. Derek has also organized "nostr booths" at various conferences, which serve as key hubs for exploring and discussing the nostr protocol. These booths are crucial for engaging attendees, offering hands-on experiences, and providing valuable insights into nostr's expansive ecosystem. He is also a founder of Nostr Plebs, a nostr services provider and is actively involved in the development of Nostr Nests, a nostr powered audio space.

Speaking events

Derek has spoken at numerous international Bitcoin and nostr conferences, sharing his expertise on topics like decentralization, censorship resistance, and reclaiming our attention. He explores how nostr allows users to control their portable digital identities and provides general education on the protocol. Derek connects with a wide range of audiences, from Bitcoin enthusiasts who see nostr as the ideal app for the Lightning Network to those interested in innovative ideas like Zaps and Zapvertising. He also supports developers by advocating for creative freedom and empowers users by helping them take charge of their social graphs, marking a significant advancement in social communication.

nostr fixes social media

Derek is passionate about using technology to drive global progress. He strongly believes that the nostr protocol could revolutionize social communication by making it more open, transparent, and resistant to censorship. Derek is dedicated to educating people about the many benefits of nostr and is excited to see its widespread adoption as a means of improving the world.

Why nostr?

nostr stands for Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays. Like HTTP or Email, nostr is a protocol; an open standard in which anyone can build and everyone is free to particpate. nostr is designed with simplicity, empowering developers to build decentralized and censorship resistant tools for users across the globe.

nostr is open

nostr is an open social protocol that lets people create, connect, and interact globally without the noise of ads or algorithms. it fosters a space where genuine human interactions are the focus, free from the distractions common in traditional social platforms.

nostr is censorship resistant

nostr runs on a decentralized system that doesn't rely on a few trusted servers for data transmission and storage. this setup eliminates the need for centralized authorities that could impose bans or censorship, ensuring a communication network that remains strong, open, and resilient.

nostr is decentralized

you can run your own nostr client or relay, giving you direct control over parts of the nostr protocol's infrastructure. nostr is built by the users, for the users.

nostr utilizes clients to access and display data

clients serve as the cornerstone of the nostr protocol, endowing users with the capacity to tailor their social experiences to their own personal preferences and specifications.

nostr puts users in control for the very first time

users have the ability choose which relays to utilize, putting users in charge of their social graph and identity for the very first time. nostr provides users with a portable digitial social idenity that they own and that they can take with them from application to application.

nostr's "other stuff" is truly exciting

in our current societal landscape, the demand for social interaction has never been more paramount. therefore, the most popular use cases for nostr are twitter like alternatives. however, it is worth noting that the most exciting use cases for nostr extend beyond legacy social media client alternatives.

nostr guides

nostr is still a bit technical, as the technical layers and user experiences are being actively developed and built. navigate the nostr ecosystem, learn all about nostr, watch presentations, slideshows, and find extensive how to guides.

nostr 101

a beginner's guide to nostr. this presentation explains the technology behind nostr, including clients, relays, and public key cryptography. it highlights the current issues with centralized social media, such as censorship and control by corporations, and positions nostr as a solution that returns control to users. the presentation covers various applications built on nostr, the importance of keeping private keys secure, and the concept of zaps—nostr-aware bitcoin payments.

choosing your own algorithm

this presentation emphasizes the importance of personalizing one's social media experience by selecting or creating algorithms that align with individual preferences, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of traditional platforms like data farming and mental health issues. it encourages embracing nostr's open and transparent environment, where users have the freedom to control their online interactions.

nostr guides

these are guides from derek that, offering practical advice and insights on using the nostr protocol. these include tutorials, tips on best practices, and answers to common questions on relay types, wallets that support zaps, more information about zapathons, explaining the ins and outs of nostr badges, and much more. the content is aimed at helping both new and experienced users navigate and make the most out of the nostr ecosystem.

nostr videos and podcasts

browse derek's media library featuring him discussing nostr, bitcoin, and related topics. these include interviews and discussions on platforms like youtube and fountain.fm, covering nostr 101 guides, nostr adoption, building communities, and the protocol's impact on bitcoin influencers.

learn more at nostrapps.com

nostrapps.com is a directory of applications and services built on the nostr protocol, aimed at helping users find the best tools to suit their needs, whether for social networking, content creation, or utility services. find your next social application that's being built on the nostr protocol here.

learn more at nostr.how

nostr.how is a comprehensive resource site dedicated to helping users get started with nostr, a decentralized social protocol. it offers guides on setting up nostr clients, understanding key concepts, and navigating the nostr ecosystem. the site provides practical advice on maintaining security, managing private keys, and using the nostr protocol to its fullest potential. it serves as a one-stop guide for both beginners and experienced users looking to deepen their knowledge of nostr.

Get in touch

For inquiries regarding nostr speaking engagements, please do not hesitate to contact Derek Ross. He can be reached either through nostr direct messages or via email. Your interest is greatly appreciated. Pura vida.