#HOWDONOSTR What are relays? Nostr relays are decentralized servers that are used to store and transmit notes and events on the Nostr protocol. They are essential for the operation of Nostr, as they allow users to communicate with each other without having to rely on a central server. Nostr relays are sometimes referred to as the "dumb" powerhouses of the protocol. Nostr relays are run by volunteers all over the world. This makes Nostr censorship-resistant, as it is not possible for any one entity to control all of the relays. When a user creates a note or event on Nostr, clients broadcast this information to the user's relays to be stored and later retrieved by other clients. Nostr relays are also responsible for verifying the authenticity of notes. This is done by using a cryptographic signature that is attached to each note. When a user receives a note, their client verifies the signature to ensure that the note has not been tampered with. Nostr relays are a critical part of the Nostr protocol. They allow users to communicate with each other censorship-resistantly, securely, and anyone can run one. What relays should I use? You want to use a diverse set of relays along with relays that your friends, family, and people you know use. If you do not share at least one relay in common with someone, you may not be able to communicate with one another across the nostr protocol. Nostr clients will either bootstrap a list of pre-configured, default relays for you to use or recommend relays for you to use. These are a good place to start, but it's recommended to reach out to your friends to see what relays they are using or to join a local community or interest based relay. A list of all nostr relays can be found at https://nostr.watch Should I run my own relay? Yes. This puts you in charge of your social data and your entire social graph for the very first time. This helps you stay censorship resistant. If a relay would happen to censor you, ban you, or disappear, you still have all of your data on your own personal relay.