here's matrix protocol logo:

Matrix (protocol) logo

Might be just me, but personally that makes me like the assertion of the open unfilled brackets even more…

Five dots, that close the N, and expanded reveal the name

I was trying to make that open undefined space the icon, more of an invitation and open possibility than a naming… Again, may just be me, but filling it and making it so explicit sort of kills it for me…

Your idea is interesting! But I don't think parentheses alone are enough to make it clear that this is a symbol that refers to something. Image it on a footer of a website, it could be easy to confuse it for spurious/missing characters. So it doen't seem very memorable.

When I see the brackets I think of one of n B2B silicon valley AI and/or surveillance startups. Maybe nostr has an icon and brand to cater to developers, and by extension a disparate brand or icon for consumers or end users. The dev facing brand or logo should highlight nostr’s: 1) permissionless nature 2) FOSS 3) network effects squared 4) bonus points relays architecture I don’t see bracket as a consumer brand or logo. For consumer facing I enjoy @mbarulli gonzo ostrich. cc @🐈 @Roberto @elidy

I absolutely appreciate that you’re looking for something this isn’t doing for you. But in response to these particular misgivings: I’m not sure share icons are ever used out of context, or even alone, in that way…. But to offer another perspective for a moment: if it were to become established, it might be precisely that open familiarity and adaptability that could be strikingly distinct and useful… perhaps even as a [ ] text emoji link if necessary…

I’m not proposing a nostr brand. I‘m proposing, and think we really need, a protocol-wide profile/content share icon - that doesn’t assert/undermine particular client identities. I am very much just a user here. And enjoyment of the ‘nostrich’ is absolutely as valid a judgement call in this as any other. Although it’s worth remembering how much its ‘sense’ relies on being a pictographic reminder of a shared joke amongst some, that others didn’t and won’t get… You seem to be asking for a lot to be communicated by such a little button. Beyond an attempt to be distinctive, attractive and recognisable, I’d argue that it can’t embody anything more than its own form and function. Personal readings that evolve through its use are going to be about association, and about the reader more than the read. But they can hopefully be kept open enough to leave space for each user to form their own associative connections between the sign and the content and possibilities they use it to link with. If I’m honest, the more I live with this one the stronger and more useful it feels. But my offer is very much just that. And part of the motivation for this particular proposal was simply to try to shift and open up the frame of the conversation a little.

While waiting (and still hoping) for the better offers… Took a chance to run some quiet tests of this one - swapping out old X profile links, that couldn’t wait replacement any longer. I imagined this in the hope of something that might work without/pre recognition, and was interested to see if it attracted clicks or questions… If anyone else wants to play, there are notes and files:

GitHub

GitHub - mikebrookeshub/nostr_icon

Contribute to mikebrookeshub/nostr_icon development by creating an account on GitHub.

It’s not bad but reminds me of brackets app a lot. It lacks character imo but does make sense the way you describe it. Could be a good compromise and the CEO likes it 👍

This little instance, just small tabs (icon 30px) hanging on the bottom corner of the page, is starting to attract some quiet love and attention…

It’s starting to grow on me. Good thing you don’t need anyone’s approval 😂

Absolutely. And also good that it can just be ignored… That’s where we are, thankfully…