Getting Started

Getting started with OMXUS involves a four-step process: finding three existing members to vouch for your identity, completing an in-person verification ceremony, receiving your NFC ring, and beginning participation in the network. This page provides a complete guide for new members.

The verification process is based on web of trust principles, similar to PGP's key signing parties, but adapted for proving human uniqueness rather than cryptographic key ownership.

Step 1: Find Three Vouchers

You need three existing OMXUS members to vouch for you in person.

What Vouching Means

When someone vouches for you, they're saying:

• "I have met this person face to face"
• "I believe they are a real, unique human"
• "I accept responsibility for this attestation"

Finding Vouchers

Your vouchers might be:

• Friends who are already members
• Family members in the network
• Colleagues you work with
• Neighbors in your community
• People you meet at OMXUS events

The In-Person Requirement

Vouching must happen in person because:

• Video calls can be faked
• Photos can be manipulated
• Only physical presence proves you're real
• The NFC handshake requires proximity

Step 2: The Vouching Ceremony

When you meet with your three vouchers:

1. Each voucher taps their ring to your phone
2. Your phone generates your identity request
3. Each voucher signs the request with their ring
4. The three signatures are bundled together
5. Your request is submitted to the network

What Happens Technically

• Your DID (Decentralized Identifier) is created
• The three voucher signatures are attached
• The bundle is timestamped
• Eventually, it's anchored to Bitcoin via RGB

Step 3: Get Your Ring

After vouching, you receive your NFC ring.

The Ring

Specifications:

• $9 cost (at scale)
• NFC interface (13.56 MHz)
• Secure element (EAL5+)
• No battery required
• Water resistant (IPX8)
• Medical-grade materials
• Range of sizes

What the Ring Does

• Stores your private key
• Signs your votes
• Activates emergency alerts
• Proves your identity
• Authenticates your actions

Step 4: Your First Actions

Once you have your ring, you can:

Vote

• See proposals in your area
• Weigh in on decisions that affect you
• Your vote is cryptographically signed
• Proximity weighting applies

Respond to Emergencies

• You're now part of the response network
• Alerts will reach you when someone nearby needs help
• Tap to acknowledge and respond
• Help arrives in 60 seconds

Complete Contracts

• Browse available tasks
• Accept work that fits your skills
• Complete and get paid
• Build your reputation

Vouch for Others

• After you're established, you can vouch
• You can vouch for up to 3 new members
• Your responsibility propagates (1/3^n)
• Careful vouching builds network trust

Understanding Responsibility

When you're vouched for:

If You...	Your Vouchers...
Act well	Gain reputation
Help others	Share in the credit
Create sybils	Lose reputation proportionally

The responsibility chain:

• Your vouchers are 33% responsible for your actions
• Their vouchers are 11% responsible
• And so on (1/3^n)

This creates natural accountability without punishment.

Tips for New Members

Start Small

• Observe before acting
• Learn the norms
• Ask questions
• Build relationships

Be Present

• Respond to nearby alerts
• Participate in local decisions
• Attend community events
• Meet other members

Build Trust

• Complete contracts reliably
• Vote thoughtfully
• Vouch carefully
• Help when needed

Common Questions

What if I lose my ring?

Your vouchers can help you recover your identity. The process requires meeting them again in person.

Can I have multiple rings?

No. One human, one token, one ring. Attempting to create duplicates is detectable and affects your vouchers' reputation.

What if my voucher leaves the network?

Your identity remains valid. The vouching chain is recorded permanently.

How long does setup take?

The vouching ceremony takes minutes. Ring delivery varies by location.

See Also

• OMXUS — Overview of the system
• Sybil Resistance — Why in-person verification matters
• Web of Trust — How the trust network works
• NFC Technology — The $9 ring explained
• Emergency Response — The 60-second safety network
• Voting — How to participate in decisions
• Earning Money — Economic participation
• Genesis — Your permanent identity record

External Links

• Web of trust on Wikipedia
• Digital identity on Wikipedia
• NFC technology on Wikipedia