Bitcoin Forum

Would it be worth trying to get services that block the Bitcoin node port to open it for their public WiFi. I am aware that I can use online web wallets, but I would prefer to use my own node for transactions. If I am purchasing Bitcoin, then I can check my wallet address with a blockchain report tool, but what about a payment? McDonalds is a bit slow, but it supports Bitcoin nodes. My library, and the sports centre where I am at the moment block the ports, and so do many supermarkets. I could run a node on a server, but many shared hosting plans block the Bitcoin ports.

If Bitcoin is going to gain wide and secure acceptance amongst the general public, then we may need to increase node use in the "wild". Mobile 'phone tethering is a way round this, but this is not always convenient.

If 8333 is blocked, you can use a different port, but if the router or ISP allows only white-listed ports, then you are probably stuck.

I agree with this, if we wanted a more fast and secured network for bitcoin we need more bitcoin nodes---not just nodes but the fully functioning nodes. However, gaining the trust of the public for bitcoin adaptation to get more bitcoin nodes is harder than placing bitcoin nodes in the space.

These issue could be resolved with a router and possibly a firewall configuration to allow inbound and outbound connections for predefined ports for Bitcoin core nodes to run.

It might be ideal if we could just ask politely and convince the system administrators of these public wifi networks to allow this connections by giving them valid reasons to justify why the need to do so. Maybe we could also emphasize to them that allowing Bitcoin core to run on their network demonstrates a true essence of a being  "public wifi network". Imho.

Would it be hassle if each and every time we are asking them to allow connections? Even if we provide them with absolute and correct reasons? There's allot of public wifi networks established around the world, in that case, a certain port should be opened and it needs massive attention. I might think we should consider what we have right now as it is already working, just a need of a bit of upgrade.

true but the public networks that you are talking about here are free internet services that these shops are kind enough to let people use without charge so i don't think there is any room for complaining about how they let people use it. not to mention that nodes could use up quite a lot of traffic depending on their settings.

I think using a VPN is going to solve the "blocked port" problem.
Your free internet access will use port 8080 or one similar (probably not blocked).
There is some free VPN options if you want to experiment (freevpn or the one offered from protonmail). .
You can try it (and don't forget to inform us).

The only solution to make fast transactions using bitcoin is to use a middleman website. What I mean is that there will be a website that uses an app that allows it users to send bitcoin to other users in a click of a second without having for a confirmation except for external transactions. Here in the Philipines we are using coins.ph and through it we transfer bitcoin to other users and merchants through the app. The transfer will be just in a click of a second since the transaction is just internal.

In the bigger scheme, if there will be a consensus that the community will create a big organization like a bitcoin bank that will launch an app that will be used by all bitcoin users in that way the transaction will be fast in a second.

Using VPN might be a good option but if the system administrator of that particular public wifi network happened be a skilled one, then he is more likely to notice irregular web traffic and find that VPN connection! Then he can block access to VPN sites and known IP addresses of VPN servers and ultimately block your mac address. :)

Maybe you need to use another device that always connects to the internet and that device+internet connection doesn't block any port. That will more be secured than to use a VPN to access your wallet. The device can be a flash drive or tiny modem which can access the internet. But VPN can be another solution too if you don't want to carry another device. I prefer to use mobile tethering, then connect to VPN to access the wallet.

neither is carrying around a desktop PC or a laptop just to buy a burger. simply because you want to campaign your desire to want mcdonalds to be open to full nodes

but wait whats that i pre-empt you next saying. that bitcoin should then restrict onchain scaling so that people can use a phone as a full node. thus restricting people from getting their payment confirmed without delay by bottlencking the network with loads of unconfirmed transaction that just cant fit into a restricted block size. thus making bitcoin less appealing to use for making payments.
then obviously removes the convenience factor of having said phone to buy a burger.

but wait whats that i pre-empt you next saying. that people should vault up their funds into a co-custodian lock and then use offchain tokens for payment that dont require a blockchain for payment. thus again removes the need of needing to have a full node.

..
and thats before even talking about the fact that if your getting your access froma company. that company controls what you see, thus you may not realise the only visable peer shown on the access is the companies own node(s) which means your node is then only getting what the company chooses to send it, thus you may b syncing to thier fork.