Bitcoin Forum

These few days have been quite challenging because of the various limitations I had to surmount for me to be able to learn from and also enjoy this forum. I have had comments from friends and families in developing nations concerning these challenges and their response was that most of the challenges we face in emerging nations are non-exiting there. Hence, I wish to itemize some of the challenges I have personally faced being a member of this forum because of my location. And I would gladly ask members to give suggestions on how I can limit these challenges.

-   Epileptic power supply: In my location there is electric power but its supply is unpredictable. Sometimes the power supply is rationed but there is no guarantee that you would have power even when it is your turn. The most annoying part of it is that sometimes you would be disconnected from the source because these corrupt power company officials want to exploit money from you. There are commercial phone charging businesses but charging a laptop there might be risky. Generators and fuel are expensive and very dangerous to use. The carbon monoxide emission from generators has killed many families in my location. Solar energy might be cool but are there other options?

-   Poor Internet Supply: Sometimes due to work and family responsibilities, I use to prepare a work plan for the day. But it becomes very frustrating that when it is time to login into Bitcoin talk and learn and make a few contributions, there would be no internet connections. And the telecommunication company doesn’t give a damn about their poor service because no agency would hold them responsible for their poor services. Some of us still use the 3G network which is very slow and time-consuming. It’s so discouraging when you waste so much time waiting for a very slow network to respond. Carrying out research or findings takes a whole lot of time due to the slow internet.

-   High Crime Rate: Most developing nations are ravaged by a high rate of crime and insecurity. Like in my locality there is a high rate of snatching of phones and other technological gadgets. Sometimes members in developing nations lose their phones and other gadget making them not active in the forum until they get a replacement. There are sometimes insufficient manpower and technology to fight crime in these countries.

-   Unexposed and corrupt law enforcement agencies: Most of the police officials we have in my area are not aware of the happening in the Bitcoin space. They are not well informed or aware that an individual can get a moderate income from Bitcoin. Immediately they see a crypto wallet in your phone, they would assume that you are an internet fraudster. Hence, sometimes they use it as an opportunity to intimidate and extort money from Bitcoiners.

-   High Rate of Unemployment: I have observed that the majority of members from developed nations have other sources of income apart from the forum. They can be able to afford the cost of data and other necessary gadgets that would make them very productive to the forum. But in most developing nation’s majority of the population are either unemployed or underemployed. Sometimes members of these growing economies might not have the financial backing to even subscribe to a data plan making them less productive.

What are your thoughts?

---

Updated

Some Solutions to these problems.


Some of the solutions are derived from the responses I got from this thread. I don't claim ownership of most of the uncommon solutions to the problem.
 

I only use a phone with bitcointalk while living in a fairly wealthy country just because it's easier to access and when people message me about topics, my messaging apps are on my phone so it makes sense to use bitcointalk from there a lot. Phones should generally be one of the cheapest things to charge too (they don't use much mains electric). You could also look for a portable charger if you can afford it (but one that holds a few phone charges).

Is Internet continously unstable too? Is there no chance it improves in the late eaceninga early mornings if you could try doing things then (there's a chance it's worse at that time too though as fewer people might notice).

You've not said why you're using bitcoin in public to attract the attention of enforcement teams, maybe you should stop using something quite so explicit around them if you can.

The underemployment/unemployment is a hard one to solve though, you could try to grow here and start something (even just joining a signature campaign after you've ranked up a bit) but it might be better to see how others have managed to find things near you and if there are any avenues of well paid work you could look at (you haven't said what the average livable salary is there though)?

---

I sense this topic is short of responses because of its length, you might want to try to write a bit less next time or make two or three topics to cover everything instead of the one.

You should not hold much on a mobile phone. I have the same trouble either, even though in your case it sounds more intense. You should have a computer at home, so that if you get stolen, you can still access your bitcoin. Unless of course the thief knows you're a Bitcoin owner, and asks you to unlock the wallet. In that case, you're screwed; that's why you need mobile privacy. For example, I don't have any bitcoin application on my android, but I can normally spend bitcoin (using RTL via Tor).

You are quite right about all these issues but for my country now, unless you are really in a remote location, then you will probably have the issue with Poor Internet Supply, most part of the country is 4G and some few areas are 5G now which makes it much better.
Yeah there is the issue with criminality, especially in the urban areas in this case where you can be attacked by a group of guys that take everything off you and you can easily lose your mobile phone in that process and as @BlackHatCoiner said,

The only alternative that comes to mind at the moment is to get yourself a power bank, which you will then charge when there is electricity and use it when you need it. Of course, I am not referring to power banks that are usually used for mobile phones and smaller devices, but to serious devices that have a capacity of up to 50 000mAh.


This is something that can only be changed with a better internet infrastructure in your country, or if you write to Musk and ask him to donate one of his devices for satellite internet for your community - it sounds strange, but you have nothing to lose if you try - or collect money together and buy satellite internet -> Starlink Nigeria (https://www.capacitymedia.com/article/2af13w9ghve2m7ajx5728/news/starlink-cuts-price-of-start-up-kit-for-nigerians-to-99)


Thieves always choose easier targets first, and if they know you have some type of protection (alarm, surveillance cameras, weapons) they won't just attack you. It's also wise to always keep a low profile, don't talk about having Bitcoin and brag about your new phone or laptop.


Corruption and crime are nothing that does not exist anywhere in the world - and the best fight against it is not to vote for corrupt politicians in elections, and to report every attempt at blackmail and criminal acts, regardless of whether it comes from the police. Of course, the problem is when everyone is corrupt, but there is always someone honest, you just have to find them.


The forum should not be a place for making money, it should only be something that comes as an additional thing in the process of information exchange and discussion. I agree that without the Internet and a good computer you can hardly be more active on the forum, but unlike some spammers who are very productive, their number of posts does not mean much if compared to someone who writes only 3 meaningful and quality posts a day. Quality always before quantity ;)

The problem is that most power banks have too small voltage to be used for laptops. Most are designed for phones and tablets. Those which you talk about are a rarity around stores here.


Starlink can technically operate worldwide, even from deserts and mountans, but telecommunications treaties force it to restrict its coverage to just those whitelisted countries.

I see that the Internet problem is the easiest to solve at the present time. The development of the Internet via satellite will be very fast, and I expect the cost to drop quickly.

The development of renewable energies will take some time, but in the end, within ten years, you will be able to use your phone and computer without the need for an expensive power source.
Also, the crime rate will decrease if you leave these devices in your home.

In general, most of your problems will be solved by economic development, which is something that is starting to develop in Africa.

As for the current time, you have no choice but to use your phone, and access to the forum does not require high-speed internet.

I see most of the problems can be resolved if the government operates with more ethical and having thought about growing in the world arena instead of looting from their own people until they die. Solar can solve the electricity shortage but I am not sure people can afford the installation cost which is too expensive to build decent grids. So if someone is rich in the community you are talking can go for it and others should be more aware of their vote power to choose the right leader.

When we consider these challenging factors mentioned by OP then we could see how some are finding it difficult to make it up to an expected standard of living but despite it all, the lapses never show and they don't make their challenges be a barrier or an excuse to arriving on their goals and commitment to the forum and bitcoin as a matter of fact, while at the other end, i think those in the developed countries should also appreciate the opportunity before them and take every single of it all into effective utilization because some were not privilege with such and they should also make it felt in their contributions to he forum as well.

Majority of those struggles are not limited to any part of the world and affects pkeple all over, depending on your social status, income, neighborhood etc.

• Purchase phones with battery capacity as a priority and maybe try to get a portable power bank. You can also patronize some road side charging ports
• 4G phones are quite popular now, and depending on where you're from gives good network coverage.
• Take safety precautions; no late nights, be cautious of your environment always, if possible, do not go out with your devices.
• This is one of the most striking problems and is difficult to solve, considering they are the enforcers of the law and corruption at that level would negatively affect the populace.
• Get a degree. Build skills and network

---

You do not necessarily have to use it publicly. As someone from a developing/underdeveloped nation with high rate of corruption, law enforcement agencies can request to search one (especially young males) in the guise of suspicion of fraud and demand that you unlock your phones and other gadgets with you, this is when any Bitcoin related app can be discovered and linked to fraudulent activities without any evidence whatsoever.

If you're using android I'd recommend using private space in these sorts of areas (you should be able to search for it to find out what it is).

It's essentially another login on your android device but it looks like your normal phone (I think Apple has something similar too but I'm not sure). The difference between accessing your main space and private space is putting in a different pin. You can find your private space from your main space but no the other way round (and there's probably ways to hide it showing up on either too). Sometimes I find it quite handy for keeping apps in different places on my phone and use it for that - it's fast to load both areas but you can only use a fingerprint on the main one I think and there may be a second's delay while it loads up the other space (but if you've unlocked both in advance then the delay goes).

Great responses. I have tried to apply some of the suggestions I got from this thread and my experience is quite better. From what I gathered from jackg, BlackHatCoiner, KaliLinux, Lucius, NotATether, hugeblack, Findingnemo, Doan9269, Upgrade00, and D ltr I can boldly say that I have gotten some sound solutions to some of the challenges Bitcointalk members from developing nations face.

Maybe a thread on the solutions to the limitation of bitcointalk members from developing countries would be my next.

3G network is now as slow as the 2G network when 3G was initiated but, I guess that 3G works very fast when few people are online, I'll suggest you wake earlier than people in your area who use 4g enabled phones, during the early hours the network speed is always stable and you can accomplish few tasks before the network starts getting saturated later in the morning when offices are open and more internet users available.

This is the reason why Bitcoin adoption still not widely adopted because they still have a problem in their own countries. I'd say developing countries have a problem regarding financial stuffs, if you work harder and earn more money, you could become mid range class and can buy Bitcoin.

The another problem is if you live in a country where it's very strict and too much censorship e.g. North Korea, China, etc. If they permanently ban Bitcoin and you want to buy it, you need to find a hard way to achieve it.

If you have Internet connection and a device to connect it to Internet, you can use the forum. No limitation.

I know the disadvantage of not having a computer, laptop for more convenient and comfortable experience the forum. Using mobile to type text is not a good experience but still acceptable if you only reading.

If you have a desktop, laptop you will rely more on electricity resource but with mobile device, you can use it a few hours, charge it later. I don't think if you have jobs, you will spend 24 hours a day for the forum.

That's why I emphasized that these are special power banks that have a larger capacity, and as far as I can see, you can get them online for a price even lower than $100 (20 000mAh). For example only ->Linearflux Hypercharger Max USB-C Portable Charger (https://www.gamestop.com/electronics/accessories/batteries-chargers/products/hypercharger-max-usb-c-portable-charger/226319.html)


Nigeria is on the list of countries that are on that list and according to the official Starlink website, the service should become available in Q3 2022. Starlink has also received all necessary permits from the Nigerian authorities and will be available throughout the country. In addition, one user in the community can buy such internet and then share it wirelessly with neighbors/friends and thus reduce subscription costs.

Just a few additions to consider before buying a powerbank. Take note of the Powers Bank's power output, their ports, and its battery capacity preferably the mAh recommendation by others.

You should at the very least be aware of the power output of your laptop's charger because they vary in output depending on the type of laptop they supply power for. A typical office laptop needs between 40 and 60 watts, whereas most of gaming laptop uses around 230 watts overall. While it is technically feasible to charge your laptop with a lower power output, the longer charging time would be your issue. Your laptop will take longer to charge if the power bank has a lower wattage.

As for the ports, they usually come with adapters that allows you to plug your laptop's own charger into the power bank. Plus, there shouldn't be much of a problem because, as far as I'm aware, new power banks supported USB type-C connectors (if you have one).

The best course of action, in my opinion, is to refrain from using your phone at all, especially in places with lots of people, like wet markets. In the Philippines, snatching is a well-known crime that continues to this day and you have no choice but to avoid using your phone unless it's an emergency. Also, practice only keeping a tiny amount of bitcoin on your phone because you know that's the basic.

In addition to the very good power bank suggested, you can try to get one of these medium generators that are very economical.
https://i.imgur.com/6vP91D4.jpg
If you can mange to get a new one or a fairly used one still in very good working condition, they could serve you a lot. With as little as two litres of PMS, they could run for about seven hours, that's a lot of time to power your device and boost your power bank.

Find out the internet provider that is strongest in your area and switch to them, if the possibility of moving to another place is absent.

Lead a low key life, don't draw attention to yourself, and always be highly security conscious.

Just like any technology that has been present, there is always that adaptation that people have to embrace. This forum was created in order to be the main repository and discussion of all crypto-related news/threads. As such, it exists solely on the internet, like social media, etc. It just so happened that this is a forum.

The limitations that you posted can also be applicable to anything that solely exists in the internet. But the biggest difference is the wallet that some local exchanges have.

As someone who lives in a third-world country, my biggest limitation is indeed the source of internet. With the latter being an essential rather than a want, at this day and age, people should have at least some stable connection in their homes in order to access this privilege.

These are extremely genuine problems that can only be properly understood by people who have really experienced them. The fact that the majority of law enforcement personnel lack professionalism scares the very daylights out of me. Despite the rule stating police officers are not allowed to search people's phones, every young person in Nigeria is aware that it is unwise to debate with police officers over this. Those that did this did not survive to tell the tale. Here are some things I do to keep from standing out: I clean-shave, I dress nicely, I don't stay up late, and when I do, I leave my phone, which includes my Bitcoin app, at home. Finally, I make an effort to get to know some significant figures in the community since they may be needed if everything else fails.

Things here are not so extreme like in your country, but I share the same concern regards criminality. For that reason I avoid accessing smartphone in public places and keep it well protected in a safe pocket. Furthermore, never tell people you don't have a solid relationship about your cryptocurrency adoption and holdings. In developing countries we must be careful, because many people are lurking around for any opportunities that can give them some easy money. If they spot you as a potential target, they may go for you, or give the hint to some criminals who will get interested on you as well.

Another limitation is the difficult when acquiring new devices to replace the older ones which become obsolete and damaged, because we don't have much money to spare. And if we point out the quality factor, it gets worse, since quality standards that are normal for citizens from developed countries, are in fact luxury and rare goods for citizens from developing realms.

It's really annoying to have to stick with those low tier brands technological gadgets which end not lasting long and providing inferior experience to users.

count that a joy and privilege because many don't seem to enjoy the free access to those items in abundance.


this is a good application way to exercise wisdom, it does much good to protect individual from assault or physical attack of any kind when in public.


by this same way, many have rendered themselves open for an attack being unaware, there must be limitation to what mouth must tell especially when in public.


things might be hard atimes to be able to afford buying new items like the mobile phone we use, but it is better late than never, i will not advise selling your old devise to someone nor buy a second hand device either because lot of danger comes in through them, once you don't use them again, dismantle them into pieces and discard but dont sell them when they got malfunctioned.

First of all I would applaud your courage to putting up these challenges and also being steadfast on the platform. Not everyone would want to share this nature of their experience with the platform seeking contribution and advise because they actually put themselves and nation in some kind of image which no one wants to be identified with.

Many nations struggle or are struggling with epileptic power supply that they can't afford a good power supply for an hour. Most times, just as you've said, they ration their electricity and at then, they are still insufficient to distribute to the people and the worst of it all is that you still receive electricity bill at the end of the to pay (based on your country payment system) when they themselves know the truth as not to meet up with constant electric power supply. It is very frustrating to be having such experience.

With respect to the above, what I can advise is that you get an inverter which would be of help to you often times. You do well to keep it charged when you have Power supply and ration it based on time of activities with internet and online jobs.

Then for network challenges, you would need to know when the internet service flows very well so as to hookup with your work. That would save you some stress of going in and off connection.

For security agencies, you woul need to be careful so as not to fall prey of them. Be alert and cautious when doing online deals. Your safety matters.

That generator is not cheap to buy by poor people living in third world countries. The current price is around N110,000 in Nigeria naira. That is around $160 in today's exchange rate and that is high if we go by a released data that most Nigerians live on a $1 per day. That is how bad the masses of Nigeria copes on daily basis. If am to choose, I will go with power bank. Just get around 30,000mAh to 40,000mAh battery strength of power bank which costs less than N30,000 and you will have a  smooth experience with it.

I'm also in a developing country but luckily we don't have intermittent power supply. But we do from time to time have black outs which is unannounced, and then it will go back after 30 minutes or even longer. Same with internet connectivity, we have one of the poorest in our region, although services have been upgraded, we have to pay like $50 or higher just to have a good and unlimited bandwidth every month. As for the phones, I owned one but I don't used it to post here because it's too difficult for me. I just used them to browse the community when I'm out of the house but I don't login. I agree that it really poses a challenge, but I guess I was able to still stay here despite all the issues.

Like other developing countries, electricity problems and internet supply in our country is very dire.  Especially the electricity supply in our country is currently in a very bad condition.  Load shedding is a very common thing in our country.  Loadshedding has become an integral part of our lives just like daily necessities.  In particular, below image shows the electric supply pole/post in front of my area ie my house.  In our country, especially in forested or rural areas, electric lines are placed in the trees or forests.  As a result, during the stormy season, especially on rainy days, my area gets electricity two days a week, while the remaining five days are busy with supply line repair work.  Moreover, the trees fell on the supply lines and cut the power lines, resulting in blackouts in our area.  So how am I supposed to pass the time as a member of a bitcoin forum.  Moreover, let's leave aside the Internet.  If there is no electricity supply line then our internet system is also disconnected.  We have to run internet using mobile operator SIM.  But again if there is no electricity it gives a very weak connection.  Where the developed world uses 4G/5G, we have to use 3G or lower internet connections.  So tell us how poor we middle income countries or low income countries have to use internet and electricity.

You can get get a power bank. There are very good powerbanks that has up to 4000mAh. It's can charge your phone to 100% multiple times. This can help you keep your mobile phone operational at all times.
Here's a link to the picture of a very good type of powerbank.

https://i.ibb.co/5T35hjj/IMG-20221215-084025-435.jpg (https://ibb.co/zsgSV22)

You know what... most of those challenges can be over come...

Let's take "Power failures" as an example... my friends in South Africa has what they call, "Loadshedding" ... where they do not have power for hours every day. (The main power supplier cannot generate enough power, so they switch off the power at different stages to keep the power grid running)

These people use Generators and inverters / UPS's to stay operational during these power failures.. so they found solutions. Also, people in third world countries do not have super fast Internet... so they club together to pay for decent wireless solutions and they share the bandwidth. (So they all work from one location during Office hours)

You just have to make a plan to keep the pot cooking..... ;)

I quote it for visibility.

So far, my internet needs have had no problems, it's pretty smooth, although I've also complained several times. I rarely use my phone to access the forum because my use is limited during work. So while cell phones can actually be helpful in some situations, I honestly don't use them much. Same thing about the electrical power requirements, I may not be like the OP. However, there are several suggestions that can be understood and considered, including using a power bank to meet cellphone battery consumption.


Honestly, this is quite surprising. I didn't hope it to last much longer, obviously they need to have the right information before determining someone is guilty or a fraud.

Just sort of made me realise also that this forum, despite being really low tech, is probably worst suited to the sort of connection a person might have in developing countries. Before getting into power, internet, etc... the access is a bit of a problem:

Mobile phones, very low-end smartphones with built-in browsers anyway, is how I know most people will ever be able to use internet, but it's a huge pain to navigate this forum on mobile, much less type out things easily, use the codes, quotes... I know because I use it a lot on mobile. It's a huge inconvenience but I still use it as I commute a lot.

It's easier to use social media to type and see and respond to things than it is on the forum, I completely understand why people don't fall in love and stay (and why my son keeps laughing at me responding on forum on my phone).

It is believed that every country has it own demands for the use of a newly introduced system, just as the developing countries have this challenges same is being applicable to the developed ones from government regulations down to many embargoes levied on bitcoin and it's mining process by the governments from the developed countries, but in doing something, one has to be determined and get focused with or without this limitation to still got served very well with the better opportunity that comes in through bitcoin and the forum community regardless of the situation of the places we are.

40000mah power bank is even more economical,  this is something that can be used to charge a phone up to 3 or 4 days , it much affordable for members who don't have constant electricity in their location.  Gone are the days if electricity seized people will become stranded to charge cell phones. Their are many alternatives to electricity that affordable members, electricity will only a limitation only if one allows it to be limitation.  The purpose of power banks and charge generators is to help people don't have constant electricity. https://i.ibb.co/NKZbD1N/1671110559549.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

In China, bitcoin is easy to buy as long as you approve of it. My Chinese friends are not affected by the policy and can still buy and sell freely through Biance.

I agree with you that every country has their own limitations, even the developed countries have one or two developments that may hinder the adoption of Bitcoin and their access to the forum. Just like Russia which I learnt that they only access this forum via VPN because their government blacklisted bitcointalk due to gambling activities in the forum. 

The amount of limitations in underdeveloped countries are very much higher than that of the developed countries who believe in liberty and human rights. Most of the developed countries don't even pray more about security because they have an environment that is nice. Where there is no under development or unemployment you could hardly see someone that will batch on you to snatch your phone.
However, at every challenge that an environment present you, there must be a way to adapt to it that is why we are humans

Planning is good and has never and will never fail those who did regardless

But all of those plans will not work if you done enforce it with funds and money

How do one who has less buy UPS worth $ 40 - $50 dollars. 5G network must have gone round some  places in the third world countries.

You can use your computer to check the forum at a fixed time every day.
I use a computer to view articles all the time. I think computers are easier to read than mobile phones.
I'm not logged into my account on my phone. The phone is just handy for reading on the go.
I actually think mobile phones are less secure than computers. Now many gangsters are rampant, they dare to snatch your things in the crowd, and they may even read some data on your mobile phone for you.