Support Bitcoin. Let the network become distributed again

[corsaro]

It is useful to underline the importance of full node. P2p Bitcoin is a currency that is based on the assumption that all users who use it and keep open exchange bitcoin-qt client and keep up the network with the CPU mining. Today unfortunately the mining cpu is literally impossible to do, but it is still very valid concept of a distributed network, consisting of many nodes, which in theory should correspond roughly to the same order of magnitude or slightly less than users who use it. Today worldwide there are just 5000 full nodes. If we want to maintain the autonomy and freedom typical of our favorite coin, we should think to actively contribute to the development and maintenance of the entire network. Do mining in this thread rule it out, but did not put two simple directions on how to keep a full node bitcoin, I think we can do it.

State that a full node can stay on even 5-8 hours a day. It is not really necessary to keep it always on. Just leave your PC switched on during the hours of use with bitcoin-qt program and the TCP port 8333 open on the modem / router.

Then let's recap:
1) download bitcoin-qt suitable for your operating system (windows, linux, osx) https://bitcoin.org/en/download
2) into your modem to create a virtual server or port mapping with the 8333 external port pointing to the internal LAN ip of our PC (if you have trouble with google look for the brand and model of your modem, adding the words: " open port "or" virtual server "; as far as possible, if you have trouble posted in this thread and some forum user, more experienced most likely will give you directions.
3) if necessary, enter the properties of your software firewall and open the 8333 port


How can I tell if indeed our bitcoin-qt client is behaving like a full node? Simple .. open the bitcoin-qt client and go to the bottom right, and hold the mouse positioned over the network small icon and if you see that you have exceeded 8 peers, then you are a full node

P.S. without entering into a discussion on the possible fork in place in bitcoin chain, it is fair to point out that there are alternatives to the bitcoin core client. Alternatives that support more blocks of 1 meg, for the so-called scalability of bitcoin. The alternatives are: XT, UNLIMITED AND CLASSIC.
The classic at the moment seems the most gettonato, as would seem to have received the support of the Chinese miner, and envisages implementation of a block of up to 2 Mbps, but in fact for anyone who takes up a bicoin node and wants to support the scalability bitcoin by providing support for large blocks, you may also install bitcoin unlimited. If someone wanted to hold an "alternative" node instead of bitcoin core, can refer to this site to download its client: https://coin.dance/nodes

for convenience I put links to its clients:
XT -> https://bitcoinxt.software/ (block 8 mega)
CLASSIC -> https://github.com/bitcoinclassic/bitcoinclassic/releases/tag/v0.11.2.cl1.b2 (block 2 mega)
UNLIMITED -> http://www.bitcoinunlimited.info/download (the maximum block size to determine who makes the node default install 16 mega)

[str4wm4n]

only 5,000 full nodes really? that's minuscule

[Amph]

only 5,000 full nodes really? that's minuscule

because people like to be incentivated to do something, as long as there is no incentive you will not get all the user base to run a node

i think that the fee that the miners are making right now, should be given in part to a full node, miners already have they reward for now they do not need 100 of the fees

[Jet Cash]

There doesn't seem to be much consensus on what exacly is a full node. I've been told on several occasions that I am a full node with 8 output peers, no input port, and only running 8 hours per day. I gather that if I were able to open the input port, then I would become a relay node, which is a type of full node. Pruning seems to allow you to run as a full node with some wallet restrictions. I suspect if the structure was explained clearly, then more people would become nodes.

[doublemore]

only 5,000 full nodes really? that's minuscule

because people like to be incentivated to do something, as long as there is no incentive you will not get all the user base to run a node

i think that the fee that the miners are making right now, should be given in part to a full node, miners already have they reward for now they do not need 100 of the fees

I remember in 2013 more people % seemed interested in mining, it was quite notable to how different it is now. I dont know if thats a good or bad thing but it did make bitcoin more decentralized and distributed at the time. I haven't seen that excitement since.

[Kprawn]

If they start to incentivise running a full node people will once again start doing it full time for a little bit of a reward. There are too many freeloaders out there using the technology and just accept others

to do the work for them for free. This discussion has been around for years now, without a sensible solution being suggested. There will come a time where the only people running a node will be the

miners. I like the 21 Inc. approach to this, and I hope they will expand on that idea. 

[1Referee]

I am already supporting the network with a full node non stop for nearly 8 months now. I will continue to do this for a very long time. It feels good to keep the network a bit more safe.

[European Central Bank]

I'd love to know how many full nodes are all sitting together in the same data center. It's probably a lot and many of them are being run to make a point. As soon as whatever point that is fades away then they'll be gone.

If nodes are that important then there should be an incentive.

[nwedepius]

Nice one!  it seems the elites/government institutions have hijacked the system when you look back to 2011,2012,2013 and what we are experiencing today you agree that something must be done to continue keeping BITCOIN decentralized. These days,  it is practically impossible to mine with your Laptop, it is also a no-go area for newbie;  then, if newbies are not integrated into the system how do we think the system is going to grow? Look at the stress involved when you want to convert your local currency directly from your bank account into cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general; MUST remain totally decentralized:
Free from Government and elites manipulations
Integration of newbie should be simple, standard and secured
Must be made accessible to the four corners of the world look at Africa! I will say it is just a very very few that have heard of cryptocurrency with her population, been the second most populous continent after Asia. So, there are still millions of opportunities to be tapped but the way cryptos are going now; it may end up being an elitist project__(oligarchy Project) if something is not done. THANKS. Keep up the good work you are not alone.

[romero121]

only 5,000 full nodes really? that's minuscule

because people like to be incentivated to do something, as long as there is no incentive you will not get all the user base to run a node

i think that the fee that the miners are making right now, should be given in part to a full node, miners already have they reward for now they do not need 100 of the fees

Even with the 100th of the fees they are getting good profit. So as you suggest giving rewards will surely make some changes in the growing bitcoin network as well the miners. It also make more get into the mining of bitcoins.

[thejaytiesto]

only 5,000 full nodes really? that's minuscule

Imagine if the blocksize gets raised, you can divide that number by 2 overnight because a lot of people will not be able to run said nodes on their bedroom computers anymore, thats why the blocksize increase is a disaster unless we know for sure it's the right moment in time to raise it, but some people seem to not understand this fact.

[bargainbin]

only 5,000 full nodes really? that's minuscule

Imagine if the blocksize gets raised, you can divide that number by 2 overnight because a lot of people will not be able to run said nodes on their bedroom computers anymore, thats why the blocksize increase is a disaster unless we know for sure it's the right moment in time to raise it, but some people seem to not understand this fact.

>if the blocksize gets raised
*maximum block size, not block size.
>you can divide that number by 2 overnight
wrong on every level.

[tobacco123]

I am using a public internet access without port forwarding 8333. Anyway I can still contribute to the network? I am considering running 24/7 if possible.

[Zetacoin Express]

I suggest some type of an incentive program.
Lets say for example for every 8 hours that a node is active the node's operator would receive a certain amount of BTC.

Some things to consider:

• Node Operators would have to prove ownership, perhaps by installing a signed message on a HTTP server with the same IP address.
• It would require some development work to fully automate.
• Such a thing would undermine the privacy that Bitcoin seeks to create.

[bob123]

I suggest some type of an incentive program.
Lets say for example for every 8 hours that a node is active the node's operator would receive a certain amount of BTC.

Some things to consider:

• Node Operators would have to prove ownership, perhaps by installing a signed message on a HTTP server with the same IP address.
• It would require some development work to fully automate.
• Such a thing would undermine the privacy that Bitcoin seeks to create.

This would probably help the Network

[corsaro]

I am using a public internet access without port forwarding 8333. Anyway I can still contribute to the network? I am considering running 24/7 if possible.

you could rent a VPS and run a full node there. Consider to take at least 100 GB hdd, 2 GB RAM and 2 CPU cores

Anyway, using "-prune=<n>" feature when launching bitcoind, you can rent a VPS with less space too and save HDD space


Alternatively, this guide explain howto run a free bitcoin Classic full node on google cloud platform using a 300 usd promotion
https://www.reddit.com/r/btc/comments/48akxj/you_can_use_googles_300_cloud_promotion_to_run/