Some Limitations of Bitcointalk Members from Developing Countries

[Die_empty]

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.
 

Epileptic power supply: Unstable power supply can be tackled by seeking other sources of power such as good power banks that have a larger capacity, solar systems, or portable cheap generators. You should also ensure you buy phones with battery capacity as a priority. One can also charge phones in commercial businesses that offer phone or device charging services but you must ensure that the phone is protected. Don’t also focus on the number of posts you make. Use the limited time you have electric power to create a few quality posts instead of focusing on quantity. Two or three meaningful and quality posts a day is far better than spamming.
  
Poor Internet Supply: Ensure you buy 4G phones and check for the internet provider that has a strong network in your area. Using the internet when few people are using it might improve the quality of supply. Maybe late at night or early hours of the morning might be better. I have personally tried this solution and it is working perfectly. It can also be possible to pull resources together to buy satellite internet. Also seeking support from influential personalities such as Elon Musk would not be a bad idea (you will never know until you try). The community can write to him asking him to donate one of his devices for satellite internet for your community. The good news is that Starlink service would soon be available to some developing nations.

High Crime Rate: Ensure you don’t use your phone in public places and always ensure that you keep it in a safe place. If possible you can get a smaller or cheaper phone that can be used to make and receive calls, while the other expensive or advanced phones that are used to access the forum can be left at home. Be cautious of your environment and if you must keep a late night, do it without your phone. It is also very important not to publicize your income or investment in Bitcoin. It is better to keep a low profile.

Unexposed and corrupt law enforcement agencies: Create a private space in your phones and hide your wallets and other bitcoin-related applications. Ensure you don’t dress, behave, stay or hang out with internet fraudsters. It would not be a bad idea to start a bitcoin community in your locality and if possible the community can be registered and have identity cards. Public enlightenment about bitcoin would be able to expose these law enforcement agents to the operations of the bitcoin space.

Although it might not be risky, report every attempt at blackmail and criminal acts, regardless of whether it comes from the police. Some law enforcement agents are trustworthy and not corrupt. The law court can also be impartial if a case of intimidation, exploitation, and abuse by law enforcement agencies is brought before it. Like in the case of Linus Williams Ifejika, aka Blord , that floored the Nigerian anti-corruption agency in court.  
Don’t sell your votes, only vote for the right candidate during elections.

High Rate of Unemployment: Seek other means of income. You can get a degree or a skill that can assist you in getting a job or becoming self-employed. Joining a signature campaign might be helpful financially. But it would be better to see the forum as a place of learning than a place of financial returns.

[jackg]

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.

[BlackHatCoiner]

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.

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).

[KaliLinux]

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,

High Crime Rate:  You should have a computer at home, so that if you get stolen, you can still access your bitcoin.

it is safer to have both, and for me, I have most of my crypto access via the laptop, I didn't have any wallet on my phone.

[Lucius]

-Epileptic power supply: In my location there is electric power but its supply is unpredictable.--- Solar energy might be cool but are there other options?

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.

Poor Internet Supply: Sometimes due to work and family responsibilities, I use to prepare a work plan for the day.

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

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.

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.

Unexposed and corrupt law enforcement agencies

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.

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.

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

[NotATether]

-Epileptic power supply: In my location there is electric power but its supply is unpredictable.--- Solar energy might be cool but are there other options?

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.

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.

Poor Internet Supply: Sometimes due to work and family responsibilities, I use to prepare a work plan for the day.

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

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

[hugeblack]

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.

[Findingnemo]

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.

[Doan9269]

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.

[Upgrade00]

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.

And I would gladly ask members to give suggestions on how I can limit these challenges.

-   Epileptic power supply:

-   Poor Internet Supply:

-   High Crime Rate:

-   Unexposed and corrupt law enforcement agencies:

-   High Rate of Unemployment:

• 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'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.

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.

[jackg]

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).

[Die_empty]

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.

[Accardo]

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.

[Solosanz]

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.

[tbct_mt2]

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.

[Lucius]

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.

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

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

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.

As part of its African expansion plan, Starlink began exploring the Nigerian telecom market in May 2021. It also targeted South Africa and Zimbabwe, among other markets. It was awarded two licenses by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) a year later. Also, the company received a 10-year international gateway license and a five-year Internet Service Provider (ISP) license. Through the official launch of its operations in Nigeria, Starlink will provide broadband access to every Nigerian, including those living in remote and landlocked areas.

[Maus0728]

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).

High Crime Rate:
..there is a high rate of snatching of phones and other technological gadgets....

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.

[Rruchi man]

-   Epileptic power supply: In my location there is electric power but its supply is unpredictable.

In addition to the very good power bank suggested, you can try to get one of these medium generators that are very economical.

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.

-Poor Internet Supply:

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.

High Crime Rate:

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

[qwertyup23]

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.

[Davidvictorson]

-   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.

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.