Why do average people run full nodes

[pandalion98]

I know that it helps the ecosystem. It verifies transactions, keeps a full copy of the blockchain, etc...

But it consumes a lot of ram and CPU cycles.

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[OnkelPaul]

Because they can!

Actually many tech-savvy people do things not for profit but just because they can be done and are interesting from a technical perspective.

Onkel Paul

[ensurance982]

I don't think it consumes that many CPU cycles! Sure, it does consume them continuously, but merely verifying transactions isn't that processor consuming. I guess people like the idea of Bitcoin and like to be part of it, support it, and thus can also be proud of its success.

[williamj2543]

They want to support the bitcoin network, and in the long run they will profit off it. If bitcoin gets a "better" network, it will be trusted more and it will become more valuable.

[shorena]

Because they can!

Actually many tech-savvy people do things not for profit but just because they can be done and are interesting from a technical perspective.

Onkel Paul

This. I had the chance to get a cheap VPS with enough RAM and a good enough connection and I just did it. I got to know several linux tools I didnt knew before, how easy upstart is and I am currently learning how to visualise information with rddtool.

[ensurance982]

They want to support the bitcoin network, and in the long run they will profit off it. If bitcoin gets a "better" network, it will be trusted more and it will become more valuable.

Well, I don't exactly know if additional full nodes will be a reason for the Bitcoin network to gain more trust for the regular people out there. I guess it's more a question of infrastructure and I still don't exactly know whether additional nodes do make the network that much better!

[BCwinning]

Really average people?  

[EndlessStory]

This is because it does not consumes CPU cycles. Or simply they like doing it.

[Lauda]

I know that it helps the ecosystem. It verifies transactions, keeps a full copy of the blockchain, etc...

But it consumes a lot of ram and CPU cycles.

Exactly what is the problem here? It doesn't use a lot of RAM nor CPU cycles for me.
I actually hate it when I exit my client and have to start it up again.
There are people who just want to help the system.

[bornil267645]

It's like their habit...they try to make it better for the "Bitcoin Community"

[Rocky X]

There is no harm running full node, actually that's good for decentralization. Satoshi think about it when he invent this. Besides big miners, everybody have ability to use core client without a hassle.

[pandalion98]

I'm really learning a lot here.

So basically, they do it because they can. They want to do it. And as a result, it makes the Bitcoin infrastructure more decentralized than ever.

Amazing 

[pandalion98]

There is no harm running full node, actually that's good for decentralization. Satoshi think about it when he invent this. Besides big miners, everybody have ability to use core client without a hassle.

"Without a hassle"

What about the really huge blockchain? Some people are complaining about it (not me) and are slowly switching to SPV wallets.
What about those with limited bandwidth?

Just asking 

[pandalion98]

I don't think it consumes that many CPU cycles! Sure, it does consume them continuously, but merely verifying transactions isn't that processor consuming. I guess people like the idea of Bitcoin and like to be part of it, support it, and thus can also be proud of its success.

I agree. Not much CPU. But ram and disk space. yeah.

[Connor936]

This is because it does not consumes CPU cycles. Or simply they like doing it.

It takes up a lot of bandwidth as many people are downloading the blockchain from you. Also you must keep the computer on at all times which uses up electricity.

[PenAndPaper]

Full nodes aren't for average users. Most average users that are running the reference client actually harm the network.

99.9% of the people should stick with a light version as their wallet and never care about how the network works.

[minerpumpkin]

People want to be part of the whole experiment. They love Bitcoin and thus want to contribute to it. Running a full node is the easiest way of doing that. If you want to mine, you have to invest a lot in mining hardware, also you're paying a lot for electricity. Running a full node is the perfect trade-off for many people, I guess!

[Marlo Stanfield]

Full nodes aren't for average users. Most average users that are running the reference client actually harm the network.

99.9% of the people should stick with a light version as their wallet and never care about how the network works.

I agree that thin clients are much better for 99.9% of people. I think that is clear and also intended considering it was in the Satoshi's white paper as well.

But I'm not clear on how an average user running bitcoinqt actually harms the network. How so?

[PenAndPaper]

Full nodes aren't for average users. Most average users that are running the reference client actually harm the network.

99.9% of the people should stick with a light version as their wallet and never care about how the network works.

I agree that thin clients are much better for 99.9% of people. I think that is clear and also intended considering it was in the Satoshi's white paper as well.

But I'm not clear on how an average user running bitcoinqt actually harms the network. How so?

Because they don't open all the necessary ports to run a full node and so they end up being leechers slowing down the hole network.

[Sindelar1938]

It's the collegiality, selflessness and public spirited ness that characterises the crypto community
Self interest alone cannot explain why it works