Bitcoin Forum

The addition of merit scores (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2818350.0) has created a new forum designation: merit source.

What is a merit source?


How does one become a merit source?



Rather than creating an individual thread for each new application, I believe it would make more sense to consolidate all applications into one thread. Meta is already full of topics about the new system, and creating a new thread for each application will only increase this clutter. In addition to lowering the total volume of topics in the Meta section, this will also give potential applicants a better chance of being selected. In my opinion, it will be much easier for theymos/whoever rejects/accepts users to periodically check one thread rather than hunt down each individual thread on their own.

Should people find this thread useful, I would be happy to keep the OP updated with a list of applications, including member name, date, and link to their application in order to help organize the process. Also, I understand there is no public list of merit sources, but I think it might help to at least indicate when an application has been "processed", without specifying whether this means acceptance or denial. Let me know what you guys think of this idea.

The whole merit source thing is still kinda murky. Even with the clarified requirements I'm still not sure what makes a good merit source. I'm just gonna sit back and see how this shakes out.

Edit: but I agree with the single thread idea. Even if applicants insist on posting separate threads maybe you can link them in your OP.

I think in addition to simply being able to distinguish constructive posts, a good merit source should be fairly active in a particular area of the forum. Out of the 35 members who were initially picked, there might be certain areas of the forum, such as local sub-forums or less popular sub-forums, where none of them visit. For instance, a good application would ideally highlight why that particular user would be good at covering a section of posts that are otherwise not often read by other merit sources.

And you're right, perhaps adding a few existing threads to my OP would help get this started. I'll go through and edit it tomorrow.

List updated for the posts I could find. Feel free to post in this thread if I have missed yours.

OP going to have to drop you a Merit point here - Good work, thanks.

The Joel_Jantsen thread was technically a nomination for someone else, not sure it should really count as a submission... but if it somehow is, it would be for DannyHamilton.

But Joel got the rules backwards. You can't really nominate an author. You can nominate someone who is good at finding merit-worthy posts.

No problem, glad to help.




Eh, I felt it made sense to add it this way. Being a merit source is about finding good posts, not making them. Technically, there's no rule that says you can't make all 10 posts from 1 person  :P Obviously I will update this if he applies again, but I'll remove it if he asks.

Should be up to date as of now.

DannyHamilton is one of the best posters on the entire forum, very trustworthy & very knowledgable. He’s personally helped me with a few things (re: bitcoin) over the years.

I would 100% be an advocate for him.

since there is no official answer or public announcement from theymos for who the 49 merit sources are
I suggest it's better to have another thread with title an Unofficial Merit Sources
though I am not sure what contribution would that thread have except exposing them

give it a month or two, we can figure out who's who the merit sources are
should be something like merit send > (merit received *2) ,
sending a lot more merits than receiving should be the cue of his/her merit source status

I just applied for the merit source for our local thread.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2831325.0 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2831325.0)

You should paint the people that are red tagged appropriately in that table using [color=red  ].

Added!


I will consider adding that in the future. I don't think red trust necessarily disqualifies someone from being a merit source, and I'm sure theymos or whoever chooses takes it into account already. I might also add a note for accounts that have sent a suspiciously large amount of merit to individuals for no obvious reason. That being said, I'm pretty sure that's also already being looked at when choosing.

theymos not responding in the thread does not mean the application was not processed.

Nevermind, I took the "N/A" as a No for some reason.

Obviously, those who are accepted will know, but I think it's also fair to inform those who were not accepted that they will need to re-apply. Interestingly enough, theymos merited a few of the application posts, which I assume means acceptance.

What are you trying to say here? That someone who is a scammer is going to properly distribute merit points among the users, without abusing it in any possible way? That's just outright naivety.

Not too long ago, you yourself had red trust. There are other users, such as TMAN, who have red trust, yet would make fine merit sources in my opinion. Obviously, the vast majority of users who have negative trust would be terrible choices, my point was simply that red trust does not necessarily equate to being a scammer in some cases.

My main reason for not tagging people with red trust is because theymos has explicitly stated the merit system was released with the intention of putting an end to the trend of giving people negative trust for being shitty posters.


Whether you or I agree with this or not, I am trying to interfere with the selection process as little as possible. Do you really think any of the sig spammers who have been tagged actually have a shot of getting accepted anyway? I highly doubt it.

Haven't you been proofen to be a scammer for extortion?
Ohh a scammer who is abusing also the merit.You talk from your own experience

I made the cut, go me. I’ll be handing out Smerit points fairly & for constructive, helpful posts only.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;stats=sources


There were 49 before, so it looks like out of 12 processed applications 8 have been approved. Well, maybe not. Theymos could have added sources not necessarily from this list.


Congrats, don't spend it all in one place :)

Thanks buddy & see bold - He has added others who didn’t apply. I guess they’ll be highly respected, long term posters, he didn’t disclose their names to us.

MadZ, can you add my application to the list?
LoyceV's Merit source application (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2851620.0)

Thanks :)

Updated! Thanks for posting it here, much easier for me to add.

Also, thank you theymos for indicating which ones have been looked that, I'm sure people appreciate it.

Updated through today as far as I can tell. I am not sure if users have posted applications in local sub-forums, but if you know of any, please link them for me :)

Bump

Hi MadZ,

I'd like to be considered as a Merit Source.

I compiled a thread (a few weeks back) with very helpful posts (that start threads) that are particularly positioned for Newbies and Beginners. If part of the merit system is meant to up-skill the posts of lower ranked members, we should reward the people who are helping to educate this young set of the member community.

You can find my list HERE, (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2852912.0) titled "Be a Merit Robinhood - merit worthy threads from Beginners & Help board."

If I were granted Merit Source status I could focus my involvement on the Beginners & Help board to reward those that are helping build the right activity we want to see on this forum.

Thanks for your consideration.

Hey, thanks for the heads up. I've updated the OP with yours and some other applications, sorry for missing it the first time. Best of luck, I think a Merit Source in those boards is sorely needed.

Hello @MadZ, please add my application: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3072295.0

thank you!

Updated, added a few others I saw as well.

To others; please let me know if I have missed yours :)

This should be pinned!
Wish i had some merits to give you

Question,
How do you know which application is fulfilled-completed? (regardless if it's approved or not)

I don't know which ones are processed, that part is updated by theymos whenever he gets around to it.

Hi MadZ, please add me to the list.

Thanks
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3101776.msg32025213#msg32025213

Added! Updated with a few others as well  :)

I see some applicants are a full member, is it okay to apply when they only have low ranks just like me?

Asking because maybe i can apply too for my local board in the future. Please give me an insight about this.

Full members can definitely be chosen as merit sources. I know paxmao's (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1192397) application was accepted, and he's just a full member like you. As long as the rest of your application is strong, it shouldn't be an issue.

That is a good things that a full member can be one of merit sources, maybe i will find another ten posts as my application so i can be one of merit sources for my local board. I hope i am considered as an established member by the admins.

Thanks for the answer MadZ !

I just saw now that the merit sources are 77 now. This s a big increase from 57.


Looks like theymos is staking out applications and then approve them all together at once. This happened with the previous applicants , from 49 to 57.

Bump

Hi MadZ.
Please, can you update the table with my application?

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3178034.0 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3178034.0)

Thanks.

Are the applications standing still?
The last one was at the end of January.

And please, add my topic (above).
Thank You!

MadZ, thanks for adding my  application for the Greek local board (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2933212.0)

Can you update the table? My merit source application has been processed :D

Congrats, your patience paid off.

I noticed the number went back to 80... congratulations.

Did anybody notice that suchmoon tagged me after I bumped my application? or this is an accepted standard to discriminate against non-friends?

You're wrong, I tagged you after I had a fabulous tagliatelle bolognese for dinner.

Suchmoon... YOU are such a loonie moonie NON-friend tagging discriminatinger, which makes the inside of my avatar feel like this:

https://www.toysoldiersunite.com/wp-content/uploads/Mad_Monkey_Maintenance_4.jpg


But on the outside my avatar feels like this:


https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbV7pxapMkU4RbBlv0QIQPToE4YC2_QMq1h0RMJzLooBOadk3maQ

Purely on an avatar "what's up, bro?" level, if that is plausible?     ;)    :D :D

I applied to become a Merit Source here is the link https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4588684 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4588684)

For consolidation purposes too.