Bitcoin Forum

You need to stop shitposting in this forum, right? Then stop bounty programs and signature campaigns. This is the main reason for shit posting. I can see many newbies trying to increase their post counts here and some trying to farm merits here. If you really want to save the forum, stop signature campaigns . But no one will do that. Because they want to make money. Once upon a time , account sales were allowed in this forum. I can quote many posts from the forum saying that account sales were allowed here. Even posting in the ANN thread of ICO was compulsory for signature campaigns. Now the scenario has changed. I can see many newbies and low rank holders digging the forum to collect all those informations from the past to get merits here. But they dont know that once it was allowed in this forum. I request all the DT members of this forum, not to give any merits for any users who post in this section .

Also set a month like  november or december 2017 and track all the account sales after that and paint them red. In my opinion its not fair to track all the account sales that happened from 2009. And i request theymos to set the date for that. Because if you search the posts of this  section we can see here many saying account sales were  allowed in this forum. So i request theymos to fix the date . And I also request theymos to stop signature campaigns and bounty campaigns.

If you really want to tag members who did that in the past, i suggest to tag all campaign managers first because they were the first who started  ICO ANN bumping . After that tag others. Many people still dont know that bumping Ann thread is now against the forum rules.

If you want I will post all those details here like who all encouraged ICO ANN bumping .

I don't think Banning signature campaign is a wise decision and fair to those responsible members in this forum.

I have a suggestion, why not limit the number of new comers, and this new members should be indorse from the establish members. These seniors will be accountable for every person they brought here in this forum and everyone who has no someone to support his/her membership must pay. And don't allow them to post/comment in every section for a certain period of time to spend their time on reading.

This will stop the repeated question over and over again. Such question could be possibly intentionally created in order to increase activity.
If this will implemented I think everyone will become responsible to acquire knowledge instead of creating nonsense question and letting them to become lazy. ;)

Although, admins can see personal messages for them to prevent sales on forum they would require reading these messages which I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't like the thought of. Yeah, any sensitive personal messages should be through PGP or a similar system but, not every message requires that. Even, if you did ban account sales this only prevents them dealing on the forum they'll just go elsewhere and sell the accounts.

theymos also has is reasons why he isn't willing to remove signature campaigns entirely, but I think I remember him suggesting in another post that if the merit system doesn't work as intended then he could look into it further.

banning signature campaigns has been discussed at length many a time
campaigns is like a double edged sword,they both bring more users and more posts
and the posts' quality deteriorates,which is only normal since the total amount of posts increases
granted,nowadays,for every relevant answer you have to dig through several meaningless spam-like posts
or you prefer for the topics remain without any answers at all,just because nobody cared to answer?
ICO ann thread bumping is prohibited now,so instead of banning all the campaigns,maybe enforce the rules better?

Enforce the rules on the campaign managers too. This way we'll see higher quality members being accepted in the signature campaigns as well as higher quality managers managing the signature campaigns. They should be held responsible for allowing and encouraging the spam that comes with signature campaigns and bounties. I would argue that bounties are a bigger problem and it's unlikely due to the sheer amount of them that it would be easily moderated by the current staff.

Agree. If the moderators and admin are really serious in taking out spams and shitposting just ban signature campaigns.
This forum will be nice and quite and only those who are seriously fan with cryptocurrencies will stay here.
But guess what? they will not do it. There are plenty of people in higher ups getting money from campaigns and traffic it generates. They want money.
Hypocrites telling newbies to stop coming here for money, when in fact they know themselves they are earning money here and that everyone here wants money.
Just stop the root cause and everyone who seriously hates shitposting(those that never joins sig campaigns) will be happy.

Even theymos has respected those who want to earn money in this forum.

The problem isn't the people in this forum who want to earn money. Let's be honest, a man has got to eat. Earning money from a forum is beneficial, so why must we eradicate this and destroy this opportunity for others?

The problem are those whose main objective is to earn. Out of their desperation, they post nonsense shit in order to increase their post count then level up just so that they can earn more.

But what if we just fixed the system of signature campaigns so that we can better give opportunities for those who want to earn? Guidelines have already been set but this is sometimes not followed. Perhaps better compliance should be made. If there are campaign managers who do not accept users who do not make quality posts, then no one would attempt to join a campaign just by aimlessly posting.

Eradication is not always the solution. There are still some ways to fix the system and we should foster what would be best and beneficial for the community.

Then if you want to stop the signature campaign, then you should do the promotion for the ICO, I mean can even do that even though you are only to post after every hour l, I don't a single person can promote one campaign here in this forum.

This one is what you are seeking for
Personally, I don't think that Theymos will do this step, which seems to be his last solution to stop spamming endemic in the forum. Another reason is we have seen magic impacts of merit sytem on the forum after one month it launched.

You want to be saved from road accident; just stop walking; running; driving; travelling on the road; you are safe; your life is saved; stay at home; no accident ok.
I just want to ask one question what is the  objective of this forum; may be other reasons too but as per my knowledge and belief most of the people here are because they want to invest; trade; earn bitcoin and signature campaign is one of the ways to earn here. 
Bounty managers are paying the posters on wearing signatures of their companies.  The payer needs to check the posts for which they are paying.  If they are paying for shit posting they should be brought under strict rules and regulations or they should be guided (instructed) not to pay for low quality posts or throw away the shit posters from their campaigns.  This suggestion is stupid idea that earning sources should be blocked for better quality posts. 
There is no guarantee that if campaigns are banned; the quality of posts will improve on the contrary majority will sit silent without postings

Haha, You can't do anythings. This work to make money for everyone who have higher rank.
Everythings touch in their profits, you will be ban or receive bad eye from moderator. Be careful about that.

Your analogy is stupid. You can't compare a signature campaign to walking; running, driving; those things are in NECESSITY to go on with your life. But signature campaign is not a necessity in this forum it can be removed without hindering your everyday life and without stopping the essence of this forum. I see many of you are already afraid of removing the signature campaign and bounties it just prove that you all are just money hungry. I will not be surprise ya'll be the first one to leave this forum once you cannot earn any shit here. While others are only thinking of themselves, I am willing to sacrifice earnings to make this forum decent and spam free.

You are partly correct, but only partly. A forum, like any other website needs a server and bandwidth to function. Both those things cost money, a lot of money if the bandwidth is very large.
For now the access to this forum is free for the users and for the visitors. How do you propose to cover the expenses if the signature campaigns are gone?
Would you like to pay a fee? Or perhaps to see the damn google ads everywhere? Btw google banned crypto ads, so you will see some ads totally unrelated to this domain.

Sure, there are people bending the system to their needs, sometimes going illegal or semi-illegal (account selling for example).
But this is a problem of the moderators because they cannot (or would not) control the phenomenon.
Here it is something that can be discussed, not banning the system completely.

Why not force campaign managers to change their signature campaign requirements. Like post count requirements, make them only 1 a week but it should be very constructive. And make them check each post since it'll be a lot easier because its just 1 post per week per member of the campaign.

Signature campaigns definitely kill the quality of posts on any forum.  On the other hand, they definitely increase traffic (and therefore the value of the forum site), so it's asking a lot for them to be banned.  Not really sure there's any good solution to that.

Maybe it's the quality of the sig campaigns that is the problem, If three quarters of them were banned, then lurkers and other visitors would be less likely to be scammed, and maybe Bitcoin could start to improve its image.

Understand what I want to say;  for the fear of death by accident you do not stop using roads; rails; air.  Mind it I am not dependent on the payment from signature campaign.  I am not afraid of removal of signature campaign, if you have some approach and powers you are free to ban all bounties with immediate effect.  But I will ask one question ; whether you are here for charity. If yes, how much you donated till date, or you are here just here busy with prayers to God only, 
And even after banning of bounty I will not leave this forum, because I am not economically dependent and greedy for the earning of bounties though I will earn if I can.
Certain rules may be needed to be made.  Language should be controlled i suggest.

I think this ICO has big promise and will make investor very happy.

 ::)

I'm joined this airdrop.
Good project.
I wait for more info but I truly behind this project....

 ;D ;) ;D

Its those shit posts that annoy me the most. And a lot of them are from newbs that don't even have a signature. Admittedly I don't get around the forum much - but the threads I do peruse - those posts there are the single most annoying ones.

Signature campaigns was introduce so that there is a way to advertise crypto currencies, it's market and it's purpose, so if campaigns will be prohibited what would be the use of this forum? after all the reason why investors get the chance to choose a good project is thru various promotion like signature and bounty campaigns. We cannot help but accept the fact that we cannot eliminate shit poster, the best thing we can do is imposed other regulations like the merit system so that people will be obliged to work hard on their post quality.

Stop posts about other post are much better. QUALITY.
There are more post about merit than bitcoins now.

Fully agreed with you, also this forum will have profit from those bounty/signature campaign i am right? (correct me if i'm wrong). Trough ICO's project that we promote by wearing signature, both forum and members also have profit here...
The best thing to do is lessen required post from bounty/signature campaign at least 15 post per account and having a minimum characters per post 150 characters i think its just enough for reducing shit poster and spamming through this forum.
Merit system now having a good impact to the forum but many users barking about the ranking system of merit, yeah i admit my self it's really hard to rank up, supposed to be i am full member now but i am still here at member rank.

I think he is only because in the negative side of some users who are not yet there in terms of improving their post but as you can see the quality of their post is clearly developing and improving step by step you just need to be patient and don't be so hasty in being judgemental on others mate.

Nothing can change the signature campaign that's an ICO business and ANN sweetener forum no ants are looking for this deserted and tasteless forum.

Banning signature campaign, will or won't do the forum any better. Maybe some functions can be delegated to bounty managers as to criterias that make a signature bounty hunter eligible for a given bounty. The bounty managers should always check a participants posts history before accepting them into thier campaigns. I'm sure people will improve on their post quality in order to be eligible for signature campaigns.

OP is just Like Saying That The Sections which produce signature, bounty,twitter,facebook,reddit,youtube,blog, campaigns and etc. should be remove? for what purpose then? it's really painful in the eyes to see shit threads that is why merit feature was implemented. it will not be helpful in the forum if campaigns will be removed . how bout if OP complain to all the Developers out there that don't make project so there will be no more advertisement in Bitcointalk isn't that a good idea? although you have a point to be consider, But Admin theymos knows the best. Let Him and other superiors Decide.

This is thinking from a retrogressive perspective. Doing what the OP has suggested can only be counter productive. Whether we accept the reality or we live in denial of it that the major thing which has kept this forum bubbling and fast growing is the signature and bounty campaigns. Hardly is there any crypto enthusiast who hasn't read or heard about the bitcointalk.org site. All thanks to the traffic the signature campaign has brought this forum. I believe stopping this will deal this forum a hard blow. But I would like for Theymos to experiment in this.


Oh, really that bitcoin could start to improve its image?

It has been explained a million times why it's stupid to get rid of signature campaigns. What do you think Roger Ver will do the very second theymos globally banned signature campaigns? exactly, this forum would lose tons of traffic, and Roger Ver would promote the bitcoin (dot) com forum as the "official bitcoin signature campaign" forum. This will cause his forum having a better SEO ranking and when people google "bitcoin forum" they will end up on there. Do you really want that? Nope.

There is still plenty of good discussion in this forum. Bookmark the posters you find of quality and follow their posts, it's not that difficult. Also there are sections in the forum now that will not pay you if you post there (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=250.0)

Also, the "Development & Technical Discussion" section is of high quality even if people can wear their signature there.

Just ignore the 10000 page threads and you should be ok, who cares if they spam on there.

I don't think this is a good idea to remove signatures and bounty campaigns from bitcointalk forums. Promotion ICO in bitcointalk it's a good thing for all of us, the forum will be more active and people can enroll and promote campaigns and then they make money, Even theymos make money by advertising campaigns in this forum.

Well I agree that removing any Bounty Campaigns in this Forum is not wise Choice.
I am sure 50% member in this forum get their bucks in this Forum.
Sure the problem is Post Quality, if Bounty Thread just irritating this Forum, why Theymos didn't announce to stop it?

PS : It seems OP just jealous and make this topic. :(

Theymos could try that out for a few weeks to see, what would happen.

Why so harsh to speak out your selfish ambition.? Not 100s, 1000s but millions I guess who participate in this place including I. If Theymos implement it to ban signature campaign, he is not human but more than beast. I think more people are thankful for being here than regretful persons. More lives than death by joining here.

I think the best thing is go out of this place if you are selfish. You have a better place outside than being here.
I wish the best

What earnings? Those optional ones that you may or may not have in a couple months? With this whole attitude of yours and the merit system in place it's probably going to be years. Such sacrifice. :D


Are you a professional bowman? I'm asking because you (probably unintentionally) managed to hit OP right in the knee.

My thoughts is that these signature campaign is obsolete in todays social media world. They can spam telegram, Facebook, email accounts, twitter etc to promote their ICO/airdrop/Bounties.

This forums would be better off with focused discussion on real issues, ideas, Anns etc. People can still earn their bounties in the other arenas. Bitcointalk has been diluted to a point of ridicule. I wholeheartedly agree with OP, but unfortunately I do not have any merit to prove this.

I don't know, do you really know what is a signature campaign? Do you think that it would be good if promoting ICO is prohibited here in the forum. Let me tell you mate this not only for all smart philosophers or battle of the brains ( as I observed ), its all about business. why do you think mods created a bounties section for altcoins? They also have benefits even you, I admit even me. Some of big investors are here on this forum, so represent a signature here in this forum is more better.

If organizations are still actively paying for signature campaign you can bet they're effective at advertising. People wouldn't pay for an ineffective way to advertise, and IIRC some campaigns in the past even included a link in the signature code so every click would be logged.

Merit itself has partially caused this Meta subforum to absolutely blow up. Discussion between people that have a pulse still happens in most subforums, but less so in subforums like Bitcoin Discussion. I personally would like more moderation in subs like those to eliminate people reiterating the same points over and over again and to prevent signature spammers from copy-pasting and editing their garbage responses there. Ever since Frodocooper was added to the Mining subforum as a mod, spamming has almost ground to a complete halt there (though there have been times moderation was questionable like in the KNC thread). Moderation might be a bit costly but it's absolutely worth it.

Signature campaign meant for adversiting an ICO within the forum and it would resulted a huge impact on bounty campaign. I think we should leave it to bounty managers they have to become more strict when it comes to validating our post during checking of campaign accomplishment.

I can't tell if this post is supposed to be ironic because I don't even understand what it means...which is what this thread is about--garbage shitposts.  I swear 90% of users in the main, English section can't write anything in fucking English.  It's ridiculous, and then every one of these idiots acts so stunned that they haven't earned any merits. 

I agree with the above user, that the airdrop shitposters are the worst, but I have that whole section on ignore, and when I have visited it's been to report such posts.  It is against the rules to post "joined" and the like.

Rather than banning, they should simply be moderated/regulated. It should be 1 post/day max since that's = 1 activity. Then, if sig camp posts get merit, there should be bonus. It seems useless to post more than once a day but there are days when someone probably is "in the mood" and has a lot of great ideas, just like writers, so.

I'm with the op, ban the stupid things, they suck. They're annoying, and I hate them. They generate mondo stupidity. I feel bad for people that need money but enough is enough already. They're making money by annoying the crap out of me. And when I see a thread by a sig banner poster, my first thought is "sig campaign bait". It's like all the fud btc "news" stories on the interwebz, just there as clickbait. Get rid of them. 

If you observe the services section a lot of changes are already taking place:

1) There are additional payments for members with merits. I think this is really a nice initiative taken by campaign managers and will ensure that only quality members are being chosen.

2) We cannot enforce strict requirements like only members with merits can participate simple because this system is quite new. Many members are getting used to it and thus it is not right to deprive them of opportunities completely.

3) I do not agree to making limits like 1 post a day. some members might be able to give tie here only on weekends because of their jobs or other works.

A helpful poster on another thread explained to me that you can choose not to see the annoying campaign sigs by clicking a box in your user profile. I hadn't realized that. Works great.

But still, you will see tons of shitposts made by bounty campaign participants, so it's not a solution. Not annoying signatures are the problem, but the content of posts of signature and bounty campaign participants. Offcourse, you can manually put on ignore every shitposter, but it's time consuming and not very effective procedure I think. Shortly, this is why Merit system was introduced and we will see how situation will change after few months or maybe more.

You're right of course, the real problem is all the posters doing "Will btc rise toxxx" type threads just for sig clicks. It's just another hustle. I worry that the merits will be another one. Already I have been accused of starting a thread to earn merit. And there's the larger problem in a nutshell,  too many hustlers. So many people are trying to hustle everybody else. That makes everyone suspicious. It's like walking down a street filled with people doing 3 card Monty and the shell game, hustling the tourists for singles. Throw in a couple of people selling watches.

I am not in favor of such options. Just think of a situation where all members start using that option. What exposure will those campaigns get even after paying the members for it ? It is true that this forum must also be getting a lot of organic traffic but still the registered members here might be more interested in products and services related to bitcoins. Thus, if those signature campaigns are paying for getting more traffic and sales to their website, they should be compensated for it to the fullest.

I could care less if Sig campaigns fail and die. In fact I prefer it.

Here is what will happen if you add rewards directly for merits. Suppose there is reward of $2 worth bitcoins for one merit received. Members will start buying merits for $1 each then and pay it from the bonus. It will also affect the merit system on the whole as those members may rank up after accumulating merits in this manner. Most of the signature campaigns have criteria that only eligible posts will be paid. Campaign managers go through the posts before paying and thus those posts are not a problem for this forum.

Agreed that signature campaigns are causing people to spam and shit post but that doesn't mean signature campaigns are stopped all of a sudden. they aren't just for paying the members here, the signature campaign of the respective ICO's are to advertise about their ICO's and I guess that would cause a drop in their marketing and advertisements which are spreading their words. To help stop spam merit system was introduced and it is quite a good idea but still may people bragging about it.

Removing signature campaigns in this forum was already discussed and theymos does take a stand from it and he don't want to remove signature ads for now if the merit system doesn't work he will remove signature ads globally that's why he implemented the merit system to make users to make their posts constructively not just 1 liner posts abd all i can say is there is an improvement since more users were posting constructively than before especially to new users like me although there are still a lot spamming going to bitcoin discussion boards

I agree to you but only to some extent. Regarding the post quality improved, it is true particularly in meta section. I have seen some incredible threads and replies in meta section after the merit system. I think members have realized that this is one of the most popular or visited sections in bitcointalk.

In other sections like bitcoin discussion, we can still see new members making senseless posts in old threads (one with 2000 replies or above) just to increase activity.

Removing of signature campaign is not a good idea, specially not all bitcoin user was nonsense. Signature campaign really helps a lot, reply on a forum may be a basis of investment specially for the new investor.