Bitcoin Forum

Given that there are a lot of beginners who have obviously never used the forum, or used it in the wrong way - I would like to warn them of some things that are not strictly against the rules of the forum, but are quite irritating and definitely reduce your contribution to the forum, regardless of your good intentions. Some members will ignore you for this, others may report you to moderator - but you can change all that if you apply the tips below.


Posting images to the forum

There's nothing wrong with that, sometimes a picture speaks more than a thousand words and we all love to see an interesting photo - but the thing is that some really overdo it with sizes that are inappropriate for the forum. It should be taken into account that some users of this forum have limited data internet traffic or very slow internet, which in combination with browsing the forum on smartphones can be quite frustrating. As an example, look at what the post history (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=3444835;sa=showPosts) of one of our artists looks like. (archived (https://archive.ph/EGbga))

The solution is very simple and consists of simply placing a link of your image in this code, and adjusting the width + check by clicking on the preview how the image looks.


Using the quote option

Another thing that we all use more or less and that makes it easier for us to communicate on the forum. The problem is that some members abuse this option to make their posts look longer and more meaningful, when in fact they make them completely uninteresting. Quote exists for a reason, and if you want to refer to someone's post or part of a post, simply click on "quote" when you are in the menu for writing a post and then edit the post (delete the part you don't need). You can also use more than one quote in your post by simply scrolling and selecting the post you want to respond to.

Examples of how this should not look : 1 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5395442.msg59995359#msg59995359) 2 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5395442.msg59995455#msg59995455)

Posting multiple posts in a row

This is actually something that is against the rules of the forum, and I noticed that some older members are still making that beginner's mistake. As I explained above, you can reply to multiple posts in one post by adding multiple quote posts, or simply address each member by their name.

If you see posts that have a moderator note printed in red font then it means that the moderator has merged the posts. If we use the forum correctly, there will be less work for moderators.

Not using punctuation

One of the most annoying offenses to me personally, is when someone posts a huge chunk of text without breaking it into paragraphs. I usually just skip such posts, because they tire my eyes, and pretty much all decent posters know how to break up their posts to have basic readability.

When I saw the title I thought I would see something about necroposts. It probably happened to me like 3 times already, whereas some post farmer replies to a topic that has been inactive for a couple of years already — hence bumping the topic to the top of the list, hence me responding without noticing the date of the original post.

Haha, this also happens to me.

And another thing I wish to add is when a user create a new thread about something that's been discussed in the forum a long time ago, and decided to discuss that same topic in a new perspective or way, some members begin to tell the op that the topic has been discuss before  and even go ahead to post the links to the previous discussion where the last post on the thread is dated 7 or 8 months ago, assuming am the op, I always ask myself, "was this guy expecting me to make my post, as a comment in an already dead thread that has its last post dated far 8 months back?

Can I add "not using the search option before posting" to the mix?"

Reading through the same update on trending issues twice or having to read through a similar kind of post about merits, how to get them or some other generic stuff can be off puting to most.

There has been tons of posts and threads made in the forum, and there's a high probability that what you want to discuss has been takes about before, it does not hurt to do a quick search and maybe use that as a reference for your post, so it's not just a repetition.

Allow me to add giving merit advice when they haven’t gotten any

Many newbies especially those with zero merit are found if this, you can’t teach how to get what you don’t have that doesn’t add up, as a newbie don’t expect to get your merit this way, if you honestly feel you have solved the problem on how to earn merit, it’s better if you put it into practice and then become successful at it then you can share you experience but hoping to get your first merit just by posting ways on how to earn merit sounds like a cheap easy way out.

An interesting post history combo, bounty section and wall observer thread. That guy is probably sharing images there as a way to fish the merit but seems like he is not particulary successful so far.


I always thought its more of a laziness issue and lack of posting etiquette rather than an attempt for post to look more "substantial".


To be honest, forum search option is horrendous and often won't bring you a good result so there's no surprise that we have a lot of threads where people discuss the same thing (and many are unaware of ninjastic.space). This issue is a common thing for absolutely every forum I've ever been part of and the only difference is how they deal with it. The only way to really stopped people from doing that is those threads get reported and then posts moved in the already existing threads but that would mean much more work for the forum staff.

Some beginners also often don't know how to trim long posts in quotes so they have to quote whole posts just to add some unimportant words. Pyramid quote, may be much rarer now but some beginners also dig into the old topic of "bumping" quite often because they are not well versed in the discussion of the newest topics.

I just wanted to give them some useful guidelines, but I have to admit sometimes they can just skip it.

Guidelines and how to post correctly. (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=help;page=post)

Use of Bolded words throughout their post and usage of text colours inappropriately are the points I want to mention.

Because its really annoying to read such posts and when we advice them to edit few people does and many never so if any newbie is watching this please don't make that mistake keep your post simple and neat.

Take note of the image you can use height instead of width sample below but the overall size of the image will totally decrease or increase both width and height


Or you can totally edit the size by adding both width and height


We already have a guide about this here "[Tutorial] How to add image, resize image and make image clickable" (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2958771.0) including how to add URL inside the image.

Aside of those 3 points, I would like to add:

Repeating someone answer without add any value

I think this is the most problem I've seen in this forum when someone already answered correctly, but after a hour, you will see the other 3-5 users are just repeating the correct answer without adding any value or point. They're just want to fulfill their quota campaign with a low effort, so they can earn easy money. I don't know how to solve this problem, because moderators didn't want to delete those posts even I have reported them.

Yes posting the image stretches the thread and its stretched even more when people start quoting it. You have given the right direction that if someone has to post the image then post it by limiting the size of the image. Those who reply must remove the image from quote so that nothing annoying happens.

Bitcointalk is one forum on the internet that gets over 2 to 3 million monthly visits with an estimate of over 1 thousand daily registered users. So as long as we are getting new users on the forum every blessed day, mistakes like these are bound to occur, because there is no how you could lecture them all at the same time.
However, I just check the post history you shared and the image was way too large because I'm using a mobile phone and it covered my whole screen with absolutely no vital meaning as its caption. But that's why we have the "Rules and conditions" for each subsection of the forum, but most newbies dont use to read it before commenting. Because if all newbies could use their very first 3 to 4 months to studying how the forum works and how to do certain things in the forum (i.e how to post and resize an image, quote properly, and know the right board to post a thread), there will be no much work for moderators

I agree with that, but spelling and punctuation are still another category that we can hardly influence, especially if we take into account that a good part of the members come from a non-English speaking area. It is quite easy to show someone how to reduce the image to an appropriate size or how to properly quote post, while not using punctuation is not something we can influence.

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It has happened to me several times, but everyone can have their moment of inattention and overlook the date - it is important that this does not happen often ;)

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In the context of what @Fivestar4everMVP mentioned in his post, I agree that everyone should use the search option of the forum or even some search engines outside the forum (because it can be a much faster way to search). However, I would point out that in some cases it is better to open a new thread than to bump a couple of years old - although of course it depends on whether someone got an answer to their question by reading an old thread, or still needs extra help.

Using the search option is far better applicable to current topics that are duplicated in different boards - just look at the Bitcoin discussion and Economics and you will understand what I am talking about.

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This is an interesting thing and I admit that it is a bit strange that someone who has just come to the forum gives advice on how to get merits - but people use all sorts of tactics in an effort to get it.

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He is the last in a series that has been annoying WO members lately, one has been permabanned (he has a thread in Meta), and some have calmed down a bit at the moment because they realized that instead of merits there are other "awards".


Laziness and ignorance of how to properly use quote are certainly part of it, but a lot of those who participate in signature campaigns obviously think that their one or two line posts look better if they add a wall of text in front of them.

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I will answer some other posts in the next post, because no matter how hard I tried to make the post readable - too long posts are not something that most people appreciate ;)

I like it most when newbie members give advice on how to write quality forum posts or how to progress on the forum  ;D
There seem to be a lot of newbie members who like to give advice that they themselves don’t yet know how to practice.
It also annoys me when a newbie in his first forum post asks how he can make money on this forum or start explaining his difficult financial situation.
In such cases, the option of ''ignore'' is sometimes the best choice  ;D

They just made those advice maybe just to get merit but in reality on what they say they didn't really apply those to theirselves since majority of newbies now want to short cut things because what's truly got in their head is to earn merit then rank up to earn money from whatever they like to join and also on signature campaigns which is popular in this forum.

Another annoying things that beginners doing for a long time in this forum and that is they are used to sharing experiences in this forum by creating a topic.But they actually have not much experience about crypto but they need to be focused so that they can easily rank up their accounts by receiving merits. I will suggest to all the beginners, first you know properly from the senior members and learn from then how to make quality topics.

I don't mind that much to a wall of text or a wall of text without making it into paragraphs. What I don't like is seeing oversized images when we know that there's a code for that which you can change the size regarding the desired size of image. I have seen the thread about how to post constructively and more in this board but never see someone who do it right away.

I am not at all surprised by such posts, because in some parts of the world this forum is nothing but a platform for making money. People just hear from someone that they have made some money here, and I can say that I understand their behavior because in some parts of the world people live very hard and try to get out of poverty in all possible ways.

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Some members know, but I'm sure there are a lot of those who don't, so I hope that this thread will be helpful to some. We cannot blame those who do not know, but we can blame those who know and are warned but continue to behave in the same way.

Some users actually overlook posting etiquettes, they are prolly thinking it doesn't matter, and what should be important is the content of ones post, yes, the content is what is most important, but you have to make it possible for other users to read and appreciate what it is that you have written, you can't just quote in an unreadable way and cluster all of your words and expect people to read it, i am pretty sure they would rather just skip, notwithstanding how good what it is you have written is.

There are also features/icons in the forum that we can see directly above as we are typing a new post/thread, all of that can also be employed to make our post look more beautiful, for example just the way @Lucius used the underline feature/icon in this (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5396675.msg60018732#msg60018732) post to separate the two posts he quoted, i am not saying users should use them always or abuse them, but if employed skillfully, it would make your posts aesthetically pleasing to read.

Finally as regards how to quote properly, users can take a look at this topic: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3749076

OP is right before I am quoting the whole thread for my response cause I didnt know how to do the per kine quote when I was a newbie but literally changed it now. But Ive still see some older members doing so, so better to learn on how to quote properly. It also helps on direct to the point answer when responsing.

What about the ones who write in all caps simply because they think it shows emphasis. I don't even bother to read such posts nowadays.

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I don't understand how making a block quote would make someone's posts look longer when in actual fact character and word counts begin with the said user's comment and not from the quoted. Not only is block quote uninteresting to read, it's confusing going through who said what and what from the post, especially ones that involve up to four yolked quotes.

Posting multiple posts in a row.

This annoys me a lot seeing one person posting repeatedly and in some
case not even making a significant point at the end, I don't know if they're
doing it in order to bump thread to the top.

When someone comes in the forum and instead of reading what is going on in the forum - they ask the question. lol
Also most of the newbie want to get rich the moment they join in as a member. They should know good things take time and patience.

I remember early discussions that a lot of people didn't like being called "Sir" often. It may be normal for the word to be spelled infrequently, but some beginners tend to overdo it, thereby eliciting inappropriate attitudes such as pity.

I would rather communicate with a person who feels equal, rather than belittling himself, by frequently addressing "Sir".

I'm beginning to dread that too, though I don't know how that came to be or why it's like that. In my clime, using that sir appellation is a way of showing respect. However, here, I've read some veterans argue that it's disrespectful to address one like that. I think I picked that and have stopped addressing people that way across all social media. However, if I know the person I'm addressing is truly older than I am, I use "Sir"regardless. Again, there's the use of "they, their or them" in addressing a single person when we don't know "their" sex. It's a safe way to play than using a she or he and then getting it wrong. Semantically, that contradicts a basic law of English Concord. Things we learn on social media are very astonishing, honestly.

About using the quote option:

One day as I was scouting the forum, I saw a Hero member who quoted an Op that is as long as a full article and just replied with two lines sentence. I felt disappointed that it came from a Hero member and not a newbie. According to Op, the reason they quote long posts to reply is to make their posts appear long. I consider this frivolous because everyone reading posts know the difference between a post and a quoted post.

About replying posts in a row. If some was mentioned, and he quotes that particular reply he was mentioned and reply to it and immediately drop a fresh reply below the first, is it against the rule?

Rank means nothing, especially if we know that these are members from the old era before the merit system - and then every shitposter could become Legendary with regular posting. The fact that some of them even today act as total beginners speaks for itself.


If you reply to multiple posts then it makes sense to multi-quote them and reply in one post. Replying to each post individually in a row is against the rules.

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It's no secret that it's not all in the content (which is of course the most important), but in the way that content is presented, and that's something that many appreciate when reading posts. However, this is something that can be learned over time, and few can boast that they were at a high level from the beginning in terms of quality of content and presentation.

Thank you for this simple and helpful post, which will definitely be a great help for beginners like me.

The pointers shared would be a great help to understand, how one can post the article in the forum.

I believe the shared article is to help the beginners and also keep them updated about do’s and don’ts to be followed from their end.

To extend on the "Using the Quote" option part, I really hate to see when someone quotes the entire OP when replaying to the thread starter. I know what I wrote, you don't have to quote me. Especially not for a thank you or this is very helpful type of posts. There is no reason one should do that, but if you do, at least remove the images from the quoted OP.


I    am   allergic when isee  people post  like  this. I also hate to see an empty space before a punctuation mark . 


We also shouldn't forget that the forum isn't well suited when posting from a phone. Imagine having to remove big parts of a post just to quote a few sentences on a phone. Instead, they just do what is easier. That's still not a reason and justification of why you should do it.

Large images and double posts do harm the discussion, but a mile long quote must become criminal offense. This is seriously annoying. One creates a thread, regarding an important matter and then boom, shitposter awakes and quotes the entire damn thing.

Also, cut the crap with "Res" under the OP. If you want to say something, say it.

Let me be honest, sometimes it is how some people  are brought up, it happens to me. Wherever I find  my self I always respect people who I know they are my senior in one way or the other. When I came to the forum I met senior people who are doing great job and contributing to the forum, sometimes I feel some how mentioning their name even if I don't know them real life, but I know they are my senior here in the forum, I need to give that respect .

I think that "Res" thing means Reserved. It used to be in vogue in 2017/2018 and was used to book space for signature campaign slots at a time when campaign managers made their selections based on First Come First Served basis. This day, selections aren't based on that any more. I think it's now based on subjective merit or other considerations by the manager. So, it would really be hilarious to see "Res" on threads that aren't campaign threads or one put up by OP after announcing a campaign so as to address issues later, expectedly. Expect you think it's needless for campaign managers to still use it. Otherwise, I think it's still in tandem for them.

This matter is grossly subjective and depends much on the environment (informal and formal).
When I joined the forum, I was using it continuously until I discovered that it's unofficial against the norms of this place.
In my neighbourhood, I greet every male occupant with Sir and they reciprocate by replying with sir. Things goes well especially when you don't know their names and does not wish to know.
Then, when I worked with a company, everyone is addressed by their names including the CEO.

I believe you didn't understand me, see what I meant with this reply and a fresh one with different context I'm dropping below.

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The importance of having a good worded presentation cannot be over emphasised. One may have a good idea and ends up murdering the idea with wrong presentation, either by quoting a long wall of text or sharing an image that will occupy a full page. These acts are unwelcoming and breaches smooth communication .

Let me include this point;
Too much coloration:
It is always unpleasant to me when I see posts that is much decorated with colours It drags attention and rub same on the mud. Here is not a fine art platform and hence using of colours in the wrong way should be frowned at.
I believe the above comment is irrating already, despite that it has a cool point.

Maybe this kind of posting is better reported as low value or maybe under plagiarism but let me put it here as I also find it annoying.

Copying a portion of an article, adding a link reference, but not adding anything worthy to the topic created.

Examples:
1. (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5397028.0)
2 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5397033.0).
^ Quoted the entire post in case of edits. I also prefer this rather than posting links from scrapers (tryninja/loyce).

The user must have also thought it's an easier way to meet weekly post quota.

The situation I described in that quote is one that deals with online and social media. You hardly know the ages of people you're dealing with. However, if I happen to guess than a user is older than I am maybe because I've seen their real picture on Facebook or on other identity revealing sites, I won't hesitate to address them as sir. That's my point. Of course, in real life we know those who are older than we are and it will be disrespectful not to acknowledge that all in the name of sounding woke. I won't do that.

BTW, you just committed one of the things the OP pointed out – Posting multiple posts in a row

I think most of us fall in either of the category in one way or the other, firstly when talking about editing pictures to a normal size, i also find it disgusting having a post with an extra large image which obviously doesn't necessitate having an interest on it nor does it implies quality and meaning insight it can offer. Another aspect as stated by Lucius is the quoting aspect, honestly i see a need to only quote the major idea or area of emphasis than quoting the whole post which does not even look presentable on sight and the main point might not be well understood as all the post were being quoted.

And i see an attitude of lackadaisical manner in this regard which we all unknowingly exhibit even though it's not against the forum rules and am not left out in this as well, if a particular thought is quoted its an indication of two things: first, that you have red and understood the whole post, and secondly you specifically direct on comments on that particular area you quoted, and lastly it makes a post look neat with a beauty that can attract an attention to reading what you're trying to pass across.

Lastly, permit me as well to add this "Paragraphing" this aspect is also vital while making a post on the forum as the whole write ups needed to be presented with a paragraph so as to indicate sections, points, and make easier for the viewer to be fascinating enough for a reading, and its not necessarily that one have to overflood the page with write-ups before the main idea is passed across, and here i see the need to a comprehensive summary and paragraphing were needed and appropriately.

Well, my usage of the word sir is not tied to someone's age. Whether you are older or younger, in as much as you are a responsible young man,  whose name I don't know, I will likely address you as sir.
I think the Oxford dictionary agrees with my definition of the word 'sir'.
If you can read again, you will understand that it is purposely done and I used it as an instance and to ask a question. I asked Lucius and it seems he didn't understand the question. Now you can answer me. Someone said if I first replied to a post by quoting people and immediately drop a fresh post with a new context, it's not against the rule. Example is what I did above. Is that correct?

I'm not sure anyone will dispute the correctness of that usage. What I tried to explain (as advanced by some users too) is that it's not necessary using "sir" on social media where people are seemingly faceless.

I already answered your question in the above. However, I think where such doesn't count as an offence is in the local board. Though I see a lot of veteran users do that in other boards too.

Yea, I can see it's an offence, the reply of mine has already been merged by a moderator.
Just to clear my doubts cox I have seen also established users do it aswell but didn't take note which board. Thanks!

I reckon I sometimes may put two consecutive posts, but this is when I am answering two different lines of conversation and the posts are becoming just too long. A response with 4000 chars may be too much for many to digest, however with two posts somehow makes it possible to choose better.

One thing I dislike is people posting links to twitter, youtube or sources without any comment or addition of their own. I belong to a generation that reads, I do not like someone telling me about XYZ a his / hers chosen speed - I would rather read at my chosen speed.

Was it bumps? Or reserved posts by the OP of a particular thread? if it was any of that, then it is allowed.

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Well then mate, If it was none of that, then maybe it stood just cause a mod missed it/didn't see it, or users who did see it didn't report it to a moderator for it to be merged, i am pretty sure if it was reported it would have been merged.

I didn't want to answer anything before until the mod actually gave an answer to your question - and I understood your question before that, the rule is quite clear, although many are not aware of it. This way of posting in case the user has a paid signature can be considered a kind of abuse - because if you can respond to 3 posts in one, and you do it on purpose in three separate posts, it is obvious what the intention is.

Of course, this is not always the case because some members do not know that there is another way - here is one case from yesterday that obviously annoyed a mod so much that instead of merging posts, he simply deleted everything.

https://archive.ph/d6Q4R

I have reported such posts as of little value several times, and in most cases, moderators simply delete such posts.


You are right again. This is especially annoying when the user does not completely know who he is talking to, whether he is writing to a man or a woman. Reading the word "Sir" when you're not is pretty funny. The same applies to age. You can tell a lot about yourself on the network that is not true.

This is the reason that I don't like viewing and rationalizing things conclusively without leaving room for benefit of the doubt. In the case of the member whose post as archived you've shared here, we can see that it was done ignorantly as they couldn't have been in a campaign at the time owing that it's a newbie with 23 posts. Account was registered in March 2022. That's less than two months. If the member were high ranked, we would've summarily concluded that it was to boast post count whereas that could've been done ignorantly. Oh, yes! There are countless high ranked users who aren't conversant with rules of this forum.

I guess you've countless laughs on that too 😆. It's the same way Lauda would've had it as many of us couldn't tell whether they be male or female.

Using the words Sir/Ma are just too show how we rate that person or user. Using that shouldn't be mistaken for wanting to be pitied no!
They're also use to show respect for  an elder or senior, I have seen most low ranks refer to higher leveled members, of which I also do!
Don't get that wrong!

Yes i know it can be difficult for newcomers at first, struggling to get acquainted with a new forum and all, but the thing is that the rules are there for all to see, even newcomers, and there is the 'search' and 'help' button as well which newcomers can get started with to get a grasp of what to do and what not to do; there is also another option of introducing 'yourself' as a newcomer (which quite a lot of newbies do) and ask other users to help you with information that will be of great help to you, users who do all of these get up to speed pretty quick; there is no other way the forum can 'guide' you if not through this, and you asking questions as well.

You are correct, most times you may want to contribute to a particular topic but due to lack of punctuation signs and other signs, reading and responding to it will be difficult and tiring, the poster may be saying something meaningful but his aim may not be achieved due to improper arrangement of his words. This can be mostly seen among newbies.

Let make this very simple, this is a big community with different people from different backgrounds and i believe what is generally acceptable in some countries many not be applicable in other countries, the word Sir/Ma can be officially used in general but in some context or word scenario it can as well be used for another intent or meaning in a conversation and the tone or expression used in saying it could make it an offensive one, but on the forum like this i will prefer the use of the word "user" "member" or "OP" as commonly used when referring to someone, we can't be accurate when identifying a user with Sir/Ma because you can not be sure of their real gender and some users can easily get offended when wrongly addressed.

i know right? Its so annoying. i get pissed off any time i see such posts. A well written and composed post no matter how long it may be can be interesting and will never tire your eyes. I skip too long posts as well, i get bored reading them along the way.