Bitcoin Forum

I noticed the hierarchy in the Forum, so I mean to ask, are there some sections I need to avoid since am just a newbie? Can I contribute to any thread despite the OP's rank?

Except "Investigation", "Serious discussion" and "Ivory Tower boards", you can make post in any other board you want.
To post in "Serious discussion", you need to have Jr Member rank and for posting in "Ivory Tower," you need full Member rank.
To post in "Investigation" board (and see that), you need member rank.

If you are not sure where you should post your topic, you can visit Guidelines for threads (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0#post_guidelines).

Yes, you can contribute provided the thread where you want to post opens to you. OP, in addition to the link to that helpful thread hosseinimr93 provided you above, I suggest you read sticky posts too (that's posts sticked on top boards) as they will further deepen your understanding of the rules and regulations of this forum.

First of all, look for the rules ....know 'em. Nobody wants to read some compiled , incessant psychobabble.
Yes, there are threads or some sub- boards you're restricted from. I learnt we have a couple; like the ones that GMs and the ADMINS discuss and hold their têtè ä tètê...
Welcome on board and understand that they're little or no restrictions to what a user contributes; that can be done 24*24 times in diverse unrestricted boards...in as much as you are not plagiarising and your points are solid, solid that it could solve a problem and convince anyone that you're knowledgeable even in real life and your post is just an expertise or say -- a quarter of your rehabbed perception which reveals the true you --

Stay strong out there; you're gonna get critics as an answer to a question that's seemingly assumed to be known to you which you don't know. I just hope I'm not tryna saddle a dead horse?! Yeah, literally, I mean we'd be proud to have you celebrated on a specious day, for a new rank.
My apologies for the off-topic.

Cheers
Sandra 👩‍🦱

As a fellow beginner, I also like to be confused at first, sometimes I also feel inferior, but this is a discussion,
so I thought, why should I feel inferior to express my opinion,

the most important thing is that you don't make posts that are considered spam, and at least they have to be of high quality.

Newbies are indeed inferior in terms of what they can do. There are forum limits against newbies in terms of posting and messaging, for example. But outside of that, I don't think newbies should feel inferior. After all, ranks do not necessarily signify Bitcoin or crypto knowledge, experience, determination, and so on. Although, of course, in terms of how the forum works, newbies should better observe, explore, and read the rules first.

After understanding the rules, can the Newbie then create topic and also comment on threads? Because, definitely must not remain a newbie unless they  contributes too. if by just observing  how can they rank up? Am just but also learning.

If you are really interested in something (and you can't find an answer using the forum search), then you can open a new thread and ask a question/start a discussion. No one will blame you for a legitimate question, but if you open a thread with the question "Who is Satoshi" or "Why are there only 21 million BTC" it is definitely considered a low-value topic and will be deleted by the moderators.

What others want to tell you is that you still have to learn something in order to be able to participate constructively in discussions, and you will achieve this by reading what other more experienced members write. This is just a forum, there is no pressure to do this or that - read, write, be more aware of some things every day than the day before.

Actually, observing, or reading through the different topics and posts, is likely an important contributing factor to ranking-up. The better you grasp the context of what’s been talked about, the more chances of being able to bring something to the table that has some substance to it, is aligned with the flow of what’s being said, and is not a cacophony of something already said within the same thread.

There’s no rush, and it may take a little while to figure out which topics are more aligned with one’s interests.

Yes, avoid posting in the mega threads where there is no discussion is happening all you can witness is full of spam created to meet the quota requirements or as troll, etc.

Post in any section where you feel comfortable but as a newbie you can explore everywhere and find which suits you better for the knowledge you have because in bitcointalk you're a newbie doesn't mean you are lacking knowledge. There are many exceptional low rank members are giving detailed explanation about technical related things which I really don't have any idea.

Choosing a Board also needs to be considered, usually things like this are overlooked by Newbie knowledge. Newbies must know a place that matches the content of the topic, the term is not to enter the wrong room. Do not let topics that lead to Altcoin discussions be posted on the Bitcoin discussion board and vice versa, this also needs to be considered so as not to violate the restrictions on the forum.

Go participate in any available section that you want. As long as you don't spam and don't plagiarize, you'll be good. In the first place if you're not allowed to post on a certain section, it wouldn't be available to you in the first place.

^Seriously, stop overthinking that Bitcointalk is some very formal community or something like that. It's really not, and you can be very casual here like how you talk to someone on social media.

even without reading the rules first(but it is preferable that they do to avoid breaking the rules), newbies can create a topic or post on other threads, no one is stopping them and it is not taboo or frowned upon for a newbie to join discussions. like what mk4 has said, stop overthinking and participate on any board that is available to you.

As already stated above there are only few boards where you can't post as a newbie while all other boards are free to post but keep in mind the rules that you should follow and not spam in any one of them.But usually on basic note newbies and low rank members tend to post more on B&H and Bitcoin discussion which I have seen but there are no restrictions on this part and you have freedom to Post except the three mentioned above.

This is an open discussion forum where you can share your ideas and thoughts and exchange knowledge so there is no such restrictions but it should be contributing to the discussion not spam posts only.

I will add to know the boards to have OP's topic relevant. Boards are self explaining though. 

Don't sound like you are lost. The good start for you will be to read the first 6 sticky topics (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=24.0) and understand what's written there.
You not only need to know how to post and what to post but also need to understand what we value and what not in terms of forum (unofficial) rules.

There's nothing stopping you from creating thread and responding to other users' posts as long as you don't do it for spam, low quality, off-topic, referral code posting, trolling, and more. You can read and understand all these points in the forum rules: Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0)

When you create a thread then I believe you have to have a purpose and you have to be able to moderate your thread well and respond to some important things. It's obvious that you have to contribute to your thread so you don't just have to observe it. Then about rank up, you have to get merit and enough activity points. About merit, read here: Merit & new rank requirements (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2818350.0)

OP, listen to the above advice as it can prevent you from getting banned.  There have been so many members who apparently never read the rules (or just didn't care about them) who've wound up pleading with the mods to get their account back, it's ridiculous.

In addition to what others have written, my advice to you would be to stay out of forum drama (usually taking place in either the Reputation or Meta sections) until you establish yourself as a member.  Otherwise people are going to think you're just trying to earn merits or increase your post count or whatever.

By the way, there's no real hierarchy aside from the various ranks, although I'm talking about regular members and not the moderators or Theymos.  This forum (I think) is supposed to be a meritocracy, where people are judged based on the quality of their contribution to it.  I'd say that's more or less true, because there aren't as many cliques as there used to be. 

Oh, it helps if you have a thick skin and can shrug off vicious criticism/trolling/attacks without acting like a baby.  Bitcointalk is one of the freest forums I've ever seen, so moderators aren't going to step in when someone calls you a bone-headed asshole.  Not saying that's going to happen, but it could, so toughen up if you're not tough already.

Someone once thought that my contribution to the forum was my attempt to beg for merit by merit sources through quality posts to rank up, but without them realizing it now I have helped them to get their rank even with some merit. I smile when I think about it, but that's why one has to be thick skinned on this forum.

The Pharmacist, about the OP, you should probably know that from the way he created thread he doesn't appear to be someone newbie in this forum. So I think the OP is knowledgeable enough by now, even for his first post: How are Newbies welcomed in the Forum? (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5416754.0)

Anyway I don't want to react too harshly, but you are not a newbie, IMO.

I don't really believe that a newbie will know much how to use some of the forum's features within hours of joining. Even I assume they don't know what the quote function is and how to include the url in the post unless they are experienced users. Ahhh, I find this a bit draining because you don't have to pretend to be a newbie anyway if you're actually an experienced users. I'm not sure, but of course I can think about it after skarais referenced one of your posts.

I Know everyone are entitled to their opinion in this forum but I  was advised to ignore rank for now since am just a Newbie.

..or just totally ignore ranks completely. Having a higher rank(especially those with near-zero received sMerits), doesn't automatically mean you're smarter than a person with a lower rank.

whoever you are, a newbie or an experienced old member. I will ignore it. you can post where you like. if you like trading, then you can discuss it there. If you like mining, of course, you already know the place. even if you are a gambler, the forum has a board for you there.
This forum is a discussion forum. I will not care if you are experienced or completely newbie. when you don't violate forum rules and cheater campaigns in the future. you will be fine with your discussion.

You point that out, but knowledge, they say, is power, and I can't possibly call myself a newbie here if I am not one. As to your concern, I am a newbie here and not a newbie to technology, not even a newbie that would not understand some features when I see them and also text them before use (like the write-up board here has a preview button). At least I also have good knowledge of Bitcoin. Two topics I created were moved to the appropriate section, and that was because I thought as a newbie I was only allowed to post under the beginners' and help sections.

It has been said already that newbies had no restriction to where they wanted to post except for "serious discussion" board where experienced members were required, and if a newbie should make a post on any other board thennit must carry weight and loads of taughts which is what the forum referred to as a quality post, the thing is simple, that you don't need to be everywhere to het noticed before you can enjoy posting, only make a post when you know good idea on a discussion.

I'm afraid it's too fast for a beginner. there is no need to be in too much of a hurry to make quality posts. if don't know, the forums have threads asking for everything. I think many old members are also actively helping newbies with simple questions.

when he asked, read, and studied. of course, he will naturally see where he has an interest. which is why I'm mentioning a few boards that he might like. so he will be more comfortable following the discussion.

I think making a post without quality is often considered shitposting, and it is sometimes deleted by moderators. Correct me if I am wrong, please.

Once you see the add new topic or reply buttons, you are free to post in that forum section. But most importantly, you'll find plenty of guidance in the  Beginners & Help (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=39.0) board. If you read over the regulations there and comprehend them better, you won't encounter any issues with your forum activities.

If I may suggest to you the best to do is just stay around your local board, learn from those you think that knows the right thing to do than just post anywhere or place you are not authorized to post, local board is the best place to start up your journey in this forum, after which followed by beginner and help section will also add more value to you being that there are lots of questions which you may want to ask that has already been answered over times at that section and if you do ask again then it's considered to be spamming which might results in deletion of your post.

There are boards and sub-boards that you are restricted to access because of your rank and also because of your status. I am sure that you can post anywhere you want in the boards or sub-boards that you are allowed to post at and no one stopping you do that unless you stopped yourself by doing the things that many people don't like take as the forum rules as an example.

Bitcointalk is the forum that gives you the freedom to post anywhere irrespective of your rank. There are one or two sections like "Serious discussion" where newbies can't post but overall you will not find this forum where a newcomer feels like himself in jail.  Yes, a newbie account may have to wait sometime to write between the post and theymos never wanted that this forum to become a newbie jail.

 It's good you asked such a question first. At least you are invested in knowing about the forum before going further to begin your posting journey. Just like the others have advised, try and avoid areas where it's prohibited for newbies.
 Like @Sandra Hakeem advised, learn to take criticism like a pro because that would help you grow faster and achieve your purpose of joining.

It is on you to take the advice or not. Because rank will matter only if you are here for some specific purposes. Otherwise it is just a part of forum rules.

criticism and negative sentiments are sometimes difficult to accept. not just for a beginner. even some of the old members sometimes show that attitude.
some people become insecure about what they do when they get criticized. that's what will hinder someone to thrive in the forum.
just read and follow the rules, then everything will work itself out.

There are many different ways you want to engage yourself on the forum and all these ranks are secondary option but your main goal should be acquiring knowledge on the forum through various threads and abundant resources available online and on forum as well.See you ignore ranks for time being and only focus on increasing your knowledge and then post useful content on the forum and with this your secondary goal of ranking up will be automatically fulfilled as you will gain merits over your post and activity points will be given every fortnight if you are active during that time.

Ranks will never decide the level of knowledge you have as there are some legendary members with zero earned merits after the system was implemented by @theymos in 2018 while some newbies have gained enough merits in the first month of registration on forum only so whom will we call more knowledgeable? So ranks are just secondary thing but your knowledge will help you to achieve that rank fast so focus on that.

I mean sometimes you just got to have a thicker skin. You're going to meet all types of people you could imagine here in the internet. If such words would offend a user really easily, then s/he might consider finding another community if it a toxic one or the internet might not be for him/her.

If the user can't just accept a constructive criticism, then obviously s/he might not be willing to learn at all.

---

I had met a lot of users in here that are pretty chill while there were few that are just naturally rude and heck like I care. ::)

I don't know if I really understand what you mean, but maybe I know that knowledge will really help anyone to get a lot of merit that can directly affect the ranking in the end. Involving in multiple threads is helpful, but it must be in line with good reading interest. I don't think knowledge will increase rapidly without reading, finding references and reviewing them because they are all intertwined.

I totally agree, but it's really hard to ignore a rank especially when they're trying their best at it.  :D

When it comes to criticism, I have been advised to learn to grow a thick skin over time. As advised by the chemist, I really took that advice as essential.


I will read, write and be more aware today than I was the day before. Thank you sir Lucius.


@hosseinimr93's suggested guidelines for the thread were really helpful.

I really wish I could respond to every comment on this thread, but that does not mean all the responses I got were not helpful to me. Almost every day, I return to this thread for inspiration and guidance. Thanks for all your help. I will be locking the topic now.