Bitcoin Forum

I recently joined this forum to learn more about cryptocurrency. At first, I was reading and browsing through the forum a lot, trying to understand the concepts. I had so many questions and taught about creatin new topics to ask, but then I noticed the search bar at the top of the forum. I tried using it and found that most of my questions had already been answered in previous threads.

Since then, it's been easy for me to find answers to my questions without needing to create new topics. I wanted to share this tip with other new members who may have questions but aren't sure where to start. You can create a new topic to ask your question, but I've found that searching through old threads provides a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Think of the forum as a resource where almost everything you can think of has already been discussed. Using the search bar can get you accurate and helpful answers to your questions.
 

You're lying, I just want to get the definition of Bitcoin, but there are no results after I use forum search. Forum search sucks, better to use google or ninjastic.space, you don't need to wait too long and you high likely will get the information you want.

Anyway this forum isn't the only one resource to get information about Bitcoin.

https://imgvb.com/images/2024/08/18/3fde8f51fff784129ccbf740d602eee6.png

 [Guide] Searching effectively (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5276341.msg55209958#msg55209958) is a great search guide for beginners. Newbies find this very hard to do. They do not want to search the forum for guides and answers. We have become accustomed to this kind of behavior by newbies that we do not expect much from them anymore. It’s not that the resources are not visible to newbies, most newbies believe that starting new topics to educate others or ask questions will earn them merits and recognition. That is why the “what is merit” “I am new here” topics will never stop happening.

You even don't need to create topics to ask for things you don't know because almost everything you want to ask already available in sticky threads.
Read before asking is what newbies should do first.
Newbies - Read before posting (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1689727.0)

Searching is good but make sure that you can do it properly and efficiently.

[Guide] Searching effectively (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5276341.0). Many basic things are available in threads collected in [Mega resources for newbies] Check here, find most of your need, before asking. (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5500358.0).

Well Op may have not made his point properly but he is right.
The forum search button  sucks for you because you probably don't know how to make use of it. You made mention of Ninjastic space as a better information search engine however you have forgotten that literally all the data there came from bitcointalk.

The fact is that if Everyone was good at using the search button many threads wouldn't need to be created including the Op's post which of course have been created multiple times before now.
As for the op there is no need for you to even create threads like this telling members obvious things. I suggest you learn and contribute in more important threads.

 
You didn't search it properly. Even at that when you try again you will still see the answer you are looking for. I searched for what is Bitcoin and it gave me https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1997186.msg19888835#msg19888835  check the post on this thread. It's not much but at least it gave an answer.

Remember that the forum search feature may not always provide the most accurate information. All forum topics are indexed by Google, so you may have better luck finding what you need by using Google instead. By entering your query on Google and adding "Bitcointalk" at the end, you can quickly find detailed threads related to your question.

I asked the same question in the following format, What is the definition of Bitcoin Bitcointalk on the search box and it gave me this thread link - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2233930.0

Both search options serve different purposes. If I want to find out all the times theymos has mentioned "newbie" in the Meta board over the past year I will use the forum option. But if I want an answer to your search, I will use the Google search option.

Forum search does not scan for the most relevant discussions around that topic, but searches for the key words wherever they appear in a post. Enclosing the text in quotation marks helps get some responses. If you redo it with "what is" rather than "what's", you also get some responses.

Forum searches are slower to create, sometimes what we are looking for is not found if the words are not correct.

search-beta.ninjastic.space might help a bit if you are looking for something in this forum is also very simple in my opinion, when doing a search here is easier.

[BETA] NEW ninjastic.space search (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5503595.0)

You know only those with stable heart without haste could be able to noticed this because most of the questions newbies asked are the causes of impatient and they don't know how the navigate the forum, despite the forum has been too simple for people to understand.
When your mind is settled to learned you would definitely enjoy using the features of the forum but I think almost every newbies kept asking same question all the time which to me it gets me weird became they can't simply read the forum very well.

If the topics you are looking for are general topics, most likely they've already been discussed here. So, yeah, all you have to do is search for it. But I think searching through Google is more effective. You might want to add bitcointalk.org at the end of the keywords you are searching for Google to suggest discussions from this forum.

However, for a topic to have already been discussed here doesn't necessarily mean that a new thread shouldn't be opened. There could have been new developments. Topics could be appreciated differently across time. So if a particular topic has been discussed years ago, a new thread could be opened to gather new opinions and perspectives. Sometimes, creating a duplicate topic is better than necro-bumping.

This search feature is not google search, even you used ninjastic.space search you can't get a proper result of definition of bitcoin by asking "what is bitcoin" or "bitcoin definition" unless there's a thread/content with same title or not until you scroll and find something relevant. Use proper keywords when going to use a website search

People must do their due diligent research to find answers they want and they should never rely on a single tool to do that.

Search tools like Forum search, Google, third party tools like Ninjastic.space can not satisfy their curiosity and lack of basic knowledge.

For basic questions like "What is Bitcoin", they can try to search for Bitcoin WhitePaper and start from it, the official document for the creation of Bitcoin by Satoshi Nakamoto.

For more things for newbies, they can kick off with Learn me a Bitcoin for beginners (https://learnmeabitcoin.com/beginners/).

You think that after creating this thread it will reduce the number of spammers, but you're actually wrong.

1. Using the Search button before asking questions (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5462762.0)
2. Remember to use search before creating new topics (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5409457.0)

There have been two topics that talks about use forum search before creating new topics, next time use forum search first and then bump the topic if you think it's important. Now you can lock your topic to prevent from more spams.

You aren't right either because there are some questions on this forum that have been answered like 100s of time, I have use the search many times and they aren't always accurate but still fair enough, you said google? That search engine will mislead a newbie easily, because google search engine is full of bad links, malicious ones for your PC and also the types that share fake information on the web.

Maybe you search the wrong keyword since if you write define bitcoin or bitcoin itself there's lots of information show up.

Just make sure you click the home button first before you use the search bar so that those results will show. Since if you are in a thread then search some keywords then the result sometimes will show zero result.

Forum search still useful and if you find something bug maybe people should report it so management or other people working for it maybe could fix those issues they see.

In general, this is a good attempt to do everything yourself. If you read the threads and know how to ask questions correctly, then you should first try to search on your own. Although many people say that the forum search engine is unreliable and very slow, for beginners, the answers they can find with its help will be enough.
You are on the right track, OP. I would like to encourage all beginners to be independent and not to look like little children asking for help when they can handle it themselves. How you present yourself at the beginning can have a long-term impact on your reputation.
Keep researching, OP. :)

You are correct about beginners being independent, but in my place they said someone who ask questions doesn't miss his way. What if a beginner who tries to do things on his/her own and at the end he/she is doing it the wrong way but to the individual he/she is doing things the right thing and "You" noticed the errors being done how then do you address the issue? Won't you ask that user who didn't he/she ask questions before doing what he/she did🤔?
Because it happens a lot, some people prefers to ask than going out of line and this Forum is a place everyone needs to be very careful while taking some personal actions or decisions to avoid failing the rules and regulations, I believe that's why we see newbies opening threads with questions just to know how to go about business on the Forum.

Come on... do you really read what I wrote? Maybe I'll be more lenient to those who don't have their own laptop or computer; it's hard for them to go through all the sections and read a few topics from a mobile phone. But for those who have a big screen in front of their eyes, it's not a problem to click through the sections, find questions that are asked in tons, and not repeat what has been explained thousands of times. Someone who came to the forum and after two hours asked what to do arouses suspicion that this is not a newbie; moreover, it shows that he can't do anything himself.

You're actually turning my answer upside down. Haven't you learned the lesson that no one owes anything to anyone here? Success will be achieved by those who search and read—read themselves! Do you hear?

When... ;D
I remember the stories of some, and you know, who tried so hard to write to everyone in PM with a request to check their posts.

This is not a school, remember.

Hahahaha you just remembered me of something and I never knew would come up this way. What a way of bringing out old wounds, come on this story was something I thought you'd forget but still on still it made me know how things work on the Forum, it opened my eyes and patience too is another thing we all need to consider. That's the guide so many needed but the way and manner it happened might discourage some not to even associate themselves on the Forum. I'll always be grateful for how things went out, I believe you can never forget this story 😂😂😂.
I can't say this Forum isn't a school, it is because everyday we come here we learn new things and how to handle them in different ways, some who have stayed on the Forum for years doesn't have that time to even try using the search button but this is another means to learn and figure it out with this thread so the Forum is indeed a school as long as we learn new things, I don't know how you see it.

The fact is that, as far as I remember, using the search functionality is a little pain in the ass for newbies, since that functionality is restricted to one search every X seconds or minutes. As said before, it is more convenient to use ninjastic.space or even write the description of what you are looking for in Google, preceded by the name of the forum.

On the other hand, I agree to some extent that asking can promote the dialogue, so it is almost always positive when newbies make questions in this board, even if these questions were answered before. It is just that, sometimes, they are questions so obvious that they can end up trying one's patience.

Except for a new article or recent happenings withing the crypto network and the economy at large that affect or have to do with cryptocurrency that we must share or create a new thread about, this is because it has not been discussed before, while the use of the search engine of the forum will give a number of related threads and discussions made on that particular area and this is necessary in other to avoid spamming up the forum on areas that have already been discussed.

The forum search does work, but most times the response will confuse the newbie because it works with words that are the same as what has been searched by the newbie. If you input some information, the response you will get will not be convenient for you, so you have to follow up to get what you want which is stressful.

My suggestion here is that the use of Google search engine by adding bitcointalk.org after the question will give direction on the threads that are similar or related to the topic it what you search. I think will be simpler than using the search bottom for newbies, while other forum members already know how to use the forum search to get their desired results.

It was a lengthy guide that was given in the thread you referenced, although it is very helpful. However, most of the things detailed there can be done using ninjastic.space. So instead of the numerous websites and links that I have to go through to master how to get information from the forum, it is easier to just use a single website that gives all the details.

I also get tired seeing newbies creating topics that is exactly the same as another topic they can visibly see in the first page of the Beginners & Help board. I do not know what they want to achieve by repeating the same thing, maybe they just want to stress the forum members who will always try to assist them.

Using the search bar is yet the easiest way to search for a thread or post which is related to your area of interest. For newbies, it is always best to use the search bar before attempting to create a new thread since most of the information we seek have been discussed one way or the other on this forum. All you want to do is to take your time and search for the information you require without having to create a new thread.

Though I find the search bar useful couple of times including the revise search bar, but what has been more effective to me is when I make use of the Google search engine. I type whatever I'm searching for on the search bar on Google search engine then end it with 'bitcointalk to narrow the search down to the forum. Most of the occasions, it has proven to be more effective to me and I will advise others to try this.

Saying the OP is lying is not entirely correct either. He may be exaggerating but he isn't outrightly lying.
The search option may not give you exactly what you're looking but is very useful. It works with keywords and key phrases so if you don't use the right keywords, what you're looking for might not show exactly how you want or imagined it might give you something if you get the keyword right.
If all the newbies use the search button before they make topics we won't be having so many repeated topics all the time in the forum.

https://talkimg.com/images/2024/08/20/7jLaf.png (https://talkimg.com/image/7jLaf)
Also, I looked up that "definition of bitcoin" you talked about and it came up with something. As I said it may not be exactly how you imagined it, but it might come up with something useful.

Thank you for this one, I'll definitely use this to do more research and answer my own questions. Since I'm new here and haven't get used with the UI of this forum, this is very helpful, this would prevent me from the embarassment to ask unnecessary questions which has been discussed previously. I think it will help newbiew a lot if that post is pinned int Beginners & Help.

There is no harm in asking questions about what you want to know about the forum even if a topic have been created about it because there are some topics that the information contained in it are outdated or maybe were only helpful as at the time the OP created such topics but however, you may not actually get every answer you want by merely using the search area so by asking directly can make forum users give you a direct and precise answer then if it's about a topic that has been discussed before, other users who have come across it can still reference you to such a thread and you can lock the one you created besides beginners may not actually understand how the search area works so it definitely gonna take them some time before they can get used to it.

However using the search bar is also very important as it minimizes spams and creation of repeated topics and discussions and it also helps in moderation of the forum without having to task moderators so much in locking repeated topics that have existed before.

There are a lot of things that we need to actually utilize here, a lot of people don't explore the forum
It's always post and nothing more but their a lot of informations here that can actually be of help, and you will learn a lot from, their are pinned post that you will make use of any time you need any information you can make use buttons made available, the link shared is very helpful coupe with the fact that their is even a library in the forum to make use of to. And we don't see them important but they're because they will actually help our knowledge and those that want to improve Will also be able to improve, the one you don't understand I feel you should ask questions but newbie's and other people are always very scared when they are unclear about, forum is free and we are all here to learn.

If am not wrong, this is also my third posts on this Bitcointalk forum and I am lacking behind because am also new and haven't understood the forum properly. Though it is because am not always coming to the forum always that's why am behind.
I think this forum is a nice place to acquire some good informations about Bitcoin, because sometimes when I make some research about Bitcoin on Google I normally see informations that was provided by some intelligent Bitcointalk member, I am happy to be here. I don't remember me using the search bar in the forum to search for anything yet.

There is nothing wrong if you search with any of these sites. One good thing is that the forum search does not give you a wrong result and which is very important. The forum search feature still functions properly like the other search engines you mentioned above. However, the advantage of the forum search is that it gives you results only related to the forum while the Google search engines give you results based on the word or sentence your search. It includes results from the forum and other related sources.

Exactly, before decided to create this account. I used to dive with guest account. I have talked to people from my local board in other platform, and they act like some elitist who give us newbie some cold words. Main board is more friendly then local board in my opinion. It's really hard to avoid the feeling of being judged. Get ignored a lot also could lower our morale to ask something in this forum. I also haven't have the courage to start a topic by myself but replying them and comments for now.

To every newbie, one of the first things to learn in the forum is how to use the search function. It use to be annoying to the older members when newbies randomly show up and keep asking generic questions that has been answered hundred times. And the answers to most of these questions could easily be found using a google search.
This is one of the reasons older members ignore some newbies because they tend to be irritated by the repetitive non organic questions.

Use the search button and get your answers, you can only raise a question when;

• You don't find the question in search
• You found it and wants to ask a question in the thread and it is either locked or much older than 120 days of inactivity.

unfortunately, beginners tend to ignore the search feature. most likely beginners do not not know how to use the search. but rather want to show other members that they are new or newly created accounts. because we all know not all newbie accounts on the forum are not all created by beginners, they can be old members who are having problems or old members who have their own motives with their alts.
those who are new should know what a beginner should do in a new place. you can see it, more on this board they introduce themselves as newbies and ask what they should do next.

As long as the newbie or whoever is making a post is not plagiarising by repeating an already existing topic, I feel there should be no big deal about it. Every new post made on a particular topic should carry an idea that was not in the other topic which already exists. Most times when newbies make posts, many just read the subject and type "this topic already exist!" Without really comprehending the whole idea.

Newbies will really misuse the search function by only using it to confirm if a topic they wish to create already exist since everyone keeps blaming them for creating topics that already exist. The search function should be able to answer some questions they need answers to but they shouldn't be scared of expressing a whole new idea even if the topic exists.

Didn't know that in 2024, some people don't know they can find answers to anything that they need on the internet through googling or making use of Chatgpt or other AI tools to help them find answers to the questions that they need answers to. Yeah the forum search button has its own benefits but just googling will get you your answers. If you're still confused then you can come to the forum to ask questions. This is a forum and everybody is opened to asked questions. It's better you ask questions and sound foolish than to ack like you know and the get scammed or misinformed out of ignorance.


I doubt if everything you can think of has already been discussed and irrespective of that being the case, there's always new additional information that we get from every new topic. Don't be shy to ask questions but they shouldn't be stupid ones that just googling should get you answers to.

yes that's exactly what happens to me too when i try to search in this forum and i thought it was a problem with my computer or something. this forum has been around for so long already and they still have not fixed this issue. will they even try to fix this? does this forum have a support team because i will try to contact them.

This is not totally correct. Using the word everything makes it sound like the forum is all knowing but in reality it is not. There are information from all threads that needs to be updated because the Bitcoin ecosystem of 10 years ago isn't the same thing as it is today. When newbies read these thread it shouldn't limit them from asking their question if they need newer information or clarification that they didn't find in older and similar topics on the forum.