Bitcoin Forum

There is some confusion on whether "selling BTC" should be in Selling or Buying. Logically it should be considered "buying (whatever currency)", since like other Buying posts it means that the poster is exchanging BTC for something else. But most people consider it to be Selling, as evidenced by where these posts actually end up.

It's because so many people find this confusing that I feel comfortable claiming currency exchange is different from Buying or Selling, and ought to get its own sub-forum.

Maybe "selling" and "buying" should just be renamed to "want BTC" and "have BTC" or something.

Really? No other comments?

But it seems like a majority of the---uh, seven---voters agree with me.

I think it should have its own forum.

The sub forums are already CLEARLY labelled. (Well, it's clear at least if you know a little English).

Selling
Post here if you want to sell things for bitcoins

Buying
Post here if you want to buy things for bitcoins

I clarified the description text. Is this better?

And now that's even clearer than before... perhaps the problem is that people aren't even reading those descriptions :)

Are you buying ppUSD or selling BTC?

The problem is that the descriptions say "post here if you want to do blah" while the vast majority of people click on those links in order to read posts, not to post new ones.

I vote yes for "Currency Exchange" subforum.

Also there should be a "Wanted" subforum.

e: actually on consideration this was a really dumb idea

I'm with the space octopus

I clarified it once again.

Wow, theymos, you really don't want a currency exchange subforum, do you?

I don't think the problem is with the content of the forum descriptions, but with the fact that almost no one will read them before posting if the name seems self evident. I didn't read them myself---I'm just the sort of person who would assume that "buying" means "trading bitcoins for" in the context of this group. You could launch an international education campaign on why it's important to read that sort of thing before you post, or you could just create a new subforum.

(For what it's worth, I'd actually prefer the original descriptions---the new ones are a bit stilted and overwrought. The old ones were perfectly clear if you actually read them.)

I'm not necessary opposed to the idea of a currency exchange subforum if it is needed, but I am opposed to creating it just because "buying/selling" is ambiguous. If it is created for that reason, then you'll be able to argue that every trade type needs a new subforum, since everything will be ambiguous.

I suggest we have a currency exchange subforum because it is one of the most common trades being done, and is not really trading a good or a service, but just trying to get into/out of BTC.

We absolutely need one.

MtGox, in the absence of an "open source" way of trading currency, looks like it is endorsed by the bitcoin community ( even though decentralization by its very nature precludes endorsement of anything. )

That perception makes the whole project look like a pyramid. I don't think it is but that is currently in nearly impossible argument to make with experienced traders.

A currency subforum would circumvent any logistical legal barriers to any paper for BTC.

I seconded the proposal to further divide the marketplace forum.

I very much like pie, but I had to vote that it is a good idea. It's a common enough trade and there's nothing wrong with more organization.

I just responded to thirteen threads on the front page of Buying in which the OP wanted to sell dollars, asking that they be moved. I also responded to one thread in Selling in which the OP wanted to buy dollars. In the process I saw exactly zero threads of this sort that were actually in the right subforum.

I think a problem is that the links to the Buying and Selling sections on the main forum page don't have the descriptions, even if they do once you click to the "Marketplace" section.

I liked the renaming to "Want BTC" and "Have BTC" or the like, but it also suffers the problem that the readers want to do the opposite of what the poster wants to do.

I think the problem is a lot simpler. Pretend you've just been linked to Bitcoin.org from OCN or somewhere.

"All right, I want some bitcoins. Let's get mining!"

"Ah, so shouldn't mine with my CPU. So how do I get them?"

"Okay, I guess I'll just buy them. But where?"

"Hey look, this forum is called 'Buying'."

So?
BTC for sale (for BTC buyers)
Buying for BTC (for BTC sallers)

I don't get this one at all, sorry.

What is a 'BTC seller'? Someone who sells BTC, or someone who sells items in return for BTC? Complete opposites.

Anyway, it's all just trading, both parties to a transaction are buyer and seller from a different point of view.

When you go to the store to buy milk, what you're actually doing is selling money, and the store owner is using milk as a currency to purchase your money.

I don't care what the hell you do, but someone has got to change the marketplace somehow. It's like the worst possible version of itself.

I like this idea just because it gets all the currency trade offers out of the buying and selling forums.

Currency Exchange
Goods
Services
Employment

Someone make it happen. If I want to buy chicken bones first I have to see if any are for sale, then I have to go to a different forum to offer to buy them. What the hell? This applies for everything, not just bones. If I'm just curious about what goods are being bought and sold, I have to go to two forums, why?

The current setup is not good for users at all. It's simple to police, that's it's only benefit.

I'm going to repost this in it's own thread later if I need to.

This sort of split makes more sense to me than "buying/selling". Shouldn't "employment" be combined with "services", though?

Yeah, I think that's better. Employment offers are solicitations for service and belong with offer for service just like requests for goods belong near offers for goods. I don't know why I thought they were separate.

This is needed more than ever, to separate out the people who are wanting to do currency exchanges from those who want to sell actual goods and services (which is what the Bitcoin economy needs most).

Exchange of currencies have overtaken the Marketplace. It should have its own section just to keep it tidy.

Additionally a convention of titles just stating the currency, quantity, rate, and whether it is a sell, buy, or both(Service) order would be desirable.

Opinions?

I rest my case.

++100

Done. I'm not sure what to do with the topics in the old sections, though. For now, no one can post new topics there, though you should still be able to move your topics from there.

Thank you! Those look like they'll be quite a bit better than the old setup.

And in record time too! (5 weeks is a record isn't it?)

Thanks though.

Thanks! Now lets sort them all. :P