Bitcoin Forum

First and foremost, I would like to sincerely apologize to the mods and the entire community for what I've been doing in this forum.

I'm not making excuses for myself. I will cooperate on what he (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=164822) told me earlier.

I have made a promise to him not to do such things like this again in the forum.

I'm aware that I'll be gone for good if I do such same style of posts again. I know there will be no second chances.

I don't expect anyone to accept my apology immediately because I know that saying sorry or apologizing isn't enough.

I deserve and accept this shame, but instead of giving up or letting myself down, I'm ready to move forward and start being a better member of this community.

You guys have my word, and I'm sorry again.

What did you do?

Spamming the forum while adding links to his external articles probably with the aim of trying to generate traffic to his website

Check this thread for more details: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5217092.

---

OP you have been warned, if i was you, i would start by deleting all the said posts myself to show how sorry and serious I am to reform

Not his website, but being paid/hired by the site owner. See this post for details of their shilling program: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5204372.0. And see this post from Lucius: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5217092.msg53663327#msg53663327. You can see his initials at the end of every link he posts, so he gets any clicks/visited counted to him personally.

Still, it's nice to see someone actually heed their warning. Usually users who spam like this get a warning or a temporary ban, and just continue on in the exact same manner afterwards. Hope you use the forum for what it was intended OP - to discuss and learn - and not just as somewhere to make money from spamming.

Change your ways, and delete or edit all those earlier posts asap.
Read forum rules again slowly.
Ask if you have any doubt about posting.

I appreciate your compliance and sincerity, OP. Everyone makes mistakes, I am a believer in change. Had you on my ignore list but you've been removed as of now (I am not a very important member on this forum or anything, just wanted to mention it). I don't think I have seen a member apologizing for their bad behavior before your post and that is to your credit. If you have any questions to be answered, there are a lot of members out here to help you out.

Do you have plans for honest sources of income based on learning new skills?

Seeing these comments from you guys actually makes me cry. I mean I really want to cry, because I know and believe that forgiveness would "set us free".

When I write my thread about apologizing to everyone, it truly comes from my heart. I know that I have long ways to go, but I'll continue to be a better person and to be real this time.

I'm trying to be more helpful to the community this time around. I'll take it one day after another.

I'm still in tears man, this means a lot to me and I am committed to contribute something helpful.

I have so much to learn from you guys, and thank you very much.


Being ambassador is just one income source. I do have a few though, but not much.

How about saying sorry for trying to scam as well?

I will send you a PM about that to understand my side of the story. Just wait. I'll tell the truth.

Everyone has messed up in their life at some point, and that doesn't define them. Its how the person reacts after them messing up which is important. I'll give you an extreme example, there have been professional footballers who have killed or harmed others previously, but are now making a living at the top level. There's been several scammers in the world which have turned over a new leaf. I don't doubt that you when in comparison with these, can overturn a small issue, and contribute to the community positively in the future.

I think we got chances to review our posts and remove irrelevant or poor posts at any time in the past, except for cases of signature running at the moment which can warrant the delay. I wonder to what extent it was that could send you off the forum. If you struggle with English, then u can improve with minimal activities here

Why hide in a PM now, you started the thread and you are already going private?

What scam? Can you present some evidence please?

It's related to a crypto project that I'm in before, but I left them because of so many things that I am uncomfortable about them. I don't want to mention that project in public, as I don't want them to know how I really felt for a long time. Because if I do reveal, they would start rant and may do bad things to me, which is why I'm scared to reveal in public. I hope you understand my side.

There's also a project that I'm in before last 2018, only to find out months later that the CEO is a professional scammer. He even dumped me for no reason at all, and began to spread bad things about me that I didn't do. Months later, I confronted him at the comfort room with his "minion" and wanted to punch him in the face for doing bad things to me which breaks my heart, but I decided to act professionally even if it hurts my feelings. Right now, I don't know about him anymore because we are not friends anymore, so his posts are hidden from public.

P.S. I already sent PM to him about my situation with that "scam".

If you feel uncomfortable why do you run away? You should declare out or decide to cooperate with them politely because maybe you are following committed people

I didn't run away but I did formally tell them that I will resign (for the reason, it's a long story). I'm just concerned of what is going to happen to me if I will stick with them for a long time, because of some hidden stuff that they didn't disclose to me, which I had a bad feeling.

As for this guy right here (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=896193), I am not expecting him to believe my side of the story (because I think he doesn't). At least I am telling him the truth which comes from my heart, and that's what matters.

If you guys wanna know what "scam" this guy refers, just PM me and I'll tell you exactly my side as I'm scared if revealing everything in public (which should be in the Scam Accusations).

Everyone make mistakes (except LoyceV, but we all know that he is AI so he has excuse), but what i've seen here is a very strictly following of the unofficial rules and many people lost their accounts. Some OK poster were banned for plagiarism, other for maybe small mistakes but that is how you can control a 2M+ community.
I'm glad that you are willing to change, and you got that chance too but keep in mind that what you said are only words and we gonna watch you closely.

Yeah, I was wondering about that as well since I've never seen OP's name associated with any scam accusation.  Even with his explanation here, I don't know what the extent of OP's involvement was.

Cheezcarls, I wouldn't get so upset if I were you--I never thought you were spamming anyway, and some of the threads you started I found pretty interesting since I don't seek out crypto news and get it all on bitcointalk, basically.  Even if you were affiliated with the site that you kept linking to, the material was interesting at least and you made your own comments on it in each thread.  As I've pointed out before, Hydrogen does the same thing in the Economics section and nobody seems to have a problem with him (though he's not promoting any particular news site).

Anyway, take a deep breath, try to calm down and it's going to be alright.  I don't think anybody here hates you, and I wouldn't take any criticism here personally.

Thank you for that sir and I really appreciate it.

There is an existing scam accusation which I was part of "that" project (but I know I'm no longer in their team as I choose to formally resign, which is a long story to tell).

For a long while, I really want out of that project early because of my suspicions about them, but I have to wait a bit longer until my remaining obligations are done, and I gladly did because I'm getting "used".

Accepting mistake is one criteria for maturity. Indeed what you are doing is somehow get the attention of other members since you are driving users to view certain website for traffics. But I often saw your post and actually its helpful to gain some news but to avoid such conflict with forum, this is a good move mate. This will not make you a shame person IMO but became a true user who do accept mistake and learn from it. Dont worry for other users here as you can see, we understand you and keep you heads up high.

Hey man, we've had some discussions in our local board if you still remember but that was before you started working for that site. I had to put you on ignore when you've been creating a lot of topics with beincrypto links.

Anyway, I've always thought you were a decent user and can contribute more to the forum. It feels refreshing to see you make a topic without any links  ;D

Well said. My goal when researching an account isn't to get it excluded from the community or forum. It's actually the complete opposite - I want to integrate them better in this community and help them create valuable posts & truly care about what they're writing here. I'm aiming to give the users who are doing this kind of stuff a chance to change and a little poke to wake them up. Actually, I've prepared a draft thread called "The Quarantine" exactly for this purpose but I'm still wondering whether it's a good idea to publish it or not because it would require a ton of work.

A lil' off-topic but speaking of that, the name seems to coincide with the current Wuhan virus epidemic  :D

About mistakes. There are some kinds of mistakes: forgivable and unforgivable (at least we feel unforgivable).

- Forgivable: that is what the forum treats rule-broken users with temp bans. They have second, and third chances for forgivable and minor mistakes.
- Unforgivable: that is what the forum treats seriously rule-broken users with permanently bans. They mostly don't have chance to come back with that permanent banned accounts. Exceptions are only for very positively net-effect users and they are very very rarely to see.

Fortunately, the admin allows users to create accounts. The permanent banned accounts are banned as person, not as user, it means when one account get permanent banned, the others of the same person will be temp-banned too (if detected with evidence). Fortunately, I see admin has not yet permanently banned IP addresses so permanent banned user can create their others on same IPs (the list of unofficial rules don't show such very strictly bans). I think it is unofficial forgiveness (I could be wrong).

That's one of my goals right now, to create helpful and meaningful topics of my own without those same links. I am committed to create helpful topics and advice this time, and giving value as well.

I'll take it one day at a time until I'm finally getting used to it.

Good for the OP. Those kinds of posts are net harmful to the forum because they equate to advertising spam, but I don't foresee anything substantial being done about the posts in question.

Hopefully the OP will think twice the next time he is considering making a quick buck (or coin) for doing something ethically suspect. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we wouldn't have a problem with this kind of threads as soon as the user shows interest in the subject and posts on the forum regularly other things than advertisement.

It would've been a different story if between advertised threads & posts there were usual posts (this one is an example of it). Not sure if you get it. His account was filled up with ads only, and that's what became a problem for me. When an user starts posting 2-3 threads a day with promoted links (I'm not sure if cheezcarls did this, I am speaking generally), it becomes spam especially if the user has no involvement in the thread afterwards.

I get what some are trying to say: it's not a very big of an issue if an user does this, right? Well, this might not be a problem now but a long term problem becomes possible. What if suddenly 10% of the active members started promoting links? 1 out of 10 posts would probably be a link right under a quote. Would that be healthy for the community & forum?

It wouldn't have been a perma ban just a temp one as a warning, but this is why I like to give a PM warning first as many will heed that and often-times people aren't aware of certain rules, but don't worry about it and thanks for the apology.

Speaking generally here and not specifically about cheezcarls:

I have no issue with users sharing news stories, articles, blog posts, etc. which are interesting and they wish to discuss. There are two things I do have an issue with. Firstly, users who do this every day or even multiple times a day. It's a very easy way to boost your post count and get paid from a signature campaign, with minimal original thought or effort required. Copy the first paragraph, copy the link, then just reword a sentence or two from the article or ask "What do you guys think?". 30 seconds, job done. It's low effort spamming, and topics like this just attract more spammers and rarely develop in to an interesting discussion.

Secondly, users who either own the site they are shilling, or are being paid/hired by the site. This is a discussion forum, not an advertising platform. Abusing it for your own gain, much like bounty spammers, is both selfish and detrimental to the forum.

Usually both of these behaviors - spamming and being paid - coincide.

Looking at cheezcarls' posts over the last 24 hours, the difference is night and day. Thank you. Unfortunately there will be plenty more threads like this, and most users won't be motivated to change their ways like cheezcarls has.

Apology accepted and No dude you are not being shamed! We have all let down ourself in one way or another. I personally have nothing against you, it's just that we get a lot of spam here which makes the reading experience terrible for other users. A warning isn't a terrible thing either... I will tell you my story, Back in the day we used to get placed in SMAS blacklist (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1545652.0) ^{( Signature managers against spam )} for spamming... It was a nightmare for shitposters... I got placed in it by @Lauda for the good! Some times we need to be slapped to wake up and get our shit together. Once you made it to that list coming out was tough work... You weren't allowed to participate in the signature campaigns managed by them So you are still in a far better situation than the rest of us were!

People treat Bitcointalk as some sort of online money making website... It's not! It's a private forum for discussing bitcoin and blockchain. People get blacklisted for the very reason that they see bitcointalk as an opportunity to make Easy money! Start treating it as a forum and you won't land yourself in any trouble...

Just like @o_e_l_e_o I don't have a problem with news stories, articles etc... Some people have compared your links with @Hydrogen but there is a striking difference between the posting style... @Hydrogen engages in his threads which he creates as I have said many times before and his articles are sourced from different websites... Just look at how many threads @Hydrogen (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;threads;u=68364;sa=showPosts) has started in the last couple of month and then compare it to what @Cheezcarls (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;threads;u=254229;sa=showPosts) was doing. The intent behind sharing the articles becomes clear as day... It was always the intent which was in question, not the link/articles themselves...

Anyway, it's about time this chapter closes... Hope the lessons are learned and we can move on to better things.

Cool story! I almost believed it. Too bad your next "service" is to facility one of the worst kind of spammers this forum has seen: text spinning plagiarism:
(full post quoted as reference).

People have done & continue to do far worse things on this forum. You didn’t scam anybody, nobody was deceived & lost any money so chill.

Don’t get too apologetic, you didn’t kill anybody. Nice to see you care about your account, so much so that you addressed it here & apologised. It’s nice to see, I’m glad nobody gave you negative trust.

It’s not too late for you to become a valuable poster here. This is the place to be for bitcoin lovers, put on your big boy pants, forget this episode & get on with your life, bro.

 

Edit - Too much faith in humanity. Loyce just caught him offering a plagiarising / text spinning service.

Cretin!

Something is totally wrong around here!

A few weeks ago a guy came to meta to brag how he got ranked up, and how he earned merit, giving advice and thanking members, turn out he was a plagiarist and ban evader. Now, cheezcarls came and started with another "mea culpa", ask for forgiveness, promises he will change his way, we start feeling good for him and ...this shit happens

I saw the topic in the new list, read the title, thought "yum yum" some reporting to do, saw the username....mindfuck!


Oh yes, it's too late! That ship has sailed and already sunk!

I have already requested to delete it. I guess my mind isn't careful enough. It's on me.

I am not perfect but believing about room of improvement. Mistakes like this happens okay? I only try thinking about some ideas, but I guess I'm not ready yet.

Thank you and I apologize for this matter. I don't expect anyone to believe me anymore. I'm just trying to do something, but I believe mistakes like this would only teach me lessons. I'm trying okay, and I accept my wrongdoings.

It's like me being a student who failed and makes mistakes many times but continue to grow and learn. I know I'm not the only one here who makes mistakes like this, but I don't want to compare myself to them who just keep doing the same mistake and not heeding the warning.

I wanna move on and continue this journey to be better. It's not easy for me, but I want to be better day by day no matter how many roadblocks I have faced. I offer no excuses for myself.

I am thankful for you guys for being real and straightforward towards me, even if it hurts. Being disciplined is something that I really need and I can tolerate that, and I am thankful for the admins, mods and the community for doing this to me. I really do, I mean it motivates me once more to be better.

Because for me, it shows you guys really cared about my behavior and I am so thankful. I am committed to take my journey day by day in becoming better and better.

Happy Lunar New Year to all!

Whats up with all the apologizing topics?
This reminds me of something:

Conor McGregor - I want to take this chance to apologize... :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Szj21arytU

Sigh. This reminds me of the times I merit a good newbie, get suspicious that the newbie is "too good", and then 5 minutes and a few web searches later, end up reporting them for plagiarism.

Given that plagiarism is a permaban, surely giving away a tool to facilitate plagiarism should be a similar punishment?

Oh FFS!

Just read back and Loyce has caught him offer a plagiarising service now. Just after I typed a nice complimentary post out, encouraging him too.

No, not really. It shows the wrong intentions, and that's something that can't be taught here.

It's as if you've missed the crucial lessons on right and wrong. If you can't figure that out on your own, you can't be helped.

What’s next?

‘Oh damn, I didn’t mean to PM people asking for their private keys’.

It seems that their is not a widespread awareness of the fact that if you stick your head up, or draw attention to yourself around here, your account better be squeaky friggin clean because a ton of users are about to dig your history for anything they can find..

Happens ALL the time..

Remember recently how attention was brought on The-Devil account?
They don't know to keep their heads down and fly under the radar..

I didn't dig up any history, I stumbled upon a new topic on the Services board. That doesn't usually happen 2 days after a sincere apology.

Have you got a link for that?  :D

Oh.. Well, it usually happens that way..

I accept the fact that it is in human nature to make mistakes, and it is also quite normal to apologize for those same mistakes. But as someone who is from the very beginning involved in this case in a way that I report his posts (almost all stay unhandled), and also participating in a public discussion, I can't get rid of the impression that most of you went over everything very easily.

An honest apology is a result of the ban threat from a global mod, but there had been no reaction before, although I had warned him several times that what he was doing was wrong and against forum rules. I doubt the OP didn't know what he was doing when he was in a paid campaign (positing links in post area), as it is really unbelievable that he offered a text spinning service thinking it was a legitimate service - does this mean that he used the same method in some of his posts?

Its possible. It can be considered plagiarism still if proven. His spinning article services is actually clever, I saw how effective that is by replacing words like "somebody" to "someone", bought/purchased and get/obtain they are good that google bots wouldn't notice it. Its very possible that he does that to some of his posts.  I believe there is a software to use his service and its the software that does the replacing.

So, what are the odds this turns into a "three strikes and you're out" situation? ???

Is this just another case of "I'm really sorry (I got caught)!"?

The OP created his new thread days after he created this thread. He created that new thread knowing he would have the attention of a lot of people.

This is like putting yourself in the spotlight then trying to break into someone’s house with many people watching.

I suppose all this will be quickly forgotten, and the topic about text spinning service has already been deleted. Someone asked if offering such a tool was the same as plagiarizing, and so far the answer is no. This will soon turn into the story of a cat who has 9 lives, and cheezcarls used perhaps one or at most two of them.

It was me, and I really think the answer should be "yes".

theymos has made is views on plagiarizers pretty clear multiple times:

Plagiarizers have the wrong mindset. Their mindset is that of using the forum as their own personal "dumping ground" to earn some useless tokens. Someone who not only shares that kind of mindset, but actively encourages it among others by giving away a tool to make it both easier to plagiarize and harder for us to moderate it, is an order of magnitude worse than the plagiarizers themselves.

This user deserves a permaban.

Plagiarism is considered as a sin in some regions and you need to face court of law if you are found in it. On this forum, there is zero tolerance policy for plagiarism and i hardly seen anyone being giving a second chance if he found guilty. OP will be extremely lucky if he survives here.

What's worse... The drug user (plagiarist) or the drug dealer (person supplying the text spinner tools to the plagiarist)? ???

^^This...

I concur...

A user relentlessly spams the forum with hidden reflinks for months, gets called out... User acts all sorry and promises to put some effort into participating in a meaningful way and making the forum "better"... Then a couple of days later they attempt to sell "text spinning" services so the plagiarists can go undetected??!? ::) ::)

GTFO!

It's not proven that he plagiarized and instead of being permanently banned and making thread from another account he's actually apologizing for upfront, which is very rare.
Merit he got on his primary post from global moderator is the good proof that he's forgiven at least for shilling part.

It won't be that easy to forget. even if the topics containing spinning, spam and plagiarism are deleted the data will still exist and people will mark the member as a former spammer.
if every member who commits a spamming violation is forgiven just by deleting the post, maybe a lot of people will do that.
what can be done to improve everything is to make a good contribution to the forum by becoming a good poster so that mistakes can be redeemed by becoming qualified members.

I have long thought that users like this have nothing to look for in the forum, but my opinion is worth almost nothing. If someone has been terrorizing the forum for months and one excuse is enough to undo it all, do you think offering a service that could be used to plagiarize will mean perma-ban? I may be wrong and the decision has not yet been made, but the matter was quickly swept under the rug with another apology and deletion of the content in question.


Plagiarism is undoubtedly much worse for the forum, such cases are not called into question when it comes to perma-ban, but is there a case when someone got a perma-ban because he/she offered services that could help create plagiarized content?


By this logic, he was forgiven for another mistake, the content in question may have been deleted by the same global mod who merit his sincerely apologize.

There is one saying that could apply here : "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me"