Bitcoin Forum

For newbies and Jr members out there please stop begging for merits to any users here since instead of ranking up you will possibly get a red trust from the other user since begging is been discourage.

Just do a pure effort to have a healthy discussion and became a good contributor here since the merit you want will follow if people see your post is merit worthy.

I receive a message today from a user see pic below.

https://i.ibb.co/SQLv0nR/Screenshot-20201203-164754.png (https://ibb.co/FsP7Jwg)

For high ranking members If you see any newbies or Jr members please advise them the proper way to earn merits so that they can improve and became better member, reporting then cannot do anything good.

Hopefully newbies will take this advice/message and will not beg for anything here.

If someone sends red tag for begging merit then he/she will not use the trust system properly in other words he/she does not know how to use the trust system. A neutral tag should be fine to aware others but red tag will be unjustified.

This does not mean that those who are after merits, now they start sending pms and beg for merits. When you beg for merit this makes your low and no one likes a low man.

Strangely enough, that account was already a Jr. Member when you opened the message to capture the screenshot. He probably PM’d you, and received the desired merit over night – specifically at 04:56:24 AM (UTC) for this message content:
Not really worthy of Merit, and a bad example to follow.

But yes, asking for Merits is clearly discouraged, and some people do tag the account for that (I don’t, as the Trust System is not intended for that, but there are more than one criteria here to that effect).

It's just a matter of individual differences. No doubt, the pressure of merit often comes when, your very much close to switching to a higher rank but, your merit isn't adding up and so, you tend to beg but it's wrong, very wrong! Sometimes, these users have got to put themselves in the ranked up users shoes and think this way,
Supposing merit were just given anyhow,  what would become of the forum?
It would just be filled with users who has no idea of bitcoin and would end up spamming the forum and fill the forum with shit posts. You've got to go through the learning phase and merit ensures this and not to satisfy some selfish ignorant crypto troll.

Note: Begging for merit is prohibited and would only push you farther away from it. The ones you have cannot be taken from you but, you become an irritant to the user who is likely to avoid meriting your posts or report you or you become liable for a negative trust and these aren't funny. Let's work with the forum, it surely helps.

We can respond to quality content and keep activety， you'll  receive merit from them.

Or some will simply report such PMs to the admin, and then such a user might lose their account in the worst case - although I believe this would only happen if someone sent a fairly large number of PMs.

Has anyone reported such messages and is there any specific information on whether there are any sanctions?

Begging for merits isn't against any of the unofficial forum rules as far as I know, so I don't think the admins would take any actions against such a user. If they were to send a whole batch of such PM messages they could be banned for PM spamming if reported by multiple users. Besides getting tagged, I don't see any other actions that could happen for the occasional merit begging PM. 

I also disagree that if I see a request for merit, then the account runs the risk of receiving a red trust
Having received PM there is an easier way out, it is called "inform the moderator" Since this message will fit the rule: "29. Sending unsolicited PMs, including but not limited to advertising and flood, is not allowed."

In general, if newbies take the time and read a few posts on this topic, then we can say that getting merit has become very simple today. It is worth rinsing your eyes a little and looking in the "Beginners & Help" section for the offers of the merit source themselves who give out merit for absolutely minute actions.

I've recently received a PM from a user who was close to ranking up, and who proposed me to check out his posts and consider Meriting them. I did not find that problematic and I didn't interpret it as begging.

However, sending messages purely begging for Merit - meaning: without actually explaining why you would deserve Merit - will probably lead to me leaving (neutral) feedback on your profile, like this guy (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;u=2826777).

This is just simple reminder to newbies since their account might at risk to anything can harm them since we don't know what will came to the minds of other DT members if they receive the same pm asking for merit, so maybe it's best for anyone to not do it and simply do a healthy discussion which can make them worthy for the merit ask.

Anyways hopefully there are people who can learn about this since for sure there are other newbies who's desperate to get a merit.

What is the difference begging merits and begging for something else ? I just found these rules, and according to them it is not allowed.

This user have been here since 2019 but didn't earn even 1 merit, probably didn't read the forum rules and guides on how to earn merit on the forum. He also probably earned that 1 merit through PMing another user just before your screenshot.

Since the user mentioned he/she is active on forum sales hence had no idea how to earn merit. A user like this should be pointed to the right direction as he/she probably isn't aware of how to use the search option. I do think if people are really serious about being a contributor here they would diligently contribute and earn merit. Unless the user has another motive, he/she need to focus on learning here as majority of us are.

Received a few private message where the senders where begging for merit, some of the message with different partners but had that merit begging instinct, when a newbie think they are lost, under the bus or not capable, I give few advice and point out to look for your strength -what your speck in the forum is- then go to work on it.
Don't beg for merit, instead beg for knowledge, because in time you would see thats where merit lay.

I think much more than rank, their are a lot to gain from the more experienced members of the forum. I've been here for more than a year and I have no merit (which I have no plan to beg for). I know it's because I haven't probably merit it. But the point is newbies should focus on what is more important than the less important ones.  Their are lot of things to gain in the forum which is far more important than merit or rank... I'm always happy and full of joy whenever I see higher members responding to a topic because you see them making points from different perspectives and this way, the newbies acquire more knowledge which is more than  rank.

Meriting you because you being a newbie are selflessly talking about how to not beg for merits.
Newbies should keep this in mind that you will earn merit only when you develop yourself.
You will only be able to develop yourself when you learn what bitcoin and blockchain is about.
It's not about earning profits but about how the revolutionary technology has the potential to change the financial system.

@yemight600 One thing I would like to advise you is that I have noticed you keep joining bounties.
Although that's not wrong, you will be more benefited when you learn more about bitcoin and start contributing towards the forum.
Not only you but this is for every newbie and beginner to bitcoin. Start learning, Start contributing and you will never have to worry about merits.

Firstly, I should thank you for the kind gesture. I really appreciate that a lot.
Yeah you're right. I've been focusing on what is important (bounty) while ignoring what is even more important. I guess that's why I haven't move more than this.  This is a big lesson for me because I've learnt my lesson (in hard way though) and I wouldn't want anyone to fall victim like I did. This is why I always want to be more active in newbies forum so I can learn and also pass knowledge because I'm no less than one myself. Thanks for the advise it really means a lot. And that thank you for the merit too (it's equally important)

Mostly people want it to join the signature and bounty campaign. One part wants it to create trust for others in currency exchanges(In this case I think feedback is of more importance.)

Can't agree more with you.
In the past I started several merit giveaway topics for newbies in the beginners section but couldn't find many good candidates.
After closing those topics, I received several unwanted private messages in which newbies begged me for merits.
I didn’t give them a negative or neutral trust but I will think about it next time.
Newbie members should learn how to be patient and how to raise the quality of their forum posts.

those who begging for 'merit' are for the sole purpose of seeking profit...
I am sure that the new low-level members who just joined this forum deliberately signed up to this forum because they heard from other people that this forum can make money from bounty programs or selling services, their way is wrong. if want to move up the rankings or get 'merit' then make a quality post.

Indeed most newcomers that come to this forum want to rank up for that purpose although there's no much campaign which accepts jr members. In regards to currency exchange with the others I think having jr member or higher rank doesn't immediately increase the people trust on you and as you said before feedback is the most important in this case, it's worthless if you have lots of negative feedback even though you are in a high rank.

However begging for merits is the wrong way to rank up no matter whats the reason behind it.

You are correct, I completely forgot that we have a no begging rule, although I don't know to what extent it's being enforced and what is the punishment for begging. A simple deletion of posts, or being shown the exit door in case of multiple attempts.

He got it for a post that surely doesn't deserve any merits. Check the post by DdmrDdmr from above. Although everyone has the right to merit anything and anyone they feel like, this kind of post is certainly not what is supposed to be merited. 

Despite the rulings OP still gave the member a merit. This is an act maybe violated by the one who ask or beg for it but it is also the fault if the one giving the merit. Well, it is not bad though to gave merits and it is a discretion for the one to give it or not. If I were the one being asked or beg for the merits then I would suggest for him to post something quality so that I can give him the merit/s.

No, Taskford wasn't the one who merited that user. If you check his merit history here, you will see it wasn't him > https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;u=751988.
Check the above post I wrote and the one I linked by DdmrDdmr that mentions what the user got merited for. I haven't found the name of the user who begged for those merits though. 

I agree with you, whatever it is asking for merit is something I don't like. If there is, then I will not reply to the message. Actually if they understand about the quality of the post they should be aware. Whether it's friends or people who don't know in this forum, if you have quality posts that are useful and meet the standards, then getting merit is easy.

I am new but I know all the rules of btt. I don't pm or dm someone for merits. it's very bad things for newbies they don't know if someone reported to their post to moderator maybe their account for limited time. Correct me if I wrong. Many Person who helped newbies with their topic .

Nope I didn't give any merit to the user since it's not good to give merit to those user who ask for it since I believe merit should be earn.

There is a thread where OGgNasty created which can help them earn their very first merit for just doing some task he ask there.

For newbies just click the link below.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5275043.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5289839.0

Most of the newbies here begging for the merits are simply here to make money from the bounty sections and not contribute towards raising this forum. And at such, users that take such actions should be made to understand what they are really here for.

If they were normal users, it would still be good. I myself get such PNs on a regular basis after writing that I am a merit source. Over time, I noticed that the usernames of the Merit beggars are similar or follow a pattern. Then I looked at the mostly one or two line posts of the users and also noticed similarities. So I came to the decision that it was a matter of professional account farmers who would quickly develop them into higher ranks and then be sold.

Some of my crypto contacts from the past who are inactive on Bitcointalk right now are begging or exchanging merits. This is why they are getting a ban hammer on this forum. They even asked me back then, but I choose to ignore and just earn merits naturally. A scammer named elmanchez also did asked me to have merit exchanging (before he exit scammed via loan default), but I choose not to and told him that it is a very bad idea. Because of that, he removed my green trust (coz' I've "donated" a small amount to him and didn't know he was an exit scammer back then) like he was frowning I believe.

Anyways to the newbies and Jr. members, if you really want to earn merits, try come up with a valuable topic or reply or info that catches good attention to the community without any expectations at all. For sure, you'll get one. Patience is a virtue.

Newbie users like that are so annoying because they want something instantly.

It is really hard to give them the things that they want without even doing something to earn it.

Do your best always so that you can earn merit that you want because merit is not that easy to earn especially that it only belongs to those who deserved it.

Even, from the guy's username, it is obvious the user isn't a serious minded person. I don't bother reading mails from users like that for they're clearly spammers.

They don't know merits are easy to get when you devot your time to bring up something that will help the forum to grow. Not on begging. Put your brain to work and you will surly get a reward.

How wish they can just have patience out their head to work. Sure they will get merits. When I take a look at my merits I will be like how did I get this far trust me it's not magic. It's just a devoted time I pulled in to help the forum especially the newbies to understood what they never knew before now.

@taskford Thank you so much for this briefing. This is indeed an eye opener. Please newbies let's follow due process, by obeying the rules. I believe if we keep contributing to this forum, especially to this board. We will have a down pour of merits showering on us.lets not be in a hurry. Learn from the elders.☺️

It's not really that hard to earn merits on this forum, it's a big shame asking people for merits when there is informations on this forum about how you can easily earn merit, the fact is don't put focus on earning merits but instead focus on making contributions, help people out in whatever difficulty they are facing consigning any crypto related issue and you will earn merits one way or the other

It is not too ideal to private chat other members for merits, it might look as if the person is actually desperate to get one, patience is the main key to earn good merits. As a new member, it is advisable to take your time to contribute earnestly to the forum by having a critical thinking on whatsoever post or topics we are contributing to. Although, the merit is not as easy as it seems bet I beleive that persistency is one of those keys to earning an excellent series of merits on this forum. There is no need to be in an haste to earning merits,  our meaningful posts would earn us merits which I believe.

You have a pretty good mindset, mate, that we should not be hasty and too desperate to earn merits just to make our account rank up because we will only get ourselves in trouble that our account could get banned or get a negative trust. Newcomers or beginners should definitely read the rules and regulations of this forum first before they engage so that they would know the dos and don'ts.

This is a notable factor. But i actually noticed that newbies and jr members spams the forum the most. And this is because they want to increase in rank so they can have higher chance of signing signatures. I think enlightening them is the best giving and deleting a spam message and sending a warning message to spammers but giving them negative  trust won't help them.

What a shame for those newbies who are begging for merit without doing something to earn it.

Right now, we really need a much more effective user here, those who can share knowledges, thoughts, ideas, information, and etc, effectively.

If you will only beg for merits then you should change your mindset. It is not that easy to earn merits that's why other users are doing their best so that they can earn the merits that they deserve. This forum are now composed of newbies who are lazy enough to learn and understand why we have a community like this.

Thanks for your nice advice.  I learned a lot from your post.  Getting merit by begging can never be a matter of pride.  I will always try to gain merit by posting well.  Because I believe that the thing that is hard to find is very satisfying.  If I can collaborate with others with informative and knowledgeable posts then of course I will get merit.  It may hurt me and take a little longer.  But in the end, this habit will take me a long way.

It also happened to me that I was getting private messages from newbie members asking me to give them merits.
That tells me 2 things, that these are members who don’t think they have the knowledge or experience with which they can contribute to the forum and help other members and secondly they obviously came here for earning opportunities.

I as a new member is very grateful for this direction. This prompted me to find something very useful and worthy of discussion in the forum.

Post count and merit means nothing.  Don't be fooled by either.  Both can be gamed.

IMO, registration date is most important and provides the most credibility.

It's not hard to get merited on this forum, instead of begging which I'm sure you will get nailed for by mean members who can insult everything that passes their way just make sure you contribute and help others, I believe that those asking for merits from others believe it's so hard to get merit but it's not

Credibility towards what?

Account registration date per se does not lead to anything. There are hundreds of old accounts that just spam the forum, just as there are hundreds that wakeup years later, still bearing only a few posts under the belt, and still lacking any shed of being savy or trustworthy.


On the topic of merit begging, it does not really seem to be a volume based trend, and I’ve very seldom seen it happen via PM (experience will of course vary from one person to another). There are quite a few threads that facilitate earning a couple with an ounce of effort, besides regular posting, which probably reduces the temptation to ask for it on a higher scale.

Sure it's not. But not all time though 😂😂i have an experience concerning that. But i really thing the best is just to ignore ranking aspect of the forum. It will come at its perfect time. The moment you're thinking you're due for ranking, you will start commenting on all posts just because you want to be recognized even when u have no idea what the post is all about. I witness that in my native group when we're speaking pidgin English (which is totally different from the English you know) an Arab came from no where and wrote only what God knows 😂

If you have the mindset of earning merits for the sole purpose of ranking your account to join campaign signatures, then receiving merits would be significantly difficult. But if you have the mindset of contributing in the forum by sharing your knowledge, experience, or expertise in a certain subject about cryptocurrencies, then people would appreciate your post which would garner you merits.

Begging for merits would lead you nowhere. You would just contribute to the spam and people would avoid your post and just move on. Instead of chasing merits, contribute something worth-it and merits would be the one chasing you.