This is true, and we went through a period of users creating topics just for the sake of it in hope for some of that sweet sweet sMerit. However, the OP does have a point in that thoughtful or thought provoking questions do not get the sMerit that they likely deserve. I've merited threads before or even replies which ask thought provoking discussion. However, I don't think meriting a thread just because good discussion became of it is the right way to go about it. Only if the question is asking something which isn't overly discussed or if it is its approaching it in some unique thoughtful way.

Personally, I don't care too much of the motives behind making a thread/post. If it has useful, thoughtful or unique discussion then I'll likely merit it. I'm not going to judge people on what I think their intentions are, and even if I knew their intentions were to earn merit as along as its a quality post I'll reward it anyway. Same goes for rank. That's irrelevant to me. Same goes as rewarding a user multiple times for different posts. I couldn't care less about the limits we sort of impose on ourselves. I tend to try, and avoid that and just give users the damn merit that they deserve whatever the reasons, rank or anything like that.

That's the  beauty of the merit system though. You can do whatever you want, and you can have whatever merit policy you determine.

Yeah, someone who is rational, and will hold their hand up, and admit fault, but not only that but improve too. However, someone as unbiased as possible. This is more difficult than it first appears, because I don't think anyone is truly unbiased whatever the circumstances. Users tend to appear neutral in several situations, but they'll always have a bias towards one side. There are a few suitable candidates out there I think. I'm not sure on how much Dmdrdmdr reports, and can only judge him based on his posts, and persona. Seems to be logical that's for sure. Honestly though, you could be completely clueless about Bitcoin, have no prospects, and no brains. However, if you knew the forum policies, and guidelines, and where able to use your own initiative when "enforcing" these guidelines then you'd be pretty damn good at the job. Rank is irrelevant.

Underhand tactics in business who would of thought? Yeah, this could be abused by opening several threads, but maybe there could be restrictions to who can open threads in that section. Any of the higher ranked members caught doing this could be temp banned, and maybe permanently if they continue to do so. Its spam after all. I hate restrictions usually, but most of the solutions without any sort of restrictions will be abused, and unfortunately we haven't got enough manpower to actually recognize every single one. If someone is opening several threads, and bumping it then its definitely clear what their intentions are though.

We have to weigh up the options of imposing restrictions, and allowing spam. A restriction such as certain rank+ only able to open threads to prevent users not caring about registering hundreds of newbie accounts, and being hard to identify who is behind it. Maybe, copper membership. Yeah, its putting something behind a paywall which I'm also usually against, but there has got to be compromises somewhere for the betterment of the forum, because quite frankly in its current state the altcoin section is very hard to view.

Since the implementation of the Jr member merit requirement I can delete most of the users replies as the majority of users are Newbies. However, there are several high ranked members breaking the rules constantly over there too. I think the section lacks a few categories which would help organize it better as there is currently a vast amount of subjects which fit into a generic section. That, and the amount of users that are posting there makes it difficult to manage, and view.

At the moment the Altcoin Discussion section is completely lost to spam. I've been meaning to try, and actively report there to try, and save the section however, I haven't got around to that yet. It would be nice if we had a Technical Support in the Altcoin section too. There's just so many threads which could be categorized better for a more efficient viewing of the section, but currently we are stuck with all kinds of posts related to altcoins in the discussion section. 

Over the years this forum has been accommodating for the much larger cryptocurrency scope rather than just Bitcoin. It makes sense as its related however, Bitcoin still is the main focus of the forum, and will remain so. I don't see the problem of having sections which accommodate related technologies/projects.

Alternatively, we give the owner of the thread a bump button which they can do at any point allowing them to bump their threads strategically or when they are online. Don't allow posts to bump threads anymore. Only allow the button to appear every 24 hours. 

I doubt Darkstar has the time to report with personal life, and his campaign management. There are a few users that report a lot that aren't on the list though. They just aren't "forum famous" enough to be included out of the blue. The only way we could have a genuine election would be if new updated report statistics were released. However, theymos seems to want to keep this away from the public eye at the moment as he sent Hilariousandco the top reporters in Bitcoin Discussion, but didn't release it publicly for whatever reason.

There's open source software available on Github: https://github.com/gurnec/btcrecover

Check the code yourself, and verify that its safe to use as I haven't looked at it for a while. But, it has worked in the past. If you aren't familiar with the software or cracking passwords that you already know parts of then you can get someone to do it who you trust. I think its Dave at walletrecoveryservices, and he has been doing it a number of years, and I've never heard anything bad.

Do note though, if you don't know any of the password, and its over a certain length it would be pointless even trying. However, if you know parts (ideally the majority) of the password then you might be in luck, and either you can find it yourself or you can contact Dave. If you think its a simple typo then most btcrecoer has that built in. Dave would likely be the person to contact if you needed this done quick as hes going to be more efficient than yourself as hes familiar with the process. 

Just as you did here you can list your ideas publicly in the New forum software section. Its better to have your ideas critiqued by the public, and improved on than sending them something which they don't like. However, if you post it publicly, and the community has suggestions which make it more appealing to the admins, and it gains support it is far more likely to be implemented.

I personally know how frustrating this can be. Even having a cool down of 2 seconds started to annoy me towards the end. Maybe, what we should do is completely whitelist those who report regularly, and have a high percentage so it doesn't deter them from reporting. I know it can be annoying firsthand, and I could see people just closing the tab, and not trying to report it again which means less reports to handle, and more spam on the forum.

Implementing a automatic whitelist which completely removes the cool down would benefit the forum. As long as we are only giving it to people with a few thousand reports, and a certain percentage to avoid abuse.

If they are willing to pay on bumping services then they would be willing to pay for their own sections. Especially, because it appears more prestigious, and sort of like its endorsed by the forum, because it has its own little section. I don't think implementing something like this would do anything. Reducing who can bump threads would though, but that's a rather large restriction that theymos will likely be against.

This could be interesting. However, the bot would need to be able to filter out quotes if this was to be implemented. However, I already know what they'll do to work around it. They are likely to lazy to think of new phrases, but will just post random letters at the end of the reply or something annoying like that. The thing is the users behind the bumping are well aware of how the forum works, and any system which is implemented will likely be abused. The objective is to introduce something that as the least impact on the users, and the least impact if abused.

Theymos is the only one that really knows who's suitable, and I think he hasn't made too many mistakes when selecting users. It must be so hard to actually get a consistent, and trustworthy bunch together when most of them are completely anonymous. I think reporting posts shows good intent as its largely a thankless job. Especially, in sections which are already heavily moderated.

And the patience to shift through hundreds of messages all complaining about the forum in someway. Whether its about some other user or themselves being treated "unfairly".

It's always nice to have someone like that in the team. I remember when he played for Leicester he barely ever scored, and in fact would barely every take the shot, and would look to find a team mate instead even when any other player would of taken the shot. Chelsea did fantastically well, and I've come across a few salty City fans since

Straight forward spam reports are usually easy to handle, and can be done in quick succession. However, more complex reports which require the moderator to research may be put back a few hours until they have more time. I do this fairly often. I don't always go by the order of the reports. I usually only go from top to bottom when I have dedicated some time to moderating. But, if I'm just handling reports for 15 minutes or so I'll focus of the ones that don't require too much research.

I'm sure a few other moderators also use this approach.

Even though I've been critical of some of Liverpool's performances recently they are the only team in the top flight to not have lost a game with Man City losing today. I had a funny feeling Chelsea would turn things upside down after their poor performance mid week. Man City looked fairly good up until the goal which was sort of against the run of the play, but the 2nd half Chelsea dominated no doubt. Pedro, Hazard, and David Luiz impressed today.

Chelsea leading 1-0 at half time from one hell of a strike from Kante? Unusual for him to score like that. I think a draw is looking more likely than ever now as Man City will look to hit back, but Chelsea have looked fairly decent defending except a few times when Man City just sliced through them with their one touch precision football.

Will be chucking my predictions in later tonight. I'm fancying tomorrow as there's a few interesting games. What's your guys input on the Chelsea vs Man city game? I'm thinking Chelsea might just get a point even though they've dropped off their form recently. I think Man City struggled a little more than we are used to seeing during the week, and I think a draw is worth a shot to reap some points back :p

Or am I completely crazy, and just desperate at this point?

Yeah, I think its just catching him at the right time. All of my interactions with theymos have been under 24 hours including my application for a merit source. I guess I'm just really good at catching him at the right time.