Haha, no. You could probably offer some people a pack of freddos (25p!) and they would join all jelly legged. As long as there's money to be earned for both parties signature campaigns shall remain. Even, with heavier restrictions I still think they would exist, and not be such a burden to the general forum user.

AFAIK If two/three/ten people report a post then they all get credited for a good report if the post/thread has been deleted. If multiple people have reported a post they come up as separate in the report queue. However, if a moderator deletes the post all the users are credited with a good report. If the post is moved, then not all reports are credited with a good report, and quite often if someone hasn't specified something along the lines of "Wrong section, doesn't belong in <section>" then a moderator may think you are reporting it for being in the current section it's been moved too and thus mark it as a bad report.

I'm unsure what happens if an account is banned, but their posts haven't been removed. However, I would think that after someone has been banned the report would still remain in the queue, and you would be marked on it's accuracy. A moderator probably knows if a user has been banned, and might mark your report good without removing it.

You bet it. They probably get hundreds of messages per day just because they have the title/rank "Staff/moderator/admin/Lamborghini Member/Ninja. Even, if they wasn't the one that dealt with that users post they'll likely get abuse just because, they are the first one they saw that was a member of staff.

Although, this maybe true it actually has it's upsides as well. For instance, it will be easily identifiable if someone is abusing merit in this way, and can be tagged for it. Plus, this will eventually die down because, of members running out of merit. In fact I believe we are already seeing the effects of users running out of merit.  

This is exactly why theymos implemented the merit received as half. They will eventually run out, and can no longer abuse the system. This might not be the best option right now, however in the future it could be something that actually works.

Exactly. This is one of the points that I initially didn't think of. The only way around this would be to have both a post count requirement as it is now, and the proposed merit system.

The only problem with this system is it takes into account the past of the poster, and not the time that they are hired, and that's what really counts right?. That means they could of once been a great poster, but have since spammed to get money. It's better than just post count alone though. Again, you could combine initial merit requirement along with this ongoing requirement.

I'll try to chip in on anything that I think is worth mentioning. Depending on what you want for the guide it would likely be best to make it complete, and include examples.

Disclaimer: This is just my personal policy/format, and isn't endorsed by the forum.

Here's my two cents:

1. When reporting a thread which is in the wrong section specify where you think it belongs, and if it's not easily identifable offer an explanation why you think so. [e]

2. When reporting a post for plagiarism include a link to the original source/post. [e]

3. When reporting a user check their post history, and identify if they are making similar posts throughout their posts. If they are report one of their posts, and leave a comment in the report field stating this. [e]

4. If reporting someone for a malicious link/malware include any evidence that you can. Sometimes Total Virus can identify malicious links/programs.  [e]

5. When reporting someone for duplicate posts/threads include a link to the others. [e]

6. When reporting multiple bumps it's best to report the earliest bump and only that one, and include a comment in the report field that there's more in the thread. [e]

7. When reporting someone for ban evasion include a link to their profile, and the topic/post that proves they are the same person. [e]

8. When reporting someone for not following local thread rules. Quote the local rule, and explain why they have broken it. [e]

9. If you suspect a user of using an automated translation then include why you think so, and also a link to the translation text would be beneficial. [e]

10. If you are reporting posts similar to: "Great post", "Great project" or "This project rocks my socks off" then check the OP of the ANN thread, their website or social media and see if they are offering an incentive to post. If they are report the OP rather than individual posts. [e]

Examples:

1. A thread asking a question related to the forum which has been posted in Bitcoin Discussion should be reported as some variation of this: "Wrong section doesn't belong in Bitcoin discussion. Move to Bitcoin Forum > Other > Meta. as it's asking a question about the forum."

2. "plagiarism without providing a source: <link to original source/post>"

3. "Spam. Please check this users post history as they have made several of these types of posts"

4. "Spreading malware. Total virus has identified that this could be malware:" <totalvirus>" link.

5. "Duplicate post/thread: <link to duplicate>

6. "Multiple bumps in thread."

7. "This user is ban evading: <link to profile> here's the post connecting the two accounts: <link to connection>

8. The user that's being reported has started a discussion within the thread. "Broken local rule. 'Do not post discussion here only bids'"

9. "This post is badly translated, and doesn't make sense. Suspected automated translation. Please check here for an identical translation: https://translate.google.co.uk/#auto/ar/This%20is%20an%20example"

10. "Offering an incentive to post by rewarding those who do with a bonus, please check: <link to evidence>"



Yes, there's actually quite a few out there or you could just search up the sentences on Google yourself. Here's an example of one

Basically, a few users have tried to prevent staff from detecting their plagiarism by changing certain characters to others which look the same, and therefore don't impact readability. This can sometimes prevent copying a piece of text, and trying to find out it's source as the characters are slightly different. Another, method that some members have used in the past is changing words that mean the same, but aren't spelled the same. For example, one could replace "But" with "However". Which makes it harder to identify plagiarism. Online tools normally incorporate this. Plus, if you suspect a user is using one of the methods above just search up without words that are easily changed but, mean the same, and you should yield results. I'm struggling to find a way to show an example which would be clear, and concise. Hopefully someone else can chime in with an example.

It's bloody crazy how some threads get bombarded with replies if they have some sort of reward for posting on a particular thread. They are always the ones which get the most views and comments, and it makes you think whether they are literally searching up "Comment on this thread" for this to happen.  In future OP just report it as offering an incentive to users to post is against the rules.

It would be nice, although I think something like this would only be possible when there are more merit sources than there currently is. However, convincing the people behind the advertising that quality posts are better than quantity is going to be difficult. It's why there's so many signatures with low entry requirements right now. They don't really care about quality just getting their name out there. Unfortunately, more posts means more exposure. More exposure = More money for both customers, and the developers.

In a perfect world this would be great, but we don't live in a perfect world.

You would think that people getting paid to post would at least take some time in their replies and make a thoughtful post. But, it's just too easy. The criteria is way too low, and I do understand that the more people, and more posts the better advertising. But, if it were me who brought out something worth advertising I would want to best quality posters rather than hiring a bunch of Jr Members who have only ever posted in off topic and spam megathreads.

I think they should be held responsible. But, frankly giving them neutral/negative feedback isn't going to hurt them as evidenced by a few campaign managers still running campaigns even if they've pulled off something shady.


That only addresses signing up for campaigns though, and doesn't address the problem that some campaign managers are encouraging spam by allowing anyone to join up, and not review their posts at the end of each period.

Having said that I think it's about time that all applications are done off forum, and make that a requirement.

It's probably a result of not enough merit sources covering enough timezones, sections and local boards. This should improve in time once theymos has identified members that would be suitable for merit distribution. I believe he's recently suggested that he's struggled to do so though.

The trust he has left has no credibility, just ignore it. Trust isn't moderated and thus it won't be removed. It may be annoying, but it doesn't show up by default, and if anyone want's to deal with you in the future will only have to take 10 seconds to realize that it's not credible.

Then the guy on Skype seems to be actually warning you if you've verified that this message was indeed sent from your account. In this case you need to find out how it was compromised and address this as soon as possible. Your account was registered somewhat recently, and isn't prone to the database leak that so many accounts have been hacked from. So it's certainly something on your side that's been compromised.

We'll continue seeing the influx of new coins which aren't worth anyones time just because they still make money. Although, the above points you made are a good starting point there's much more to it than just having an incredible team, good security and a good following. PR is a big thing, and that's why we are currently seeing a lot of bumping from newbie accounts.

I highly doubt this. At the moment even though shitty coins are ultimately failing there's still many out there which are earning a lot of money, and as we know as long as there's money to be made then we'll continue seeing these shitty coins dominate the market.

AFAIK hilariousandco has stated a few times he has very little contact with theymos, and I doubt there's many restrictions in place. After all it's up to the individual moderator on how they deal with something. It's probably a lack of time, and not enough reports. As well, as partly giving up fighting the masses of spammers.

He's asking to change your password himself? I mean come up they want access to your account. Don't give it to them. It's almost certain that your account isn't being sold anywhere, but if you are worried just change the password yourself.

If he's asking you to change your password without him doing it himself then I guess it wouldn't hurt. But, don't do it through any links he sends you as I'm not sure how skype works, and the link could be masked to look like the forum, but actually redirects to a phishing site.

Changing your password won't allow them to get access, and the only malicious thing they could do is lock the account if they had access to the email associated with the account, but you could change that before as a precautionary.

The only other thing that could happen but, I doubt. Is that someone you've offended or whatever could be trying to get you to change your password in private to make it look like the account has been sold, and will post the screenshots of someone trying to sell the account, and show that the password/email has changed recently. Then again, evidence which isn't verifiable through a trustworthy person isn't really considered evidence. This is thinking beyond the box, and I very much doubt that this is the case anyway.

Change your password in a secure environment, and don't click on any links or download anything anyone sends you.

That's a shame I've given the account negative too as a result of the screen shots posted above. It's a shame you can't sign any messages as it's a real loss that such a historic account has been compromised. Looks like it was caught before any damage could be done though.
How can they think it's not theft? Seems like you might be able to get the account back if he's willing. Probably just saying that though.

I've archived peoples posts before, but only for long term. When I recognize a name I refer to my list, and see if they are on it. If they are then I report one of their comments with the archive of the previous posts. However, this is over a long period if you are reporting them within short period like a hour or so then you likely only need to report one of their posts, and ask the moderator to check their post history.

I'm not saying it's bad practice what you are doing, but is likely a little unnecessary if you are reporting them in the same period.

I've spoken to a few South Africans before about Bitcoins, and it seems that the general consensus is that they can earn more than minimum wage in Bitcoin just, because they aren't suppressed by their local pay brackets. This seems to be a common thing too that poorer areas are much more likely to be involved in Bitcoin, because they see it as a way to bypass traditional limits.

Did you receive a message that the post has been deleted? If so, then you've broken the rules somewhere along the lines. If you didn't receive a personal message telling you it's been deleted and simply lost post count then it's likely, because the thread was deleted rather than your individual post.

I would suggest allowing them to still post in the Beginners section, and allow them to accumulate merit points. You could then increase the requirement above from Jr Member to Member as I feel it's still too easy to reach Jr Member. I think the quiz is a somewhat good idea, and randomizing the order of the questions/checkboxes would likely prevent certain automated bots from answering the questions. At least then it would require them to make a more sophisticated bot to actually bypass the system.

I'm sure Jetcash would be interested in helping with the English knowledge part.

I use the watchlist, but if you don't like using that for whatever reasons you could just bookmark the threads you want to follow or keep a text document of the url and copy and paste it into your browser when you want too.

Although, the watchlist should be adequate for your needs.