I trnslated this text in Russian, and then translated it back. This is what I got with Google


I don't really like the changes, but Google managed a better job than I expected.

Indonesian wasn't quite as good

German also showed some variation.

I really don't like the way they have all changed "it looks as if" to "it looks like".

I gave you a merit for being so circumspect. Tman, you really need to learn that you should say what you really think.

Do you mean the quantity of Bitcoin available, or the current exchange rate?

Banning isn't the only thing you should worry about. Some merit awarders ( me for example ) are putting members on ignore for various bad posting habits. These may include -

- Begging for or selling merits
- Necro-bumping threads with useless posts.
- Making garbled and meaningless posts
- Posting on an english language board in a foreign language
- Plagiarism
- Quoting a large post in full.
- Using large text formatting or fancy colours
- Including large images that don't add value to the post.
- Constantly making duplicated posts.

and probably some other things that esacape me for the moment.

You will have a couple of problems if you are put on ignore. You will never get merit from that awarder. Because you are on ignore, there is no method of appeal, and you may not be aware that you have been placed on ignore anyway.

Please don't bump old threads with posts that contribute nothing. Not only does it clog the index with threads that are no longer relevant, but you risk being put on ignore by merit awarders, and that will stop you ranking up.

If anyone is selling merit, or exchanging merit for goods or favours, then you should report them.

I don't think Bitcoin will ever estrablish itself as a mass payment system. However, it is becoming a store of wealth, and some of the new cryptos are providing methods of exchanging their currency into Bitcoin for long term investment. The price is extremely volatile, and likely to remain so, so it isn't for the faint hearted. My feeling is that the long term value of Bitcoin can only increase, and I see these massive price drops as good investing opportunities.

Take care if you are going to speculate on the price movements, and don't gamble with more than you can afford to lose.

I think you are more likely to get a reply if you move this thread to Meta.

I'm not sure I understand this. If they use your email addy to join something, won't they have to confirm tha ddress by clicking a link? If they can't receive the mail, then they can't confirm.

Isn't the easiest option just to write to the airdrop and explain the situation?

In response to the above suggestions, I have moved this thread to off topic.

In view of the lack of interest, I have closed it.

As and when I feel like it, I'll post some words that I think are misused on the Internet. I'm going to start with a triplet.

Insure - This is an arrangement with a company to pay compensation in the even of an unfortunate incident. For example, you would insure you car against damage in the event of an accident.

Ensure - make sure that something will happen, or make sure that you can obtain something. For example. when buying a notebook computer, ensure that the power supply is the correct one for your local electical voltage.

Assure - Confirm that an event will happen. For example, I can assure you that if you continue to make good posts on Bitcoin Talk, then you will have a smooth passage through the ranks.

It isn't really the allowance of signatures that is the problem, but the use of them. Many members don't care about their reputations, so they will promote any old thing, as long as they get paid to do it. Signatures should be a reward and a thank you from the forum, and not a right for any member to scratch a few coins by posting and promoting rubbish.

I've messed up my larynx by drinking sub-zero temperature water - yes, you can do it if you are drinking mineral water which freezes at a lower temperature - so this won't happen for a few days.

I've revived my interest in the audio editing program Audacity, and I'll be creating some radio and video files. As an initial experiment, I though it might be useful if I converted some of the new member posts into audio files with comments. I have a received English accent, so it might be useful for some members hoping to improve their English.

Let me know if you think this will be useful. I've got a Blue Yeti microphone, and using the cardioid setting allows me to record in McDonalds without too much background interference.

I'm not suggesting that you invest in physical copper as a major long term asset. What I suggest is an additional minor store of wealth in case of future economic problems. It is difficult to anticipate all of the future problems. My policy is to buy plumbing off cuts, and to flatten the pipes to reduce the storage requirements.  If we do have a major financial melt down, then I can either trade the copper, or I can sell it to a scrap yard. I've more than doubled my money, and if I need a bit of cash, it's easy to dispose of a bit of my stash for a few hundred pounds.

Guys - please can you stop bumping old threads with posts that don't add value, or just repeat a previous post.

One of the strengths of Bitcoin Talk is that it is a vibrant community, but by bumping old threads that no longer vibrate, you will diminish the value of the boards, and that will not help you in your pursuit of knowledge.

I thought for a moment that plagiarism was going to take over from merits, but merit seems to have fought back. Maybe we should try to revive discussions about activity. That could be considered to be unfair, as it is fairly easy for a competent poster to knock out 14 decent posts in an hour or so.

That is if he hasn't worn out his keyboard. I keep dropping my "a" characters, and constant editing slows one down.

I suspect they have been having a cleanup on the boards, so you may have had a few posts deleted. You will know when the next activity update happens, that should adjust as well.

That's a very diplomatic reply. I think I can learn from that, and it sounds much better than a simple " F*** off ". The constant complaints about the merit system are starting to build an intolerance in some of us, and I'm not sure that it is healthy.

Well I don't have a standard approach to life, but this would be my advice.

Forget about merits. Merits were introduced to reduce the impact of the influx of new members that were destroying Bitcoin Talk. You have to distance yourself from the marauding hordes. The crypto world is a real jungle, and you need to avoid the snakes, tigers, crocodiles and baboons, and establish an identity for yourself, your signature is one way to do this. Promoting sponsors of questionable repute in your signature reflects on your reputation and motivation.

Crypto-currencies and "blockchains" are starting to have a major impact in world economies. the real way to great riches is to learn about this, and to master the emerging technology. Scratching a few dollars from a signature campaign, and losing the contact with the wealth of knowledge here, doesn't seem to be the most sensible approach. Keep reading and asking sensible questions, and you will find that merit will come with the increase in your knowledge and your value to the Bitcoin community.

All is revealed. These newbies are really Rothschild bankers.