Merit System Upgrade

[QuestionAuthority]

my bad, i saw two posts that were similar and my brain kind of blended them together as wishful thinking, deleted my comment and apologize

No worries. 

[seven2smoke1]

I would like to try my luck with this post if i could get my first merit points for it:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2906373.msg29891412#msg29891412

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I would like to try my luck with this post if i could get my first merit points for it:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2906373.msg29891412#msg29891412

Ok, I gave you a point for that, seeing as how your English isn't terrible and you obviously put some thought and effort into it.  Those are my basic criteria for leaving merit, though lately I've been more selective because I'm running out of merit.  I don't really want the responsibility of being a merit source, but I do like rewarding people who make more of an effort in their posts--and punishing shitposters, which has been a huge pet peeve of mine for some time now.   Keep it up, bro.

Edit: Do NOT give me merit in return.  Pay it forward to someone who deserves it.

[QuestionAuthority]

I would like to try my luck with this post if i could get my first merit points for it:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2906373.msg29891412#msg29891412

“Try my luck” You spend too much in the gambling sub. LOL

You’ve been here since 2016 but you only have a 185 activity. You will need to post more before you can gain rank. You know to get Sr. Member you’re going to need a 240 activity. At the rate you’re posting now it’s going to take you at least a year.

Your posts are good. There’s a reasonable chance that if the right person saw some of them you would get merit. You seem to be from the UK but speak both Arabic and French which to me is an odd combination but kind of cool.

I have a question for you. How important do you feel gambling is for the bitcoin ecosystem? I spent a little time looking at the different online casinos to see if I could tell how much bitcoin relies on gambling and I think at times it could be as much as 50% of the daily transactions. As a gambler, you might have a better feel for that.

[zachwgtv]

The system is definitely unfair as the merits are always circulating among the high rankers and hardly or never at the newbies level.

[eddie13]

I don't want to ask for merit but I really like your thread and want to post in it but don't want to do so without making an attempt to follow your OP guidelines so here goes..

I stumbled upon this thread of yours while reading the thread charting your merit generosity wondering what the link in your sig could possibly lead to..


Here is my first post on bitcointalk..

I am also quite concerned about what's going on with Cryptsy..
Subscribed..

TheGrammarHammer was pretty vocal about the collective problems we were experiencing and I guess got shadowbanned..  
I traded Cryptsy for a long time before I ever signed up here.. I came here to try to keep up with the current news about the catastrophe that was happening at my crypto home Cryptsy..
I'm an altcoin trader but definately a bitcoin guy..

Explaining what was causing massive market imbalances on my 1st page of newbie posts..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1233119.msg12992926#msg12992926
I knew a bit more than your average newbie coming in..

Here is a decent post or a few from 2015..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1206279.msg13068205#msg13068205
I talked a lot about trading..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1206279.msg13089417#msg13089417
Here is one solidifying my BTC preference way back then..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1285787.msg13240326#msg13240326
I'm just taking a look forwards through my post history..

I got into lending here in 2016 and did a bit of business..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1314190.0
Won some lost some as usual..
I found it too much work to monitor the section trying to scoop new incoming loans all the time but learning about all the detective work it takes to vet someone and look for scams has been great for me..

Throwing some cred to thunderjet who turned out to be a key player in tracking cryptsy transactions..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=527500.msg14502781#msg14502781
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1173703.msg13587772#msg13587772

Talking about trading some more..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1583985.msg15907539#msg15907539
"BTCs its all about the BTCs and collecting me more BTCs because that is the only way I know how to do it.."


The trading I have been most into for a while are actually counterparty assets on bitcoin..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1841341.msg18344010#msg18344010
That is one of my creations along with it's tradable asset on the DEX..

I've bought and sold some physicals.. And a couple other things here..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2076308.msg20751950#msg20751950

A more recent BTC prediction..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2397936.msg24516824#msg24516824

I've given countless current events style exchange updates, what the heck they are up to this week and such..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1954598.msg25271853#msg25271853


I like to read meta a lot and sometimes I weigh in on discussions of scams and shitposters..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2535025.msg26102226#msg26102226
I am pretty libertarian minded which is a huge reason I'm into BTC..

Talking about trading..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2552949.msg26048459#msg26048459

Talking price swings..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2567915.msg26210228#msg26210228

Exchange current events..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2603329.msg26499307#msg26499307


I've been talking about a lot of stuff for a long time.. I could sign my staked address still too but that would involve me dusting off a retired computer..

I just came back to this whole merits thing.. I have been working across the country for the last year so I haven't had a lot of crypto time..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2818350.msg30105041#msg30105041

As you can see if you check my stats to the left I am one of the ones that have had my merits squeezed right at the tail end of Hero so now I am potential Legendary in activity but need almost 500 merits, heh..
I'm really not that worried about it but I suppose I could use your 20 merits to help me get there some day if you deem me worthy..

I wanted to make all sorts of comments about your OP and related but doing that just now took a lot of time already and it's like 5am..
I'll save that for when I come back to answer your questions (if I get that far) but you should know that I'm not a computer whiz coder kind of BTC guy, I'm just an exchange rat..
I do HODL a bit of BTC on my ledger too if that helps make my case.. I don't have any altcoins other than the forks racking up on my physicals and some XCP assets..

You know what else I did, I just paid real USA federal and state taxes on the piece of BTC I sold in 2017.. I took a little profit salary on all my hard work, Bought me a BMW...

I don't get paid for this signature either, I just like the people, think it is a good place that I would like to see succeed..

[QuestionAuthority]

eddie13, I can help with 20 of it but, like you pointed out, you still have a long way to go. You have a lot more than 20 posts that could reasonably have received 1 merit.

20 merit awarded

[oviudiu]

I don’t have much Merit to give but I’m going to give it up until it’s all gone. I’m not sure if this is the right section for this thread because I’m not really selling anything. It’s about accounts so I’ll just leave it here until someone decides to move it. I don’t know if this is wrong to do. I don’t care if I get negative trust for doing this because I don’t buy anything here, sell anything here, join signature campaigns or post routinely in threads that even show the trust rating. Essentially I don’t make money here so I don’t use trust anyway.

I felt sorry for SOME of the members that posted in the merit thread. They seemed to be fairly articulate, fairly knowledgeable, rational and really trying to be members of this group of dreamers (community).

Here’s how it’s going to work. You’re not just going to beg for merit and I give it. Do not PM me and offer to pay me for merit points. Your money means nothing to me. I have given away more bitcoin than you will likely earn while on this forum (just ask Gleb Gamow if you don’t believe me). I will report you to a mod that will give you negative trust for being a potential scammer. You will ask me to research your post history and direct me to 10-20 posts that you believe show you have a deep desire to learn about, use, and support bitcoin. I will then ask you a couple of questions about how bitcoin works and you will answer them. I don’t care if you take some time to research the answer if you come up with the correct answer. That just means I’ve made you learn more about bitcoin than you knew previously.

Bitcoin does not mean altcoin. I know altcoins are more popular on this forum than bitcoin. I don’t care. I will only help bitcoiners level up. If most of your post history is in altcoin threads I won’t help you. I do not consider Bitcoin Cash to be bitcoin. If you don’t know what the real bitcoin is then you haven’t been here long enough for me to help you. Which leads me to the group I’m willing to help.


Rank                  Required activity            Required merit
Brand new                    0                            0
Newbie                         1                            0
Jr Member                   30                            0
Member                       60                           10
Full Member                120                           100
Sr. Member                 240                           250
Hero Member              480                           500


New members, Newbies, Jr Members and Members don’t need any merit. They don’t have enough post history to judge so I won’t be helping them.

Full members, Sr. Members and Hero Members really got screwed with the merit system. Some of them were really close to leveling up and now have to wait until they’ve impressed the right person to probably get only one merit point from them. The most extreme case of this is Hero Member. They may need hundreds of merit points to level up which could take a very long time to get.

You will be working for 20 merit points. Good luck to all. I will announce when they’re gone and lock the thread.

I will no longer be responding to off-topic posts in this thread. If you fail to get a response from me you can reread this post to find out why.

As much as I appreciate your gesture, you should care about the lower rank members as well. I should've been a Member but the merit system screwed me too.

[EthanB]

I am primarily interested in getting some feedback on my posts, contribution and lack of knowledge. I am always interested in learning more about Bitcoin, so I am looking forward to your (hopefully practical) questions about Bitcoin so that I can see if I know more than I think I do or leave with more information than I came here with.

You said 10-20 posts, so I went in the middle with 15. You might be better served just looking through my post history and doing some research on that; A lot of my posts are back and forth conversations trying to get to a place where multiple people are challenging themselves, testing the limits of their ideas and really having solid exchanges. If you're interested in researching more, https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=556167;sa=showPosts

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2890454.msg29725564#msg29725564
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2877475.msg29593261#msg29593261
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2936388.msg30229663#msg30229663
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2937576.msg30225598#msg30225598
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2937576.msg30212986#msg30212986
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2937576.msg30180317#msg30180317
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2931947.msg30116042#msg30116042
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2930044.msg30100260#msg30100260
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2930012.msg30099098#msg30099098
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2877475.msg29558761#msg29558761
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2836875.msg29541762#msg29541762
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2877475.msg29597645#msg29597645
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2935513.msg30240829#msg30240829
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2849027.msg29527419#msg29527419
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2807763.msg28717808#msg28717808

Looking forward to hearing your questions and feedback.

[malikusama]

I don’t care if you take some time to research the answer if you come up with the correct answer. That just means I’ve made you learn more about bitcoin than you knew previously.

That's a really positive gesture, very few people in community have this kind of attitude and intention to educate people if they don't know much instead of degrading them.
I really like your idea and how beautifully you have presented, i wish deserving users should get maximum of the merits they need.

[QuestionAuthority]

I am primarily interested in getting some feedback on my posts, contribution and lack of knowledge. I am always interested in learning more about Bitcoin, so I am looking forward to your (hopefully practical) questions about Bitcoin so that I can see if I know more than I think I do or leave with more information than I came here with.

You said 10-20 posts, so I went in the middle with 15. You might be better served just looking through my post history and doing some research on that; A lot of my posts are back and forth conversations trying to get to a place where multiple people are challenging themselves, testing the limits of their ideas and really having solid exchanges. If you're interested in researching more, https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=556167;sa=showPosts

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2890454.msg29725564#msg29725564
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2877475.msg29593261#msg29593261
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2936388.msg30229663#msg30229663
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2937576.msg30225598#msg30225598
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2937576.msg30212986#msg30212986
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2937576.msg30180317#msg30180317
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2931947.msg30116042#msg30116042
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2930044.msg30100260#msg30100260
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2930012.msg30099098#msg30099098
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2877475.msg29558761#msg29558761
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2836875.msg29541762#msg29541762
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2877475.msg29597645#msg29597645
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2935513.msg30240829#msg30240829
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2849027.msg29527419#msg29527419
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2807763.msg28717808#msg28717808

Looking forward to hearing your questions and feedback.

You easily have enough posts to qualify. You're helpful to new people, ask the right questions and learn as you go. You really seem to really enjoy your time here and selling is a great way to support the cause.

Here’s a question for you. What is Bitcoin Omni Layer, what was it called at its inception and will it change the way bitcoin functions as a currency? Here’s a hint on what it is: the bitcointalk user “dacoinminster” created it.

[QuestionAuthority]

I don’t care if you take some time to research the answer if you come up with the correct answer. That just means I’ve made you learn more about bitcoin than you knew previously.

That's a really positive gesture, very few people in community have this kind of attitude and intention to educate people if they don't know much instead of degrading them.
I really like your idea and how beautifully you have presented, i wish deserving users should get maximum of the merits they need.

Thank you.

I believe they will get the merit they deserve. There are a lot of people giving merit now and it’s only a matter of time before people are ranking up without realizing it. If people spend their time worrying about rank then they’re here for the wrong reasons and they shouldn’t be here anyway.

And you aren’t applying because?

[EthanB]

You easily have enough posts to qualify. You're helpful to new people, ask the right questions and learn as you go. You really seem to really enjoy your time here and selling is a great way to support the cause.

I do enjoy my time here, it's probably one of very few things that I am truly passionate about and interested in. I love the free time I have had recently to learn more, contribute more and just be around again. Hopefully something I sell will start to take off; my lending program was going well until I got scammed, maybe I'll start that back up again.

Here’s a question for you. What is Bitcoin Omni Layer, what was it called at its inception and will it change the way bitcoin functions as a currency? Here’s a hint on what it is: the bitcointalk user “dacoinminster” created it.

Now that's a question. I have no clue what Bitcoin Omni Layer is, but I'm going to spend some time researching, because I have honestly never even heard of such a thing.

I believe it was formerly called Mastercoin (Metadata Archival by Standard Transaction Embedding Records) protocol. If what I'm gathering is correct, it would seem that Omni Layer is a layer of operation within Bitcoin that has specific parameters for use-cases. The analogy that helped me get a conceptualization of it in my head is that Omni Layer is to Bitcoin as HTTP is to TCP.

I'm learning as I am writing, but as I learn more and more I am getting excited; it sounds like omni layer makes it possible to create something that would resemble a "smart contract" in some sense through a decentralized financial exchange platform. If I am understanding this right, and I very well may not be, it would also seem possible to use the decentralization that is already present with Bitcoin to broadcast a BUY/SELL for any item/asset without interference, fees or obstacles put in place by typical exchanges. Almost like a Bitcoin Craigslist, except more secure and with the ability to list far more items/assets at the cost of a transaction fee (Bitcoin acting as a Forever Stamp, implementing your trade into the blockchain and represented through Omni).

I'm sitting here watching videos, reading GitHub commits/comments/files, you have me going through old members post history. I would be interested in exchanging Q & A's through PM or publicly even after this, because this is actually very interesting.

Omni Layer would allow for greater flexibility for use-cases of Bitcoin without changing the foundation or main protocol/blockchain. It would bring in more interest, and could trigger even more adoption for bitcoin. It doesn't try the same old Fork routine that has been a failure repeatedly, they are actually approaching things from a different perspective that would seem almost unavoidable if Bitcoin is to take the next step. It would allow for further interaction with Bitcoin, rather than attempt to contend as a standalone competitor. It would seem that it should/would change or kill the current ICO game; which already would change the way bitcoin is seen; right now people are trying to develop past bitcoin in the worst ways, and with this they could develop with bitcoin.

This adds a whole slew of use-cases that could stand to be a tremendous amount of the transactions on the blockchain, and in that way Bitcoin would become foundational to a much larger ecosystem/network of decentralized finance (and gambling) and in this sense, very realistically could cement bitcoin as required to maintain our infrastructure.

Oh wow, I'm just reading dacoinmaster's most recent thread they started and it is discussing that it hosts $500 Million in assets; with only Ethereum assets being valued at more. I have a feeling this post is getting tremendously long with just my half-baked first thoughts on this extremely innovative idea/protocol. I didn't even realize that something like this was possible, let alone already in existence. If my answer is insufficient, I am still reading/learning and would love to come back and clarify or correct anything I've said that is incorrect. Seems like dacoinmaster knows a thing or two and is suggesting UpToken is the next big thing.

EDIT: Was this the birth of the ICO? Why have ICOs taken a turn away from bitcoin and Omni?

[QuestionAuthority]

EthanB, it sounds like you got the general idea. Based on your post history in the economics sub I thought you would find Mastercoin/Omni Layer interesting. The possibilities using Omni Layer are pretty exciting. Omni opens bitcoin to trading on a DEx, crowdfunding, becoming any currency (including real estate, gold, etc.) using a smart contract, betting, decentralized businesses, decentralized labor contracts and much more. The best part is it makes bitcoin more valuable because Omni transactions are Bitcoin transactions. You should keep looking into it.

20 merit awarded

[haroldtee]

Thanks a lot for this QA. The fact that I am getting educated with your thread alone is even good enough for me. Gone are those days when one can easily find interesting topics to contribute and also gain some knowledge on this forum, but it seems we are getting back to that phase gradually with the merit system. Please let me know if you have any question for me and if I deserve your merit or not.
Cheers!

[athanz88]

Well, it doesnt stated on your first post so im just gonna take my chance to do it and post again, pardon me if im wrong, but i would like to propose a link to my thread about you  

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2947171.msg30272338#msg30272338

If i am at wrong, please just tell me kindly, as what you have stated that full member, sr.member, and hero member really got screwed by this system, so here i am.

[SEELE^^01]

@QuestionAuthority

i just stumbled upon your thread here, giving away smerits for full members and above, who are interested in bitcoin.

i really have to say, that you made my day. why? because, since the huge popularity of crypto last year, i have the feeling that everyone is getting greedier and greedier. Thus, your thread and offer are really refreshing, and lets me believe that generousity on bct is not dead yet.

keep it up! you are the real mvp
 

[0t3p0t]

Hello everyone! Since my thread is located in the services section and my only purpose is to help co-members and contribute something for the betterness of this Bitcoin community I will try my luck if this post really deserves a merit from you guys. Thank you in advance.
Here is the link kindly check: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2727673.0

[QuestionAuthority]

Thanks a lot for this QA. The fact that I am getting educated with your thread alone is even good enough for me. Gone are those days when one can easily find interesting topics to contribute and also gain some knowledge on this forum, but it seems we are getting back to that phase gradually with the merit system. Please let me know if you have any question for me and if I deserve your merit or not.
Cheers!

I have to say, I’m on the fence about you. You participate in bounty threads, twitter campaigns and altcoins but appreciate bitcoins strength and resilience. You obviously support bitcoin. You profit from being here but that’s not the only reason you’re here. You’re not just posting quick one liners. You’re helpful to new people without being condescending and answer accurately. Many of your posts qualify for merit. Why don’t you push me over the fence to your side. Did you come here to make money and accidentally got trapped into interesting discussions or vice versa? Do you think understanding and supporting altcoins help people learn about and appreciate bitcoin?

[QuestionAuthority]

Well, it doesnt stated on your first post so im just gonna take my chance to do it and post again, pardon me if im wrong, but i would like to propose a link to my thread about you  

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2947171.msg30272338#msg30272338

If i am at wrong, please just tell me kindly, as what you have stated that full member, sr.member, and hero member really got screwed by this system, so here i am.

Thank you for your help and support but I don’t think this thread needs anymore advertising. I’m danger close to running out of merit so bringing more people here will just lead to a lot of disappointment.