Bitcointalk is growing up so fast. 9 years old today

[Steamtyme]

So I've been going through some of theymos's posts and I realized today is the 9th anniversary of the forum.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5.0

That's the announcement thread by Satoshi for the beginning of this forum as we know it today. Much like a 9 year old there is shit going on that baffles our minds and it has taken on a life of it's own so to speak. I don't know what it was like in the old days but I hear it was great, except when it wasn't.

Everyone talks about how great it was, but I think it was just young and unknown. There were obviously still trolls/scams/spam and shitposts, but with so few users it didn't seem as blatant. Obviously with time and word of mouth these issues have compounded, but I still find great topics/discussions and help peppered throughout the forum.

[eddie13]

Happy anniversary BTCT!

I wonder what was in topics 1 through 4 and posts 1 through 27.

[HODL2090]

Obviously with time and word of mouth these issues have compounded, but I still find great topics/discussions and help peppered throughout the forum.

The increase in popularity and growth in price of Bitcoin is the main catalyst which increased the popularity of Bitcointalk.
And with the Advent of ICOs, this forum became not just a niche to discuss about digital currency matters but also a way to earn.
There is still unrivalled quality on the forum and no other cryptocurrency forum can hold a candle to bitcointalk.
Happy anniversary

[tmfp]

Happy anniversary BTCT!

I wonder what was in topics 1 through 4 and posts 1 through 27.

1, 2, and 4 exist in the staff forum. 3 was permanently deleted at some point (it must have contained Satoshi's real name and address).
 

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Everyone talks about how great it was, but I think it was just young and unknown.

I'm pretty sure that's what made it great--along with the passage of time and perspective, much like how many people look back fondly on their childhood, and the bad times that happened in the past tend to get to get smoothed out (sometimes).  Bitcointalk certainly wasn't like what it is today.  It seems like it was like a frontier where anything could happen--and honestly in a lot of ways it's still like that.  Theymos hasn't introduced many rules and restrictions, and there's still very much a Wild West vibe to the forum, and to crypto in general.

And with the Advent of ICOs, this forum became not just a niche to discuss about digital currency matters but also a way to earn.
There is still unrivalled quality on the forum and no other cryptocurrency forum can hold a candle to bitcointalk.
Happy anniversary

Those damn ICOs.  Great for forum traffic and for the people who keep churning them out, not so great for investors or for the discussion quality on the forum because of all the bounties.  We all know that's the major thing that's affected bitcointalk since the early days--all the advertising and all the shitposting it's brought with it.

There's still some great discussion going on here, though, and it's still a great forum.  So happy birthday! 

[S_Therapist]

Happy Anniversary Bitcointalk.

I wish I could join here earlier before investing in cryptocurrency. I would not face such kinda loss. I have learned a lot and still learning. I never had familiarized with a lot of things regarding crypto investment before joining the forum.

[Lafu]

Happy Anniversary Bitcointalk.

I can just follow them and say Happy Birthday too !

9 years is a long time with ups and downs so lets hope the next 9 years will be good and great again and maybe one day we will get a clean Forum !

Best wishes to the Digital Museum Bitcointalk !

[Ispep]

Happy birthday!!
I actually would be lying if I said I didn't wish I joined much earlier than I did,but I guess it's better late than never...
Really this forum despite all the dark sides(Ico's,spam,scam etc) ,happens to be one very wonderful community to discuss and exchange ideas,it definitely can't be as it was in the past,but honestly it could be better in the future..

It's amazing sharing ideas and information with individuals from different parts of the world,you may never get to see(this forum unites the cryptocurrency world)

Happy birthday once again

[suchmoon]

Oh dear.... we think it's bad now but it will surely get worse in the teenage years.

[Steamtyme]

 It seems like it was like a frontier where anything could happen--and honestly in a lot of ways it's still like that.  Theymos hasn't introduced many rules and restrictions, and there's still very much a Wild West vibe to the forum, and to crypto in general.
-Snipped-
  We all know that's the major thing that's affected bitcointalk since the early days--all the advertising and all the shitposting it's brought with it.

I definitely feel these 2 statements really sum things up nicely. The forum definitely comes with that free enterprise feel, where you can do as you please with very few limitations as far a I'm concerned. Up to and including flat out scams and abuses.
It also allows you the ability to be a fully functioning positive contribution in any way you feel. You can shop, find partners or build a business should that fit with what you want. On the other hand you can just show up and have a discussion or read, or investigate every shady thing you come across; or on the flipside ignore entire sections or people. It takes some getting used to but it's not impossible to adapt and find a place here.

It's going to be interesting to see how the forum grows alongside BTC and crypto in general moving forward; maybe celebrate 10 years with New forum software. I'm whispering

Happy birthday!!
I actually would be lying if I said I didn't wish I joined much earlier than I did

I'm sure a lot of users do, most of them though only wish they could have beaten the merit system... no vision unfortunately.

Oh dear.... we think it's bad now but it will surely get worse in the teenage years.

As long as it doesn't bring that stupid facebook forum home one day for supper... I swear I saw it eating glue.

[pugman]

Happy anniversary BTT!!!!

If one thing bitcointalk could wish for, it should be for its old members to come back. That pinnacle of interest back then is just gone now. People are now here for other stuff. Its not the same bitcointalk it once was. Wish some things should have never changed.

Oh dear.... we think it's bad now but it will surely get worse in the teenage years.

I can already imagine teenagers posting their pics of them dancing on their homemade stripper pole.

[vit05]

It was arguing in a civilized way that many innovations were implanted and / or created. I'm sure this forum was very important in the development of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Unlike most social media, a forum is a place of debate, not only to speech. And this leads to the clash between different ideas. It is curious how Satoshi preferred to participate in places that provided debate and allowed more people to contribute to the project he created.

He could just post on the site, offering updates so the project would follow only his vision. Satoshi wanted Bitcoin to belong to everyone. Decentralized. And for this happen, places like this need to remain relevant.

Happy anniversary BTCT!

I wonder what was in topics 1 through 4 and posts 1 through 27.

https://bitcointalk.org/first_topics/

[mprep]

Happy birthday Bitcointalk. Not exactly in the best shape but, as others pointed out, due to a curse brought on by Bitcoin's success.

I don't know what it was like in the old days but I hear it was great, except when it wasn't.

Everyone talks about how great it was, but I think it was just young and unknown. There were obviously still trolls/scams/spam and shitposts, but with so few users it didn't seem as blatant. Obviously with time and word of mouth these issues have compounded, but I still find great topics/discussions and help peppered throughout the forum.

Not sure whether it's just me looking at the past through rose tinted glasses, but I definitely feel that the "old" (I've started lurking around mid to late 2011) Bitcointalk had a much better signal to noise ratio. Most of what I'd find would either be interesting, funny or at the very least informative. Nowadays, I pretty much hang around Meta (for moderation and the occasional juicy drama) and occasionally venture out, trying to find interesting topics that aren't polluted by low value posts or just outright spam.

[jackg]

1, 2, and 4 exist in the staff forum. 3 was permanently deleted at some point (it must have contained Satoshi's real name and address).
 

Dammit! I got here too late!

@theymos, I think you should send an encrypted pm with the name .

Isn’t 1 also always the horrible, “welcome to smf” topic/post. I’m surprised it wasn’t just deleted unless theymos did some fancy stuff woth the database.

I can say it has improved since 2015. Although everyone doing signature campaigns then as newbies are now newbies doing bounty spam so...

@mprep, wow, I’ve nearly been here half as long as you. That does surprise me .

[Hexah]

wow , Bitcointalk 10 year running. very interesting indeed.

By the way you didn't read OP's post, it's 9th anniversary, you can read it too on the title.

This was the stepping stone of bitcoin and through years this forum has been the very witness of its greatness.

Happy Anniversary Bitcoin Forum.

[Yeahpro]

They grow up so fast.
And the forum has evolved and revolved fur ng the nine years that it has been up.
Inspite of the supposed decline in quality and advent of scams and spams, I still feel bitcointalk is on its original path it was set in by Satoshi.

The mods and admins are doing a good job to maintain the sanity on the forum and control the excesses which comes with unprecedented growth.
Today, or yesterday I believe should be set aside as a day to acknowledge the staff, merit sources, donators, (and future report busters) for their effort in keeping this forum running.

[Sharon121212]

I have been here not even up to a week as at the writing of this reply but I have been elevated already both in cryptocurrency and off cryptocurrency and for over nine years the forum has be impacting in multitude of individuals I think if there is a position for the ninth wonders of the world bitcointalk forum stands a chance.

 A forum that's cuts across various countries eliminating most problems faced when nationality gathers like racism, sexism e.t.c. I have no doubt that the forum is a trail blazer in the cryptocurrency forum sector.

Made up of very enlightened and educative member I cheers and celebrate with everyone in the forum to the ninth year of the forum and I know there would be more fruitful years ahead

[YOSHIE]

Bitcointalk forum is something that many people take seriously in discussing things about Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, economics etc., Some people are even willing to spend a lot of ideas, suggestions and criticisms that are useful for other members, for the future hopefully Bitcointalk canissuing clean thoughts and hearts, common sense and full of maturity.happy 9th bitcointalk birthday.

[tmfp]

Happy anniversary BTCT!

I wonder what was in topics 1 through 4 and posts 1 through 27.

1, 2, and 4 exist in the staff forum. 3 was permanently deleted at some point (it must have contained Satoshi's real name and address).
 

Dammit! I got here too late!

@theymos, I think you should send an encrypted pm with the name .

I think that Theymos may have revealed his sense of humor with that reply, rather than the existence (somewhere) of Satoshi's dox.
Badbear gave a rather more prosaic description of the Missing Post...(you guessed right about the first one)

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5.msg3198423#msg3198423

Staff forum. They are just test threads, and configuration type stuff.

I inserted topic subject into the quotes as the first line.

First thread is
Quote from: Simple Machines on November 17, 2009, 11:12:08 PM

Welcome to SMF!
Welcome to Simple Machines Forum!

We hope you enjoy using your forum.  If you have any problems, please feel free to ask us for assistance.

Thanks!
Simple Machines

Second
Quote from: admin on November 19, 2009, 01:04:27 AM

Testing the new site platform
Drupal & Simple Machines Forum

Third is inaccessible so it must have been deleted, though it may still exist in the earlier backups which several of us have. If I had to guess it was a just a test thread made to be deleted so that could be tested and logs verified.

Fourth is
Quote from: satoshi on November 20, 2009, 05:37:24 AM

SMF Config Notes
I left the admin account set to the original SMF theme so if I somehow completely wedge the custom theme I can still get in to fix it.

I've got a neat little 12x12 coin image to replace those pip stars with.  Should look nice.  Also some nice button images to try.

The registration page has "hide your e-mail address" unchecked by default.  I must fix that in php before we can open up.

The Announcements forum is currently moderator access only.

Most of the replies are test replies, with some discussion about preventing spam at registration.
 

Fwiw, rereading those early posts from Satoshi, I'm inclined to believe that he had English english as his first language.

[darklus123]

Be lated , happy bday to this community. Being a part of this forum for 3 years is just one of my awesome experience being a part of the early adopters of bitcoin in my country with the knowledge that i have coming from here really gave some of my colleagues an idea of how crypto works.

Spread the coin and cheers!