Some words from my journey

[tbct_mt2]

Yesterday, I took the Ice Bucket Challenge from wwzsocki. Honestly, I took it just for fun, but behind it there are some reasons for this.
I had 244 merits in total, temporarily, and I am just lack of 6 more merits to become a Senior Member, that I would have been since months ago if merit system have not been here. I started with 100 merits and Full Member at merit system's beginning, and I almost finished my adventure to beat challenge from merit system.

There are so many topics about merit system, from forum members, so I don't think it is necessary to talk about it more. I simply wrote down a few words from my heart for someone whom still have negative thoughts about merit system:
- Despite the fact that merit system hinders your speed to rank up, it does actually help you to improve yourself.
- Don't work for merits, simply do your works here (read, learn, and write) and let merit system works for you.
- During your time to write a qualifying posts or topics, you have to collect documents for your posts, that obviously help you to better understand about things you intentionally discuss. Let's simply consider the forum as one of academic place, where you have to prepare yourself very carefully for your presentations in front of your forum-mates. Therefore, please don't feel tired and hesitate to collect documents before you start writing.

For example: When I started to write my topic on [TIPS] to avoid plagiarism, I actually knew something about plagiarism, forum rule on it, but due to quality requirements (I asked myself to do as high quality topic as possible), I had to search and read more. From which, I more comprehensive understood about plagiarsim in the forum. After that, when I published that topic, I got replies from forum members, some of their posts, links are valuable, some of them I did not know.

In a word, let's help and get help!
Some of my topics:

Collections for someone who would like to improve English skills
Tips for newbies, who want to avoid over-quoting
Guideline on posting images (with size adjustments), hyperlinks
Collection of comprehensive guides on identify and avoid scam projects
Tools for managers to check quality of posts (both merited & unmerited posts)
[TIPS] to avoid plagiarism
[Suggestion] Rules on Animated Images should be changed
[Suggestion] Should the forum have new rule on campaign

[6]: Reduces potential improvements on crypto knowledge: I meant by brainless spamming the forum, spammers will have less (or without) exposures to comprehensive boards, child boards, topics, posts, that in turn will result in decreasing chances to be exposed with knowledgeable things in the forum. Then, maybe spammers will spend years to spam in the forum without any improvements on their knowledge about crypto things.

I also run my own merit contest
1 merit per applicant who find qualifying posts or topics on Scam Related Issues

By the way, if The Pharmacist read the topic, and see my maturation, I wish he will remove my neutral tag with this feedback, that makes me like a rubbish-component of the forum.
"This user is a garbage shitposter who writes redundant posts in shitty English."

[1713309101]

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[qwertyup23]

Nothing is more rewarding in completing a goal you have set for yourself. If you really strive hard everyday to earn at least a single merit, then it is possible to rank-up with the merit system implemented.

People who are complaining about the merit system are also the ones who are lazy enough to strive and set a goal for themselves. More importantly, not only you contribute to the forum, you also get your fair share of tasty merits- a win-win situation!

Anyway, advance congratulations to you for reaching this milestone!

[Sharon121212]

I must be honest when I signed up for this forum merit was the least thing in my mind. I was just hear to improve my knowledge on cryptocurrency and as things goes and to show the merit system is transparent and effective I got some merit on my first post
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5071197.msg48003780#msg48003780
Well I must say I was very happy and encouraged to improve more and more and as we could have it am a member and heading for a full member rank

My word about merit is simple have a good post history and even if it's a post that has taken a while you could still get merited for it. Delete any redundant and unhelpful post that can make your post history poor

[tbct_mt2]

More importantly, not only you contribute to the forum, you also get your fair share of tasty merits- a win-win situation!

Agreed, my friend! I wrote this in the OP.

- Despite the fact that merit system hinders your speed to rank up, it does actually help you to improve yourself.
- Don't work for merits, simply do your works here (read, learn, and write) and let merit system works for you.
~snip~
In a word, let's help and get help!

It shows your maturation. 

Delete any redundant and unhelpful post that can make your post history poor

[jademaxsuy]

Well you are near to rank up OP. Have you tried to join merit giveaway thread from from other users? Here are some link that might help you rank up to next level.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5124376.0 (Quickseller)

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5097635.0 ( cabalism13)

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5124596.0 (Ognasty.)

Hope it can help you OP and congratulations in advance on ranking up.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Hello tbct_mt2, you have put in enough effort into delivery quality posts and your reward can been seen from the amount of merits you have recieved so far. I did see your contribution to my last thread {Facts} Disadvantage of promoting signature campaigns that encourages spamming. and also who had love to appreciate your efforts but I'm out of smerits. Getting 6merit though won't be hard as you do deserve it and as theymos have said "if you see someone putting in effort but merit is hindering his/her ranking up, it's ok to send the required merit to rank up that user." congratulations in advance for achieving snr member rank because I know you would in no time. Maybe as a result of this thread a source might boost you, 6merit isn't that much.

[yazher]

When the Merit System was Implemented, I never thought that I was gonna Rank up to Member Position with my little knowledge about cryptocurrency, As times pass my determination to learn got me here. I keep posting some useful tips on our local board because I believe in saying that "sharing is Caring" I kept doing that until one day I notice that I already ranked up because of the merit that I received from my translation posts. Keep in mind that I don't really know how to speak English very well, but it didn't stop me from trying although all I can do was translating some useful topics, That's all I need to help my fellow countrymen understand what I have learned this few years.

in conclusion, the merit system will not gonna affect the user If he/she was only here to learn about Bitcoins and some other priceless knowledge here in the forum, But if he/she is here for other reasons, which is a lot of you already know, then the merit system will gonna hurt him/her like a one-sided love that never blooms.

 

[The Cryptovator]

Hope soon you will approached your goals if you continue your contribution. Forum is friendly enough for good poster. I will not say that only quality poster could rank up. Since I am not considering quality poster myself and my merit achievements more then my rank. Always my activity less then my merit. So a good poster can rank up easily here. I have started my journey with 0 merit on this forum. Since I join, I have tried my best to contribute myself, and not only for merit, just tried to help this community as I can. And I got good return which is more then my expectation. So anyone is free to contribute himself and as a retuned he will rank up(IMO). But we should contribute for forum and users, not for merit.

Best wishes for you also.

[Tytanowy Janusz]

You guys are lucky to get even a single merit for free. I had to earn for each. I'm self made senior member. Earned 266 merits - around 200 in last 120 days.



But as you can see it wasn't like that always. First months was very frustrating. I felt like none is giving those merits. I spend so many time on long topics, well described answers (2 pages in world just to answer someone question) and still 0 merits. But after some time hitting a wall with my had i final break throw. Now merits are coming in each day.

Do your job, do it as good as you can. Remember - every good post you made is on forum (it won't disappear after a week) and will earn merit sooner or later. Sometimes i get merits from posts close to one-year-old.

I will not say that only quality poster could rank up. Since I am not considering quality poster myself and my merit achievements more then my rank.

Damn you are good Top 55 most merited with 400 activity. Great job. You are too modest

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Alright, I don't recall giving you that feedback OP, but after looking at your recent post history I'm going to remove it.  You've made some decent posts in the first few pages of your post history and instead of going back and meriting them individually I'll give you some merits for your post here, which also isn't bad.  I usually would not merit someone for starting up a thread about merits in Meta.

I've said this innumerable times: it's supposed to take a while to rank up with the merit system, and if your purpose is just to read and learn you can do those things at any rank.  The only thing a higher rank gives you is more money from sig campaigns and a sense of status if you're into that.  The whole point of it is to dis-incentivize people from account farming and otherwise shitposting to rank up for other reasons.  It's working, too.

[TheBeardedBaby]

Congrats on ranking up. I really like helping those who deserve to rank up. I even have a service for it back then > https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3108981.0

I've seen your posts and I'm happy to be the one giving you the needed merit

[tbct_mt2]

I appreciated your words, too. In reality, to surpass challenges of merit system, it takes time, and efforts, but I did not give up, and finally I made it.

Hello tbct_mt2, you have put in enough effort into delivery quality posts and your reward can been seen from the amount of merits you have recieved so far.
~snip~
congratulations in advance for achieving snr member rank because I know you would in no time.

I thank you so much for your help, @iasenko.

I've seen your posts and I'm happy to be the one giving you the needed merit

It's true. Thank you.

Forum is friendly enough for good poster.

Thanks. From now on, I have no longer been a rubbish English writer.

Alright, I don't recall giving you that feedback OP, but after looking at your recent post history I'm going to remove it.

It's the main purpose of merit system, and the system has fullfiled its roles, by now.

The whole point of it is to dis-incentivize people from account farming and otherwise shitposting to rank up for other reasons.  It's working, too.

Keep up your good work, someday, you will be a Full Member with your initiatives and contributions.

Keep in mind that I don't really know how to speak English very well, but it didn't stop me from trying although all I can do was translating some useful topics, That's all I need to help my fellow countrymen understand what I have learned this few years.

[UmerIdrees]

It has been really fantastic to see your dedication , your journey and ofcourse how the merit system will eventually help the real hardworking people to grow further.  
It also shows that if a person is dedicated and willing, he can change and become an example for others.  

[samputin]

Personally, from the beginning of the merit system, I have thought of it as a means of improving. Yes, it has the tendency of giving the members of this forum frozen ranks. But if you are optimistic about it, you will see it as an opportunity to strive harder and be better than you are before. And from your experience OP, it is a testament that merit system is really meant for one's betterment, and once that happens, betterment of the forum will follow. Maybe it's just another way of saying, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Anyway, congratulations for your achievement! Kudos! 

[wwzsocki]

I was in the same situation as you @tbct_mt2 only merit system caught me at senior rank.

Registered long time ago and never rushed to achieve higher rank or to be recognized on the forum like DT1 or something. At start lack of knowledge and writing skills hold me back from posting at all. In two first years, I wrote only a couple of posts mostly in promotions or spammy threads. Anyways I was promoted to senior member rank despite my writing and posting skills where at newbie level at best. When merit shows up I realized that I have to do something with the quality of my posts and that I will have to contribute to the forum a lot to be able to rank up. I thought this is impossible to get 250 merits at all. Today I am Hero Member and only thanks to merit system I can post like a pro and my English skills are much better. Lately contributing to the forum is a pleasure for me because organically I am involved in many discussions and members quote and ask questions in my threads.

If you stop to think about the merits and start to contribute they will find you.

[tbct_mt2]

~snip~

It depends on two dominant things: Dedication to contribute; and innovative ideas to start contributions.
- For contributive dedication: we've all known that with merit system, requirements to rank up is high, so it takes a long period to collect enough merits. Therefore, to rank up to Senior Member from Full Member, one user can not earn 150 merits in one, two, 7 days or 2 weeks. It is actually a long journey to go. Dedication is important to maintain contributions for the forum and hit targets.
- For innovative ideas: Sometimes Meta board looks so boring, no or less disccusion, so maybe we don't have anything to make serious discussion (and help others in some cases); it is the same in Beginner & Help board. Additionally, sometimes we don't have ideas to make our own constructive topics, maybe months, and it partially results in unstable rate of merit earnings. Or sometimes, we have ideas, but are too busy to start and make a topic from such ideas, then when we have time to do it, others already make it (just hours or days before us).
Most importantly, contributions are worthy and contributors will get what they deserve. It's just time to see results of your contributions.

[creeps]

Merit system improves a lot of users, and makes them more creative just like you.
You deserve that rank and you can still go high just continue helping people and be a good inspiration to us.
I'm also like you before who are being tagged as a non English poster, and I can say because of the merit system I was able to free myself from that. Congrats to you mate, keep that job well! 

[tbct_mt2]

Merit system improves a lot of users, and makes them more creative just like you.
You deserve that rank and you can still go high just continue helping people and be a good inspiration to us.
I'm also like you before who are being tagged as a non English poster, and I can say because of the merit system I was able to free myself from that. Congrats to you mate, keep that job well!  

Thank you, mate. Maybe we were at the same line when merit system began (I believe I was right, based these two below merit graphs). Each bar displays total merit earned each five-day period.
Mine:


Yours:

However, I was like you when I stucked at 140 merits, for months, then within 2 months, I moved up to my current rank (Senior Member).

[The-One-Above-All]

Merit = subjective meaningless garbage. Nobody with anything other than a feeble mind would even try to mount an argument to the contrary.

It is also the dangerous "carrot" to accompany the old "stick" of red trust that leads to group think and suppression of free speech and natural flow.

Most merit is given on political grounds especially on meta and rep (where HUGE amounts of merit are given to a tiny fraction of the board)

MOST huge merit holders can not even present 5 examples of their best posts that are not just totally mediocre garbage or worse. In debate most of them crumble under any kind of pressure and reveal their minds are 3rd rate at best.

Some of the very best and most important posts have zero merit. Some of the smartest people on this board have hardly any earned merits.

Bogus, dangerous , misleading junk.

Merit on top of all this allows select groups of scum to entrench themselves in power to cream off the best sig spots and hold others out from competing fairly for those spots with these bogus and gamed metrics of merit and trust.

There can be no denial of this.

Read here for an excellent insight into MERIT and TRUST - that was BEFORE merit became for some weird reason TRUST also.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5088852.0

Luckily theymos just pulled the rug from the trust abusers to a large degree (not totally) BUT you will find that their corrupt campaign managers will still try to probably use the OLD gamed part to refuse entry to their gamed sig campaigns.

Which... SURPRISE SURPRISE  are filled (top paying btc ones) with MERIT SOURCES and merit cyclers and DT members - what a fucking shock

Are these the most capable posters here LOL  these are mostly low functioning fools who spout random crap that suits their agendas that fall apart under mild scrutiny. They then scream "trolling" or "bullshit" because they KNOW they have no chance to defeat your valid and independently verifiable instances that you present that crush their spurious arguments. Then when that fails they will try to weaponize anything they can to silence your or get you banned.

Meta board is a WASTE OF TIME. Since most that frequent it are already enjoying the spoils of gaming these foolish systems they will NEVER agree that they need changing. Of course not that would mean they have to compete fairly against ALL other members. They would not want that.


https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5088852.0

read, understand , accept.

[Joel_Jantsen]

Is this profile your alt account ? : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1282184 They also seem to be starting similar threads like you https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5156415.0 with a primary intention to earn merits. The negative feedback on their profile by Yahoo bothers me..

You might not be related at all because I haven't tried checking for the evidence yet but wanted to ask anyway.