Have you noticed many newbies/junior members opening threads lately?

[Poker Player]

I don't know if it's just my impression or what. And I don't know if it's just a coincidence. What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

[Little Mouse]

What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

Not true at all. If you are generating quality post, you will get merit. No matter it’s a reply or a thread itself. Without quality, no matter what you create, you are unlikely to get merit.
Regarding creating thread, I see no problem with that if the topic is something to discuss about, if the topic isn’t discussed hundreds of times. Then there's nothing wrong to create a thread.

[Lorence.xD]

Most of them that I see seems to be asking questions, isn't that the right thing to do, to start a thread so you can get a variety of answers also, it's not like it's bad, the problem is that there are people out there that are posting thread about conspiracy theories.

[Poker Player]

What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

Not true at all. If you are generating quality post, you will get merit. No matter it’s a reply or a thread itself. Without quality, no matter what you create, you are unlikely to get merit.
Regarding creating thread, I see no problem with that if the topic is something to discuss about, if the topic isn’t discussed hundreds of times. Then there's nothing wrong to create a thread.

I have the impression that the same idea expressed in an OP or on page 1 or 2 of a thread is more likely to receive merit than if expressed in a comment on page 14. That's just my impression though. I don't know if some statistical savant like DdmrDdmr will have statistics on this.

And I didn't say it's wrong, by the way.

[bakasabo]

The only thing I've noticed is that when "newbies/junior members" open a thread, in most cases the did not leave any post after they've opened it.

Often they ask different question or share their opinion. They get numerous answers or posts where people disagree with them. But they never post back. They dont post a single "Thank you" after they got posts with answer to their question or a step-by-step guide with solution to problem they had. Or for example they claim that "the earth is flat" and want to discuss that, but never respond on opposite facts other users present.

I cant explain why they behave like that. Sort of a posting to get more activity on account.

[yahoo62278]

Most of them that I see seems to be asking questions, isn't that the right thing to do, to start a thread so you can get a variety of answers also, it's not like it's bad, the problem is that there are people out there that are posting thread about conspiracy theories.

Before they ask questions by opening a thread, they should take the time to use the search feature and see if their question might have already been asked.

[Little Mouse]

I have the impression that the same idea expressed in an OP or on page 1 or 2 of a thread is more likely to receive merit than if expressed in a comment on page 14. That's just my impression though. I don't know if some statistical savant like DdmrDdmr will have statistics on this.

And I didn't say it's wrong, by the way.

What you said is true but certainly for temporary, in short period of time, a quality post in page x may get unnoticed (that would be altcoin discussion board for sure), however, after a few days, it’s possible that the post will be discovered by someone and get enough merit.
In case, they don’t receive enough merit, help them to get what they deserve- https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5093271.0

[rhomelmabini]

Just an assumption but I guess we're gonna be heading again with the 2017 surge of newbie accounts being created and got lot more of traffic? If it's good or worthy enough to receive a merit then why not? I don't think there's an issue on it unless it's just spam or not appropriate on the board. This is far more the active forum for cryptocurrencies (I guess apart from reddit?) and it's not surprising newbies come and go and create new topics when they haven't an answer to this question.

[BlackHatCoiner]

I don't know if it's just my impression or what. And I don't know if it's just a coincidence. What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

It's just your impression.

I have the impression that the same idea expressed in an OP or on page 1 or 2 of a thread is more likely to receive merit than if expressed in a comment on page 14.

That is pretty obvious. Would you ever go in the 14th page of your google search? Same thing applies for merits in these pages.

The only thing I've noticed is that when "newbies/junior members" open a thread, in most cases the did not leave any post after they've opened it.

That depends on the sub-forum. If they created a thread in Bitcoin Discussion, they may never reply again. If they have a query in the Dev & Tech sub-forum, they'll most likely reply.

Just an assumption but I guess we're gonna be heading again with the 2017 surge of newbie accounts being created and got lot more of traffic? If it's good or worthy enough to receive a merit then why not?

It's harder in practice than in theory. Not to mention that there are many spam busters in this forum; that and the merit system discourages someone to get a lot of traffic by spamming.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

I have the impression that the same idea expressed in an OP or on page 1 or 2 of a thread is more likely to receive merit than if expressed in a comment on page 14. That's just my impression though. I don't know if some statistical savant like DdmrDdmr will have statistics on this.

I think you have the right impression, though I'd be curious to know for sure with statistics.  What I do know is that I've noticed the same thing--and it's most likely because if you have a 14-page thread, members are much less likely to actually read all the way through it (unless it's a very juicy drama thread of the type we'd get in Meta when Lauda and Vod were around).

And OP, no I haven't noticed noobs or Jr. Members starting up a lot of threads as of late, but I've got a lot of sections on ignore and thus could be missing them if that's the case.  But I do think new members think (rightly or wrongly) that if they create threads they're more likely to earn merits for doing so.  Sometimes they do, but older members--usually ones with sMerits to give out--tend to be very skeptical about threads like that, since so many Newbie/Jr. Members have created threads in Meta about topics like merits, trust, or whatever, and they usually come of as blatant merit-seeking posts.

It's just your impression.

It could be true, though.  But without some statistical analysis to back it up, then yeah, it is just an impression--but as I said, it's one I have as well.

The only thing I've noticed is that when "newbies/junior members" open a thread, in most cases the did not leave any post after they've opened it.

Yep, I've noticed that as well and it drives me nuts.  Why start a thread if you don't want to actually have a discussion about something?  Whenever I've created threads, I don't think I've ever not posted in them again.  I think those members who do that are just trying their luck as far as getting merits for their post.
Edit:  Oh, and I also have noticed that those thread starters never hand out merits for members who post in their threads.

[YOSHIE]

I see that a lot (beginners and jr create a new topic).

For me there are several possibilities to do and stated for it.
1.beginners or accounts that have been blocked and create new accounts, I see their posts already know the questions and answers perfectly and also from a few words or quotes.
2. Newbies who are completely new to Bitcointalk, they really want to know the true discussion about Bitcoin on Bitcointalk.

These two factors that come to my mind about this: (real newbie) and (fake/ex-starter).

[hd49728]

I don't know if it's just my impression or what. And I don't know if it's just a coincidence. What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

They see merit sprees for new members and they think they can join the party. They ask simple questions that they already know and if they don't know, they can get answers from Newbies - Read before posting

[stompix]

Yeah, I had the same feeling, there are waves of users with nearly the same activity opening topics after topics in B&D, I looked a few times over it and it's pretty obvious there is a weird thing happening there, we have a few topics by old members and then a gap in the profile of members to newbie level.
One thing that got me curious about it was that their topics, apart from the really shitty two-line ones, are more like a statement, not an invitation to discussion, I haven't really found any traces of plagiarism but I would bet on some translated articles.

Not true at all. If you are generating quality post, you will get merit. No matter it’s a reply or a thread itself. Without quality, no matter what you create, you are unlikely to get merit.

There are members who will reward a newbie just for trying to create a topic, not looking at the quality like in an essay, and it's normal if merit would be given only for a high-quality post there is no chance in hell a real newbie would get something.
Probably the only way of merit fishing they've managed to come up with. I miss the fake newbie drama...

[ShowOff]

So far I've also noticed that there are a lot of newbie making thread on some of the board in this forum such as on the bitcoin discussion board and the beginners & help board. Like most newbies, creating new thread is their way of getting a lot of information about forum and bitcoin or anything else that confuses them. But yes, some of them are fake newbie or old member who hide behind newbie account for various purposes.

The price of bitcoin has influenced the high tide of newbie who come to the forum for various purposes. Another thing that made me think about them is that the information around bitcoin and its legality as a currency in several countries has increased the number of newbie finding this forum.

There are members who will reward a newbie just for trying to create a topic, not looking at the quality like in an essay, and it's normal if merit would be given only for a high-quality post there is no chance in hell a real newbie would get something.
Probably the only way of merit fishing they've managed to come up with. I miss the fake newbie drama...

I think send merit to newbie who are able to make quality post or thread is the right thing because it will support them to achieve rank. But I really don't understand why most of them disappear after getting some post and merit. This is a strange thing in my opinion while newbie are always welcome in this forum.

[Lucius]

I don't know if it's just my impression or what. And I don't know if it's just a coincidence. What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

I don't think you noticed anything new, it's probably just that more individuals have appeared who are full of enthusiasm and give the appearance of what you noticed. If we look in the Bitcoin Discussion we can find a few examples.

• RainbowKun
• ZUES xxx

Only the two of them are responsible for about 15 threads in the last 7+ days. Someone does it for the sake of merit, someone to promote their service, but I believe there are those who are honest and eager for discussion. It is quite clear that every quality open thread brings merits, and that it cannot be compared to any quality post buried in a mega-thread - some of them know that for sure.

[lovesmayfamilis]

I don't know if it's just my impression or what. And I don't know if it's just a coincidence. What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

You are not mistaken. I meet this regularly.
There have already been several warnings that you should not trust the questions of newbies since they do not know that plagiarism is prohibited, and since they do not know anything, they copy information from somewhere (Reddit at the top)
and then they expect merits. The funny thing is that they get merit for their copied posts.

What topics do newbies discover and expect merit for them?

1. These are either vows about how they understood the rules and promises of good behavior on the forum. 2. Any piece of news fully copied and referenced is at best. 3. Well, and the third topic that has been deleted recently is the practice of questions and answers from Reddit or other forums. And most likely, beginners who believe in the magical properties of the topics being opened have the same roots, that is, this is a certain group of people who have succeeded in this practice.

Topics discovered by other participants, well-prepared, they will certainly receive their merits, since it can be seen that the person tried and prepared his post very conscientiously.

[Upgrade00]

What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

Being at the top of a thread gives more visibility than lower pages, but beyond that it does not increase merit chances, and just doing the barest minimum would not get you merits simply cause you're starting topics, rather, your account could begin to stand out for posting hackneyed topics and put you in some ignore lists.
Lots of too users like o_e_l_e_o rarely start threads, but still gets lots of merits for quality contributions.

You are not mistaken. I meet this regularly.
There have already been several warnings that you should not trust the questions of newbies since they do not know that plagiarism is prohibited, and since they do not know anything, they copy information from somewhere (Reddit at the top)
and then they expect merits. The funny thing is that they get merit for their copied posts.

While I agree we should be carful who we give that first merit as it could breed signature spam, we should also not be any more suspicious of newbie accounts than other ranks and they should not be generalized.
There are newbies who know the rules better than higher ranked members. And in the event we are wrong; worst case scenario, the user gets banned and the smerits decay, a far lesser consequence than making ranking up for newbies difficult, imo.

[Rikafip]

What is clear is that if you open threads (if they don't suck) it's easier to get merits. I don't know if they know it and that's why.

Not true at all. If you are generating quality post, you will get merit. No matter it’s a reply or a thread itself. Without quality, no matter what you create, you are unlikely to get merit.
Regarding creating thread, I see no problem with that if the topic is something to discuss about, if the topic isn’t discussed hundreds of times. Then there's nothing wrong to create a thread.

He is not completely wrong there, that your chances of getting merit increase if you make a thread. Of course, if thread is complete shit you probably won't get anything, but they do use that as a merit fishing tactic because sometimes it works.

My favorite merit fishing tactics are when a newbie account gives advices how to be a good forum member, or how to get merit

[tranthidung]

He is not completely wrong there, that your chances of getting merit increase if you make a thread. Of course, if thread is complete shit you probably won't get anything, but they do use that as a merit fishing tactic because sometimes it works.

Posts or topics are means but they are not decisive factors to receive merit. Quality of your works in posts or topics is matter.
Quality Topics ^{advice for newbies}

• Require significant time for preparation: research, read and compose the content
• Won't be covered by newer posts and more easily to find it when you need.
• Even it is your post, if you don't bookmark it, you will hardly to find it months or years later.
• With topics, you can find them very easily by either of the two methods ^{change 1292764 to your userid}
  
  • In profile page: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;threads;u=1292764;sa=showPosts
  • A hidden page: https://bitcointalk.org/gettopics.php?user=1292764

Explores the pros and cons of two methods.
As above, quality topics have better chances to receive more merits than quality posts, generally. It's only applied for quality ones.

[DdmrDdmr]

<…> I don't know if some statistical savant like DdmrDdmr will have statistics on this.

Nothing up-to-date unfortunately. I scrape very little information regarding merited posts, basically because I never mastered properly the free limited scraper I use, and haven’t yet bothered to move the process over to Python (as I did for scraping user profiles). That means I do not currently have the information concerning post number within the thread.

I did do it once upon a time though a few months into the Merit System, suffering somewhat to obtain the data: Forum Merited Messages- Does size count?. Specifically, section four depicts what you are querying about, where the deeper breakdown would be necessary to explain the cases depicted on the right hand side of the chart (WO threads and such are the main accumulators in that zone). To really be meaningful, it should probably be broken-down by rank or such.