Not only contributors, the forum also care about the safety of your bitcoin.

[ShowOff]

While I was browsing the forum today, I came across an interesting quote from a forum about bitcoin user security. Previously I thought the forum ad field would only be filled with ads from various gambling site or altcoin projects, etc. But this time I found a warning for all bitcoin users. I quote it for all of you. So be aware because bitcoin is your bank which is entirely your responsibility to keep it safe.

Make sure you back up your wallet regularly! Unlike a bank account, nobody can help you if you lose access to your BTC.

[sheenshane]

I saw also that there are different reminders on the ads slot under the OP thread.

And not only by that here's I have a screenshot and this is all about merit reminders.


Yesterday, I saw in ads reminders on spammers should be reported and not tolerated, I don't know how exactly the line but it's all about reporting spammers.

I have doubt that there are a few vacant slots on the ads, instead of leaving a blank, theymos add some tips and that's great and it feels like the forum really cares about us and reminds us.

[Bitcoin_Arena]

While I was browsing the forum today, I came across an interesting quote from a forum about bitcoin user security. Previously I thought the forum ad field would only be filled with ads from various gambling site or altcoin projects, etc.

The feature has been around for so long. They are factoids which include Interesting facts, useful info, funny quotes etc

Out of 10 slots given for adverts, 1 slot is reserved for the factoids and the chance of seeing a factoid is 1 in 630. That's why it hard to come across one.

If you are interested in seeing more factoids, check here https://bitcointalk.org/adrotate.php?adinfo

[Poker Player]

Well, I had seen such messages, although it took me a while to realize about them. I think I had been on the forum for quite a few months when I noticed that some people had these varied sentences instead of ads. They are useful messages and sometimes some funny ones, as Bitcoin_Arena points out.

It seems to me a great idea of the forum to leave 1 slot for factoids instead of trying to maximize the profit acutioning the 10 for ads.

[DdmrDdmr]

I wasn’t sure if the factoids actually displayed on local boards: they are (which means I haven’t been paying any attention to them, essentially because I seem to be blocking them).

Due to them being displayed on local boards, one nice feature would be to have them appear in the language of the local board. Not that it’s going to be done on the current software, but were factoids to be ported at some point to the new software, I’m pretty sure people would help to translate the list to their local language. Of course it’s an additional bummer to manage, so likely to have no further reach than this post.

[Welsh]

I believe there used to be a thread in Meta where you could submit your own, and upon review theymos would add them. I can't recall if this was a donator privilege though, it may have been.

Here's a quote by theymos from 2014 (so don't go posting in that thread, make a new one if you have any suggestions)

If anyone has any suggestions for new factoids, post them here and I might add them. Factoids should be:
- Interesting, informative, or funny. The ones I wrote (most of them) are mainly focused on Bitcoin technology and history, but other Bitcoin-relevant topics could also be discussed.
- Not obvious to 99% of readers. Ideally, readers will learn something from the factoids, and maybe even be surprised.
- Not offensive
- Less than ~250 characters
- Very unobtrusive. (Much less flashy than regular forum ads.)

I probably won't add factoids that consist only of links. The factoids are supposed to be interesting in themselves. (Donators each get to choose a factoid, which explains some of the existing links and strangeness within the factoids.)

I wasn’t sure if the factoids actually displayed on local boards: they are (which means I haven’t been paying any attention to them, essentially because I seem to be blocking them).

Due to them being displayed on local boards, one nice feature would be to have them appear in the language of the local board. Not that it’s going to be done on the current software, but were factoids to be ported at some point to the new software, I’m pretty sure people would help to translate the list to their local language. Of course it’s an additional bummer to manage, so likely to have no further reach than this post.

I like this idea, though as you say probably won't happen on the current implementation, as I doubt theymos will see this as a priority, and I don't think the current implementation has the implementation to only display it on certain sections. Though, it definitely makes sense to me to add this quality of life change eventually.

[Lucius]

I’ve noticed such reminders multiple times, and it would certainly be nice to have more of them on the forum, although I believe very few people actually notice them compared to paid campaign signatures that are much more visually noticeable. While every good gesture of the forum should be appreciated, the security of any digital asset is still in the hands of every owner who thinks in a way: first education, understanding the basics, and only then investing.

So be aware because bitcoin is your bank which is entirely your responsibility to keep it safe.

Bitcoin is not a bank, your wallet where you keep the private keys that allow you to make a transaction or sign a message is in a way your bank. Unlike a classic bank that has secured deposits of its clients, being your own bank is much riskier, but on the other hand it has its advantages.

[Welsh]

I’ve noticed such reminders multiple times, and it would certainly be nice to have more of them on the forum, although I believe very few people actually notice them compared to paid campaign signatures that are much more visually noticeable. While every good gesture of the forum should be appreciated, the security of any digital asset is still in the hands of every owner who thinks in a way: first education, understanding the basics, and only then investing.

Yeah, as the above quote I linked theymos specifically states they should be fairly discrete with it not being obvious to "99%" of users. As mentioned above by DdmrDdmr other users might be blocking them unintentionally or intentionally. I imagine a few ad blockers target them for blocking.

Also, they aren't exactly for advertising the only reason I believe some of them read like an advertisement is because donators have one submission each, otherwise mostly are facts, therefore called "factoids". So, they are implemented in a fairly discrete way. I'd probably say, and I think this thread echos this; most users here aren't aware of their existence.

[GeorgeJohn]

I’ve noticed such reminders multiple times, and it would certainly be nice to have more of them on the forum, although I believe very few people actually notice them compared to paid campaign signatures that are much more visually noticeable. While every good gesture of the forum should be appreciated, the security of any digital asset is still in the hands of every owner who thinks in a way: first education, understanding the basics, and only then investing.

<...>

Bitcoin is not a bank, your wallet where you keep the private keys that allow you to make a transaction or sign a message is in a way your bank. Unlike a classic bank that has secured deposits of its clients, being your own bank is much riskier,

Think what he meant via Bank is that, the way we keep our bank details intact should be applicable to the way we keep our cryptocurrencies informations in secret, especially bitcoin, so is letting us or informing each one indirectly to safeguard all the necessary informations that covers he or her bitcoin wallet address intact. From my perspective and comprehension towards the comment, i think is absolutely right, because exposing our details of information in any form is at our own advantages and disadvantages.

The measure of securing our private Key's is important in cryptocurrency world, because the key is the only access you have to penetrate into your wallet address, likewise bank, especially a credit card or debit card in bank, the security code of this cards above is the major target to whomever that wants to steal from you through a bank, and it most not be review to anyone, the open its the riskier your funds to be move by unknown.

[Lucius]

As mentioned above by DdmrDdmr other users might be blocking them unintentionally or intentionally. I imagine a few ad blockers target them for blocking.

I have uBlock enabled on the forum and I can confirm that it does not block such content, but I cannot claim that this is the case with any other adblocker. Of course, some do it intentionally using the option in our profiles (Disable ads), which makes no sense to me personally - especially if it is done by people who themselves have something in their signature.

The measure of securing our private Key's is important in cryptocurrency world, because the key is the only access you have to penetrate into your wallet address, likewise bank, especially a credit card or debit card in bank, the security code of this cards above is the major target to whomever that wants to steal from you through a bank, and it most not be review to anyone, the open its the riskier your funds to be move by unknown.

You cannot compare the security of a bank account or credit/debit card and the term bank we use when referring to a custodial or non-custodial crypto wallet. The difference between a non-custodial crypto wallet and a bank account is huge when it comes to security and the consequences of compromising such security.

If you or I compromise any information related to our bank account, and thus cause damage, and we can prove that we are damaged, the bank will compensate us for the loss. If you or I are reckless in the case of crypto wallets (custodial or non-custodial), the chances that we will be able to return our stolen funds are minimal or in most cases zero.

[tranthidung]

• Add info: https://bitcointalk.org/adrotate.php?adinfo
• The page for add info contains some factoids. One of them was quoted in OP.

theymos did care about the forum community and bitcoiners so he made that announcement

• Electrum vulnerability allows arbitrary messages, phishing

[jrrsparkles]

There is a correction bitcointalk ads auction from shitcoin projects won't be accepted so we can only see them on the signatures not anywhere in the ad space if I am not wrong.

But this isn't a new feature probably you are the one seeing it after being very long here.

[LTU_btc]

It took you a while to discover these factoids, but it's better later than never. These factoids are filled not only with useful information, but also with some legendary phrases.
But personally, I notice it quite rarely. It's just simple text without any effects, so it's not such eye-catching as ad slots.
I like @DdmrDdmr idea to translate it to other languages to display in local boards, but I think it's not likely to happen.

[ShowOff]

It took you a while to discover these factoids, but it's better later than never. These factoids are filled not only with useful information, but also with some legendary phrases.

So far I just haven't paid much attention to it but that doesn't mean I haven't seen it once. Most of you may have noticed the message but maybe not for those who are beginners and that's why this thread I originally created on the beginners & help board. I know this is a warning message even though many other users have been alerted by their posts "veterans" in various thread regarding wallet and crypto asset safety. I just want to say that this message is very important for everyone especially those who are not aware of it.

I wasn’t sure if the factoids actually displayed on local boards: they are (which means I haven’t been paying any attention to them, essentially because I seem to be blocking them).

I've been paying attention to it since some time, but such a message doesn't show up on the local board. Of course it would be very useful if such message were read by anyone in the local board as well as in the local language.

[Quickseller]

I believe there used to be a thread in Meta where you could submit your own, and upon review theymos would add them. I can't recall if this was a donator privilege though, it may have been.

IIRC, those who donated 10 BTC were able to get one factoid spot. Over time, some of the links people posted in their factoids became 'dead' as projects failed/closed/ended, and those were removed.

Theymos solicited factoids in this thread in 2014, and again in in this thread in 2018.  

[DdmrDdmr]

<…> I've been paying attention to it since some time, but such a message doesn't show up on the local board. <…>

But they are show on your local board  …:

The above are two examples I’ve just captured from a thread on your local board. Essentially, by refreshing any page, you’ll see the factoid under the first post of the page, on average once every 10 page refreshments. That is, provided you don’t have an Ad Blocker installed (which I do, so I used a different browser to capture the above).

[Welsh]

IIRC, those who donated 10 BTC were able to get one factoid spot. Over time, some of the links people posted in their factoids became 'dead' as projects failed/closed/ended, and those were removed.

Theymos solicited factoids in this thread in 2014, and again in in this thread in 2018.  

Also staff get one slot I believe, obviously still has to be approved by theymos. What's interesting is it seems to be fairly well managed, and most old factoids that you hint to that become redundant are removed. However, there are some factoids which were requested by banned users, that are still running today. The one example I see isn't really advertising though, so I guess theymos doesn't mind too much.

[Quickseller]

IIRC, those who donated 10 BTC were able to get one factoid spot. Over time, some of the links people posted in their factoids became 'dead' as projects failed/closed/ended, and those were removed.

Theymos solicited factoids in this thread in 2014, and again in in this thread in 2018.  

Also staff get one slot I believe, obviously still has to be approved by theymos. What's interesting is it seems to be fairly well managed, and most old factoids that you hint to that become redundant are removed. However, there are some factoids which were requested by banned users, that are still running today. The one example I see isn't really advertising though, so I guess theymos doesn't mind too much.

When Theymos solicited factoids in 2018, I made some suggestions, and two of the factoids now resemble what I suggested. I am not sure if Theymos edited my suggestions before implementing them, if he got the ideas from someone else, or if they were already implemented (I think probably not).

I assume the factoids are part of the ad serving system. I don’t think it would be difficult to maintain as long as the ad system is being maintained. A factoid was supposed to be a benefit of donating to the forum, so I understand why it would remain up after a donator account is banned.

I think Theymos is giving up a lot of revenue with the current ad system. I think he could probably make much more overall if he were to implement an additional system that allows people to bid by section. For example, it currently makes no sense to advertise if your target market is the Spanish section because the overwhelming majority of page views are of people who don’t speak Spanish. There may be advertisers who currently advertise in English that would like to advertise in Spanish if said ads would only reach the Spanish section, or if the ads would only reach people who have posted in the Spanish section within the last n time.

The solution might be to offer ads by section, by setting some criteria for what happens when not all ads in a section sells, and the ability to serve ads in other sections than the one being paid for. Ads could be pre-approved, so there wouldn’t be the issue of serving an ad that is clearly something Theymos won’t approve.  

[NotATether]

When Theymos solicited factoids in 2028

I think you meant "2018" 

The solution might be to offer ads by section, by setting some criteria for what happens when not all ads in a section sells, and the ability to serve ads in other sections than the one being paid for. Ads could be pre-approved, so there wouldn’t be the issue of serving an ad that is clearly something Theymos won’t approve. 

With the exception of the Russian board, I don't think the local boards have enough activity to warrant attention from advertisers. I doubt they would pay for ads to be placed in positions with little traffic.

[rhomelmabini]

The one you see on my personal text space below my avatar "No Gods or Kings. Only Bitcoin." it also comes from the forum ad field and I guess this has been for over a year now or more since I wore it. I stumble upon some other quotes and I think most of it comes from users here and was just being randomly shown in the ad space (I think all of it are random).