Some Newbie ~ Membar got nice rank through pumpkin contest

[leonair]

Pumpkin Contest was an account creation machine for someone. For some it was entertainment and for some it was a place to show talent. Some Newbie ~ Membar got nice rank through pumpkin contest.  The list is given below

*	Username	*	Registration Date	*	Received merit from pumpkin content	*	Total Merits	*	Rank
	KrispyKrypto		July 20, 2021		84		101		Member
	tjtonmoy		May 03, 2021		71		142		Member
	xSlyy		January 04, 2021		97		113		Full Member
	Remsjack		June 22, 2018		65		121		Full Member
	xsyren		October 17, 2022		76		76		Member
	Shaha98		September 18, 2021		100		132		Full Member
	LDL		October 19, 2022		109		194		Full Member
	Dubaian		June 28, 2022		94		117		Member
	Tanvi50_		October 12, 2021		58		62		Member
	BRINIRHA		May 20, 2022		55		143		Full Member
	John Abraham		April 26, 2019		55		149		Full Member
	Patrol69		October 24, 2022		43		31		Member
	Gallar		September 01, 2022		42		54		Member
	Rabata		September 26, 2021		45		46		Member
	crypto sufixe		October 28, 2022		54		54		Newbie
	Muba20		April 11, 2021		28		29		Member
	Nothingtodo		July 24, 2021		16		16		Member
	Eye$		March 30, 2022		12		12		Member
	11K		September 20, 2021		19		19		Member

[Rikafip]

So what exactly is the problem here if they ranked up through the contest? Sure, there might be some alt accounts there that saw an easy way to get merit (like in all activities where bunch of merits is shared) but in order to reach higher ranks they will have to write decent posts.

[EFS]

Participating in these events is one of the best ways to get merit. Anyone who takes their time to think about it and come up with something deserves a merit. Those who attend these events feel included in the community and their recognition will increase. We see some users who don't normally attract attention, thanks to these activities. Some users may try to manipulate this but overall this group is too small to matter when there are so many merits to distribute. Also as Rikafip said they need to do a lot more to reach higher ranks.

[mk4]

So what exactly is the problem here if they ranked up through the contest? Sure, there might be some alt accounts there that saw an easy way to get merit (like in all activities where bunch of merits is shared) but in order to reach higher ranks they will have to write decent posts.

Add the fact that the number of users who managed to capitalize through the contest is only a very small number compared to the number of users in the grand scheme of things. The contest might've been taken advantage of, but in general it's a nothingburger.

[Dunamisx]

There's nothing too bad or new here since they contested and got the deserving meirts for their skills presented during application, the idea is not about getting merits because not all of them ever thought about getting as much as that before applying but to show their crafts skills they were made up of, what i will say is to encourage each member to have or create value, it could be a path to opening dimensions of ways with different opportunities for them.

[hugeblack]

Pumpkin Contest was an account creation machine for someone. For some it was entertainment and for some it was a place to show talent. Some Newbie ~ Membar got nice rank through pumpkin contest.  The list is given below

I appreciate your effort, but such competitions happen once a year, so unless the member writes some posts, they will not be rank-up and joined the signature campaigns.
And even if they join, the quality of subsequent posts will determine whether they will continue or not.

This can become a problem if:

 - Accounts started to spam.
 - Collectively joined signature campaigns: Here, a list must be prepared and the campaign manager should be contacted.

Other than that, they won't be able to do much.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

We see some users who don't normally attract attention, thanks to these activities.

No kidding, I don't recognize any of the members on that list--but I was being a typical party-pooper and probably would have blown up the thread and all the pumpkins had I participated in it.

Nobody here is a mind reader that I know of, so there's no way to really know why those low-ranked, basically unknown members did whatever they had to do to earn merits and rank up.  I have a feeling that some of them probably played the system like their personal one-holed skin flute, but they didn't force other members to give them merits, so....

So TL;DR I see your point, OP and know where you're coming from--but since there's nothing to be done, this discussion was dead on arrival.

[Pmalek]

It takes two to tango, right? Whoever those people are and whatever their reasons for coming here and participating in the context, many people appreciated their creations. And many gave them merits. It's only a problem if you can prove that people created alt accounts and merited themselves. But if the distribution came from dozens of different forum members, you can't tell people what to do with their merits.   

[leonair]

So what exactly is the problem here if they ranked up through the contest?

This is not a problem. I myself admire such activities. And it's great to see that the users had a lot of fun with it and everyone presented the pumpkins in their own strategy. However, there have been some reports that many of them have created their alt accounts.  And many users have earned merit from here and qualified themselves for signature campaigns.  But sadly those who got merit only from pumpkin contest.  They are not being accepted into good campaigns.
First reported incident - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5277020.msg61503580#msg61503580
Second reported incident - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5432453.msg61629310#msg61629310

[LoyceV]

Most of them don't look like account farmers, nor are they terrible spammers. The last 2 are bounty spammers who posted their pumpkin entry less than an hour apart. Even the background (wall) in their pictures looks the same. The last one abandoned his account the moment he got negative feedback. Let's ask @lovesmayfamilis if the other is also part of the same account farm.

Other than that: good for them, if they get some easy Merits. It's still a long way to go to a higher Rank.

[Maus0728]

Most of the time receiving merits from art competitions can push someome to make useful and interesting posts that will probably help them move up the ranks. Because that is what occurred to me during the 10th anniversary contest, where merits poured in which helped me quickly move up to Sr.Member rank.

At that point, I made the decision to make myself more useful, write when I had anything worthwhile to say, and make it a habit to read anything on bitcoin and stuff.

Plus, illegally distributing merit to their alts can't be hidden forever anyways..

[Zilon]

It wasn't easy coming up with those creative works of theirs anyway, so they did deserve their merit. I was too occupied during the contest maybe I would have been among the list. The Pumpkin contest had so many creative works, even if many used it for the sole aim of account farming i think their works were exceptional the reason they got reasonable merits in return for their time and creativity.

[YOSHIE]

Pumpkin Contest was an account creation machine for someone.

That is the greatness of Bitcointalk, art content is one of the entertainments that is offered to the whole community, regardless of whether they are new or old, as well as the ratings they have, free, provided they have expertise in the art content field, I often see unique things here, such as the one at (the 10th anniversary art competition) in 2019, rookie accounts get special privileges.
Example:
1. Bloodie44 [Newbie].
2. Alai19 [Member].
3. LeafAndWood [Member].
4. 1Dq [Copper Member]

It seems that there is nothing wrong with beginners and so on, if they follow the pumpkin art content, while they are able to create works of art of high value, with the expertise they have, (merits) should be donated to them, isn't that so.

[lovesmayfamilis]

Most of them don't look like account farmers, nor are they terrible spammers. The last 2 are bounty spammers who posted their pumpkin entry less than an hour apart. Even the background (wall) in their pictures looks the same. The last one abandoned his account the moment he got negative feedback. Let's ask @lovesmayfamilis if the other is also part of the same account farm.

Other than that: good for them, if they get some easy Merits. It's still a long way to go to a higher Rank.

It's good that the OP created a very handy list. I am more than sure that in addition to the ones I have listed below, two or three more accounts are part of this farm. In addition, there is another account that has a high rank but is not the real owner.
It was not me who discovered the wall with the same background, but someone who is apparently afraid to speak from his main account. And I think today he is with us . But the fact that the behavior of some accounts seems suspicious is true. I can tell that this farm betrays itself with its consistent behavior, which seems to be expected, and in the end, everyone who tries to be too cunning here will be exposed.


Holiday5    red cheater 
Shaha98    red cheater and spammer.
Dubaian      Autoban user Plagiarism
Patrol69      spammer 

[tranthidung]

Art contests or similar ones are for fun and people are more easily to drop merit on art works which are attractive, beautiful in their point of view. I don't say it is good or bad because if Art contest participants actually did those things, they spent time to think creatively (if not cheating) and create those stuffs so merit is well worthy for their creativeness and effort they put in.

However, as said it is easily to be abused by abusers. I did not observe the Pumpkin contest too closely but I believe merit distributions to artists won't be much different than the 10th anniversary contest. Difference if there is, only comes from lack of participation and merit distribution from theymos.

Top-100 merited-artists in the 10th anniversary art contest

[Awaklara]

in a contest, it is natural for each participant to receive an award (not a prize) for their participation in the contest from the contest organizer and also other people. so there is no problem with the Merit that participants get and then rank up.
maybe the problem is when contest participants start abusing this system by joining contests using multiple accounts. of course with the hope of getting Merit to rise in rank and not to take part in the contest celebrations being carried out.

[aysg76]

They are not being accepted into good campaigns.

Most of the signature campaigns have merit requirements in the past 120 days but the reputable and good manager will not only see how many merits you have received but will also look into your post history because if you get selected your post on forum will advertise the company so they don't want any spam poster to get accepted.So if you look into the account and see most or say all merits are from this pumpkin contest will they select that member? If they can't manage to earn merits with quality posts then they will not be selected so merit is just one criteria to apply but quality posting remain always the first aspect.

[Rikafip]

However, there have been some reports that many of them have created their alt accounts. 

Well, based on the list you provided I see only a few accounts that were created after pumpkin contest started.

And many users have earned merit from here and qualified themselves for signature campaigns.  But sadly those who got merit only from pumpkin contest.

If that's what they needed in order to get into signature campaigns then I don't expect them to be very successful staying in those or getting into new ones, or reaching higher ranks.

[Timelord2067]

The first few posters stressing out about alts need only to follow the merits for a couple of generations to see where they end up.

[Woodie]

One thing about art contests on the forum is that these can not go unnoticed because everyone sees and gets the invite thanks to being featured on the news ticker! And the fact that it had no entry requirements to secure participation, naturally the lower ranked members were always going to be the majority knowing very well the perks that come with this....on the contrary, new accounts created for the sole purpose of the contest that's a head scratcher for now, a few years from now will give its intentions.

But overall what do the numbers look like, how was the merit distribution for all that participated on average?

[Tamaperdana]

but their hard work should be appreciated, because one day is not enough to make a good pumpkin carving, they also have to take their time to make the pumpkin, they also do it hard and earnestly, and they also enliven the pumpkin carving event , so it's only natural that they receive a lot of appreciation.

[Despairo]

but their hard work should be appreciated, because one day is not enough to make a good pumpkin carving, they also have to take their time to make the pumpkin, they also do it hard and earnestly, and they also enliven the pumpkin carving event , so it's only natural that they receive a lot of appreciation.

Yeah I think this carving need a lot of tools, idea, and maybe it takes around a year to complete it

But hey I'm not against a user who want to send a lot sMerit in art contest because it's up to them and if they think they're not deserve to get a lot sMerit, they can choose to not give it in the first place.

It's actually good to see the increase of merit circulation and it help many low rank user to able to rank up rather than I saw a newbie complaining why rank up is hard or ask a tutorial how to get merit.

I don't think it's wrong to see rank up is more easier in this forum, if people think this will help them to qualify in signature campaign, the campaign manager doesn't only look from the merit received, but also the quality of their post too.

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

But overall what do the numbers look like, how was the merit distribution for all that participated on average?

None does not matter. There are some system loss, some people abused it, they found a way to earn merit but they gave some efforts don't they? Merit is to appreciate the efforts you make to contribute to the forum. It could be by writing good posts, helping someone when they need some information or even just posting a meme which can entertain others.

A spammer will not receive more merit if they do not improve their post quality. Whatever they received they will stuck there forever. In Wall Observer you will see many merit hunters. Before noticing they earn a lot of merit but it does not mean we stop meriting everyone.

[rat03gopoh]

Even the background (wall) in their pictures looks the same.

you mean this?

[aoluain]

Interesting reading...

There is no doubt the competition got MASSIVE attention and participation. There was a
lot of merit awarded throughout and this attracted more participation.

I think the main goal in participating by some was purely for the merit and not the prizes.

Even the background (wall) in their pictures looks the same.

you mean this?

Looking at those 3 images, what is also visible is the bed frame ^{I think it's a bed}
in the 3rd. pic it's in the bottom left corner.

[LoyceV]

Even the background (wall) in their pictures looks the same.

you mean this?

Actually, I meant those two:

But the ones you selected have the same background too. Someone's been busy!

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

but their hard work should be appreciated, because one day is not enough to make a good pumpkin carving, they also have to take their time to make the pumpkin, they also do it hard and earnestly, and they also enliven the pumpkin carving event , so it's only natural that they receive a lot of appreciation.

Their hard work was appreciated that's why they got those numbers of merits they received and nobody is against rewarding their hardwork. I think the issue the OP is trying to raise attention to was that lots of users used the opportunity to get merits for their alts. The moment a user enrolls more than one account in any contest or campaign then they have abused the alt privilege and should be punished. There's nothing wrong with having alts but don't abuse the forum with them.

Also as Rikafip said they need to do a lot more to reach higher ranks.

Or they can basically stay active just to get the activities while waiting on another opportunity to participate in a contest to gain more merits and rank up. They don't have to be that outstanding in their writing, just been average can get them into some decent paying campaigns especially when there's alot of campaign available and they already have a lots of merits to put them above others when that is been reviewed.

[Pokapoka124]

I discovered the contest late and honestly I don’t think I had the time to carve the piece of art. True the bitcoin pumpkin contest was showered with merits but it was not a easy way to get merits, the participants worked hard and were appreciated for their efforts. As for spammers and account farmers using this means to abuse the merit system, I don’t think they will get very far with it. These contests come once in a year, if they can’t make quality posts till then they won’t get any merit. 

[Xxmodded]

Not matter with newbie or member account level get high rank trough pumpkin contest because they have unique paint, the merit sender dominance by higher account level and they know about which one unique and beautiful picture on pumpkin contest for sending merit point. I am disappointed with the newbie and member account have chance with many points merit received because I am late participants there.

Hope one day later have new contest and try with my lucky how many points merit earn, actually is not first time when have user get many points merit actually before pumpkin contest there are have pizza day contest and every one allowed for publishing their unique picture and get merit.

[Sandra_hakeem]

Some peeps made good use of the contest, while some took great advantage of it; but you seee, from some thorough scrutinization, I discovered that alot that tried to fit-in just for the sake of fishing merits were either shat upon by those grim, stern-looking merit sources Or simply ignored ... It paid 'em off -- for the early ones -- but after the first set made 'em intentions very obvious, the sources took record in anticipation for the next set of losers...lol
I'm afraid Nothing much can be done about this yunno; only that most of them got tagged already.

Sandra 🧑‍🦰

[leonair]

However, there have been some reports that many of them have created their alt accounts.  

Well, based on the list you provided I see only a few accounts that were created after pumpkin contest started.

Yes, a small number of accounts were opened after the start of the Pumpkin Contest, but they were opened by those who had previous accounts and succeeded in getting high merit by posting pumpkins one or more times, so they were encouraged to open new accounts. Anyway this is not a big problem as having multiple accounts on the forum is not a big deal if no bad things are done with that account.

And many users have earned merit from here and qualified themselves for signature campaigns.  But sadly those who got merit only from pumpkin contest.

If that's what they needed in order to get into signature campaigns then I don't expect them to be very successful staying in those or getting into new ones, or reaching higher ranks.

In terms of reaching higher ranks, some accounts can range from newbie to full member and Some full members are not senior members but are close to it. Because from here a pumpkin post was ready to get minimum 50 merits to 100+ merits for each account. It's nothing to blame and I'm not blaming someone just saying that the pumpkin contest was a great opportunity for many to boost their account.  And I appreciate all those users who were able to exploit this opportunity

[JoyMarsha]

I didn't see it as a problem if someone can get a good number of merits from the Pumpkin contest. Only a few members of the forum participated in it(Those that can create a good pumpkin got rewarded by merits). If creating a good pumpkin is easy, I think many of the forum members would have participated in it fully.

From the list you shared of members that got merits from the pumpkin contest is 19 in number(account). 12 accounts have above 50-109merits, and the remaining 7 have below 50merits.

It is just a chilled pill of merits given to them as a reward of pumpkins creation.  Not much bad deal

[DaNNy001]

I didn't see it as a problem if someone can get a good number of merits from the Pumpkin contest. Only a few members of the forum participated in it(Those that can create a good pumpkin got rewarded by merits). If creating a good pumpkin is easy, I think many of the forum members would have participated in it fully.

I think that's the whole point of the merit system. Merits are to earn by forum members that are active and are willing to work on themselves in other for them to improve either by creating good quality post or participating in contests like these in the forum. I think everyone that earn merits on the contest have really deserved it because it isnt an easy work to carry out a carving artwork on a pumpkin. And just like what you said@joymarsha, i think many people saw the contest but didn't participate or their artwork wasn't quality enough for people to merit it. So the merits earned were worked for and well deserved.

[Igebotz]

This is exactly what I was discussing in this thread

Merit games, tasks, and art contests open the door for bounty hunters and spammers to advance in rank, and I wouldn't waste a single merit on those types of threads. Merit is a reward for quality posts; if we start awarding merits to Arts or a random hunter who solved a puzzle, we are already defeating the purpose of the merit system.


Have you ever wondered why these types of contests appeal to only low rank members??

[Mpamaegbu]

This is exactly what I was discussing in this thread

Merit games, tasks, and art contests open the door for bounty hunters and spammers to advance in rank, and I wouldn't waste a single merit on those types of threads.

I side with you on this. A few times that I took a critical look at some users I wanted to merit when I had enough, I saw that some had too much posts and activities but zero merit. I checked their post histories only to discover that they were heavily populated with bounty reports. It discouraged me from even meriting one or two of their posts that weren't bounty reports. To now send merits to such users simply because they won some sorts of competitions shouldn't be encouraged at all.

Merit is a reward for quality posts...

In all sincerity, I don't believe that. Meriting posts is as subjective as emotions go. I've seen heavy shitposts get merited, even by those we feel are excellent posters. Again; still on the matter, tell me what is constructive or quality about meriting OP of signature or bounty campaigns? Some of us do this as our emotions move us and not necessarily because those posts serve any genuine or constructive purpose.

[lovesmayfamilis]

This is exactly what I was discussing in this thread

Merit games, tasks, and art contests open the door for bounty hunters and spammers to advance in rank, and I wouldn't waste a single merit on those types of threads. Merit is a reward for quality posts; if we start awarding merits to Arts or a random hunter who solved a puzzle, we are already defeating the purpose of the merit system.


Have you ever wondered why these types of contests appeal to only low rank members??

I do not see anything reprehensible in such competitions. On the contrary, if someone has new ideas and desires, why not participate? But another point is important here: everything needs a measure. Someone participates really sincerely, and someone appears everywhere with all their alternative accounts.
Anyone following this story can see what these people's greed leads to. Recent stories of their passing merit on to their alts, as well as a deeper look into the post histories, have brought more shame than glory.
Therefore, as always, those who try to be too cunning are bound to reveal their lies sooner or later.

[Adbitco]

Is there anything wrong with the merits earn from the contest?
They earn those merits because people finds their design and art work attractives and deserved to be merited, so if any of them earns merits doesn't mean they should be penalized for it. You either give your merits to any post or topics which you find meaningful, i don't think there is any law holding you not to give anyone merit.

Have you ever wondered why these types of contests appeal to only low rank members??

I think maybe to help them earn some decent merits from their hard work and time.
At least most of them really deserved those merits, you think is easy burning time to carve those things?

[Lucius]

At least most of them really deserved those merits, you think is easy burning time to carve those things?

It was certainly not easy for some, because we can see from the examples that some participated with more accounts and therefore had a lot more work to do with carving more than one pumpkin. In addition, it is not about stone or wood that is processed, but about an ordinary pumpkin.


A very simple solution for all future contests is to make it impossible to give merit in such threads and then we will not have the need to discuss such things.

[Igebotz]

tell me what is constructive or quality about meriting OP of signature or bounty campaigns? Some of us do this as our emotions move us and not necessarily because those posts serve any genuine or constructive purpose.

Not every Sig/Bounty ANN are given merits, and I believe some are given based on how they organize and present the rules. By the way, 2-3 merits on an ANN is not a bad thing.

This is exactly what I was discussing in this thread

Merit games, tasks, and art contests open the door for bounty hunters and spammers to advance in rank, and I wouldn't waste a single merit on those types of threads. Merit is a reward for quality posts; if we start awarding merits to Arts or a random hunter who solved a puzzle, we are already defeating the purpose of the merit system.

I do not see anything reprehensible in such competitions. On the contrary, if someone has new ideas and desires, why not participate? But another point is important here: everything needs a measure. Someone participates really sincerely, and someone appears everywhere with all their alternative accounts.

There is nothing wrong with participating with an open mind; I was one of the first users to express interest, got my pumpkin, and presented it on the thread (uncurved); I was waiting for the perfect time to curve mine when something came up and ignored and deleted my application.

it was an honest contest organized by OP. I'm not sure why a single user would bestow 25+ merits on a single piece of art. It appears to be a large Alt to Alt opportunity.

[Mpamaegbu]

~snipped~

Not every Sig/Bounty ANN are given merits, and I believe some are given based on how they organize and present the rules. By the way, 2-3 merits on an ANN is not a bad thing.

Sorry, you missed my point. However, the bottom line is that even if it were just a single merit splashed on such it still doesn't mean it's a constructive post. Those who do it know what inspires them but certainly I don't think it's quality. Don't get me wrong again, I ain't one to direct or say how users should splash their merit. If for anything, I'm one who believes that meriting posts is more of a subjective exercise than an objective one. Once users aren't trading merit or abusing it, I don't think there's any infringement on how one should spend their merit.

[Adbitco]

At least most of them really deserved those merits, you think is easy burning time to carve those things?

It was certainly not easy for some, because we can see from the examples that some participated with more accounts and therefore had a lot more work to do with carving more than one pumpkin. In addition, it is not about stone or wood that is processed, but about an ordinary pumpkin.


A very simple solution for all future contests is to make it impossible to give merit in such threads and then we will not have the need to discuss such things.

Yeah absolutely.

And in addition, I think next time there should be some restrictions or level of account that may be eligible participates, but haven seen that there are more people using multiple accounts to participate or sharing merits among themselves can be panelized and phish out quickly.
Somehow at @Igebotz was right, seeing an account filled with bounty post or reports doesn't deserved any merits. Although we give without viewing most of their profile.
I would love the next contest not be open for bounty account and newly created account may not be eligible to participate, there should be some sets of ranges to participate in the contest imo.