Just curious about the forum's management

[Btcdeybodi]

I came across some threads and information i gathered from Google that the bitcointalk forum was originated by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009 and according to what i read from Theymos (current forum administrator) that Sirius took over the head administrative position from Satoshi Nakamoto in 2011 till 2012 when he (Theymos) took over from Sirius in 2012 until present. It is understandable that Satoshi Nakamoto left the forum at freewill but the head administrator of the forum, is it by the person with most activity, by election or by appointment? and how is the position moderated? since the forum has no owner after the disappearance of Satoshi Nakamoto. My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again (after Satoshi Nakamoto left) since Theymos stated and i quote that the forum is now owned and dedicated to the bitcointalk community in general.

Just asking out of curiosity even though it may not be relevant questions.

It's surprising how well-documented history can become totally forgotten... Satoshi created the forum on Nov 22, 2009, and was head administrator until almost 2011. Then Sirius was head administrator until 2012, which is when I took over.

Cobra also owns the bitcointalk.org domain name. I consider the forum to be basically owned by or at least dedicated to the Bitcoin community, though; I don't call anyone an owner of the forum.

[Botnake]

It is understandable that Satoshi Nakamoto left the forum at freewill but the head administrator of the forum, is it by the person with most activity, by election or by appointment?

There wasn’t an election or public appointment; it was more like an internal agreement among them. The activity isn’t super significant, but it’s safe to say they’re the backbone of the forum. And Theymos is still overseeing everything, making sure this community-based forum keeps running smoothly.

and how is the position moderated? since the forum has no owner after the disappearance of Satoshi Nakamoto. My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again (after Satoshi Nakamoto left) since Theymos stated and i quote that the forum is now owned and dedicated to the bitcointalk community in general.

Theymos appoints the local and global moderators.

[Btcdeybodi]

It is understandable that Satoshi Nakamoto left the forum at freewill but the head administrator of the forum, is it by the person with most activity, by election or by appointment?

There wasn’t an election or public appointment; it was more like an internal agreement among them. The activity isn’t super significant, but it’s safe to say they’re the backbone of the forum. And Theymos is still overseeing everything, making sure this community-based forum keeps running smoothly.

Agreement between who and who if i may ask? I know Theymos is overseeing everything in the forum and making sure they are in order but that is literally some of his duties as head administrator.

and how is the position moderated? since the forum has no owner after the disappearance of Satoshi Nakamoto. My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again (after Satoshi Nakamoto left) since Theymos stated and i quote that the forum is now owned and dedicated to the bitcointalk community in general.

Theymos appoints the local and global moderators.

We all know about that but i'm emphasizing more on the number one citizen of the forum (head administrator), how will a new administrator emerge after Theymos? please understand my point.

[YOSHIE]

Just curious about the forum's management

Same, as you know, we are here too, maybe some members here are tired of looking for information about the management or tension of Satoshi, indeed, just as Bitcoin is a mysterious digital currency, so is the management of this forum.

We only know as you know, they are currently our bosses here and also the ones who manage the management here, nothing more, for that reason if you come to ask about management I can only answer that management in this forum is mysterious, We here seem to live in two worlds, sometimes hallucinating and sometimes real, these two things continue to haunt us here, like Bitcoin when it is made into real money and when we see Bitcoin it seems like a fantasy, but that's what happens, so enjoy this mysterious management while it lasts.

[Alone055]

My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again (after Satoshi Nakamoto left) since Theymos stated and i quote that the forum is now owned and dedicated to the bitcointalk community in general.

The forum doesn't need an owner, it has a management. And, the forum is "well-moderated" because it has moderators that manage most of the operations such as reports, removing unnecessary stuff and banning those trying to take advantage of the forum in some way, etc. Theymos, as the head admin, mainly does the main stuff such as making changes, implementing systems, appointing/removing moderators and merit sources, etc.

We all know about that but i'm emphasizing more on the number one citizen of the forum (head administrator), how will a new administrator emerge after Theymos? please understand my point.

I can't say for sure, but the decision will most probably be made based on certain factors such as activity, posts, recognition, trust, merits, etc. You can find the lists containing all this information at https://bpip.org/.

The decision could also include voting from the most trusted and recognized members of the forum along with the current admin, theymos. However, these are all assumptions and I believe there has never been a public discussion about this thing so far, if I'm correct.

[notocactus]

the head administrator of the forum, is it by the person with most activity, by election or by appointment? and how is the position moderated? since the forum has no owner after the disappearance of Satoshi Nakamoto.

Welcome to my thread for reading and finding answers for your question and more than that. If you want to explore about forum history, historic changes, it's a destination for you.

• Bitcointalk's important historic changes

The active administrators are currently:
theymos (me)
Gavin Andresen
sirius

Sirius runs the server.

Of course not, do you really need to ask?

 - I was made a forum admin in 2011, after Satoshi left. (Silk Road also appeared after Satoshi left.) I didn't have any special access to bitcoin.org until around 2013, and in fact I didn't even have any access to the bitcointalk.org DNS until 2013.

There was a period where both Sirius and I were active administrators. For convenience, I reckon Jan 1, 2012 as when I became head administrator, though it was actually a gradual transition starting before and ending after that.

The story of how I became head admin is actually pretty boring. Moderators were needed, so I was made a global moderator. Then admins were needed, so I was made an admin. Then over time the other admins slowly lost interest and resigned until I was the only one left. I guess most of the people who were around here to see this have more-or-less left the community now. That's a bit sad.

It's not entirely clear, but for simplicity I usually say that I became head admin at the beginning of 2011, a little over a year after the forum was created.

The forum was originally located at bitcoin.org/smf, then forum.bitcoin.org (hence the redirect), and finally bitcointalk.org. Fun fact: The name "bitcointalk" was invented by Jeff Garzik, and he's the one who bought the domain.

[Botnake]

There wasn’t an election or public appointment; it was more like an internal agreement among them. The activity isn’t super significant, but it’s safe to say they’re the backbone of the forum. And Theymos is still overseeing everything, making sure this community-based forum keeps running smoothly.

Agreement between who and who if i may ask? I know Theymos is overseeing everything in the forum and making sure they are in order but that is literally some of his duties as head administrator.

Between the names mentioned, it was just an assumption since there weren’t any post in the forum about that agreement. But knowing they’re both admins, it’s safe to assume they’re communicating.

[Mia Chloe]

You've literally done quite some research to have known these things. Yes Satoshi created this forum around 2009 and there were a couple of tests accounts created before the forum actually came to stand in fact if I can remember correctly, at some point, the forum actually has an upgrade to a new SMF model I actually can't remember when it was implemented though. The fact is this forum wasn't given to Theymos by majority voting.

It's actually possible that it happened backdoor, but I think that Satoshi did all these to make sure that he actually disappeared for real because he wouldn't seem anonymous if he was still around managing the forum.

[Richbased]

I think the administrative positions of the forum is between the cabals who knows pretty well about the origination of the forum so definitely for now, if such question of how the administrative position of the forum is being done i think Theymos should be in the rightful position to answer that because he is the current administrator and knows how he took over from Sirius. Since my stay in this forum, i haven't heard about the forum engaging in any form of elections or nominations by forum members as everything is always done by Theymos so he will be in the best position to know who will succeed him in the administrative position of the forum if peradventure he wants to leave the forum or any other cause why he won't continue. It's like a kind of secrets between Theymos and some hierarchy in the forum which may not even be made known to us.

[nakamura12]

The administrators of bitcointalk is considered as owners in my opinion although the truth is that bitcointalk has no owner but as theymos have stated in the post that you quoted is that the domain is owned by cobra. Since there are administrators so it means that they can change something or add something to the forum because of the position of being an administrator. Admin can add or elect new admin just like theymos taking over sirius.

[Hamza2424]

You've literally done quite some research to have known these things. Yes Satoshi created this forum around 2009 and there were a couple of tests accounts created before the forum actually came to stand in fact if I can remember correctly, at some point, the forum actually has an upgrade to a new SMF model I actually can't remember when it was implemented though. The fact is this forum wasn't given to Theymos by majority voting.

It's actually possible that it happened backdoor, but I think that Satoshi did all these to make sure that he actually disappeared for real because he wouldn't seem anonymous if he was still around managing the forum.

It was made around 2012, as Theymos said, after an year from 2011 The forum was created before this look it had other layout which was simple like you said and the story of theymos has been shared by him like how he become the administrator of the forum, according to him he was the only admin being active that time and another lost interest so step by step he become the admin of the forum first he was global moderator.

It is possible someday the administration will move into someone else's hands who might be a moderator here. Who will be the next admin should be the part of this discussion too I believe now due to excess of mods proper voting will take place.

[Miles2006]

Well, I’m not extremely knowledgeable about the origin and how things work, I stated this because anyone can read different articles and make countless research concerning the forum but not every article will state the honest truth IMO. The issue with ownership doesn’t necessary matter besides I have never seen an issue like such relating with ownership, if I’m not mistaken Theymos simply mean the community in general. Working together to create a better community for example, when complaints are being made mods or admin will be in charge, also I have seen a space dedicated for scam detection, reporting posts etc, let’s go with what’s stated above by Theymos.

[uchegod-21]

My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again.

The owner of bitcointalk is theymos. So, do not say anymore that Bitcointalk doesn't have an owner. The admin who has the authority to block the URL today and who also decides when, why and how to pay for the domain is the owner. Till we are told another thing, the forum belongs to theymos. However, he is such a smart guy, not authoritative and have been handling things fine in the forum. I trust him, and his judgement. My only fear is what happens if he is no more.

[PX-Z]

My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again.

The owner of bitcointalk is theymos. So, do not say anymore that Bitcointalk doesn't have an owner. ...

Well, basically this forum doesn't belong to anyone, that's why most of these managements were transfered to those who most trusted person in the community and forum's staff, then become head admin by only intuition of the current admin and staff. Well, if theymos can explain this things on how staff getting promoted that would be awesome.

I consider the forum to be basically owned by or at least dedicated to the Bitcoin community, though; I don't call anyone an owner of the forum.

[Darker45]

We all know about that but i'm emphasizing more on the number one citizen of the forum (head administrator), how will a new administrator emerge after Theymos? please understand my point.

It's probably up to theymos. The choice is probably one who theymos thinks is trustworthy. Since such choice isn't based on personal indicators, then it's probably on one's track record here and perhaps some correspondence here and elsewhere.

But since there are currently 2 administrators, if theymos leaves, Cyrus will certainly take over. But if Cyrus leaves before theymos, then theymos will have to choose somebody else before he leaves. Most likely, since he has already chosen his moderators and staff, then it might be just one of them.

[Btcdeybodi]

the head administrator of the forum, is it by the person with most activity, by election or by appointment? and how is the position moderated? since the forum has no owner after the disappearance of Satoshi Nakamoto.

Welcome to my thread for reading and finding answers for your question and more than that. If you want to explore about forum history, historic changes, it's a destination for you.

• Bitcointalk's important historic changes

@tranthidung, thaks so much for the link of the thread you provided. I have been able to get some convincing information about the forum from your thread and i like the fact that you keep it updated from time to time because i can see you last updated it on  July 22, 2024.

[AVE5]

Anyone taking over in replacement of an administrator in the bitcointalk forum is basically an appointment witheno election because there's no political game played here.
It positions are do occupied by fellow forum users who has been up to date with the forum and also considers one with better managerial potential as Theymos. After some other potential admins had passed by.

[uchegod-21]

My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again.

The owner of bitcointalk is theymos. So, do not say anymore that Bitcointalk doesn't have an owner. ...

Well, basically this forum doesn't belong to anyone, that's why most of these managements were transfered to those who most trusted person in the community and forum's staff, then become head admin by only intuition of the current admin and staff. Well, if theymos can explain this things on how staff getting promoted that would be awesome.

I consider the forum to be basically owned by or at least dedicated to the Bitcoin community, though; I don't call anyone an owner of the forum.

Do not just quote verbatim what was said. Even if theymos said that the forum belongs to the bitcoin community, I still believe it belongs to theymos. As I said earlier, I don't have any issues with that because the community receives the dividends. Even if the ownership will be transferred to another person tomorrow, that particular person will be the current owner.

• Staff is selected by theymos
• Merit sources by theymos
• Domain hosting and renewal is theymos
• Mixers no longer advertise here is theymos
• There's no senate or so that makes decisions.

If he wishes to take the forum down, he can do. Even if the admin (ownership) is transferable, for now theymos is the owner of the forum.

[GiftedMAN]

The administrators of bitcointalk is considered as owners in my opinion although the truth is that bitcointalk has no owner but as theymos have stated in the post that you quoted is that the domain is owned by cobra. Since there are administrators so it means that they can change something or add something to the forum because of the position of being an administrator. Admin can add or elect new admin just like theymos taking over sirius.

I was expecting you to mention the person that gives approvals to all the things that takes place in the forum as the owner of Bitcointalk which is theymos, I doubt if the administrators here has any ownership links to the forum since they work under the directive of theymos and he is the work that accepts and appoint any credible candidate he wants as a moderate and so on. You will agree that before and admin will change or do anything aside his primary assignment he or she must have gotten an approval from the boss which I think controls the affairs of the forum, unless there is someone else who's higher than theymos in the forum which I doubt really exist in the forum right now so until we are informed of a higher authority theymos remains the owner of the Bitcointalk forum in my opinion regardless of the admins.

[Agbamoni]

It is understandable that Satoshi Nakamoto left the forum at freewill but the head administrator of the forum, is it by the person with most activity, by election or by appointment?

There wasn’t an election or public appointment; it was more like an internal agreement among them. The activity isn’t super significant, but it’s safe to say they’re the backbone of the forum. And Theymos is still overseeing everything, making sure this community-based forum keeps running smoothly.

If there was an internal agreement among them.... then there must be a thread where this discussion was taking place. Or was it discussed outside of the forum? This will only mean that Sirus communicated with Satoshi and Theymos as well.

My reasons for asking these questions is because i am amazed at how well organized and unique the forum is, even though it doesn't have an owner again.

The owner of bitcointalk is theymos. So, do not say anymore that Bitcointalk doesn't have an owner. ...

Well, basically this forum doesn't belong to anyone, that's why most of these managements were transfered to those who most trusted person in the community and forum's staff, then become head admin by only intuition of the current admin and staff. Well, if theymos can explain this things on how staff getting promoted that would be awesome.

I consider the forum to be basically owned by or at least dedicated to the Bitcoin community, though; I don't call anyone an owner of the forum.

Do not just quote verbatim what was said. Even if theymos said that the forum belongs to the bitcoin community, I still believe it belongs to theymos. As I said earlier, I don't have any issues with that because the community receives the dividends. Even if the ownership will be transferred to another person tomorrow, that particular person will be the current owner.

• Staff is selected by theymos
• Merit sources by theymos
• Domain hosting and renewal is theymos
• Mixers no longer advertise here is theymos
• There's no senate or so that makes decisions.

If he wishes to take the forum down, he can do. Even if the admin (ownership) is transferable, for now theymos is the owner of the forum.

Indirectly you sound a bit scared about Theymos making most of the decision in the forum. Perhaps he could one day wake up and decide that the forum should be brought down. Theymos is only a global moderated, he supersedes other moderator in the individual board.

But the forum lacks one thing, which is the voting system when it comes to chose moderators and other representatives in the forum. Although the voice of the community is being heard at all times but what happened to community vote and not just voices.

Theymos is more like a member with the highest shares from the bitcoin forum lol. One with the highest shares has the highest voting power. With uncertainty Theymos could ive 90% voting power while the community has 10% which means at the end of the day, his decisions stands out.


Edited to add this.
Meanwhile this topic is best moved to the meta board.