How to navigate the Bitcointalk Forum

[Ivystar5]

Ever since i have been in this forum, newbies once registered always create threads asking how can they navigate this forum of course I'm not the only one who have witnessed this type of thread repeatedly created and I have come up with this thread how to navigate the Bitcointalk forum as a beginner.
Here are the few steps:

Step one:
Once registered the forum is in an old SMF(Simple Machine Forum) model, so it's very easily to find the buttons. But here is the most important button which one needs to be make use of: HELP

Step Two:
The Help section of the forum is the most important but underrated section of the forum[ when people come to the forum newly, it's very rare to see people refer newbies to the help section] so I made this to point to it specifically;

The help section has a lot of detailed informations of how to use the forum, it entails informations such as The main menu, The board index, The message index etc all having a whole lot of extension which clearly shows much details of the informations we have in each of the contents.

Step Three:
Spend quality time reading and re-reading every thing which you have seen on the Help section you can even practice each of them by creating a test account and test each of the features that the forum gives.

Step Four:
It's not longer necessary to create threads with only introduction of your name and whatsoever newbies might want to indulge in it but since you have find the help section with regular reading and practicing you can become more conversant with the forum features.

Step Five:
Acknowledge all boards and know the reason for those boards in other to allocate your thread or discussions to the appropriate boards where they belong to prevent your discussions being moved by moderators too frequent.

Step Six:
After the reading or within the first two or three clance on the forum you will find different ranks or titles on different profiles however it's also included on the Help section what the ranks and position mean so best for you (Newbie) to read about the reason for each title or rank and find out what essence it is for; however it's still included in some part for the help button you just have to figure all this out.

Step Seven:
Since with all the six steps one most be little knowledgeable with the forum it's now the most important part to read the Rules and Regulations of the forum. know them and avoid to break the rules, there are some unofficial rules like do not plagiarise nor use AI it may not be pretty obvious in the rules but it's included don't ever break any of the rules..

Step Eight:
Search button is one of the lucrative buttons as it's most used to find out answers to your questions which have been asked several times before and you can visit the threads below for proper guide on how to search yet looking into the help section you will be able to find the effective use of search button in there.

Step Nine:
After acknowledging all of the above steps it's now best for one to venture into each board but first it's to take note of all the pinned threads they have significant meaning to each board that's why it's pinned so do well to read them most times they are the rules guiding each board and contains the etiquettes of posting in those boards.

Step Ten:
Conclusion, After all the readings you can find more help in the few threads below which are derived from the same help button which is underrated.

Newbies read before posting

FAQ: Everything you need to know about forum 'activity, account ranks and merit

Forum ranks/positions/badges (What do those shiny coins under my name mean?)

[dzungmobile]

New forum members can start with an official guide of the forum at this SMF User Help Page.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=help

Continue with a Newbies - Read before posting, shared by you in OP.

Next, expand with [Mega resources for newbies] Check here, find most of your need, before asking thread, focusing on a section for Forum-releated threads.

[DYING_S0UL]

Tbh, you don't need to follow all these steps. I understand that navigating the forum may seem a little uncomfortable for newbies at first. Well we can't blame them. I also faced similar difficulties at first. But if one can properly utilize the forum search feature, I believe one can overcome this problem.

Navigating the forum, going through different boards, threads to find a topic that interests you is really tough at first. But if you learn to use the forum search, it would be as easy as a piece of cake..

[Cryptohygenic]

Tbh, you don't need to follow all these steps. I understand that navigating the forum may seem a little uncomfortable for newbies at first. Well we can't blame them. I also faced similar difficulties at first. But if one can properly utilize the forum search feature, I believe one can overcome this problem.

Navigating the forum, going through different boards, threads to find a topic that interests you is really tough at first. But if you learn to use the forum search, it would be as easy as a piece of cake..

I don't know why after making threads that is to guide newbies like this, after registering in the forum they will still come opening thread in request of of how to navigate the forum.
Well just as said, they don't need to be blamed for one can not overgrow what you don't know. So it is better being a questionnaire on where you find complicating.
If not, the best for newbies is just hover around the "Help" desk and play around the "Search" desk for easy in need to be obtainable.

[BIT-BENDER]

When you say steps that means a newbie will have to follow all these step by step and if they missed one step then they failed? Honestly there is nothing like steps on how to navigate the forum, it's only going to make things even more cumbersome and complicated for newbies.
And I will always say this the forum has already made it easy for every newbie to be integrated into the forum.
We already have rules and regulations https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0

Frequently asked questions https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2766177.0

And lots of other pinned important messages on the Meta board and the beginners and help board that are meant to guide newbies.

[AmaGold70]

Even after seeing threads like this on how to navigate the forum, newbies will always be newbies, the forum is made up of many boards and some newbies tends to go to the wrong boards and join in conversations that isn't meant for them to join in, and even after seeing the beginners and help board they will always keep asking for help when helpful threads are boldly written for them to read through. Well, it's a big forum and everything looks confusing for starters and I know this because I was once a newbie too and in everything you have said @OP, the best advice I can give to newbies is just for them to be "themselves" and understand that this is a community with different people with different opinions and understand.

[CryptSafe]

OP, you have done well by pointing out some vital information that newbies ought to have knowledge about on this platform but however the idea of making them a step or so is not too necessary because one can be able to navigate without all these much stress as you have itemized. As long as one is knowledgeable and able to read threads and pinned posts, they could get information about the platform and be able to flow along with the forum principles.

However, like I always say, there is nothing like cutting corners here which I believe most newbies would want to do but it would be nice I say something's they should avoid here if they want their stay to be free of issues, they should avoid the use of AI for making post and threads, plagiarism is not  welcomed and as such it is an offense against the platform. These are very important to be noted by newbies so they do not get into trouble while enjoying their stay here.

[katanic97]

Each of us has encountered this it takes some time to go through the forum in detail. The key to everything is reading, and if you have any doubts before asking a question or creating a new topic, search the forum again.

You have covered many steps in your post and explained them in detail. I would just add this link, which i believe could be helpful for beginners.

Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ

[Dunamisx]

Step one:
Once registered the forum is in an old SMF(Simple Machine Forum) model, so it's very easily to find the buttons. But here is the most important button which one needs to be make use of: HELP

1. After making your registration, the first thing to do is this.

Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0

2. Then you will have to get used to the forum interface and master the respective boards and sections of the forum.

3. Learn to read and learn from the Pinned threads of the forum to also see for yourself on any aspect that might be urgently needed to take note.

4. Make use of the search button and browse through other relevant aspects that you may want to know about the forum and bitcoin

5. You will have to ask relevant questions on Beginners and Help Board, there you can find answer to any of your question about the forum and bitcoin or any other crypto.

[qwertyup23]

Navigating through the forum may be overwhelming at first but if you can take your time and read through the boards, it is actually easy.

First, there are multiple boards across the forum that corresponds to a specific topic. The topic of each board are as follows:

• Bitcoin;
• Economy;
• Other;
• Alternate Cryptocurrencies; and
• Local Boards.

I do recommend that you should visit your corresponding local boards first if you have any question about the general forum for easier communication. If not, you can navigate through each board and read the topics. As such, if you have some knowledge to share, feel free to comment on your chosen board as this is a forum after all.

[Porfirii]

-snip-

I do recommend that you should visit your corresponding local boards first if you have any question about the general forum for easier communication. If not, you can navigate through each board and read the topics. As such, if you have some knowledge to share, feel free to comment on your chosen board as this is a forum after all.

Thank you qwertyup23. I think that most new users overlook this option, perhaps due to lack of attention, or maybe because they think that the quality of the conversations will be better in the "North" (aka General board). But the fact is that many of the best posters here are active in their respective local boards too, and many interesting topics have already been translated, too. So yes, starting your Bitcointalk journey from the local boards is some of the best advice you could've given.

[Hyphen(-)]

I don’t think the forum is difficult to navigate; its format was made easy to understand by everyone that can read and understand. That’s why people are surviving long in this forum; if you are able to read, then take your time to study the forum; it is easy because the forum has various sections for easy access. All you have to do is just check the section you will be needing, go through the section, and read the pin threads in the sections so that you can know and understand the type of discussion going on in the section.

Then generally, avoid violating any of the forum rules, be consistent, and ask questions whenever you get lost; I think the forum is as easy as that because there are local sections where people who don’t understand the English language can also interact with each other in their local languages.

[Big_panda_01]

This thread and all the replies from most senior members here has been very helpful and i needed those information as I have been wondering through most boards searching for my way around the forum. I'm glad and I know where to look now and at such thanks to all those who shared.

[Natalim]

It’s good to see that someone made an effort and provide some steps on how to navigate the forum. But in reality, all of these will be left useless if that certain newbie won’t due diligence in learning. Explore the forum, read the threads, and even go extra miles with some good researches, for me that’s the most effective way so that you will find on your own on how to navigate the forum.

Know how to maximize the intention of the forum. If you know how to create questions and make some threads, interact with the crowd in the forum, and learn to exchange opinions and ideas with them, hence you will best know on how to navigate the forum, even without these steps provided by OP.

[Cityhunter34]

This thread and all the replies from most senior members here has been very helpful and i needed those information as I have been wondering through most boards searching for my way around the forum. I'm glad and I know where to look now and at such thanks to all those who shared.

Indeed this thread is quite good for the new beginnings to fine their way in the forum. Already the Bitcointalk forum very is easy to navigate if you are not in a hurry, because what normally makes most new beginners to find it difficult in the forum is lack of not paying good attention, once you are willing to learn in the forum it will going to be very much easier for you to navigate quickly, because the forum is just all about learning.

[Majestic-milf]

 Basically as a newbie, it's important to note that reading is important. It's the time you give to knowing more about where you are that will determine how you well you can easily fit in. Most newbies are more invested in creating their first threads than they are in reading. Sometimes when such helpful guidelines are give , they tend to see and pass, then getting into trouble then later pleading ignorance when caught for breaking a rule.
 I know that learning never stops and that a newbie can teach something to someone who has been here for long but the Op has also failed to understand that the more a thread is being discussed, no matter how frequent the body is changed, it's still regarded as spamming. No one is perfect but before we seek to teach, we should first of all learn.

[Zanab247]

Many newbies always find it difficult to navigate into Bitcointalk forum because they don't have much experience about the Bitcointalk forum, and they have to seek help of their mentor before they can navigate to join some discussion section.

I believe many newbies will learn from this trend, to follow the right direction to know where to discuss to gain more knowledge about cryptocurrency, which is the major thing we are discussing in this forum. And it will be easy for those that will locate their local board on time to catch up with their language to develop quality post in different discussion section because is allow for people to use their language to teach people in their local board.

[hd49728]

Many newbies always find it difficult to navigate into Bitcointalk forum because they don't have much experience about the Bitcointalk forum, and they have to seek help of their mentor before they can navigate to join some discussion section.

Their main difficulty and also challenge for navigation in this forum, is their attitude that does not want to learn.

If they want to learn, they can visit the forum main page https://bitcointalk.org/index.php
Scroll up and down for some seconds or generously some minutes, they will see Beginners & Help board, and they visit this board to quickly see Newbies - Read befor posting on top of this board.

This topic is enough for newbies to start, but the condition is their readiness of reading and learning.

[Ivystar5]

New forum members can start with an official guide of the forum at this SMF User Help Page.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=help

I already mentioned that in the first step. We are on the same page here.

Tbh, you don't need to follow all these steps. I understand that navigating the forum may seem a little uncomfortable for newbies at first. Well we can't blame them. I also faced similar difficulties at first. But if one can properly utilize the forum search feature, I believe one can overcome this problem.

Navigating the forum, going through different boards, threads to find a topic that interests you is really tough at first. But if you learn to use the forum search, it would be as easy as a piece of cake..

I may agree with you but then the HELP section of the forum was created in second position after HOME  for a reason and I believe it's because that's the next thing you need after signing in to the forum, it's pretty much obvious not even the stones you suggested they are secondary knowledge to the knowledges gathered in the help button.

Tbh, you don't need to follow all these steps. I understand that navigating the forum may seem a little uncomfortable for newbies at first. Well we can't blame them. I also faced similar difficulties at first. But if one can properly utilize the forum search feature, I believe one can overcome this problem.

Navigating the forum, going through different boards, threads to find a topic that interests you is really tough at first. But if you learn to use the forum search, it would be as easy as a piece of cake..

I don't know why after making threads that is to guide newbies like this, after registering in the forum they will still come opening thread in request of of how to navigate the forum.
Well just as said, they don't need to be blamed for one can not overgrow what you don't know. So it is better being a questionnaire on where you find complicating.
If not, the best for newbies is just hover around the "Help" desk and play around the "Search" desk for easy in need to be obtainable.

I appreciate your opinion here! fact remains that after creating an account newbies then to only get links to different threads that may be complicated at the stage if we point them back to HELP section they will definitely not be much explanation to do.

When you say steps that means a newbie will have to follow all these step by step and if they missed one step then they failed? Honestly there is nothing like steps on how to navigate the forum, it's only going to make things even more cumbersome and complicated for newbies.
And I will always say this the forum has already made it easy for every newbie to be integrated into the forum.
We already have rules and regulations https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0

Frequently asked questions https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2766177.0

And lots of other pinned important messages on the Meta board and the beginners and help board that are meant to guide newbies.

I'm basically trying to point out the importance of HELP section even though it's a step by step guide it's not a must to follow my own steps but knowing the right direction in the forum comes from the Help section.
CryptSafe, AmaGold70 , katanic97,  BIT-BENDER, Dunamisx, qwertyup23, Porfirii, Hyphen(-), Natalim, Majestic-milf, Zanab247, hd49728
Thanks for your opinions!

[Iamgoat]

Thank you qwertyup23. I think that most new users overlook this option, perhaps due to lack of attention, or maybe because they think that the quality of the conversations will be better in the "North" (aka General board). But the fact is that many of the best posters here are active in their respective local boards too, and many interesting topics have already been translated, too. So yes, starting your Bitcointalk journey from the local boards is some of the best advice you could've given.

A good idea. I have also tried this and it was quite helpful by going through my local board threads to understand basic information about the forum and also realized that the forum isn't as hectic as thought when you first visit it and see the not so fancy interface. I also tried to reach out to few senior members of the local board to help guide me on the basics and integral aspect of the forum like the posts and activities count and the merit system.