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

[shorena]

What's the rules on double posting? Doesn't seem to be any discussion on it. But I WOULD of thought there would be a policy which would mean you need to edit rather than posting twice.

Even if there's not an actual rule on this, I'm pretty sure it's considered good form to edit rather than repost.  Relatedly, I've seen that people can bump their service thread like once a day or something.  Does editing the last post also generate a bump in the forum listings?

Thanks for the reply. Editing a post doesn't bump the thread only new replies.

You may only bump every 24 hours in the marketplace section. Outside of it there is no rules regarding that, thus "double posting" should not be an issue as long as every post is constructive and contributing to the discussion on its own. Some people prefer to answer to different posts with different posts, while others prefer to do it all in a single long post.

[hilariousandco]

What's the rules on double posting? Doesn't seem to be any discussion on it. But I WOULD of thought there would be a policy which would mean you need to edit rather than posting twice.

Even if there's not an actual rule on this, I'm pretty sure it's considered good form to edit rather than repost.  Relatedly, I've seen that people can bump their service thread like once a day or something.  Does editing the last post also generate a bump in the forum listings?

The old bump must be deleted once you make a new one. Editing your post wont bump it but it will make the thread 'unread' to people even if they've already clicked on it (but wont bump it).

[Muhammed Zakir]

What's the rules on double posting? Doesn't seem to be any discussion on it. But I WOULD of thought there would be a policy which would mean you need to edit rather than posting twice.

Even if there's not an actual rule on this, I'm pretty sure it's considered good form to edit rather than repost.  Relatedly, I've seen that people can bump their service thread like once a day or something.  Does editing the last post also generate a bump in the forum listings?

The old bump must be deleted once you make a new one. Editing your post wont bump it but it will make the thread 'unread' to people even if they've already clicked on it (but wont bump it).

How about people who delete their post and repost it. Is there any way for a mod to know if someone reports it and if he hasn't seen this behavior?

[hilariousandco]

Not really. That's why I sometimes post in the thread so I'll notice it if I suspect its going on. It's not really a huge issue though.

[tspacepilot]

What's the rules on double posting? Doesn't seem to be any discussion on it. But I WOULD of thought there would be a policy which would mean you need to edit rather than posting twice.

Even if there's not an actual rule on this, I'm pretty sure it's considered good form to edit rather than repost.  Relatedly, I've seen that people can bump their service thread like once a day or something.  Does editing the last post also generate a bump in the forum listings?

The old bump must be deleted once you make a new one. Editing your post wont bump it but it will make the thread 'unread' to people even if they've already clicked on it (but wont bump it).

Got it!  Thanks for the clarifications, folks.

[PatSNL]

I'm not clear on what double posting really is.

1 - Is it posting twice in a row in thread?  As Shorena already mentioned, I also don't have a problem with that, when it is addressing different points in the same thread, or to break up a long post.

OR

2 - Is it posting the same information (even exact duplicate) in 2 different threads?

Guess I should ask more clearly: if both, either or neither (1 & 2) are allowed?

I've seen a user this week, do some back to back posts, that were really odd - just quoting previous posts he'd made in the same thread.  That isn't appropriate, right?  (necro-posting)  If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

[tspacepilot]

I'm not clear on what double posting really is.

1 - Is it posting twice in a row in thread?  As Shorena already mentioned, I also don't have a problem with that, when it is addressing different points in the same thread, or to break up a long post.

OR

2 - Is it posting the same information (even exact duplicate) in 2 different threads?

Guess I should ask more clearly: if both, either or neither (1 & 2) are allowed?

I've seen a user this week, do some back to back posts, that were really odd - just quoting previous posts he'd made in the same thread.  That isn't appropriate, right?  (necro-posting)  If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

I can't answer the questions (1) and (2), but on the bolded part (how to tell a mod), just click the "report to moderator" text you see at the bottom right of every post.  It's quite useful and (as far as I know) the mods appreciate the help.

[erikalui]

I'm not clear on what double posting really is.

1 - Is it posting twice in a row in thread?  As Shorena already mentioned, I also don't have a problem with that, when it is addressing different points in the same thread, or to break up a long post.

OR

2 - Is it posting the same information (even exact duplicate) in 2 different threads?

Guess I should ask more clearly: if both, either or neither (1 & 2) are allowed?

I've seen a user this week, do some back to back posts, that were really odd - just quoting previous posts he'd made in the same thread.  That isn't appropriate, right?  (necro-posting)  If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

1. Posting twice in a thread is consecutive posting (double posting) and the posts get merged if noticed by the MOD. It's like bumping a thread twice within 24 hours which isn't allowed.

2. You can report those posts if they are duplicates but it's not called double posting I guess.

[PatSNL]

I appreciate the thoughts, but they unfortunately don't answer the heart of my questions.

Could a moderator or staff hopefully respond?

[Muhammed Zakir]

I'm not clear on what double posting really is.

1 - Is it posting twice in a row in thread?  As Shorena already mentioned, I also don't have a problem with that, when it is addressing different points in the same thread, or to break up a long post.

OR

2 - Is it posting the same information (even exact duplicate) in 2 different threads?

1. Posting twice in a row isn't double posting. You can do it as long as both have different points. But replying to posts one by one and if it is small, this maybe considered as boosting post count and will be merged.

---

Example:

Bob: I like pizza.
Bob: I also like pie

^^^ This will be considered as double-posting and is spam. Second post can be avoided using 'edit' button.

2. Even making exact post in two different threads is not against forum rule if they aren't

   - Off topic.
   - Low or zero value.
   - Referral link spam -- there are exceptions for posting referral links.

* Hope I didn't miss any.

Guess I should ask more clearly: if both, either or neither (1 & 2) are allowed?

It depends on the post.

I've seen a user this week, do some back to back posts, that were really odd - just quoting previous posts he'd made in the same thread.  That isn't appropriate, right?  (necro-posting)

Posting exact posts in all threads are spam. However, making two or three exact posts in relevant threads are okay.

If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

Click 'Report to moderator' button in lower right of the post you want to report and type the reason in the field in the loaded page.

[tspacepilot]

On this topic of double-posting and whatnot, what about posting the exact same information that someone has just posted above you.  I notice this from a lot of signature-advertizers.  Someone will give an answer to a question, then 4 more people will reanswer it with the same information in a new phrasing.  Not to single out MZ (it's just a relevant and handy example), but this just happened right above.   MZ writes:

If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

Click 'Report to moderator' button in lower right of the post you want to report and type the reason in the field in the loaded page.

This is two posts below this reply:

If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

I can't answer the questions (1) and (2), but on the bolded part (how to tell a mod), just click the "report to moderator" text you see at the bottom right of every post.  It's quite useful and (as far as I know) the mods appreciate the help.

[shorena]

-rephrasing-

Rephrasing is a form of spam. I collect those posts and report them to BadBear directly if a user does it constantly.

[PatSNL]

Thank you for the feedback.  I appreciate it.

[CryptoClub]

Dear Moderators,

Serious question, if I make a post that isn't interesting enough and it gets deleted, is that considered breaking a rule? Is it a rule is to actually make every single post interesting and/or valuable? (in an already existing thread, obviously no "worthless" threads should be started)

I do try to make interesting/valuable posts, but sometimes I might just reply in a positive way about some great event happening. Say, we worked very hard on something for months, "Great news" or something like that, and I notice it gets deleted. Seems bizarre, and totalitarian by any possible objective measure, but if this is to cut down on spam I guess I get it. I just want to understand the logic or bias that is in action here. Thanks for any information. Not trying to break any rules, just want to understand them. This place is strange, sorry, but it is.

[Muhammed Zakir]

On this topic of double-posting and whatnot, what about posting the exact same information that someone has just posted above you.  I notice this from a lot of signature-advertizers.  Someone will give an answer to a question, then 4 more people will reanswer it with the same information in a new phrasing.  Not to single out MZ (it's just a relevant and handy example), but this just happened right above.   MZ writes:

If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

Click 'Report to moderator' button in lower right of the post you want to report and type the reason in the field in the loaded page.

This is two posts below this reply:

If not, what is the best way to bring it to the attention of a moderator?

Thanks.

I can't answer the questions (1) and (2), but on the bolded part (how to tell a mod), just click the "report to moderator" text you see at the bottom right of every post.  It's quite useful and (as far as I know) the mods appreciate the help.

This happens and I have seen it too. I replied to all questions in that post, well, I don't think that would be a spam. However, if a user, for example me, only reply to the last question, it will be a spam but sometimes it won't be a spam. Rephrasing post in simpler words if the first answer is complex or if there is additional valuable information won't be a spam but if a user does this a lot, then these posts will also be considered spam. Shorena already mentioned this:

-rephrasing-

Rephrasing is a form of spam. I collect those posts and report them to BadBear directly if a user does it constantly.

This sort of behavior is high in Beginners & Help.

[shorena]

Dear Moderators,

Serious question, if I make a post that isn't interesting enough and it gets deleted, is that considered breaking a rule? Is it a rule is to actually make every single post interesting and/or valuable? (in an already existing thread, obviously no "worthless" threads should be started)

I do try to make interesting/valuable posts, but sometimes I might just reply in a positive way about some great event happening. Say, we worked very hard on something for months, "Great news" or something like that, and I notice it gets deleted. Seems bizarre, and totalitarian by any possible objective measure, but if this is to cut down on spam I guess I get it. I just want to understand the logic or bias that is in action here. Thanks for any information. Not trying to break any rules, just want to understand them. This place is strange, sorry, but it is.

If it qualifies as a "+1" post it probably is considered too low quality to be kept. If its a bit more, e.g. adds a reason why in your opinion this is great news and how you relate to etc. it will probably not get removed. Keep in mind that the idea of this board is to discuss topics. This includes agreeing with someone, but there would a reason why you agree with someone and you should post that.

-snip-

-rephrasing-

Rephrasing is a form of spam. I collect those posts and report them to BadBear directly if a user does it constantly.

This sort of behavior is high in Beginners & Help.

Yes, thats why I did not read that section for a while. I did start to read there again, but I tend to unwatch posts relatively quick. Its also difficult to judge. Someone might rephrase a post, but add another point or a different perspective on things. Its one of the highest forms of spam if you will and thus hard to detect.

[eXpl0sive]

So... I am still a newbie member and I can see that I can only post in a few sections (like Beginners & Help) but all other sections are not open to me for posting replies.

Does it mean I will be able to post only in Beginners section until I become a Junior member?

[shorena]

So... I am still a newbie member and I can see that I can only post in a few sections (like Beginners & Help) but all other sections are not open to me for posting replies.

Does it mean I will be able to post only in Beginners section until I become a Junior member?

No you can post everywhere, Newbie jail is no longer active.

[Muhammed Zakir]

Isn't Bicknellski* a thread hijacker? He hijack most threads to attack QS and Dogie. Exposing their scams(if any) is ok but he hijacks every threads. I thought this is against forum rule but I don't see any action by mods. I hope he got a warning.

* https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=76550

[Quickseller]

Isn't Bicknellski* a thread hijacker? He hijack most threads to attack QS and Dogie. Exposing their scams(if any) is ok but he hijacks every threads. I thought this is against forum rule but I don't see any action by mods. I hope he got a warning.

* https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=76550

I don't think he is usually successful in hijacking the various threads he posts in so maybe not. I would say that it would be more accurate to say that he is a chronic off topic poster.

Also FWIW, a good number of the threads that he posts about me in would not normally even be read by me if it wasn't for others making me aware of his posts. I think he just likes to slander other people's names.