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

[Welsh]

Nice job on the categories maybe this will reduce the amount of issues with people posting in the wrong section or act as a reference guide for some people. If this is a complete list of all the rules and general information about the forum you might want to consider adding the member groups information to this thread, although it's already a sticky I think having all information with links to sources in one thread is much easier.

Sources to consider:
- member groups & activity. Link 1 and/or Link 2

Sorry to be a pain but, you have made a slight typo:

Recently I noticed that a lot of new members don't know all the rules and I don't (usually) blame them since not all rules are written and even those written can be overlooked by user who don't pay mucha attention

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[mprep]

Nice job on the categories maybe this will reduce the amount of issues with people posting in the wrong section or act as a reference guide for some people. If this is a complete list of all the rules and general information about the forum you might want to consider adding the member groups information to this thread, although it's already a sticky I think having all information with links to sources in one thread is much easier.

Sources to consider:
- member groups & activity. Link 1 and/or Link 2

Plus, sorry to be a pain but, you have made a slight typo:

Recently I noticed that a lot of new members don't know all the rules and I don't (usually) blame them since not all rules are written and even those written can be overlooked by user who don't pay mucha attention

Fixed the typo, thanks. I'm not sure regarding the linked threads as the info is already stickied and writing it again would only just increase the info in the thread. Don't want it to be "information overkill" as most users would skip the whole thread altogether.

[dserrano5]

5. No link shortners that requires users to view an ad.

6. No linking to phishing or malware, without a warning and a valid reason. [e]


Examples:

5. The warning must be obvious. For example: "MalwareSite.com <------ CAUTION. This is a malware site - do NOT click". A valid reason would be if your Bitcoin wallet was hacked and you feel a file you downloaded is to blame.

Buglet: the example "5" should be labeled "6".

No problem. I'll PM you if I update this list so you could edit the translated one.

No need to, I'll take periodic and automatic differences by myself .

[mprep]

5. No link shortners that requires users to view an ad.

6. No linking to phishing or malware, without a warning and a valid reason. [e]


Examples:

5. The warning must be obvious. For example: "MalwareSite.com <------ CAUTION. This is a malware site - do NOT click". A valid reason would be if your Bitcoin wallet was hacked and you feel a file you downloaded is to blame.

Buglet: the example "5" should be labeled "6".

No problem. I'll PM you if I update this list so you could edit the translated one.

No need to, I'll take periodic and automatic differences by myself .

Fixed, thanks. Post if you notice any other mistakes.

[mprep]

Added in an FAQ (still unfinished) and rule 22 with a source. Suggest possible FAQ questions, maybe something you've seen quite often in Meta recently or somewhere else.

[railzand]

Added in an FAQ (still unfinished) and rule 22 with a source. Suggest possible FAQ questions, maybe something you've seen quite often in Meta recently or somewhere else.

for faq: why no avatars?
when's the new forum blah ready?
i wanna change my forum name
why my ip got banned/units o'evil

[medUSA]

There is a thread about "quote pyramids" (quoting other nested quotes) here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=714292

Is this worthy to be including in this "Bitcointalk.org rules and guidelines"?

[mprep]

Added in an FAQ (still unfinished) and rule 22 with a source. Suggest possible FAQ questions, maybe something you've seen quite often in Meta recently or somewhere else.

for faq: why no avatars?
when's the new forum blah ready?
i wanna change my forum name
why my ip got banned/units o'evil

Will add.

EDIT: Done, thanks.

There is a thread about "quote pyramids" (quoting other nested quotes) here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=714292

Is this worthy to be including in this "Bitcointalk.org rules and guidelines"?

That's kind of covered by rule one:

1. No zero or low value, pointless or uninteresting posts or threads. [1][e]

Besides it the source can't be considered trustworthy unless posted by a long time staff member although I do agree that quote pyramids are not allowed.

I added it in the examples of the first rule:

Examples:

1. Such posts like "SELL SELL SELL", "I agree", "+1", "Support", "Watching", "Interesting", "LOL", "SCAM", "LEGIT", "FAKE", other one word posts, posts consisting mostly of swearing, quote pyramids, useless introduction threads, threads about a topic already recently discussed in several other threads.

[shorena]

typical FAQ questions (that are still missing) would be:

- why am I banned
-> because you violated the rules, those who have to ask are usually banned for spamming
- how does activity work
-> there are plenty of threads to link (e.g. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=177133.0 )
- how do ranks work
-> https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178608.0
- how can I insert/upload an image
-> images are not hosted by bitcointalk.org you need to upload them somewhere else and use

Code:

[img]http://url.to.my/img.jpg[/img]

probably more...

[mprep]

typical FAQ questions (that are still missing) would be:

- why am I banned
-> because you violated the rules, those who have to ask are usually banned for spamming
- how does activity work
-> there are plenty of threads to link (e.g. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=177133.0 )
- how do ranks work
-> https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178608.0
- how can I insert/upload an image
-> images are not hosted by bitcointalk.org you need to upload them somewhere else and use

Code:

[img]http://url.to.my/img.jpg[/img]

probably more...

Will add them tommorrow, thanks and keep them coming.

[SaltySpitoon]

This is great. I think the list should be vetted by forum administration and stickied.

I think that's intentional there is no comprehensive rulebook.

Why so?

No "official" set of rules was ever published, because if rules are set in stone, then people will come up with clever ways to bypass them, and then complain when a moderator takes action. This is however a very good thread to read to find out in general what you can and can't do. I do believe it should be stickied, but kept as "unofficial"

[Buziss]

You may add 2 more questions in your FAQ section:

Q: Why do I get the "The last posting from your IP was less than 360 seconds ago." error when I haven't posted today?
A: Logging in, searching, sending PM will also be counted as posting.


Q: How to get rid of the 360 seconds posting limit?
A: The limit will be lowered to 75 seconds when you have 15 activity. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=237597.msg4131557#msg4131557

[mprep]

Changed the position of the FAQ and guidelines for better visibility. Added in a special thanks at the end for everyone that contributed (post here if I missed you).

typical FAQ questions (that are still missing) would be:

- why am I banned
-> because you violated the rules, those who have to ask are usually banned for spamming
- how does activity work
-> there are plenty of threads to link (e.g. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=177133.0 )
- how do ranks work
-> https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178608.0
- how can I insert/upload an image
-> images are not hosted by bitcointalk.org you need to upload them somewhere else and use

Code:

[img]http://url.to.my/img.jpg[/img]

probably more...

Added, thanks.

This is great. I think the list should be vetted by forum administration and stickied.

I think that's intentional there is no comprehensive rulebook.

Why so?

No "official" set of rules was ever published, because if rules are set in stone, then people will come up with clever ways to bypass them, and then complain when a moderator takes action. This is however a very good thread to read to find out in general what you can and can't do. I do believe it should be stickied, but kept as "unofficial"

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

You may add 2 more questions in your FAQ section:

Q: Why do I get the "The last posting from your IP was less than 360 seconds ago." error when I haven't posted today?
A: Logging in, searching, sending PM will also be counted as posting.


Q: How to get rid of the 360 seconds posting limit?
A: The limit will be lowered to 75 seconds when you have 15 activity. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=237597.msg4131557#msg4131557

Added as one question, thanks.

[-ck]

No "official" set of rules was ever published, because if rules are set in stone, then people will come up with clever ways to bypass them, and then complain when a moderator takes action.

This is so true it's scary. I think it's important to point out that it's even more important to stick to the "spirit" of the rule rather than to the letter of the rule. There will always be a roundabout way to interpret rules that make it such that you're sticking strictly to the letter of the rule, even if you're clearly crossing the boundary. To that end, the rules should also stipulate that someone trying to get around the rules by sticking to them on a literal level while clearly infringing on what the rule was intended to prevent, is also not allowed.

[mprep]

No "official" set of rules was ever published, because if rules are set in stone, then people will come up with clever ways to bypass them, and then complain when a moderator takes action.

This is so true it's scary. I think it's important to point out that it's even more important to stick to the "spirit" of the rule rather than to the letter of the rule. There will always be a roundabout way to interpret rules that make it such that you're sticking strictly to the letter of the rule, even if you're clearly crossing the boundary. To that end, the rules should also stipulate that someone trying to get around the rules by sticking to them on a literal level while clearly infringing on what the rule was intended to prevent, is also not allowed.

Added in Rule 23 with an example:

23. When deciding if a user has broken the rules, the staff have the right to follow their interpretation of the rules.[e]

23. This rule is meant to prevent from users exploiting possible loopholes in the rules or some interpretations that follow the literal meaning of the rule rather than the meaning of what it truly wanted to prevent.

[Anduck]

A valid reason would be if your Bitcoin wallet was hacked and you feel a file you downloaded is to blame.

This sentence in the thread starter post makes these kind of thefts sound so 'everyday stuff.' I wouldn't want newbies to think that wallet-stealing is 'normal' stuff here.

[Sutters Mill]

This is great. I think the list should be vetted by forum administration and stickied.

I think that's intentional there is no comprehensive rulebook.

Why so?

No "official" set of rules was ever published, because if rules are set in stone, then people will come up with clever ways to bypass them, and then complain when a moderator takes action. This is however a very good thread to read to find out in general what you can and can't do. I do believe it should be stickied, but kept as "unofficial"

I can see your point but I think there should be some ground rules set down, otherwise it's really not fair on people when they have no warning. The rules can seem contradictory at times and some things by certain users seems to be permissible whilst not for others and their punishment seems like its down to the whim of the indivudal monderator or admin.

[Ludi]

A valid reason would be if your Bitcoin wallet was hacked and you feel a file you downloaded is to blame.

This sentence in the thread starter post makes these kind of thefts sound so 'everyday stuff.' I wouldn't want newbies to think that wallet-stealing is 'normal' stuff here.

Personally I feel on the contrary. I think newbies should be aware that this stuff is happening as they need to be on their guard and cautious. You really can't be too safe with your funds, however you can be sloppy and if you are you can say bye bye to them.

[-ck]

Added in Rule 23 with an example:

23. When deciding if a user has broken the rules, the staff have the right to follow their interpretation of the rules.[e]

23. This rule is meant to prevent from users exploiting possible loopholes in the rules or some interpretations that follow the literal meaning of the rule rather than the meaning of what it truly wanted to prevent.

Thanks, exercised already.

[mprep]

A valid reason would be if your Bitcoin wallet was hacked and you feel a file you downloaded is to blame.

This sentence in the thread starter post makes these kind of thefts sound so 'everyday stuff.' I wouldn't want newbies to think that wallet-stealing is 'normal' stuff here.

Personally I feel on the contrary. I think newbies should be aware that this stuff is happening as they need to be on their guard and cautious. You really can't be too safe with your funds, however you can be sloppy and if you are you can say bye bye to them.

My opinion on this subject would be that although wallet hacks aren't a constant threat, but they aren't a rare one either. It happens and happens quite often. People have to be aware and take the necessary steps to protect their wallets.