"Currency exchange" subforum in Marketplace?

[Ian Maxwell]

There is some confusion on whether "selling BTC" should be in Selling or Buying. Logically it should be considered "buying (whatever currency)", since like other Buying posts it means that the poster is exchanging BTC for something else. But most people consider it to be Selling, as evidenced by where these posts actually end up.

It's because so many people find this confusing that I feel comfortable claiming currency exchange is different from Buying or Selling, and ought to get its own sub-forum.

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[theymos]

Maybe "selling" and "buying" should just be renamed to "want BTC" and "have BTC" or something.

[Ian Maxwell]

Really? No other comments?

But it seems like a majority of the---uh, seven---voters agree with me.

[Garrett Burgwardt]

I think it should have its own forum.

[Alex Beckenham]

The sub forums are already CLEARLY labelled. (Well, it's clear at least if you know a little English).

Selling
Post here if you want to sell things for bitcoins

Buying
Post here if you want to buy things for bitcoins

[theymos]

I clarified the description text. Is this better?

[Alex Beckenham]

I clarified the description text. Is this better?

And now that's even clearer than before... perhaps the problem is that people aren't even reading those descriptions

[lulzplzkthx]

I clarified the description text. Is this better?

And now that's even clearer than before... perhaps the problem is that people aren't even reading those descriptions

Are you buying ppUSD or selling BTC?

[benjamindees]

The problem is that the descriptions say "post here if you want to do blah" while the vast majority of people click on those links in order to read posts, not to post new ones.

I vote yes for "Currency Exchange" subforum.

Also there should be a "Wanted" subforum.

e: actually on consideration this was a really dumb idea

[goatpig]

I'm with the space octopus

[theymos]

The problem is that the descriptions say "post here if you want to do blah" while the vast majority of people click on those links in order to read posts, not to post new ones.

I clarified it once again.

[Ian Maxwell]

Wow, theymos, you really don't want a currency exchange subforum, do you?

I don't think the problem is with the content of the forum descriptions, but with the fact that almost no one will read them before posting if the name seems self evident. I didn't read them myself---I'm just the sort of person who would assume that "buying" means "trading bitcoins for" in the context of this group. You could launch an international education campaign on why it's important to read that sort of thing before you post, or you could just create a new subforum.

(For what it's worth, I'd actually prefer the original descriptions---the new ones are a bit stilted and overwrought. The old ones were perfectly clear if you actually read them.)

[theymos]

I'm not necessary opposed to the idea of a currency exchange subforum if it is needed, but I am opposed to creating it just because "buying/selling" is ambiguous. If it is created for that reason, then you'll be able to argue that every trade type needs a new subforum, since everything will be ambiguous.

[Garrett Burgwardt]

I suggest we have a currency exchange subforum because it is one of the most common trades being done, and is not really trading a good or a service, but just trying to get into/out of BTC.

[TradersEdgeDice]

We absolutely need one.

MtGox, in the absence of an "open source" way of trading currency, looks like it is endorsed by the bitcoin community ( even though decentralization by its very nature precludes endorsement of anything. )

That perception makes the whole project look like a pyramid. I don't think it is but that is currently in nearly impossible argument to make with experienced traders.

A currency subforum would circumvent any logistical legal barriers to any paper for BTC.

[kiba]

I seconded the proposal to further divide the marketplace forum.

[unfinishe]

I very much like pie, but I had to vote that it is a good idea. It's a common enough trade and there's nothing wrong with more organization.

[Ian Maxwell]

I just responded to thirteen threads on the front page of Buying in which the OP wanted to sell dollars, asking that they be moved. I also responded to one thread in Selling in which the OP wanted to buy dollars. In the process I saw exactly zero threads of this sort that were actually in the right subforum.

[pc]

I think a problem is that the links to the Buying and Selling sections on the main forum page don't have the descriptions, even if they do once you click to the "Marketplace" section.

I liked the renaming to "Want BTC" and "Have BTC" or the like, but it also suffers the problem that the readers want to do the opposite of what the poster wants to do.

[Ian Maxwell]

I think the problem is a lot simpler. Pretend you've just been linked to Bitcoin.org from OCN or somewhere.

"All right, I want some bitcoins. Let's get mining!"

"Ah, so shouldn't mine with my CPU. So how do I get them?"

"Okay, I guess I'll just buy them. But where?"

"Hey look, this forum is called 'Buying'."