I have mostly ruled out:
- Banning account sales.
Aside from the possible account sales moving to external sites or platforms, is there any other reason behind ruling this out? The main issue is the account sales in the first place, it would be best to allow a single account for each person only (I know it will be hard with the use of similar VPN's and etc... but there are other forums that actually identify each users regardless of them using similar VPN's and etc...). Not sure how hard that is to get implemented, but I think it will be worth the hassle. Also certain users can have their accounts reviewed (by mods) and if their behavior fits within the forum rules, they could create other accounts (for the right reason and not for joining in other signature campaigns), something like only a single account (per person) is allowed to have a paid signature.
1. To attain ranks above Member, you'd have to earn some number of merit points. Merit points would be awarded in a monthly vote on best posts of the previous month, with various measures (TBD) to prevent gaming of the vote. Winning merit points might also come with a BTC prize.
The idea is there but needs more finishing touches and resources (to make it work).
2. Create or designate some sections as "serious discussion" sections, with no signatures. In those sections or maybe in different ones, also have poster restrictions such as Member rank or above only. And/or allow topic-creators to set these restrictions on their topics, similar to selfmod topics.
I fully support this idea.
How about we trial a sub board of bitcoin discussion where posts in there don't count towards activity or post count and signatures aren't displayed at all?
I think this is much needed in Off-topic and Politics & Society sections (not just trial, implement it right away on those sections).