LDL you did well will you analysis of the forum posts, activities and merit as regards to forum ranking, But it looks like you have missed up some points in your analyses and the point in bolded looks to be wrong, especially where you mention that forum activity and merits were introduced on 24th January 2018. This is false and to the best of my knowledge of on this thread, forum activities have been in existence before 2018 and then forum activities are what determined a user rank until January 2018 when the merit system was introduced.
Thanks @Wiwo
Maybe there is a mistake in my writing or speaking but now I tried to present myself with a little correction. If there is a mistake in this, then I will be very happy if you correct the mistake by personal message later.
22 Nov 2009- 17 June 2013Forum started its journey+ Those time ranked automatically changed without Activity.
Here Satoshi's announcement.
Welcome to the new Bitcoin forum!Post link:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5.msg28#msg2818 June2013- 23 January 2018Ranked changed post+ activity ( 14 days duration activity)
Theymos announcement regarding activity
Activity & new membergroup limitsPost link:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=237597.msg2513302#msg251330224 January-Today Ranked changed Posts+ activity+ merits
Theymos announcement regarding merits systems
Merit & new rank requirementspost link:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2818350.msg28856522#msg28856522