Has it occurred to members with questions like the above to ask your question or post your review in the newbie discussion thread instead of spam posting your username until you can go to specific section. You are making yourself feel trapped, what's stopping you from asking your question here, it is more than likely you aren't the only one that has the same question.
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nomad
This is a fair point, but this option contains several flaws:
One, questions are more likely to be read by experts when posted to the appropriate forum (e.g. a question on security in the security forum).
Two, many forum regulars do not regularly read the Newbie discussion forum.
Three, the rise in spam from people trying to get to 50 will drive away regulars who might have come here to help out in the past.
Four, the rise in spam from people trying to get to 50 is now pushing posts that don't get a quick reply off the front page in as little as 16 minutes (I experimented), which radically decreases the likelihood of getting a reply.
Five, to the extent that useful replies do happen, that information is much less likely to disseminate throughout the newb community because of the aforementioned high rate of getting knocked off the front page.
Six, with newbs now sequestered in one area, it's easier for scammers to selectively poach from this target rich environment, and to hide their crap inside of inane, spammified threads.
Seven, scammers and spammers can still post in this area with throw-away accounts, so it's just as easy for them to get their information out in front of the least well informed segment of the SR community.
It's time for a discussion for a better way to accomplish anti-spam/scam goals without punishing legitimate new users.
I'd like to mention I'm quite possibly the most knowledgeable Silk Road Member on all things SR related.
I'm probably the oldest daily active member in the community and have been on Silk Road since month 2.
I've been head moderator of the forum since day 1 of the current Simple Machines Forum which is about to hit 2 years.
So if you think you can find a better answer else where feel free to post spam til you get your 50 posts otherwise lots of you are wasting your time thinking you have to post boost to 50 posts to get the most accurate answer, because as moderators we have no alternative reasons to post misinformation in regards to a question though in the open forum you will find many that will say anything to take advantage of new members.
I'm only here to help this community Silk Road does not pay me to be here, I volunteer here for the community and helping everyone the best I can with accurate information to make the best possible decision and have the best experience here.
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nomad