Really inspired by your story and more because i am also like you. I registered in December 2017 and in the beginning was also disappointed by the merit system. But later on i realized its importance and i am really thankful to the forum.

A lot of people in this forum used to post anything, no matter whether it was related to theat topic or not. The forum's decision to introduce the merit system and ranking through merits instead of activities was one of the best decision. This would help very well to appreciate quality posts.

Congratulations!

My story is not so different from yours actually. I registered way back in Jan, 2017, when the only thing I used to know was "Bitcoin is a digital currency." and that it had a very big market cap and quite a big value. I was so curious to learn more about it, so I registered here and started reading everything I could. I didn't use to post anything at that time, but was just learning the things around here. I had to stop using the forum for some time because of my studies, and at the time I came back, Merit system got introduced. I was a Newbie at that time, since I haven't been posting and was away from the forum for some time as well. If I would have started posting right after my registration, I would have been in a higher rank today, but I didn't have the knowledge to do so, and, though I didn't know a lot about spam and all at that time, I didn't like writing useless things like the most newcomers do these days.

So, at the time Merit system was introduced, I had been posting already since I knew I can do that now. Just like other Newbies, I used to think I won't reach a higher rank anymore, and it isn't possible for me to earn Merits. I even used to search for Merit giveaway threads in order to get some Merits. As the time passed by, I started getting Merits for my posts, which encouraged me to post in a better way, so did I. Very soon, I had enough Merits to rank up to Member rank. I was so happy for it. Then again, I had to leave the forum for a couple of months for some personal reasons. I would definitely have much more than I have right now if I hadn't need to go. But I came back, started posting again, and earned enough Merits to rank up to Full member recently. I'm happy again, because there was a time when I used to think I may not be able to achieve this, but I did, and all by just posting normally, without much technical knowledge or stuff like that. I will continue doing that, and hopefully, I will be happy once again, when I will rank up to Sr. member.


My advice to everyone struggling for Merits would be: You don't need to be a very much knowledgeable person in order to get Merits. All you need is some time, a good enough command on English, the ability to grasp the things you read, and some simple knowledge about how to construct a good looking post. If you have them all, and you use them in the right way, there is no one to stop you. Don't ever think that you are not worthy of it because you don't know the algorithms of blockchain technology. That is not a necessity for this, though it gives you an advantage to have knowledge of every kind, but a constructive post doesn't always need to have anything like that at all. If people take it like that, then it is a very big misconception.

Your posts are great and  I like what you are doing to encourage us that are just starting. I must tell you, you are gifted. You are a source of inspiration for me. If I replicate what you are doing will very happy.
I started the same way. I registered on the 22nd of July, 2017 and I don't know where to start from. I later started by studying the forum and after about 10 months, I start with the bounty programs. I am now gradually moving away from the bounty programs. The bounty program selection is not a better place to start from as a beginner. Seeing your posts today,  I was encouraged to have a better right standing in this forum by your exploit.

Congratiolations! You are an inspiration and a great motivator. You are doing what I strive to do. I never thought I would learn so much in Meta board (and even beginners board). Thank you!

I've been inactive a couple of days ago due to busyness (until now) and now I'm browsing Bitcointalk, I'm glad to see you ranked up Bud. Like what I expected, members like you really deserves to move up. Congrats Bud 

Oh about my story, its quite too long hehe as I started and used to be a pain in the ass to this forum (spammer) before. What a relief that I found the right path.

Well, congratulations again Buddy, don't forget that we're not done yet. There are still two ranks to achieve 

Thanks a lot for the kind words!

Yes, you always need to know what people are interested in. If you produce good posts on what people like to find out or what are they looking for, then they will merit you.


Yeah, although I do not have a lot of sMerits to spare, I try to distribute it to the posts I deem worthy.
I've also applied to be a merit source here: vlad230's Merit source application - Romanian Local board.
Maybe I can be the first one on the Romanian local board