I like the ambition that you are showing at the very least. I don't see this being implemented any time soon unless, there's an open source software already out there that is suitable then this is likely going to need a bit of investment, and time to not only make the content, but the software also. Besides that I'll encourage any type of content creation which will help better others peoples judgment/knowledge on Bitcoin, and this forum.
Consider drawing up a wire frame, and presenting it here. Possibility, we could then have a little more insight, and add to it. Fundamentally, the idea is a good one. Also, how are you going to deal with course details/answers being leaked? I'm assuming that these would have to be changed frequently to avoid this issue.
I'm guessing your going to be the one overseeing this? Haven't you got got enough on your plate already?
But if courses are only written by trusted & competent people after significant mod review, then only a limited number of courses could be created, and they'd probably quickly become outdated. Perhaps it'd work to do a github-style pull-request format led by some trustworthy editors. (Github could even be used, though that's pretty difficult to use for people not already familiar with git.) Quite like the idea of the forum etiquette, and possibly going into depth on the ins, and outs of the forum.
You've probably got the contacts, and the drive in order to get the most competent people. Even, if it's to initially write the content up, and then using a pull request system to keep things up to date. I don't think it will be a problem for you to contact some of the people who are specialists in the areas that you want. However, they might be able to provide the knowledge, but putting that into an itinerary, and course format might not be the strongest area. You'll likely need to draft in several people for one course where they all provide different inputs.
I think getting the foundations down is going to be the priority. I think you might agree that updating it should not be as difficult as the initial content in terms of updating the content itself. Finding the people capable, and willing to do this could be a little more difficult. However, I think we have more than enough able, and committed members to update topics on Bitcoin, and the forum.
Simple. Editing privileges should only be given to mods or sepcific trustworthy people. The people who write the articles/courses can't edit it but can always update the mods with new information which can be cross checked. Or before the content is published, post it before hand, discuss with the community and confirm the changes and then do what'd be the best.
Mods shouldn't have automatic editing privileges. Of course, if they have the skills, and knowledge then sure. Initially, I think selecting a few "experts" or those capable of creating the content would be the better choice. Then finding a few users who can transfer this into a course structure. Finally, allowing pull requests as mentioned by Github to allow for editing/correcting mistakes.
And maybe to make this a little more interesting, maybe the writers of these courses could be paid? They could be given custom titles. And more perks? And how about having a secret board only for content writers, they could discuss among themselves and could help correcting the content,everytime the answers can't be right because the internet is that badly screwed.
theymos, I would love to help people out with the courses. I already have a thread for
self-teaching people about bitcoin, and a few people have learned a lot of new stuff, including me. So, if at all anything is required, I am there to help out.
A custom title should suffice. Something along the lines of "Content creator". I have no qualms of paying the writers either as this is a fairly ambitions project. However, I would be interested in how many people would voluntarily be willing to do this. Especially, considering the limited amount of people who are able to create worthy content, and discuss in depth, and at the same time convey the information clearly.
Especially, in terms of Bitcoin, and the technology behind it.
Introductory cryptocurrency investing
It's already misleading people. Cryptocurrencies are not supposed to be an investment and a speculative asset. This is not the ideology of the cryptocurrency. Otherwise, I should be super rich already.
If you're specifically referring to ICOs, then it should not be called cryptocurrency most of the time. A lot of them don't have any product, or don't use anything using the cryptography
Why is this misleading? Cryptocurrency is what you make of it. Whether, you are investing in it for short term gain, and with the ultimate goal of withdrawing, and transferring that back into fiat or your goal is to use Bitcoin as a currency. They are both investments. Plus, investments don't mean a guaranteed profit so it doesn't mean that you would be rich already. I feel for the person that has to write up the investment course, though. Quite a tough subject to tackle that one.
I like the idea a lot. The challenge as I see it is less in creating the content, however, and more in getting people to use it.
Of the topics you've listed a number of them already have guide threads stickied in various places. People don't read them.
Having said that, if we are looking at this not just as a way of improving the forum, but also as a way of improving the entire crypto community, it's a great idea.
You'll be surprised how many people will be willing to do it just to get a badge on their profile. That's enough of an incentive for them alone, and of course they pick up some knowledge on the way, and hopefully put that into practice. It's exactly why sticky threads aren't looked at or adhered by. They don't really offer any real incentive to those that read it other than gaining knowledge, and following etiquette. It doesn't mean that offering an incentive via badges would get them to intake the information they are going through, unless you have to demonstrate what you've learned in the course via a quiz or something along those lines.
1 I do not advertise the mentioned above website, I just want to share my experience with you. If you feel that is not acceptable,I'll just delete my post.
2 With "free" I mean you have access almost all the courses and at the end you can decide by yourself if you want to pay for certificate or not. There are some professional courses where you have to pay to enroll like
this one, but still it is a good opportunity.
Edx is something we should be looking to emulate. However, I quite like the idea of this Bitcoin forum being the forefather for information about Bitcoin, and therefore hosting it via this site would be the best option. I've used Edx, and in fact a few universities actually recommend it, however I don't think they have a platform that can hosted elsewhere, and tied into here on the forum.