I was a long-time lurker while addicted to Bitwine to read reviews, but that was when there were just a couple of bitwine threads that weren't specific to any one reader. I joined so that I could share my experiences and pay it forward essentially, but I've been hesitant to lay it all out there right away because prior to joining I saw a lot of newbies being accused of being shills so I want to earn a little trust before I post my list. I do chime in when I see someone getting ready to use someone I know is not legit that hasn't been called out for that by anyone or if someone asks and there aren't many responses. I plan to just go through my history and make a list of everyone I read with and rate them on some type of scale I think because there are so many and I don't have time to say too much about each of them. I was thinking I might try to describe them each in like 3 words and give them a number lol. I promise you there are many advisors that lurk though because I've had a few mention it. Before I joined all I did was google the advisor name and read the threads that came up in the search. There were many posters that I recognized as bitwine users because they used the same user name or a variation of that name or I even matched up some people that used different names based on the date of their post saying "I just read with so and so blah blah blah" and there would be a coinciding review for that advisor that date that either said something similar or had the same writing style. I'd "assume" it was that person who posted, but then three weeks later (or whatever) when they posted they'd just read with a different advisor and yup a review for THAT advisor was left by the same user as the other one.... You get the picture. I could tell you Josh's bitwine user name. I won't because I think it's probably his real name and some of you have maybe drawn similar conclusions about people, but my point is that we're not dummies and neither are they. They can figure out who we are if we provide cross-referenceable info. I think it might be harder for them now to make connections like that now that there are individual threads, but who knows? I never understood the hate for that justkindle psychic that posted here. I thought her posts were informative and she didn't give away info that can't be found by literally anyone who knows how to use Google. The info people post here is not private, none of it. Matter of fact, when I make my list I'm going to put an X in every advisor name I type (or something) so that the thread won't pop up when the reader googles their name. They'll actually have to come to the forum and read through all the posts. Maybe I'll put it in the vent section so it doesn't come up if they search bitwine. We make it too easy for them, but I was thankful for that when I wasn't a member. I do appreciate all the reviews and I wish I had found the site sooner because I could have saved myself a lot of money and avoided believing a lot of things that were never going to happen or were never felt by another person or whatever. Plus you guys are funny and insightful. Definitely not batshit. Thank you, non-lurkers!
