This post will serve as a living document and be edited in the future to answer common questions that arise surrounding chainBB and it's operation. It will remain a [sticky post](https://beta.chainbb.com/chainbb/@jesta/chainbb-beta-update-account-pages-editing-notifications-and-sticky-posts) at the top of the [chainBB forum](https://beta.chainbb.com/forum/chainbb), and you can read it in it's entirety on chainBB:

[https://beta.chainbb.com/chainbb/@jesta/chainbb-frequently-asked-questions-faq](https://beta.chainbb.com/chainbb/@jesta/chainbb-frequently-asked-questions-faq) 

---

## chainBB, Steem, and Steemit

---

##### What is chainBB?

chainBB is a [blockchain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain) based [discussion forum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_forum) engine - powered by [the Steem blockchain](https://steem.io/). It was created by [@jesta](https://beta.chainbb.com/@jesta) in May of 2017 as an alternative interface to [Steemit](https://steemit.com).

##### What is Steem?

[Steem](https://steem.io/) is the name of the blockchain that powers [Steemit](https://steemit.com). The Steem blockchain not only holds a cryptocurrency token called [STEEM](http://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/steem/), but also content created by it's users, a system to vote on that content, and many other features you would find on popular [social networking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network) sites.

##### What is Steemit?

[Steemit](https://steemit.com) is a social networking website launched in 2016 by [Ned Scott](@ned) and [Dan Larimer](@dantheman). The site offers a full suite of tools to manage your Steem account, discover content (much like Reddit), and create content on the Steem blockchain.

##### What's the different between Steem and Steemit?

Steem is the blockchain which holds all of the data for the network; while Steemit is a front-end website built to interact with the blockchain. When you use Steemit to create content, all of that data is recorded into the Steem blockchain.

##### What is the difference between chainBB and Steemit?

The primary difference between chainBB and Steemit is in how it presents the content from the Steem blockchain and prompts users to participate. 

Steemit uses a [weighted voting system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weighted_voting) to find posts which are "hot" or "trending", while chainBB functions like a traditional discussion forum, where the most recently replied-to posts are displayed at the top (or "bumped"). 

Another difference is the type of content which is encouraged - Steemit encourages the users to create full, media rich blog posts with an emphasis on *reading*; while chainBB encourages short text content with an emphasis on *discussion* and *engagement*.

##### Why would I use chainBB over Steemit?

There is no definitive reason over why you should use one of these websites over the other. The key is understanding the differences between them, and then choosing the platform that best fits your personal preference.

---

## Using chainBB

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##### How does chainBB work?

chainBB reads the same blockchain as Steemit, and thus the same posts, from the Steem blockchain. It takes these posts and organizes them into user-defined categories (aka sub-forums) to help organize all of the content by topic. 

##### How do I sign-in? 

You can sign-in to chainBB by using your Account Name and Posting Private Key from the Steem blockchain. If you need assistance finding your [posting private key, check out this guide](https://steemit.com/steemit-guides/@rgeddes/getting-your-posting-key---made-easy).

##### Can I create an account on chainBB? 

Currently no, you cannot. To participate, you must create an account through [Steemit](https://steemit.com). 

The reason being that to create an account, the account needs to be given an initial amount of [Steem Power](https://steemit.com/faq.html#What_is_the_difference_between_STEEM__STEEM_Power__and_Steem_Dollars) to be created. chainBB currently does not have the funding to create accounts - but [steemit.com](https://steemit.com) does.

##### Can I run my own forum with chainBB?

At this time no - but future plans are to expand and allow anyone to run their own forum with the chainBB engine.

##### When I vote or post on chainBB, what does that do on Steemit?

Every action on either Steemit or chainBB is performed on the Steem blockchain - and in turn - on all websites powered by it. 

For example - you can read a post on chainBB, which was written by someone on [eSteem](https://esteem.ws), reply to it through chainBB, and then someone from [Busy](https://busy.org) could respond to you. 

There are a number of different websites all powered by the Steem blockchain that create one massive community of users.  

##### Where can I see what rewards I've earned?

Currently chainBB does not display any rewards information, though it will soon. In the meantime, you can view your rewards on Steemit, [Steemstats](https://steemstats.com), [SteemDB](https://steemdb.com), or many other Steem powered websites and apps.

##### How do I post into a specific forum from Steemit?

Yes - you can post directly into a forum by using one of it's tag as the first tag while creating your post. Each forum on chainBB has a set of tags associated to it, which you can view in the header of the forum in question.

##### Is there an easy way to switch between chainBB and Steemit?

There are a number of ways you can easily switch between the sites, including:

- Simply changing the URL in your browser between `steemit.com` and `beta.chainbb.com`.
- Using the blue button on the left of each post on chainBB to view the post on another site.
- Using a [bookmarklet that swaps for you](https://beta.chainbb.com/chainbb/@lukestokes/steemit-chainbb-bookmarklet-for-chainbb), created by @lukestokes.

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## The beta forums

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##### What are the beta forums for?

The `beta.chainbb.com` forums are for testing out the chainBB engine and to build up the initial community of forum users.

##### Will there ever be advertising?

No, there are no plans to ever do advertising. With the revenue sharing model on the Steem blockchain, there is no need to sell your data or advertise to you!

##### How can I request a new forum?

All forums currently have to be created by @jesta during the beta, and requests can be made in [the chainBB suggestion forums](https://beta.chainbb.com/forum/chainbb-suggestions).

##### How are the rewards split with chainBB?

The chainBB beta forums located at beta.chainbb.com are running under the following rewards model: 60% Author, 25% Curators, 15% chainBB. 

##### Where can bugs be reported?

Bugs can be reported either on the forums in [the chainBB bugs forum](https://beta.chainbb.com/forum/chainbb-bugs) or directly on the [github issues page](https://github.com/aaroncox/chainbb/issues).

##### Where can I leave feedback or suggestions?

You are welcome to leave feedback in [the chainBB suggestion forums](https://beta.chainbb.com/forum/chainbb-suggestions).

---

## Account Safety and Security

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##### What security risks do I face by using my posting key on chainBB.com?

By using your Posting Private Key on a site like chainBB, the biggest risk you face is that someone obtains your Posting Key. With this key, a user would be able to (as you): vote on posts, create new posts, claim pending rewards, follow/unfollow accounts, and perform other non-wallet based transactions.

Your posting key will never allow anyone to access your wallet or transfer funds out of it.

##### What is the difference between a posting key and a Steemit password?

The Steemit password is actually an encoded string that contains your keys. The way to tell the difference between a password and a key is that the password will start with the letter `P`, and a key will start with the number `5`. 

##### Where private keys are stored on chainBB?

The private posting key you login with is stored in your web browsers cache - and never transmitted to any of our servers. When you post or vote, your web browser loads the key from your computer, and uses it to sign the transaction and broadcast the operation to the network - preventing your key from ever leaving your computer. 

##### Can I use my active key or owner key?

No, chainBB will never allow you to use your Active or Owner keys, as that would compromise the security of your entire account. The only place you should use your active keys are in a wallet like [Vessel](https://beta.chainbb.com/steem-project/@jesta/vessel-pre-release-looking-for-feedback), Steemit, or the command line wallet. Your owner keys should be encrypted and saved offline.

##### How can I managed my profile?

You currently have to manage all of these settings through Steemit, [eSteem](https://esteem.ws), or [Busy](https://busy.org).

---

## Additional Resources

- [The Steemit FAQ](http://steemit.com/faq.html)
- (Feel free to suggest additional links to add)

## Do you have questions you'd like answered?

Feel free to reply directly to this post and the original will be updated to reflect an appropriate answer.

### Changelog

```
2017/06/19 - Initial FAQ created
```