# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) --- ## [Muting (Hiding) by Thread, Tag or Forum (Category). Alerts for new threads by tag or category. Also doing a linked reply & more tips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muting-hiding-by-thread-tag-or-forum-category-alerts-for-new-threads-by-tag-or-category-also-doing-a-linked-reply-more-tips/997946)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muting-hiding-by-thread-tag-or-forum-category-alerts-for-new-threads-by-tag-or-category-also-doing-a-linked-reply-more-tips/997946 "2026-06-29T21:03:21Z")
Table of Contents: Muting a thread is really simple Muting or Tracking a group of threads with the same Tag Muting a Category / Forum Alternate way to Mute Tag or Category (Forum) To Find your Muted threads Editing … --- ## [ImgBB on an iPhone, steps to display images for the SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imgbb-on-an-iphone-steps-to-display-images-for-the-sdmb/1024594)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imgbb-on-an-iphone-steps-to-display-images-for-the-sdmb/1024594 "2025-11-06T17:21:01Z")
In @Mean\_Mr.Mustard’s monthly photography threads (here for Nov 2025 ➜ \*\*Monthly Photo Competition #36– November, 2025 – “A Whole Lot of \_\_\_\_\_”\*\* \[Poll added\] ■ ) we recently discovered that images hosted on imgur are no… --- ## [Beginner's Guide to Glossary of Terms on Straight Dope Message Boards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginners-guide-to-glossary-of-terms-on-straight-dope-message-boards/307442)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginners-guide-to-glossary-of-terms-on-straight-dope-message-boards/307442 "2005-06-08T12:59:29Z")
There are a number of terms commonly used on the Straight Dope Message Boards, that are basically “in-jokes” or references. There are several threads listing such, I have tried to compile them all into one post here. If… --- ## [About the About This Message Board category](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-about-this-message-board-category/910998)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-about-this-message-board-category/910998 "2020-07-09T00:45:22Z")
For all questions, comments, and complaints about the SDMB. This is also the place for test threads. Moderators : @engineer\_comp\_geek --- ## [Test thread — to test things out. Do not lock!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-to-test-things-out-do-not-lock/956736)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 1034\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2026, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-to-test-things-out-do-not-lock/956736 "2026-09-27T08:14:12Z")
Puzzlegal edited this post to add: The mods are testing the “globally pin a post” feature. Just dismiss this and you shouldn’t see it again. Sorry about that. Mods please do not lock this thread. I had a previous one th… --- ## [AI vs. Al (Artificial Intelligence vs. someone named Albert or Alfred)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-vs-al-artificial-intelligence-vs-someone-named-albert-or-alfred/1033215)
**Author:** [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ai-vs-al-artificial-intelligence-vs-someone-named-albert-or-alfred/1033215 "2026-09-26T10:57:43Z")
There’s a modnote in the general aviation thread: The Great Ongoing Aviation Thread (general and other) (Part 2) - #432 where the moderator thought that @Spiderman was posting something made with AI. It seemed odd give… --- ## [Does the software allow mod notes to be removed or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-software-allow-mod-notes-to-be-removed-or-not/1033224)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-software-allow-mod-notes-to-be-removed-or-not/1033224 "2026-09-20T18:56:02Z")
I know regular posts can be removed by a moderator but can mod notes be removed or are they part of the permanent record? I ask because I was mod notes, incorrectly, & even another poster questioned it & when I supplied… --- ## [Is it possible to determine who is responsible for the largest number of replies across all threads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-determine-who-is-responsible-for-the-largest-number-of-replies-across-all-threads/1033111)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2026, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-determine-who-is-responsible-for-the-largest-number-of-replies-across-all-threads/1033111 "2026-09-17T05:44:03Z")
We have a number of threads that have exceeded the 10,000-post limit and gone on to Parts 2, 3, 4, and more. IMHO, even if the OP of the initial thread didn’t actively start the follow-on threads, they are responsible fo… --- ## [Did the Lindsay Clancy thread disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-lindsay-clancy-thread-disappear/1033023)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-lindsay-clancy-thread-disappear/1033023 "2026-09-14T04:47:48Z")
I was almost certain I saw one at some point. But now I can’t find it, and searching turns up nothing. --- ## ["A Defunct Message Board"?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-defunct-message-board/1022128)
**Author:** [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-defunct-message-board/1022128 "2026-09-12T20:37:01Z")
Hi, all. It’s been about ten months since I last posted - I’ve been taking a break - but I had to come back to let you all know that we’ve been traduced, slandered, yes, even denigrated on YouTube. Unacceptable! I’ve be… --- ## [Is it possible to change usernames on the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-change-usernames-on-the-sdmb/1032571)
**Author:** [@Xarrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xarrot)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2026, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-change-usernames-on-the-sdmb/1032571 "2026-08-28T06:28:41Z")
I want a new username but wish to keep my old account. --- ## [Poster Der\_Trihs suspended for 3 days and may extend to more pending Mod Loop discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-der-trihs-suspended-for-3-days-and-may-extend-to-more-pending-mod-loop-discussion/1032572)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-der-trihs-suspended-for-3-days-and-may-extend-to-more-pending-mod-loop-discussion/1032572 "2026-08-26T14:56:45Z")
@Der\_Trihs is suspended until Aug 28, 2026 at 6:00 pm. He has received 6 warnings in the last year. This is mostly for political hijacks and/or at least pulling focus with extremists rants. Besides the warnings, there … --- ## [How to insert a link to Youtube video, with preview image shown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-insert-a-link-to-youtube-video-with-preview-image-shown/1002471)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-insert-a-link-to-youtube-video-with-preview-image-shown/1002471 "2026-08-23T00:36:51Z")
I want to make a humorous comment, and make it easy for readers to understand the reference by linking to a youtube video. But most people won’t want to actually watch the video, and I don’t want to waste people’s time. … --- ## [Why do so many posters have trouble staying on topic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-posters-have-trouble-staying-on-topic/1027125)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2026, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-posters-have-trouble-staying-on-topic/1027125 "2026-08-17T12:06:43Z")
Some more than others, but we all do it at some time or another: post a comment that pushes a thread outside of its topic. Why? Moderators try to shepherd us around, in order to keep some distinction between the forums … --- ## [Why was the site in "read-only mode" for 15 minutes just now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-site-in-read-only-mode-for-15-minutes-just-now/1032262)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-site-in-read-only-mode-for-15-minutes-just-now/1032262 "2026-08-10T17:22:51Z")
That was weird. --- ## [New versus Existing Posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-versus-existing-posts/1032053)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-versus-existing-posts/1032053 "2026-07-31T16:19:01Z")
Why am I seeing a bunch of existing posts now being listed as new? What have I done to screw things up this badly? --- ## [Unread button has disappeared](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unread-button-has-disappeared/1032027)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unread-button-has-disappeared/1032027 "2026-07-30T23:34:14Z")
The unread button no longer appears at the top of the main menu. It used to only disappear when there were no unread threads, but now it doesn’t show up at all. I know there are unread threads, because I can still get to… --- ## [Should AI splooge be treated the same as copyrighted materials on the Dope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ai-splooge-be-treated-the-same-as-copyrighted-materials-on-the-dope/1031830)
**Author:** [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ai-splooge-be-treated-the-same-as-copyrighted-materials-on-the-dope/1031830 "2026-07-27T11:29:55Z")
It’s no secret that Algorithmic Artificial Intelligence platforms vacuum up copyrighted materials and barf out an approximate imitation of human discourse. The rules on this board have always forbidden posting more than … --- ## [Cute cookie icon only appears on SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cute-cookie-icon-only-appears-on-sdmb/1031822)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2026, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cute-cookie-icon-only-appears-on-sdmb/1031822 "2026-07-21T00:47:07Z")
This morning I open up the SDMB and there’s a brand new cute cookie icon. It looks like a chocolate chip cookie with a big bite taken out of it. I clicked on it and it gave me a pop-up menu for cookie preferences, comput… --- ## [Does ignoring a situation on this board actually make it go away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ignoring-a-situation-on-this-board-actually-make-it-go-away/1031231)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ignoring-a-situation-on-this-board-actually-make-it-go-away/1031231 "2026-07-18T18:37:31Z")
Too many examples over the years of people saying, in The BBQ Pit (and elsewhere on this board), “Yeah, that person is acting up in some manner, but you just ignore it eventually they will stop doing it.” Ignoring the fa… --- ## [Poll test to see if I can do polls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-test-to-see-if-i-can-do-polls/1031565)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-test-to-see-if-i-can-do-polls/1031565 "2026-07-10T15:01:02Z")
Pick a b c or d poll --- ## [Drowning out others is okay in the Pit, but I wish it weren't](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drowning-out-others-is-okay-in-the-pit-but-i-wish-it-werent/1031211)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drowning-out-others-is-okay-in-the-pit-but-i-wish-it-werent/1031211 "2026-07-08T02:40:13Z")
I refer to this post by @Miller . For those who don’t dip into the Pit, @Beckdawrek has (rather cleverly in my opinion, although I think her continuation of the schtick after we all got the joke is inappropriate) decided… --- ## [Apple's "Look Up" feature knows who we are!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apples-look-up-feature-knows-who-we-are/1031323)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2026, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apples-look-up-feature-knows-who-we-are/1031323 "2026-07-01T18:10:24Z")
In a thread about nutrition, a couple of posters made a reference to “living on reds, vitamin C, and cocaine”. Obviously a pop culture reference of some sort, but I wasn’t sure what, so I selected the phrase and right-c… --- ## [Bias in moderation is getting out of hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-in-moderation-is-getting-out-of-hand/1031239)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bias-in-moderation-is-getting-out-of-hand/1031239 "2026-06-29T03:06:07Z")
The debate is Political/religious things people would admit if it weren’t for social consequence So I listed things people would admit if it weren’t for the social consequences. The moderator Parallellines said it was a… --- ## [1st time here. How do I comment on a post?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-time-here-how-do-i-comment-on-a-post/1030591)
**Author:** [@ilansho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ilansho)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2026, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-time-here-how-do-i-comment-on-a-post/1030591 "2026-06-29T02:04:59Z")
Why isn’t it clear ?? --- ## [Quoting only a snippet of a poster's post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2026, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quoting-only-a-snippet-of-a-posters-post/1029753 "2026-06-19T06:19:34Z")
A recent post had the following in it - “Please pardon the snip”. Hmmmm… I’m always snipping what posters say, because I want to address only the relevant part of their post. So really - I should apologize each time fo… --- ## [SDMB security upgrade set for Wed., 6/17/2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-security-upgrade-set-for-wed-6-17-2026/1030928)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2026, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-security-upgrade-set-for-wed-6-17-2026/1030928 "2026-06-18T06:21:14Z")
We’ll be enabling a Content Security Policy (CSP) from Discourse, the hosting service for the Straight Dope Message Board, on Wednesday, 6/17/2026, at 9 a.m. CT. The CSP restricts the ability of ad networks to download c… --- ## [Are we still doing the SDMB Shot Glass Exchange?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-still-doing-the-sdmb-shot-glass-exchange/1030663)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-still-doing-the-sdmb-shot-glass-exchange/1030663 "2026-06-14T14:48:46Z")
When does it usually happen, and does anyone know if it is happening this year? --- ## [Moderators and assumptions of good/bad faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-and-assumptions-of-good-bad-faith/1030760)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2026, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderators-and-assumptions-of-good-bad-faith/1030760 "2026-06-09T07:30:20Z")
Before I get started, let me make it clear that I am not arguing about whether or not the Mod Note against me was appropriate. This more nuanced, and thus takes a while to articulate. (I have made it as short as I can wi… --- ## [Gifs inside Onebox?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifs-inside-onebox/1030758)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifs-inside-onebox/1030758 "2026-06-08T23:36:21Z")
Is this new? In another thread, someone posted a link to The Daily Beast and I see the Onebox has an animated gif running in it? Is that new? Can it be turned off? I’ve made my peace with Gifs on this site, mostly be… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=1)