# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=279 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 280 --- ## [What happened to the "surgeon" thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-surgeon-thread/462449 "2008-09-07T04:23:03Z")
I replied to a thread (in GQ) with six questions about surgeons and got the “not authorized” message. Seemed odd to me, because I’ve been good and have successfully replied in other threads, so I looked for it in GQ. It’… --- ## [Just a clarification..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-a-clarification/462432)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-a-clarification/462432 "2008-09-07T01:49:18Z")
If I pay to become a member, is not only the middle ad gone, but the google ads at the bottom as well? What other bennies are there for becoming a paid subscriber? --- ## [Why was my "If I were Ed Zotti.... " thread closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-if-i-were-ed-zotti-thread-closed/462096)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-my-if-i-were-ed-zotti-thread-closed/462096 "2008-09-07T00:27:38Z")
I don’t understand. I started an IMHO thread with the intention of finding out what people would do if they were an Administrator and wielded power on here. :confused: --- ## [Search function?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-function/461774)
**Author:** [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-function/461774 "2008-09-06T23:46:41Z")
Is there a search feature available to non-subscribers? I can’t seem to find one. --- ## [Unable to use tags in reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unable-to-use-tags-in-reply/462396)
**Author:** [@Abby\_Emma\_Sasha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abby_Emma_Sasha)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unable-to-use-tags-in-reply/462396 "2008-09-06T23:42:37Z")
So, when I reply to a post I cannot get any of the tags(quote, smilies, italic, etc.) to work. What’s the dealio? --- ## [Groups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groups/462410)
**Author:** [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groups/462410 "2008-09-06T23:40:58Z")
I stumbled into a Groups page yesterday. I couldn’t figure out how to join a group then, and I can’t even find the page today. I’m dumb, but not THAT dumb. How do I get to the page again (I assume it’s buried somewhere … --- ## [help! reply box is only 3 letters wide!!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-reply-box-is-only-3-letters-wide/462376)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-reply-box-is-only-3-letters-wide/462376 "2008-09-06T21:32:39Z")
this is weird!—when I click on “Reply” I get presented with a title box which is only about 5 words long, and the “main” reply box is exactly five characters wide!!! What is going on?? As I type this, each word or part … --- ## [New feature found in upgrade: Ctrl keys work in editor!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-feature-found-in-upgrade-ctrl-keys-work-in-editor/462383)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-feature-found-in-upgrade-ctrl-keys-work-in-editor/462383 "2008-09-06T20:50:12Z")
I use the Control keys all the time in Word and Paint and other programs that allow them. They now work in our editor at least with IE7 on Win XP2. Woo Hoo! Ctrl-B = Bold Ctrl-I = Italics Ctrl-U = Underline Ctrl-Z = U… --- ## [Why are links to threads I haven't read showing as read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-links-to-threads-i-havent-read-showing-as-read/462118)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-links-to-threads-i-havent-read-showing-as-read/462118 "2008-09-06T14:03:47Z")
This is the opposite of a problem I occasionally have here. I’m used to links I’ve clicked reverted back to blue, but now there are links all over that I’ve never clicked that are showing brown. (In my browser settings,… --- ## [Groups memberships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groups-memberships/462325)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groups-memberships/462325 "2008-09-06T11:41:44Z")
I was snooping around my profile page, and it informs me that I am currently a member of zero groups. What are these mysterious group memberships and how do I join them? :dubious: --- ## [NonSubscribers Can Post?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsubscribers-can-post/461693)
**Author:** [@Typo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsubscribers-can-post/461693 "2008-09-06T03:37:14Z")
Hello, I signed up with a guest account some time ago and have regularly lurked and read since then. After reading another topic, I thought I’d try logging in, and lo and behold, I can post. In case this wasn’t suppose… --- ## [How about a "Politics" Forum, since we've apparently got room for extra forums now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-a-politics-forum-since-weve-apparently-got-room-for-extra-forums-now/462144)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-a-politics-forum-since-weve-apparently-got-room-for-extra-forums-now/462144 "2008-09-06T02:48:02Z")
I’ve been getting increasingly sick of the various US Political threads in GD and the Pit lately; they’re everywhere and it is getting irritating when almost every thread on the front page of the forum is political. Giv… --- ## [Side Conversations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/side-conversations/462276)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/side-conversations/462276 "2008-09-06T02:34:36Z")
Nice save. Thank you. --- ## [Sig test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-test/462275)
**Author:** [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-test/462275 "2008-09-06T02:16:02Z")
I’m back from the dead, just checking my sig. edit: damn edit2: I’m through here. Close please. --- ## [That member groups thing is the best thing since sliced bread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-member-groups-thing-is-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread/461737)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-member-groups-thing-is-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread/461737 "2008-09-06T01:51:48Z")
IMHO (although I figured this topic was best suited here) --- ## [Change "The Barn House" to "Comments on Ed Zotti's Books"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-barn-house-to-comments-on-ed-zottis-books/462062)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-barn-house-to-comments-on-ed-zottis-books/462062 "2008-09-06T00:26:00Z")
That’s not a demand; I just omitted the “Could you” for brevity. Little Ed has just inadvertently pissed off a whole bunch of people by starting a new forum devoted to his new books. I think most of the stink could have… --- ## [SDMB Server Migration/Upgrade Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-server-migration-upgrade-plan/461434)
**Author:** [@jdavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdavis)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-server-migration-upgrade-plan/461434 "2008-09-06T00:07:23Z")
We plan on moving the SDMB to a new server and upgrading it’s version of vBulletin over the Labor Day weekend. Please expect the following timeline: UPDATE: Due to the size of the SDMB database the copy is going to be … --- ## [A test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-test/462243)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-test/462243 "2008-09-05T22:55:56Z")
Just testing --- ## [Question about the main site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-main-site/462043)
**Author:** [@unspun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unspun)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-main-site/462043 "2008-09-05T21:10:28Z")
No it’s not about the board but this seems the best place to put it. Anyway, so in the old layout all the columns were layed out chronologically and you could browse them. Now, and I may be missing the forest for the tr… --- ## [IMG tags work in the Barn House? Holy s\*\*t!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/img-tags-work-in-the-barn-house-holy-s-t/462201)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/img-tags-work-in-the-barn-house-holy-s-t/462201 "2008-09-05T17:32:05Z")
See Gas burning fireplace over Pergo: how do I remove the Pergo and keep the fireplace? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board --- ## [Fastest search ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-search-ever/462192)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-search-ever/462192 "2008-09-05T15:05:46Z")
I’m digging the “limit forums to 200 posts” fix if that’s what made the search so amazingly fast. I needed to find where I first mentioned a specific NFL player. I remember talking about him in his rookie year in 2005, s… --- ## [The Barn House forum suggestion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-barn-house-forum-suggestion/461971)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-barn-house-forum-suggestion/461971 "2008-09-05T13:17:28Z")
I’ve got no issue with Ed hawking his wares in the new in the new forum but why not open it up to allow all Dopers to link to their products/services? --- ## [Search Re-enabled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-re-enabled/461696)
**Author:** [@jdavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdavis)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-re-enabled/461696 "2008-09-05T04:57:28Z")
Search has been temporarily disabled as I attempt to determine the effect it is having on server performance. MySQL database parameters will need to be adjusted as well and I’m working on that. Jerry --- ## [Test thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread/462087)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread/462087 "2008-09-05T00:45:49Z")
I’m trying something out with the email notifications here. Report to follow. --- ## [The Jerry Appreciation Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jerry-appreciation-thread/461855)
**Author:** [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jerry-appreciation-thread/461855 "2008-09-04T23:37:49Z")
I suspect that Jerry is having an absolutely miserable week, and this after working a holiday weekend. And he’s sure to see lots of bitching on top of that for weeks and weeks until all of the issues are found and fixed. … --- ## [Why Be-Friend someone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-be-friend-someone/461907)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-be-friend-someone/461907 "2008-09-04T23:28:08Z")
I’ve got “friend” requests pending from a couple of people – what purpose will this function serve? Is there any reason why I should or shouldn’t accept these requests? --- ## [This is the new board!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-new-board/461675)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-new-board/461675 "2008-09-04T23:04:22Z")
Welcome, one and all! --- ## [Renew payment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-payment/462054)
**Author:** [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renew-payment/462054 "2008-09-04T21:21:53Z")
So I get an email saying: Your access to the paid subscription “Straight Dope Board Membership” is about to expire. If you have selected a recurring subscription you will be automatically billed for the renewal, else t… --- ## [Forum Groupings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-groupings/461959)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forum-groupings/461959 "2008-09-04T19:33:51Z")
\[Anal\] I realize this is me being incredibly pedantic, but can we get that new forum, The Barn House, moved up next to the Comments for Cecil and Comments on Staff Reports where it seems to belong? I liked the flow of … --- ## [Testing Spell Check](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-spell-check/461979)
**Author:** [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-spell-check/461979 "2008-09-04T13:26:01Z")
This spell check actually works! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=278) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=280)