# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=297 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 298 --- ## [member to guest not on sign up date?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-to-guest-not-on-sign-up-date/425351)
**Author:** [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-to-guest-not-on-sign-up-date/425351 "2007-11-07T04:41:42Z")
I’ve gotten accustomed to old threads showing various posters I knew as guests. And, of course, accustomed to new posters as guests as well. However, it strikes me odd when during an active thread, suddenly some on who … --- ## [Test Post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-post/425237)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-post/425237 "2007-11-06T15:32:13Z")
The hamsters were being unspeakably cruel to me earlier. I ended up, embarrassingly, having the same Thread title posted four times in Cafe Society- each with none of the text of my OP (admitted, the reason it ended up … --- ## [What's a 99er?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-99er/425333)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-99er/425333 "2007-11-06T11:01:37Z")
Since I was never taught a secret handshake, code word, or had Cecil personally welcome me, I never thought that joining in 1999 = 99er. Or is it? Am I a 99er? Am I … special?! (If so, when should I expect my short-bus p… --- ## [Using the Bold, Italic and Quote buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-bold-italic-and-quote-buttons/425290)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-bold-italic-and-quote-buttons/425290 "2007-11-05T19:18:37Z")
When I prepare a post, it used to be that if I pushed one of the formatting buttons, it would insert the first tag where the cursor was located. I’d enter the text to be formatted, and push the button again, and I’d get… --- ## [Parting shots and apologies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parting-shots-and-apologies/425112)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2007, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parting-shots-and-apologies/425112 "2007-11-05T14:04:10Z")
Nothing doing with current events. I was thinking that maybe people who get their threads locked (and maybe even people who get suspended or banned), should have the right to email or pm a mod with a closing post for th… --- ## [No left margins on Cecil's (and staff's) columns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-left-margins-on-cecils-and-staffs-columns/425146)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-left-margins-on-cecils-and-staffs-columns/425146 "2007-11-03T23:52:56Z")
It’s probably just me, but just in case, I’m reporting it. There is usually — usually, but not always — a zero left margin on the articles written by Cecil and staff. No biggie. Just makes it look a bit weird. Once the e… --- ## [30 posts vs 30 days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-posts-vs-30-days/424698)
**Author:** [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/30-posts-vs-30-days/424698 "2007-11-03T23:21:42Z")
just wondering if it’s technically possible to have guest posting expiry set to posts instead of days. --- ## [Re: "Logging out" thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-logging-out-thread/425040)
**Author:** [@Hint\_Kt\_x\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hint_Kt_x_P)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-logging-out-thread/425040 "2007-11-02T19:05:40Z")
Isn’t there some sort of automatic log out? I think after about 5 minutes of inactivity the “on line” color changes from green to grey. --- ## [VCO3 has been suspended.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vco3-has-been-suspended/424972)
**Author:** [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vco3-has-been-suspended/424972 "2007-11-02T03:42:48Z")
Due to a pattern of trolling (this thread being the most recent), VCO3 has been suspended for 30 days. --- ## [Guest -\> Member -\> Guest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guest-member-guest/424626)
**Author:** [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2007, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guest-member-guest/424626 "2007-11-01T22:28:50Z")
This is largely a question of curiosity, prompted by the two other threads related to member status today, but is there a reason that lapsed members are returned to Guest status? It seems like there’s a fairly distinct d… --- ## [SDMB clock drift](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-clock-drift/424724)
**Author:** [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2007, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-clock-drift/424724 "2007-11-01T18:37:36Z")
The SDMB clock is five minutes ahead of the clocks on my network, which are in sync with time.gov Don’t know if it much matters, but thought I’d let y’all know. /w --- ## [Um...that was weird. 349 seconds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-that-was-weird-349-seconds/424889)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/um-that-was-weird-349-seconds/424889 "2007-11-01T17:15:35Z")
Ok, so I just hit “new posts”. It says “This forum requires you wait 120 seconds between searches. You have 349 seconds before you can perform your next search.” (I forget the exact wording.) But huh? --- ## [Thread title with no OP in GQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-title-with-no-op-in-gq/424798)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-title-with-no-op-in-gq/424798 "2007-11-01T13:04:32Z")
Is it just me, or is there something very wrong with this thread? --- ## [What's 'MMP'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-mmp/424450)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-mmp/424450 "2007-11-01T00:18:14Z")
I aint readin any long threads to find out ( or not) --- ## [Logging out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logging-out/424732)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2007, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/logging-out/424732 "2007-10-31T21:26:08Z")
Is is recommended that we log out at the end of each session, either for security purposes or to free up system resources? --- ## [anonymous polling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-polling/424701)
**Author:** [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-polling/424701 "2007-10-31T17:52:21Z")
are the servers capable of handling polls yet? i think the option for members-only anonymous polls will open up a lot of interesting threads. we could always restrict polls like we do games. --- ## [Standards for private messages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standards-for-private-messages/424056)
**Author:** [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standards-for-private-messages/424056 "2007-10-31T17:37:20Z")
Sorry if this has been asked and answered. What are the rules for private messages? Are they considered part of the board or, since they can’t be seen by everyone, does a different standard apply? --- ## [When exactly does my subscription end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-exactly-does-my-subscription-end/424584)
**Author:** [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-exactly-does-my-subscription-end/424584 "2007-10-31T17:03:15Z")
My sub here expires on 11-01-2007. At what time on the expiry date does it actually occur? 11:59:59? 00:00:01? --- ## [Post Padding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-padding/424642)
**Author:** [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-padding/424642 "2007-10-31T00:55:41Z")
Can someone tell me the deal with post padding? What I mean is, I see a lot of \*posters \* commenting of this; I’m not really asking why it is bad per se but, rather if a poster’s intent is to post-pad, what does it get … --- ## [Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/424601)
**Author:** [@JimNightshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimNightshade)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/424601 "2007-10-30T18:07:57Z")
Hallo ! Just testing - that’s all. Thank you. Goodbye --- ## [Is there a list of name changes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-name-changes/423488)
**Author:** [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2007, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-list-of-name-changes/423488 "2007-10-30T13:35:33Z")
One other message board I belong to has a User Name History feature that allows you to keep track of name changes. Is there a resource to figure out who used to be whom on this board? I ask because it’s happened to me se… --- ## [First Post Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-post-test/424514)
**Author:** [@Ro\_Carter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ro_Carter)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2007, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-post-test/424514 "2007-10-30T00:30:50Z")
Being new, and not wanting to embarrass myself in front of the cool kids, I thought I’d try a test post. --- ## [Why can't there be a "Sports and Games" forum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-there-be-a-sports-and-games-forum/423653)
**Author:** [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2007, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-there-be-a-sports-and-games-forum/423653 "2007-10-29T02:40:13Z")
There has been a lot of confusion over where to put sports/game threads lately. And a recent thread about “what would make the SDMB better” offered rousing support for a Sports and Games forum. Why would it be considere… --- ## [Page Numbering Request](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/page-numbering-request/423833)
**Author:** [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/page-numbering-request/423833 "2007-10-27T18:06:41Z")
I tried searching so I might have missed a pertinent thread, if so this can be killed quickly. I was casually following a recent pitting that I had participated in pretty early on. When looking at the BBQ forum listing t… --- ## [lost :/ (Finding a former member) \[Edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-finding-a-former-member-edited-title/423475)
**Author:** [@jestem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jestem)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-finding-a-former-member-edited-title/423475 "2007-10-26T00:09:06Z")
How do I find a person that posted something looong long time ago??? if still- I see the post but can’t answer neither be sure she/he still belongs here??? --- ## [Do mods or admins ever read private messages between members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mods-or-admins-ever-read-private-messages-between-members/422398)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2007, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mods-or-admins-ever-read-private-messages-between-members/422398 "2007-10-25T21:59:26Z")
My husband is on another message board where they are having a bit of controversy over suspicions of moderators reading pms between members (and then allegedly banning one based on the contents), and it got me wondering … --- ## [Language ruling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-ruling/423983)
**Author:** [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2007, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-ruling/423983 "2007-10-25T16:41:42Z")
I couldn’t seem to find this in the board rules anywhere. I was under the impression that we could swear in forums other than the Pit as long as we weren’t insulting other Dopers. Am I wrong in thinking this, and is it… --- ## [Do I have to ask a mod for permission to link to my blog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-ask-a-mod-for-permission-to-link-to-my-blog/421838)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Socks)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-to-ask-a-mod-for-permission-to-link-to-my-blog/421838 "2007-10-25T01:03:10Z")
'Cuz I have one too and it needs traffic. --- ## [Please delete me!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-delete-me/423073)
**Author:** [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-delete-me/423073 "2007-10-18T02:25:19Z")
Never mind… --- ## [Un-Italicizing text in Quote Boxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-italicizing-text-in-quote-boxes/422913)
**Author:** [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-italicizing-text-in-quote-boxes/422913 "2007-10-17T20:51:03Z")
When a quote box has a “Originally Posted by” tag on it, it makes all the text inside italic. Bold, underlined, and strikethrough text remains, but is also italicized. Is there a tag to keep text regular? In an all-itali… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=296) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=298)