# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=33 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 34 --- ## [Please don’t let this post egg you into a response not allow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-don-t-let-this-post-egg-you-into-a-response-not-allow/941160)
**Author:** [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2021, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-don-t-let-this-post-egg-you-into-a-response-not-allow/941160 "2021-05-02T05:55:32Z")
An obviously automated message from the software has informed me: “Please don’t let this post egg you into a response not allow in Great Debates. Mods are discussing it. Feel free to attack the post and not the poster … --- ## [How much input does/should the OP have in controlling a thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-does-should-the-op-have-in-controlling-a-thread/941000)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2021, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-does-should-the-op-have-in-controlling-a-thread/941000 "2021-05-01T03:14:52Z")
Continuing the discussion from "Off Topic" posts: @DrDeth, @What\_Exit, @Czarcasm, I’m inviting you as well as the board in general to discuss the topic title. Taking excellent advice from others in certain ongoing ATMB… --- ## [DrDeth's suspension](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drdeths-suspension/940813)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2021, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drdeths-suspension/940813 "2021-04-30T13:38:54Z")
The suspension is over but … The staff is getting tired of his disruptive and combative behavior. We are going to be quick to thread ban him for now on as needed. As needed means when he enters a thread and is disrupti… --- ## [Question about Private Messages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-private-messages/940501)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-private-messages/940501 "2021-04-29T20:11:01Z")
If I understand correctly (and if I am not, please let me know) one must follow the same rules posting PMs as one would posting on the board itself. Since there are different rules for different forums, is there a parti… --- ## [FigNorton has been banned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fignorton-has-been-banned/941034)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2021, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fignorton-has-been-banned/941034 "2021-04-29T14:33:33Z")
For repeated personal insults and attacks, ignoring moderator instructions, and overall jerkish behavior. Warnings: Suspensions: --- ## [Did you know that you can create spinoff threads directly from the reply interface?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-that-you-can-create-spinoff-threads-directly-from-the-reply-interface/940968)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-that-you-can-create-spinoff-threads-directly-from-the-reply-interface/940968 "2021-04-28T21:52:59Z")
Continuing the discussion from DrDeth's suspension: I did not. I still hate infinite scrolling, but Discourse is pretty cool sometimes. ETA: The first line in this post “continuing the discussion…” was automatically a… --- ## ["Off Topic" posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/off-topic-posts/940101)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/off-topic-posts/940101 "2021-04-28T21:52:26Z")
Re the GD thread about " Gun owner’s liability when it comes mishaps involving their children". There was a lot of discussion about how the law treats parental liability for child mishaps in general, involving pools and … --- ## [Did the policy about mods locking and closing threads vs. deleting and whisking them to the corn fields change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-policy-about-mods-locking-and-closing-threads-vs-deleting-and-whisking-them-to-the-corn-fields-change/940982)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2021, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-policy-about-mods-locking-and-closing-threads-vs-deleting-and-whisking-them-to-the-corn-fields-change/940982 "2021-04-28T20:26:39Z")
I seem to recall that threads were never deleted, just closed and locked, so as to preserve the history of the board, with the exception of bot spamming posts being deleted. Seems like lately there have been threads tha… --- ## [How to you "withdraw a post"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-you-withdraw-a-post/940807)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2021, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-you-withdraw-a-post/940807 "2021-04-27T00:19:46Z")
Sometimes I see a blank entry with “Post withdrawn by author” How do you do that? I’ve blanked posts by deleting the text with the edit function, but I never get to withdraw a post, which seems much more dramatic. --- ## [Test Thread: I'm Learning About Quoting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-im-learning-about-quoting/933258)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-thread-im-learning-about-quoting/933258 "2021-04-26T22:44:15Z")
Finally time for me to test the quoting function. Now for some random text. Getting access for measurements was hindered by the well seal, pipes, wires and other casing elements. The well pipe was pulled up a meter or so… --- ## [If you "Ignore" a poster, do you see any threads they start in the forum list?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-a-poster-do-you-see-any-threads-they-start-in-the-forum-list/940617)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-a-poster-do-you-see-any-threads-they-start-in-the-forum-list/940617 "2021-04-25T22:07:09Z")
Pretty much the title has it. What happens if you’ve ignored the OP of a thread? Will it vanish completely from your views, or will you see it listed in those ‘recent posts’ lists, if the recent poster isn’t the person… --- ## [There are two numbers in the upper right of each thread. What is the difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-two-numbers-in-the-upper-right-of-each-thread-what-is-the-difference/940513)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2021, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-two-numbers-in-the-upper-right-of-each-thread-what-is-the-difference/940513 "2021-04-25T22:01:02Z")
I give up. When I open a thread I see a gray number and a blue number. I guess that one of these is the number of new posts since I last read it but what is the other? Why is the gray number sometimes larger and the bl… --- ## [How do I post a unicode shrug?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-post-a-unicode-shrug/939655)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-post-a-unicode-shrug/939655 "2021-04-25T21:58:31Z")
If I post a unicode ‘shrug’ in a discourse message, I get this: ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯ It should look like this: So the black slash is getting deleted. Fine. I’ll just double backslash that chara… --- ## [All these buttons are new! I have no idea what I'm doing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-these-buttons-are-new-i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing/940499)
**Author:** [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2021, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-these-buttons-are-new-i-have-no-idea-what-im-doing/940499 "2021-04-24T05:00:50Z")
Hey, ya’ll. It’s been years. I’m hoping I can get somebody to help me out with the buttons I know some code Bold, italics, \[urli=https://chainsawsuit.com/comic/2015/11/03/courage-of-the-falconer/\]star wars joke\[/url\]… --- ## [Can you directly accuse someone of lying in the pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-directly-accuse-someone-of-lying-in-the-pit/940216)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-directly-accuse-someone-of-lying-in-the-pit/940216 "2021-04-20T21:13:00Z")
I don’t mean calling someone a lying piece of shit. I mean specifically saying that something they claim they have done is simply untrue. --- ## [How Many Posts Does It Take to Get To the End of a SDMB Thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posts-does-it-take-to-get-to-the-end-of-a-sdmb-thread/939734)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2021, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posts-does-it-take-to-get-to-the-end-of-a-sdmb-thread/939734 "2021-04-19T05:54:14Z")
Here’s a link to a closed thread called: FriendlyCurmudgeon banned for trolling. This thread is not about that poster, the ban, or the reasons for it. Instead it just happens to be the thread which caused a question to … --- ## [Basic Stuff \[Name Change & subscribing inquiry\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-stuff-name-change-subscribing-inquiry/940151)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-stuff-name-change-subscribing-inquiry/940151 "2021-04-16T16:01:20Z")
It is well past time I actually join. Is the subscribing functionality functioning? Where is it? At the same time, I will change my username. How do I do that? --- ## [Insults in the pit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-in-the-pit/939770)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-in-the-pit/939770 "2021-04-13T20:23:55Z")
Must’ve overlooked this in the stickies - Can I accuse someone of being a sock in the pit? --- ## [How to quote multiple dopers in the same response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-quote-multiple-dopers-in-the-same-response/939780)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-quote-multiple-dopers-in-the-same-response/939780 "2021-04-11T23:15:58Z")
Let’s say I have a simple thread: Who is the best pitcher in baseball history? Doper A responds with Cy Young Doper B responds with Walter Johnson Doper C responds with Lefty Grove How could I quote A and then respon… --- ## [Problem children / punch list for fixes / TIPS AND TRICKS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 500\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2021, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-children-punch-list-for-fixes-tips-and-tricks/911044 "2021-04-08T04:28:55Z")
Hi there, and welcome to the new and improved Straight Dope Message Board. This thread is to report problems that you encounter as you navigate the board. If you see a problem already reported you do not need to report… --- ## [Using the Copyright Symbol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-copyright-symbol/939397)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-copyright-symbol/939397 "2021-04-07T15:50:52Z")
BTW this question also applies to the trademark and patent symbol. Would it be appropriate to use it on these boards, when using a copyrighted term? Here’s the symbol: ©. I actually think I may have done this, used ©, … --- ## [Question about broken links](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-broken-links/939511)
**Author:** [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2021, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-broken-links/939511 "2021-04-07T06:06:21Z")
IIRC, all links to SDMB threads were broken when we switched to Discourse and this can’t be fixed. Is this correct? Part of the reason I ask this is because, at least as far back as 2015, old posts sometimes have the D… --- ## [Test poll thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-poll-thread/939167)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-poll-thread/939167 "2021-04-04T15:28:08Z")
Trying to test the new poll feature.\[poll type=regular results=always chartType=bar\] What’s the best test? Oral Essay Multiple choice \[/poll\] --- ## [Engineer\_comp\_geek needs to brush up on his moderating skills](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineer-comp-geek-needs-to-brush-up-on-his-moderating-skills/938467)
**Author:** [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engineer-comp-geek-needs-to-brush-up-on-his-moderating-skills/938467 "2021-04-03T15:51:36Z")
engineer\_comp\_geek closed my “Reptilian eyes” thread, and–the part that I am complaining about–gave me a warning for trolling. I’ve got news for you–contrary to what you evidently think, you can’t read minds. In additi… --- ## [UltraVires suspended for 1 day, possibly longer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultravires-suspended-for-1-day-possibly-longer/939327)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultravires-suspended-for-1-day-possibly-longer/939327 "2021-04-03T15:05:10Z")
Warning and 1 day suspension for UltraVires This is pretty much trolling. Combined with the your recent warning and other activity of late I am suspending you for a day while bumping this up to the mod loop. And this… --- ## [Sexiest people in their 40s rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s-rules/938593)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2021, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexiest-people-in-their-40s-rules/938593 "2021-04-13T13:05:50Z")
Continuing the discussion from Sexiest people in their 40s: I think there are some issues with these rules. I feel that rule #3 is an inaccurate representation of peoples personal attitudes regarding being considered s… --- ## [Is this grounds for thread closure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-grounds-for-thread-closure/939061)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-grounds-for-thread-closure/939061 "2021-03-31T23:58:11Z")
I started a thread seeking forward thinking constructive and practical ideas for a way out of our current gun violence health crisis. It was quickly taken over by a usual suspect who was modded, in that thread and others… --- ## [Re: Down’s Syndrome strength](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-down-s-syndrome-strength/938645)
**Author:** [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-down-s-syndrome-strength/938645 "2021-03-30T18:00:48Z")
I worked with Down’s Syndrome kids (under the age of 18) and young adults (under the age of 21). Both supervision and side-by-side. I lived on-site with Down’s Syndrome kids and young adults, before they were de-institu… --- ## [Stupid question - How to PM with this new set up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-how-to-pm-with-this-new-set-up/938709)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2021, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-question-how-to-pm-with-this-new-set-up/938709 "2021-03-30T04:04:33Z")
I need to send private information to another member. I clicked on their name and them “Message”. I think that worked but I can’t find PMs on my dashboard. --- ## [Front page change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-page-change/937661)
**Author:** [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2021, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-page-change/937661 "2021-03-27T03:03:12Z")
Has anybody else noticed a change to the front page of the board? I came here like normal, the same way I always do, and found that the categories are all out of order today. I would like to know if this is a change or… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=34)