# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=345 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 346 --- ## [What's going on with the Straight Dope business model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-the-straight-dope-business-model/293015)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-with-the-straight-dope-business-model/293015 "2005-09-26T04:08:09Z")
How’s the whole SDMB business model thing going since we went to subscriptions? Is it failing or succeeding? I haven’t seen much in the way of any “State of the Board” messages from Cecil or staff. It’s all just kind of… --- ## [New Report Bad Post Message](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-report-bad-post-message/323387)
**Author:** [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-report-bad-post-message/323387 "2005-09-26T03:42:25Z")
I just reported a post–for the first time in several weeks- and was delighted to see the new message associated with it. Rather than the really scary “Only use this to report really bad stuff” (paraphrased) message, it … --- ## [What happened to the board? Need help.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-board-need-help/323071)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-board-need-help/323071 "2005-09-25T16:19:22Z")
When I view a thread the text starts halfway across the page so the entire left half of the text box is left blank, making each post twice as long. I can’t find a way to fix this. I assume this has to do with the board… --- ## [New Member Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-member-problem/323310)
**Author:** [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-member-problem/323310 "2005-09-25T16:14:38Z")
All this happened tonight: I registered today I verified my email I posted with no problem I paid for membership, expiring a year from today I was given member privileges which I tried out (ie. viewing profiles, etc.) I… --- ## [What about Premium, Ad Free Memberships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-premium-ad-free-memberships/323235)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-premium-ad-free-memberships/323235 "2005-09-25T02:16:54Z")
Ok, so you guys are strapped for cash (or at least you say so). You need the extra revenue the ads bring in. If this is the case, why not give members the option of paying a little extra to go ad free? --- ## [Search IDs expire too soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-ids-expire-too-soon/297257)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-ids-expire-too-soon/297257 "2005-09-25T00:15:28Z")
I wake up this morning and hit the “New Posts” button. The search results go to 5 pages, 109 threads with new activity. Start opening interesting threads from page 1. Finish my coffee, close up the laptop and head off… --- ## [Liberal has been suspended](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-has-been-suspended/317625)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-has-been-suspended/317625 "2005-09-24T12:30:08Z")
In light of recent events and after some discussion with staff, Liberal has been given a one-month suspension from the SDMB. We hope he uses this time to address some of the issues brought forward over the past few days… --- ## [Why is it against the rules to tell another poster they're on your ignore list?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-against-the-rules-to-tell-another-poster-theyre-on-your-ignore-list/323114)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-against-the-rules-to-tell-another-poster-theyre-on-your-ignore-list/323114 "2005-09-24T04:46:20Z")
I have neither an ignore list nor a buddy list created. I’m just wondering. --- ## [SDMB threads now googleable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-threads-now-googleable/323167)
**Author:** [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-threads-now-googleable/323167 "2005-09-24T02:41:23Z")
I just noticed that SDMB threads now show up in google searches. They were notably absent in the past due to settings in the robots.txt file. Is this change related to the introduction of the google ads here? --- ## [We’ll soon start running Google text ads on the SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-ll-soon-start-running-google-text-ads-on-the-sdmb/323119)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2005, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-ll-soon-start-running-google-text-ads-on-the-sdmb/323119 "2005-09-24T01:21:33Z")
In our ceaseless but so far futile effort to make a buck off the Straight Dope Message Board, or at least not lose our shirts, Google “AdSense” text ads will soon start appearing on SDMB message-thread pages. Some answer… --- ## [AdBlock and the new Google ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adblock-and-the-new-google-ads/323140)
**Author:** [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adblock-and-the-new-google-ads/323140 "2005-09-23T23:59:35Z")
I recommend that everyone who’s using one of the Mozilla browsers - you oughta be using Firefox anyway - download the AdBlock extension, which makes it easy to block the Google ads, along with all sorts of other obnoxiou… --- ## [A test!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-test/323052)
**Author:** [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-test/323052 "2005-09-23T14:50:27Z")
Sig testing below. --- ## [Do all former mods get SDSAB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-former-mods-get-sdsab/322784)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-former-mods-get-sdsab/322784 "2005-09-23T14:39:37Z")
I know Una has written quite a few reports and I saw a good one by Bricker a little while ago, but I don’t think I ever saw one by John Corrado. Maybe Mannie wrote one, but I’m not sure. I have a WAG, that I’d like to g… --- ## [Another website hosts the SDMB as a frame in its page??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-website-hosts-the-sdmb-as-a-frame-in-its-page/322694)
**Author:** [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2005, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-website-hosts-the-sdmb-as-a-frame-in-its-page/322694 "2005-09-23T10:46:35Z")
What is this page? Are the allowed to reprint the SDMB’s content in that way? Are they causing a significant load on the SDMB’s server by calling it all the time to build their pages? I’m not sure if it’s a problem, b… --- ## [Is the "Quick Style Chooser" new?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-quick-style-chooser-new/322839)
**Author:** [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2005, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-quick-style-chooser-new/322839 "2005-09-22T23:38:33Z")
I’ve just noticed a “Quick Style Chooser” drop-down menu at the bottom left of SDMB pages … choosing “vBulletin 3” changes the look/feel dramatically. Is this something new, or yet another feature that’s been around fore… --- ## [a test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-test/322965)
**Author:** [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-test/322965 "2005-09-22T23:28:10Z")
http://www.van-halen.com/newsite/music.html --- ## [Threadspotting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threadspotting/322947)
**Author:** [@zelie\_zelerton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zelie_zelerton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2005, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threadspotting/322947 "2005-09-22T22:01:17Z")
Apologies if you’ve dealt with this before. I wanted to contact a mod to nominate the thread Fraxnabble but i can’t seem to send a PM (i guess cos i haven’t got my full membership yet). IMO it’s just a perfect thread … --- ## [Why can't I cut and paste the "not equal" sign into this forum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-cut-and-paste-the-not-equal-sign-into-this-forum/322877)
**Author:** [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-cut-and-paste-the-not-equal-sign-into-this-forum/322877 "2005-09-22T14:45:38Z")
Whenever people want to say that something is not equal to another thing, they uses the mathematical symbol of an equals sign with a forward slash over it. This is often written out as /=, since people know that some sym… --- ## [Not Logging Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-logging-out/322381)
**Author:** [@Foaming\_Cleanser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foaming_Cleanser)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-logging-out/322381 "2005-09-19T20:07:11Z")
Is it easier on the hamsters if I remember to log out when I emerge from the Straight Dope? I went elsewhere on the net and dumped all the cookies, then came back, cookies off. The buttons next to my name on my posts sai… --- ## [A locked Thread is Spotted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-locked-thread-is-spotted/321981)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-locked-thread-is-spotted/321981 "2005-09-19T14:56:39Z")
So why are people being directed to a thread that was locked a week ago? http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=334057 (from the Threadspotting link on the SD front page) Happy --- ## [A note about resubscribing (a good note)!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-note-about-resubscribing-a-good-note/322217)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2005, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-note-about-resubscribing-a-good-note/322217 "2005-09-19T10:58:27Z")
Due to my upcoming absence from the SDMB, which would span my “end of subscription date”, I decided to pre-emtively resubscribe. My original subscribe date: 4-19-2004 My original expiration date: 4-19-2006 I thought… --- ## [Ads by Google](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-by-google/322030)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-by-google/322030 "2005-09-18T01:42:40Z")
I’m looking, and it seems like at the bottom of each thread, there’s a set of “ads by google” links. Is this something the boards have adopted, or is it spyware on my computer? --- ## [Ads by Google?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-by-google/322029)
**Author:** [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ads-by-google/322029 "2005-09-16T21:38:21Z")
Hey, we got ads today! Well, if the SDMB can make a buck, it’s worth it. --- ## [Bizarre sticky in GQ that I can't access.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-sticky-in-gq-that-i-cant-access/321726)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-sticky-in-gq-that-i-cant-access/321726 "2005-09-16T14:27:52Z")
What’s the deal with that thread? I can read only the mouseover preview, and when I try to click it to read the whole thing the board says I don’t have enough permissions. --- ## [Front Page link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-page-link/321755)
**Author:** [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-page-link/321755 "2005-09-15T11:43:33Z")
I didn’t know where else to put this. I got my weekly news letter, with links to the various questions. The new Cecil answer link is broken. No, wait, that won’t help, its the broken link. Darn. I went to the front pa… --- ## [How do I link to a specific post?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-link-to-a-specific-post/321189)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-link-to-a-specific-post/321189 "2005-09-15T02:01:54Z")
Can I? I know of course how to link to a thread, or any hyperlink for that matter. Is there a way of coding a link so that I can have the link drive straight to a given post? This is what happens when we subscribe, but … --- ## [Where should I put a thread asking for charity advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-i-put-a-thread-asking-for-charity-advice/321443)
**Author:** [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-i-put-a-thread-asking-for-charity-advice/321443 "2005-09-14T13:08:24Z")
I’d like to ask if Dopers know of charities which are/will be helping rebuild homes in areas affected by Katrina. Would this go in GQ? IMHO? MPSIMS? Thanks! --- ## [Oldest extant thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-extant-thread/321298)
**Author:** [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-extant-thread/321298 "2005-09-14T12:53:35Z")
What is the oldest thread that can still be viewed on the SDMB? Logically, I’d think it would be this one: but that doesn’t seem like a likely candidate. How about the oldest thread that’s still active? (i.e. people… --- ## [How do I do a spoiler box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-a-spoiler-box/321283)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-do-a-spoiler-box/321283 "2005-09-14T05:02:11Z")
I can’t find the instructions. --- ## [Why only 1 page for the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-1-page-for-the-pit/321202)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-only-1-page-for-the-pit/321202 "2005-09-13T23:18:46Z")
Why is only the first page of Pit threads visible? The other forums have multiple pages that can be accessed from the bottom. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=344) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=346)