# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=364 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 365 --- ## [Practice post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practice-post/285875)
**Author:** [@Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_Handle_the_Truth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practice-post/285875 "2005-01-27T13:31:06Z")
Just playing around with message features! \[URL=http://www.newscientist.com/home.ns\]Here\[/URL \[ul\] \[li\]Item 1\[/li\]\[li\]Item 2\[/li\]\[li\]Item 3\[/li\]\[/ul\] I am aligned to the center of the page whoop-dee-doo! --- ## [Is it ok to ask about stocks on the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-ask-about-stocks-on-the-sdmb/286846)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2005, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-ask-about-stocks-on-the-sdmb/286846 "2005-01-27T13:26:47Z")
Are threads such as, “Should I buy xyz company stock?” allowed on the SDMB? How about general threads such as, "Should I buy stocks now? or “Is the Dow going to rise?” --- ## [Ashlee Simpson spamming.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ashlee-simpson-spamming/286627)
**Author:** [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2005, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ashlee-simpson-spamming/286627 "2005-01-27T12:55:01Z")
I saw a reference to this in someone’s LiveJournal. It appears that GQ was hit by the spammer. I suspect we might be seeing more of this sort of thing in the future. Fuckers. --- ## [Why was Demorian banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-demorian-banned/286795)
**Author:** [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-demorian-banned/286795 "2005-01-26T23:13:09Z")
I just want to know. --- ## [Five years with the SDMB. Thank you.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-with-the-sdmb-thank-you/286540)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-with-the-sdmb-thank-you/286540 "2005-01-26T13:40:47Z")
I know that normally this sort of thing should go into MPSIMS. However, I feel that this post is neither mundane nor pointless, and so I ask our moderators to please leave it here, if possible. It was five years ago to… --- ## [Tag bugs adding URL to Quote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tag-bugs-adding-url-to-quote/286649)
**Author:** [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2005, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tag-bugs-adding-url-to-quote/286649 "2005-01-26T08:21:40Z")
\[ Why is this hlinked to the above URL when I’ve closed the URL tag? --- ## [Are 'what's your ctrl-v' threads off-limits in the current anti-game thread climate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-whats-your-ctrl-v-threads-off-limits-in-the-current-anti-game-thread-climate/285277)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-whats-your-ctrl-v-threads-off-limits-in-the-current-anti-game-thread-climate/285277 "2005-01-26T03:29:20Z")
The ctrl-v threads (where your post consists of the contents of your clipboard, revealed using key combination ‘ctrl’ and ‘v’) were a lot of fun in my opinion because of the sheer randomness of what was in people’s clip… --- ## [Admin help? Xamatix banned...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/admin-help-xamatix-banned/284684)
**Author:** [@Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ink_a_dink_a_dink)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2005, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/admin-help-xamatix-banned/284684 "2005-01-26T02:47:23Z")
Xamatix was banned, and I guess I am pretty surprised by that. It was by reading her posts today that I learned Alde had left us, as well. And while I have an opinion about that, I can’t reason out why Xemantix was toss… --- ## [Question about specs of this site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-specs-of-this-site/286559)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-specs-of-this-site/286559 "2005-01-25T14:30:18Z")
Is it kosher to ask certain things about this site, like - Speed of internet connection Monthly bandwidth quota Specs of servers Daily posting volume Hosting company and plan, if possible Number of admins and mods If … --- ## [Can I offer to give away some kids' clothes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-offer-to-give-away-some-kids-clothes/286522)
**Author:** [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2005, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-offer-to-give-away-some-kids-clothes/286522 "2005-01-25T12:36:45Z")
I don’t want money for these, but I have a ton of stuff that I need to get rid of. I could send it all to Goodwill, of course, but I’d like to see if anyone here could use them first. They’re all in good shape, they’re f… --- ## [Is there a way to tell when your subscription is coming up again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-tell-when-your-subscription-is-coming-up-again/286321)
**Author:** [@Limbo\_Donni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limbo_Donni)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2005, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-tell-when-your-subscription-is-coming-up-again/286321 "2005-01-24T04:52:00Z")
It’s not in my User CP menus anywhere that I can see. --- ## [Two questions on user profiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-on-user-profiles/285803)
**Author:** [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2005, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-on-user-profiles/285803 "2005-01-24T02:02:28Z")
This thread entitled “Octane,” started by ramesh sodum, was closed by a moderator. The moderator mentioned closing another one of ramesh’s threads, so I got curious. I went to his profile and followed the “Find all threa… --- ## [Practice post - please ignore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practice-post-please-ignore/285574)
**Author:** [@Calabi\_Yau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calabi_Yau)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practice-post-please-ignore/285574 "2005-01-22T21:30:39Z")
Hello Everybody! Wow, finally took the plunge. :slight\_smile: Been lurking for a few months now, and witnessed all the fun and games with the US election. Now that is out of the way and the FreeWorld is a safer place,… --- ## [A different type of vanity search question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-different-type-of-vanity-search-question/286026)
**Author:** [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-different-type-of-vanity-search-question/286026 "2005-01-22T15:17:48Z")
I have way too many posts for the “Find posts by user” function to give me a real breakdown of my posting fequency in the different fora. (No, I haven’t tried it in a long, long time, but with the 500 or 1000 post limit … --- ## [If I wanted to change my username back to my old one, how many pounds would it take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-change-my-username-back-to-my-old-one-how-many-pounds-would-it-take/286003)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-wanted-to-change-my-username-back-to-my-old-one-how-many-pounds-would-it-take/286003 "2005-01-22T15:06:49Z")
Of chocolate, that is. I know I’m a terrible person, to even hope they’d make an exception for me. But the thing is, I miss Elenia. I love the name Elenia. It’s the name I’ve always wanted for myself. I don’t know what … --- ## [What happened to this thread about subscription?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-this-thread-about-subscription/286069)
**Author:** [@InvidiousCourgette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InvidiousCourgette)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-this-thread-about-subscription/286069 "2005-01-22T13:11:41Z")
Out of curiosity I clicked to see how the subscription plan was originally presented. It seems that the thead does not exist anymore. Was it deleted for some reason? --- ## [Submit Reply/Preview Post buttons close together?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submit-reply-preview-post-buttons-close-together/285827)
**Author:** [@High\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/High_Cheese)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submit-reply-preview-post-buttons-close-together/285827 "2005-01-22T12:05:02Z")
Why is this? Especially with no commoner edit function. How many people have submitted before the post was ready? I’m not sure how many resources would be required to separate the 2 buttons in a one-time event; but I … --- ## [Does this patent link decay ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-patent-link-decay/198159)
**Author:** [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-patent-link-decay/198159 "2005-01-22T04:22:18Z")
Just testing the stability of patent database links here. System and method for producing synthetic diamond (search by number) System and method for producing synthetic diamond (search by name) --- ## [Pic post area?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pic-post-area/283778)
**Author:** [@Thinktank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinktank)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pic-post-area/283778 "2005-01-22T02:47:58Z")
Howdy, Don’t know how to say it, so I’ll just say it. At times, it’s pretty damn frustrating to not be able to put a picture up on here instead of “alpha-question1” then “beta-question2” you know the saying a picture i… --- ## [Vanity Search Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanity-search-question/286024)
**Author:** [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2005, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanity-search-question/286024 "2005-01-22T02:42:46Z")
It appears to me, that a vanity search will only pick up my name if it was typed into someone’s post, and not if it appears in a “reply with quote” box. Is this correct? Didn’t the search function pick those up at one p… --- ## [Can you watch new posts come in to a thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-watch-new-posts-come-in-to-a-thread/285934)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-watch-new-posts-come-in-to-a-thread/285934 "2005-01-21T17:21:27Z")
Sometimes, on a busy thread, posts come in every few minutes. If I post to a thread, and I’d like to wait and see if anyone responds to my post, how is that done? I have the impression that, once you’ve opened a thread, … --- ## [Why is witnessing permitted in Great Debates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-witnessing-permitted-in-great-debates/285832)
**Author:** [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2005, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-witnessing-permitted-in-great-debates/285832 "2005-01-21T15:37:22Z")
Surely witnessing is the antithesis of debating. Witnessing (at least online) seems to consist of pasting a piece of glurge and leaving. The people posting it usually have absolutely no interest in discussing theology or… --- ## [Timidly Posting First Time...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timidly-posting-first-time/285750)
**Author:** [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timidly-posting-first-time/285750 "2005-01-21T04:04:24Z")
Been lurking and enjoying this board for months, so I thought I would practice post here before I make an attempt here before entering the deep end (aka where the extremely itelligent and scary people post) … --- ## [Why does the search function do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-search-function-do-this/285779)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-search-function-do-this/285779 "2005-01-20T23:57:27Z")
Often I ask the search function to look for threads posted by me so I can respond to them. But sometimes it won’t show threads from the last day or two. Now I understand maybe not showing up today’s threads, but is there… --- ## [Is Cross-Posting (From Other Forums) Allowed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cross-posting-from-other-forums-allowed/285701)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cross-posting-from-other-forums-allowed/285701 "2005-01-20T17:43:00Z")
I emailed this question to a couple of moderators. But I emailed it late at night, so they probably won’t get it till morning anyways. But in the meantime I will ask it here: I have this thread I started on an entirely … --- ## [Explain the in-joke about the "1920's Style Death Ray"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-in-joke-about-the-1920s-style-death-ray/285521)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-in-joke-about-the-1920s-style-death-ray/285521 "2005-01-20T00:51:19Z")
I honestly want to know. I realize that a field day will be had with this thread and that’s fine, just please eventually arrive at the point and provide a link if you could. Thanks. --- ## [Using the Straight Dope in college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-straight-dope-in-college/285374)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-straight-dope-in-college/285374 "2005-01-19T21:35:05Z")
Sometimes, I raise various subjects, usually from “Great Debates” or “Cafe Society,” for my freshman composition classes to discuss, and occasionally to write about. It would be great if they could read some of the threa… --- ## [Socks and writing styles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socks-and-writing-styles/284712)
**Author:** [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socks-and-writing-styles/284712 "2005-01-19T15:58:06Z")
I’m not sure if this belongs here or in IMHO. Mods, please move if needed. Over the past few weeks, at least three banned posters have returned as socks. I’m not going to name them, so don’t ask. My question: Is it … --- ## [Will we get email re: subscription expiration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-get-email-re-subscription-expiration/285189)
**Author:** [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-get-email-re-subscription-expiration/285189 "2005-01-19T15:53:26Z")
I just happened to be looking at the user cp, and noticed my subscription expiration date. This may be the first time I’ve thought about the subscription since I paid for it, which got me to thinking - Will there be an… --- ## [General Question vs Great Debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-question-vs-great-debates/284755)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-question-vs-great-debates/284755 "2005-01-18T15:32:59Z")
I’ve noticed in some threads that posters (I’ll not be specific because I do not intend this as a Pit against anyone in particular) will at times respond to a General Question thread with a Great Debates type response. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=363) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=365)