# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=37 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 38 --- ## [Poll testing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-testing/929761)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2021, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-testing/929761 "2021-01-07T22:22:07Z")
Just testing to make sure I can post two polls in the same thread for the purposes of my #1 single poll poll --- ## [Warnings in Politics & Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warnings-in-politics-elections/929717)
**Author:** [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warnings-in-politics-elections/929717 "2021-01-06T23:31:44Z")
Yesterday, agzem received two warnings in one thread He/she posted something undeniably stupid. Usual Trumpist stuff about the election, completely divorced from reality. Here. Several posters addressed the substance… --- ## [Recent Mention of SDMB at The Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-mention-of-sdmb-at-the-hill/929728)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-mention-of-sdmb-at-the-hill/929728 "2021-01-06T00:35:40Z")
I don’t know if this is worthy of asking or not, but a few weeks ago I saw the SDMB mentioned in a comment at The Hill website. Someone asked about a board where real discussions could be had, and SDMB was referenced pos… --- ## [Grievance Politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grievance-politics/929715)
**Author:** [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grievance-politics/929715 "2021-01-05T20:28:04Z")
I’ve been scanning the threads for a series of posts that I saw on the politics of grievance, and may have blown right by it. Can anyone direct me to that thread? Dan --- ## [Politely disagreeing with Hari Seldon's Mode Note](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politely-disagreeing-with-hari-seldons-mode-note/929395)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politely-disagreeing-with-hari-seldons-mode-note/929395 "2021-01-03T19:46:11Z")
In America in Decline before Trump, Hari suggested I should not use ridicule as a debate technique. 1: To begin with, I really wasn’t. I was expressing strong disagreement, but not ridicule. 2: Since when has ridicu… --- ## [Ultra's suspension](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultras-suspension/929396)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultras-suspension/929396 "2021-01-02T04:52:47Z")
Yeah, maybe stupid and insensitive, but that is not ‘Trolling’. C’mon. Close the thread. Maybe a terse message, possibly a warning, but really? Suspension? This seems like an over-reaction. I don’t know this poster’s wh… --- ## [Is there a way to not be e-mailed by the board's software?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-not-be-e-mailed-by-the-boards-software/929440)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-not-be-e-mailed-by-the-boards-software/929440 "2021-01-01T22:12:14Z")
I get summary e-mails and e-mailed every time someone posts to a thread I started. I know how that could be useful but I would rather it didn’t but don’t see a way to turn it off. Is there one I am missing? Thanks. --- ## [Accessing straightdope boards using Firefox 84](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accessing-straightdope-boards-using-firefox-84/929372)
**Author:** [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accessing-straightdope-boards-using-firefox-84/929372 "2021-01-01T18:07:42Z")
I updated to Firefox 84.x.y.z a few days ago and instantly lost access to the Dope. It appears as if page requests to Discourse are being made and data is being transmitted but things eventually time out. Nothing appears… --- ## ["Polls must have no more than 20 options"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-must-have-no-more-than-20-options/929424)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-must-have-no-more-than-20-options/929424 "2021-01-01T16:41:28Z")
I’ve run into this error tonight while trying to create my annual poll for best #1 song of the year, which I’ve been running since 2010. There are 22 songs that made #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020, and I can’t list … --- ## [Thread's last word was insults against me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threads-last-word-was-insults-against-me/929126)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/threads-last-word-was-insults-against-me/929126 "2021-01-01T15:14:06Z")
I’m unhappy with how the thread: The next pandemic in the US must be met with lethal force was closed. Basically, XT wrote a long evidence and logic-free accusation of me of being under the CCP’s thumb and knowingly l… --- ## [What is "threadshitting" v.2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-threadshitting-v-2/929362 "2020-12-31T18:23:41Z")
In this thread: @Colibri claimed that I and another poster were “threadshitting.” I completely understand what @Colibri was trying to moderate and I agree. This is NOT about moderating the board. I am curious about… --- ## [New apprentice (Journeymen) mods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-apprentice-journeymen-mods/925456)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-apprentice-journeymen-mods/925456 "2020-12-29T03:42:37Z")
Hey fellow SDMBers. Please give these new guys a break. Sure, they may not do things exactly as their predecessors, but that is a Good Thing. I checked, and they are not really all clones. Stop saying every time they … --- ## [How do the current list of Mods identify themselves as to gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-current-list-of-mods-identify-themselves-as-to-gender/925936)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-current-list-of-mods-identify-themselves-as-to-gender/925936 "2020-12-27T23:54:10Z")
How many males? How many females? How many other? --- ## [Not participating in my own thread -- legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-participating-in-my-own-thread-legal/929032 "2020-12-27T20:34:38Z")
I’m thinking of posting an (original!) essay in GD, which I would intend to stand by itself. I don’t care to debate it fully; it would pretty much say what I want to say. What the hell could I say, in response to attac… --- ## [Linking to a Google search result that is a PDF, specifically on my phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-to-a-google-search-result-that-is-a-pdf-specifically-on-my-phone/928970)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-to-a-google-search-result-that-is-a-pdf-specifically-on-my-phone/928970 "2020-12-27T04:57:31Z")
URLs for Google search results are lengthy and messy. I think it’s best to link to the actual destination for a variety of reasons. And I vaguely recall a mod voicing a similar preference (although please correct me if I… --- ## [Warning to Bansksiaman \[changed to modnote\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-bansksiaman-changed-to-modnote/928988)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-bansksiaman-changed-to-modnote/928988 "2020-12-27T02:57:51Z")
Just for my own assurance - did you actually complete Intelligence 101? When you say ‘Army’ do you mean the ones with uniforms and guns or were you in the Kiss Army \[not that there’s anything wrong with that\]? Are you u… --- ## ["Watching" a thread, emails sent to me have odd title for one poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-a-thread-emails-sent-to-me-have-odd-title-for-one-poster/928907)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-a-thread-emails-sent-to-me-have-odd-title-for-one-poster/928907 "2020-12-26T22:00:05Z")
In the American Parents pit thread of which I was the OP, and which I am still “watching” so I get sent email notices for all the posts, the emails for one poster all have an apparently unrelated title: “Not censoring Na… --- ## [Do the existing rules prohibit people from debating the gender of people who identify as transgender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-existing-rules-prohibit-people-from-debating-the-gender-of-people-who-identify-as-transgender/927272)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 461\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-existing-rules-prohibit-people-from-debating-the-gender-of-people-who-identify-as-transgender/927272 "2020-12-25T20:04:49Z")
My reading of the rules leads to two related paradoxes. Consider this argument, you do not have to agree with it to see the paradox: Debating the validity of someone’s gender is encouraging readers to treat others diff… --- ## [Naked Women in Advertisements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-women-in-advertisements/928680)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naked-women-in-advertisements/928680 "2020-12-25T07:54:12Z")
First Trump ads, now naked women. Note that I only see this ad when not logged in. NSFW screenshothttps://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/f/f5410a28cf98ac8cd5efef56f73dcd0d1f210795.png ~Max --- ## ["Oops! This page doesn't exist or is private."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-this-page-doesnt-exist-or-is-private/928616)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2020, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oops-this-page-doesnt-exist-or-is-private/928616 "2020-12-24T12:29:19Z")
I’ve encountered this a few times, when trying to search past threads and posts, using Google. I know the threads and posts are there in the SDMB database. Why is Google telling me that they are not? --- ## [Posting Quirks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-quirks/925517)
**Author:** [@Ptolomy57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptolomy57)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2020, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-quirks/925517 "2020-12-24T04:58:00Z")
Sometimes, I bump something that centers all my text (when composing a post). How do I undo this? Note: Crtl-Z (undo) does not work. What am I bumping and how do I undo this? I posted an itemized list using “1) 2) 3… --- ## [Bijou\_Drains suspended until January 21st 6:00 am ET for cursing out a Mod via PM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bijou-drains-suspended-until-january-21st-6-00-am-et-for-cursing-out-a-mod-via-pm/928736)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2020, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bijou-drains-suspended-until-january-21st-6-00-am-et-for-cursing-out-a-mod-via-pm/928736 "2020-12-23T13:07:47Z")
He followed this warning up with a PM (Note my asterisk) The Mods decided the suspension should be 30 days rather than the 7 I originally used as he has had a suspension this year. He has two previous warnings thi… --- ## [I wonder if discobot could be used like Xiaoice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-discobot-could-be-used-like-xiaoice/928261)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wonder-if-discobot-could-be-used-like-xiaoice/928261 "2020-12-22T18:16:10Z")
You don’t know who Xiaoice is? Neither did I until I read this article and I must say, it was the most disconcerting thing I have read for a while. Xiaoice is “an artificial intelligence-driven chat bot that’s redefining… --- ## [Nothing on your permanent record](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-on-your-permanent-record/928646)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-on-your-permanent-record/928646 "2020-12-22T15:04:59Z")
I’ve recently noted a couple of moderator actions (most recently in Politics) saying something like, “This is just a warning, and will not go on your permanent record.” I’m imagining this is intended as tongue-in-cheek,… --- ## [Betting with Quatloos , etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betting-with-quatloos-etc/926846)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betting-with-quatloos-etc/926846 "2020-12-19T19:01:26Z")
OK, we have a rule no betting, and that is fine. But can we say something like “I wager 100000 quatloos that wont occur!”? Or just “I bet that wont happen.” Do the rules against betting only refer to real bets? --- ## [Functionality of Bookmark Feature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functionality-of-bookmark-feature/928378)
**Author:** [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2020, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/functionality-of-bookmark-feature/928378 "2020-12-19T04:02:25Z")
Please forgive me, but I don’t know how I to get back to a thread I previously bookmarked. Any tips? --- ## [Closing threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-threads/928063)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-threads/928063 "2020-12-17T20:23:59Z")
I finally get chance to get back to the Dope and reply to comments in a thread I was following… and it’s closed. Again. Is this the new style of modding? Because I don’t like it. Telling disruptive posters to knock it of… --- ## [Test unexpected link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-unexpected-link/928102)
**Author:** [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-unexpected-link/928102 "2020-12-16T16:39:32Z")
This is only a test of posting a link without actually linking to it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here\_Technologies --- ## [Testing...read only? \[Message about site being in read only mode\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-read-only-message-about-site-being-in-read-only-mode/928166)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2020, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-read-only-message-about-site-being-in-read-only-mode/928166 "2020-12-16T05:51:55Z")
Hello. Is it me you’re looking for? --- ## [Site in Read Only Mode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/site-in-read-only-mode/928165)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2020, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/site-in-read-only-mode/928165 "2020-12-16T05:50:13Z")
Just got this message This site is in read only mode. Please continue to browse, but replying, likes, and other actions are disabled for now. so I’m checking it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=38)