# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=379 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 380 --- ## [Are Posts With Practical Jokes Ban-Worthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-posts-with-practical-jokes-ban-worthy/259524)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2004, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-posts-with-practical-jokes-ban-worthy/259524 "2004-08-13T12:07:11Z")
In this, the OP asks about the value of some antique toy that he found. Complete with pictures. I was going to respond, jokingly, that it was a rare & elusive toy that my mother had when she was a lass, and that she rec… --- ## [What happens at 09:30 GMT?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-at-09-30-gmt/259168)
**Author:** [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-at-09-30-gmt/259168 "2004-08-12T19:32:52Z")
I have noticed that every day at about 9:30 GMT the boards.straightdope.com is down for about an hour or so. straightdope.com is still available though. Is this due to maintenance? --- ## [Suggestion for improving board speed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-for-improving-board-speed/259574)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-for-improving-board-speed/259574 "2004-08-12T19:11:25Z")
Employ This guy --- ## [Scanning for Security Purposes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-for-security-purposes/259360)
**Author:** [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scanning-for-security-purposes/259360 "2004-08-11T18:03:25Z")
I dunno if it was on my side, or on the SD’s side… I was just having trouble getting pages to load (it would just end up refreshing the current screen instead of going to the next link) when I noticed that the title bar … --- ## [testing (disregard)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-disregard/258253)
**Author:** [@prisoner6655321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prisoner6655321)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2004, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-disregard/258253 "2004-08-11T12:52:14Z")
Just testing. --- ## [SDMB mentioned on Plan 9 Website!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-mentioned-on-plan-9-website/259036)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2004, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-mentioned-on-plan-9-website/259036 "2004-08-10T19:29:34Z")
http://www.plan9.org/ Scroll down. OK, which Doper works for Plan 9, & why haven’t you offered a Doper Discount? :wink: :confused: --- ## [Is it proper to ask why a member was banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-proper-to-ask-why-a-member-was-banned/259143)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-proper-to-ask-why-a-member-was-banned/259143 "2004-08-10T13:32:23Z")
If so, would this be the appropriate forum? --- ## [Suggestion: Alert warning you that you're about to bump an old thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-alert-warning-you-that-youre-about-to-bump-an-old-thread/258696)
**Author:** [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-alert-warning-you-that-youre-about-to-bump-an-old-thread/258696 "2004-08-09T06:58:44Z")
Upon noticing a new rash of resurrected old threads, I was reminded of this idea I had once but forgot about. How about, when posting to a thread that is older than the three month time limit, having vBulletin throw up … --- ## [Semi-serious suggestion for the BBQ-Pit - a sticky pet-peeves thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-serious-suggestion-for-the-bbq-pit-a-sticky-pet-peeves-thread/258751)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-serious-suggestion-for-the-bbq-pit-a-sticky-pet-peeves-thread/258751 "2004-08-07T20:06:15Z")
Who hasn’t been an annoyed at something trivial and then thought about making a Pit thread about it, but then decided it was too trivial for a new thread. I propose a sticky thread for insignificant pet-peeves. I cam… --- ## [How do I create a spoiler?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-create-a-spoiler/258316)
**Author:** [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-create-a-spoiler/258316 "2004-08-07T01:55:42Z")
I’ve posted no spoilers within my threads as of yet, but I’d like to know how in case I need to…thanks! --- ## [Posts With Only a Link, With Little or No Explanation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posts-with-only-a-link-with-little-or-no-explanation/258516)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posts-with-only-a-link-with-little-or-no-explanation/258516 "2004-08-06T21:13:55Z")
I’ve also seen a lot of threads that look like this: Note that the OP contains nothing more than a link. No mention of what the OP is upset about. No mention of how he/she feels about it. Merely a link, which the reade… --- ## [Question about the formatting of replies on this board.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-formatting-of-replies-on-this-board/258095)
**Author:** [@Clu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-formatting-of-replies-on-this-board/258095 "2004-08-04T02:44:50Z")
Hi all, There are blue lines that separate the posts between members in a thread. In a few instances the width of the blue divider lines varies in size. I haven’t been able to assess any pattern for the variance. Doe… --- ## [message board slow down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-board-slow-down/258198)
**Author:** [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2004, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/message-board-slow-down/258198 "2004-08-03T22:02:22Z")
This is mostly just a test thread. italics!! I did notice a big slowdown of this site loading after i registered. Probably a coincidence though. --- ## [9/11 threads, where, pray-tell, are they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-threads-where-pray-tell-are-they/257209)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-threads-where-pray-tell-are-they/257209 "2004-08-03T21:37:53Z")
Have all the 9/11 era threads gone the way of the Dodo bird, or are my search skills suspect? I just wanted to brouse through the threads of that fateful day since it happened before I was a member. Any advice? --- ## [Search question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-question/256215)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-question/256215 "2004-08-03T18:18:24Z")
Lately (as in, I’ve only noticed this in the past few months) when I do a search on a user (like, perhaps, myself), I don’t get many recent threads in which I’ve posted (today, for example, a search returns none of the t… --- ## [Linking Directly to a Post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-directly-to-a-post/258137)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-directly-to-a-post/258137 "2004-08-03T16:44:31Z")
I’m trying to link directly to a post and the FAQ tells me to position my mouse over the quote button at the bottom of the post. Stupid me can’t find. Little help? Unrelated question. I’ve noticed when I view a post … --- ## [Is there a limit to how many pages a thread can have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-how-many-pages-a-thread-can-have/257743)
**Author:** [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limit-to-how-many-pages-a-thread-can-have/257743 "2004-08-02T21:03:05Z")
I thought I read on here at one time that threads would only be allowed to get a certain length before being closed. But I haven’t seen that being done. I’m not complaining, I’m just curious if I was mistaken. --- ## [I forget, why don't we have the Img tag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forget-why-dont-we-have-the-img-tag/257940)
**Author:** [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-forget-why-dont-we-have-the-img-tag/257940 "2004-08-02T18:04:19Z")
Three letter searches are not permited so I have to start a whole new thread, but I forget why we don’t allow the image tag? I know that it was taken out shortly before I joined. I heard that it was because of trouble … --- ## [Linking to a specific Reply in a Thread and keeping the whole Thread too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-to-a-specific-reply-in-a-thread-and-keeping-the-whole-thread-too/257827)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-to-a-specific-reply-in-a-thread-and-keeping-the-whole-thread-too/257827 "2004-08-01T21:08:05Z")
O.K. I can link to another Thread. I also know how to bring up a “View Single Post” window and link to that. But then I see some other poster do a really cool dealio where they link to a Thread so’s you can read the w… --- ## [9 stickys, 5 post slots, no back pages in ATMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-stickys-5-post-slots-no-back-pages-in-atmb/257776)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-stickys-5-post-slots-no-back-pages-in-atmb/257776 "2004-08-01T20:22:29Z")
Any particular reason for this? One can’t browse posts in order to keep from asking a question that has already been answered. Guests can’t search, so they might (even after reading the stickys) ask a few questions that … --- ## [What happened to "report this post..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-report-this-post/257765)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-report-this-post/257765 "2004-07-31T20:26:21Z")
Just today I noticed an improper thread in General Questions. I was going to click on “Report this post to a moderator,” only to find that option is no longer there. How come? Since when? And what’s the most efficient w… --- ## [The SDMB is switching to paid subscriptions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 667\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-is-switching-to-paid-subscriptions/257724 "2004-07-31T15:39:16Z")
LAST MINUTE BULLETIN! Deadline for $4.95 charter rate subscription pushed back till Monday, April 26, 12 noon CDT! Attention, Teeming Millions! Your five-year free-trial period is about to expire. That’s right, folks -… --- ## [As a guest, i can't search?????](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-guest-i-cant-search/256866)
**Author:** [@Principessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Principessa)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2004, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-guest-i-cant-search/256866 "2004-07-31T03:37:12Z")
I’m sure someone else has posted this question before, but if I can’t search… :rolleyes: I registered as a guest not intending to post, but because I wished to browse the boards and perhaps decide to subscribe. No way … --- ## [Why was this thread closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/257645)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-thread-closed/257645 "2004-07-30T21:27:58Z")
This one Just curious because there is usually a short explaination. I humbly request that there be an explaination whenever there is a closed thread so others can avoid similar transgressions. I can guess but I would r… --- ## [can you read this OP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-read-this-op/257523)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-read-this-op/257523 "2004-07-30T20:13:11Z")
The above text should be readable from the post listing page but not from within the thread. --- ## [Spoiler within a spoiler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoiler-within-a-spoiler/253677)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2004, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoiler-within-a-spoiler/253677 "2004-07-30T14:30:46Z")
Can a spoiler box be put inside of a spoiler box? \[spoiler\]Let me try… \[/spoiler\] --- ## [Where do questions about the beliefs of a religion go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-questions-about-the-beliefs-of-a-religion-go/257136)
**Author:** [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-questions-about-the-beliefs-of-a-religion-go/257136 "2004-07-30T14:15:36Z")
Where do questions about the beliefs of a religion go? General Questions since it should have a factual answer, GD because it is about religion, or IMHO because there may be more than one take on the question. Here is … --- ## [Question about search capabilities on this board](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-search-capabilities-on-this-board/257540)
**Author:** [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2004, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-search-capabilities-on-this-board/257540 "2004-07-30T03:42:58Z")
First, I’m probably gonna feel like a total idiot as I’ve been on this board for a few years now, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to narrow down my searches in the keyword(s) box. And there doesn’t seem … --- ## [What's the optimum number of Posts per Page?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-optimum-number-of-posts-per-page/257149)
**Author:** [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-optimum-number-of-posts-per-page/257149 "2004-07-29T23:35:35Z")
On the User Control Panel, “Edit Options” page, there’s a menu that lets you set the default number of posts that show up on a single SDMB. The default is apparently 50, but that often seems to involve downloading 200K p… --- ## [Best of luck Lynn.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-luck-lynn/257442)
**Author:** [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-luck-lynn/257442 "2004-07-29T16:53:21Z")
I hope your procedure (whatever it is) goes well and it’s not serious. :slight\_smile: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=378) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=380)