# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=429 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 430 --- ## [Tired of Lurking - Practice Post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-lurking-practice-post/166362)
**Author:** [@CalvinHobbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalvinHobbes)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-lurking-practice-post/166362 "2003-04-04T19:46:50Z")
I love reading the posts by the members of the SDMB. The Straight Dope has been a favorite of mine for years. I think I’ve finally worked up my nerve to join the party. :smiley: Man, I hope they like me --- ## [A history question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-question/166370)
**Author:** [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-question/166370 "2003-04-04T18:05:20Z")
In which forum should I post a history question? Since I’m not sharing anything, i didn’t think it would be MPSIMS or IMHO. Would it be Cafe Society? Thanks :slight\_smile: --- ## [Member title strangeness.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-title-strangeness/166421)
**Author:** [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/member-title-strangeness/166421 "2003-04-04T14:29:18Z")
This poster appears to be a guest, but I thought that guess status was only applied to those who were deleted between the ubb and the vb(?) software transition? --- ## [unlimited credit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlimited-credit/166418)
**Author:** [@Dolomite21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dolomite21)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2003, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unlimited-credit/166418 "2003-04-04T09:26:26Z")
Is there such a thing? What kind of credit card does Bill Gates carry…if any? --- ## [Smiley election timing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smiley-election-timing/166316)
**Author:** [@NardoPolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NardoPolo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2003, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smiley-election-timing/166316 "2003-04-04T02:26:11Z")
Let’s see… the first smiley election was around May-June of 2002. The second smiley election was December of 2002. I have to guess that the next smiley election will be around May-June of 2003? I just want to replace … --- ## [Why is the 'private message' feature disabled on this board?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-private-message-feature-disabled-on-this-board/165912)
**Author:** [@DEVA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DEVA)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-private-message-feature-disabled-on-this-board/165912 "2003-04-03T18:19:51Z")
Just wondering. And if it’s not too personal: How is this board funded? Do you accept ‘donations’ from your members? I only ask because another board I frequent (also powered by vBulletin) accepts contributions from … --- ## [Why are the others not updating??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-others-not-updating/166211)
**Author:** [@swannguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swannguy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2003, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-others-not-updating/166211 "2003-04-03T15:13:01Z")
Quickie questions…maybe it’s just me or has anybody else experienced this?? My only updated board is “General Questions” - all other boards have had no new postings since yesterday…surely this can’t be true. I mean the… --- ## [Ignore list ??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignore-list/166086)
**Author:** [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2003, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignore-list/166086 "2003-04-03T10:49:01Z")
If I put myself on my ignore list, will I be able to read my own posts? --- ## [vB question: is there a tag to maintain indents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-question-is-there-a-tag-to-maintain-indents/165211)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vb-question-is-there-a-tag-to-maintain-indents/165211 "2003-04-02T21:01:26Z")
Sometimes I post a quotation that has nested indents or tabs. If I just use the “quote” function, the tabs are ignored and everything gets left justified. Is there a tag that allows the tabs/indents to stay in place? --- ## [Timing out question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timing-out-question/165760)
**Author:** [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2003, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timing-out-question/165760 "2003-04-02T16:37:12Z")
Is there a time limit for the board? What I mean is, if you log on, but don’t post, will the board automatically log you off after a certain amount of time? In a related question, I have posted, well I tried to post, a … --- ## [Peak Usage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-usage/164871)
**Author:** [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-usage/164871 "2003-04-02T13:57:04Z")
Is there a pattern of peak usage on this board? I realize that it’s an international board, but I was curious if it’s busier, say, between 8PM-11PM EST, than at any other time. I haven’t had any problems, I was just fe… --- ## [Help me look at the SDMB in color, please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-look-at-the-sdmb-in-color-please/165864)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-look-at-the-sdmb-in-color-please/165864 "2003-04-02T06:16:46Z")
Well, color me clueless, here. (HA! I kill me!) I get all my SDMB pages black on white. The only color I ever get is blue, for links I haven’t cookied yet. And of course, the SDMB navy blue and yellow banner ad at the to… --- ## [how does Fark have a link to a future staff report?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-fark-have-a-link-to-a-future-staff-report/165329)
**Author:** [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-fark-have-a-link-to-a-future-staff-report/165329 "2003-04-02T03:27:50Z")
Over at fark I noticed this link. I didn’t remember seeing this article on the front page and then noticed that it is dated April 1, 2003. Do you guys have a deal with them or something? or do they have a time machine? … --- ## [A Plea for a New Rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plea-for-a-new-rule/164835)
**Author:** [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plea-for-a-new-rule/164835 "2003-04-01T21:21:22Z")
Could we make a new rule that people should refrain from posting follow ups that only correct for a typo or misspelled word? I think we all know that people don’t polish every post as if it were their PhD dissertation, … --- ## [Sig Test in E Flat Minor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-test-in-e-flat-minor/165594)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2003, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-test-in-e-flat-minor/165594 "2003-04-01T13:55:54Z")
Does it work? --- ## [Can we discuss fanfiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-discuss-fanfiction/164460)
**Author:** [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-discuss-fanfiction/164460 "2003-04-01T05:05:43Z")
As I understand it, the legality of fanfiction is rather ambiguous, but I know that the administration likes to err on the side of caution, particularly in matters relating to copyright violation. I’m not asking for str… --- ## [Mysterious typo in my info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mysterious-typo-in-my-info/165368)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mysterious-typo-in-my-info/165368 "2003-04-01T03:53:10Z")
On another thread, LifeOnWry pointed out that the word Berkeley was printed as Berkekey in my user info area. Now I know it hasn’t been like that all these several years. I’m going to leave it like that for a while. Any… --- ## [testing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing/163219)
**Author:** [@quilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quilter)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing/163219 "2003-03-31T18:32:28Z")
There has to be a “first post” sometime, I suppose – so this may as well be it! :slight\_smile: --- ## [Elements of a post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elements-of-a-post/164958)
**Author:** [@stypticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stypticus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elements-of-a-post/164958 "2003-03-31T15:24:08Z")
When a post is displayed as part of a thread, there are several elements that are static (such as the content of the post), and several elements that are dynamic (such as the member’s status and post count). I’m still n… --- ## [Daylight saving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daylight-saving/165304)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2003, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daylight-saving/165304 "2003-03-31T15:14:03Z")
Just a little nitpick. Today (March 30th) was the day all of the countries in the European Union changed to daylight saving time. So, the nifty thing telling me what time I posted, which says GMT+1, is now actually GMT+2… --- ## [Where's the member number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-member-number/165373)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-member-number/165373 "2003-03-31T04:43:49Z")
At a recent (disclaimer) unofficial gathering of Straight Dope folks, I mentioned to another one that I had been here since the ancient era when the SDMB was on AOL. He supposed I had a really low member number. He had h… --- ## [Nested list tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nested-list-tags/165299)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nested-list-tags/165299 "2003-03-30T23:12:04Z")
My plan can be broken down into two phases, each of which would be implemented in a number of sequential steps: \[List=a\] \[li\]The First Phase\[/li\]\[ol\] \[li\]The first step of phase A\[/li\]\[li\]The second step of phase A\[/l… --- ## [How often do people report posts to the admin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-people-report-posts-to-the-admin/161118)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-people-report-posts-to-the-admin/161118 "2003-03-30T21:07:31Z")
I’ve always tried to use this handy feature whenever possible (in case you havent seen it , there is a link called report this post at the bottom right of each post). Usually because I see a “Mods please move” or “Mods p… --- ## [Can I have my name changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-name-changed/164346)
**Author:** [@Marlow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlow)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-name-changed/164346 "2003-03-29T21:28:41Z")
If so, I’d like my name to be: Marlow --- ## [What if I do not wish to be referenced in someone's sig?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-i-do-not-wish-to-be-referenced-in-someones-sig/164972)
**Author:** [@MachineHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachineHead)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-i-do-not-wish-to-be-referenced-in-someones-sig/164972 "2003-03-29T08:25:16Z")
I’m wondering, if someone puts my name, or a qoute or something like that in their siggy, and I do not wish it to be thier, do they have to take it out? --- ## [How do you add the tm symbol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-add-the-tm-symbol/124477)
**Author:** [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2003, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-add-the-tm-symbol/124477 "2003-03-29T05:27:20Z")
That’s all I wanted to know, thanks :slight\_smile: --- ## [Will my new sig violate "Ignore List" gag rule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-new-sig-violate-ignore-list-gag-rule/164653)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-my-new-sig-violate-ignore-list-gag-rule/164653 "2003-03-28T14:49:13Z")
I’ve just changed my sig to that which you see below, but I’m worried it might be treading too heavily on the “Don’t say or imply” rule having to do with the Ignore List. Just so I can rest easy, can I get a ruling from … --- ## [Posting one message per 60 seconds...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-one-message-per-60-seconds/164629)
**Author:** [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-one-message-per-60-seconds/164629 "2003-03-28T13:17:48Z")
I know, I’m very paranoid and suspicious, but I just got an error message telling me that I could only post once every 60 seconds. I get that - but I didn’t post within 60 seconds before that! Could someone besides me b… --- ## [A logon time I don't recognize](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-logon-time-i-dont-recognize/164763)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-logon-time-i-dont-recognize/164763 "2003-03-28T13:08:38Z")
When I logged on about half an hour ago I saw a message saying I, dougie\_monty, had ‘last visited 3-27 about 6:20 p.m.’ I don’t know how this could be; I don’t give my password out and I was not online at that time last … --- ## [SDMB database problems? Board up, then down.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-database-problems-board-up-then-down/164707)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-database-problems-board-up-then-down/164707 "2003-03-28T05:00:53Z")
Today the Board database has gone down and up like a yoyo, what is happening? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=428) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=430)