# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=435 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 436 --- ## [Is something up with the :mad: smilie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-something-up-with-the-mad-smilie/155730)
**Author:** [@Quonk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quonk)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-something-up-with-the-mad-smilie/155730 "2003-02-18T12:42:57Z")
It doesn’t seem to be working right. \>:mad:\< --- ## [Why can't I directly post a reply?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-directly-post-a-reply/155786)
**Author:** [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-directly-post-a-reply/155786 "2003-02-18T03:06:11Z")
I keep thinking I’m doing something wrong, but maybe not? I’ll read a thread without logging in. At the end of the thread I’m given the opportunity to reply, and login simultaneously. This never works for me. Invaria… --- ## [Hey vB, stop messing with my typing!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-vb-stop-messing-with-my-typing/155714)
**Author:** [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-vb-stop-messing-with-my-typing/155714 "2003-02-18T02:03:42Z")
Well, I just started this thread titled UNIX SVR4, and upon submitting the post, noticed that it was changed to “Unix Svr4.” So, does vB automatically de-capitalize letters in titles? Would it be possible (or a good idea… --- ## [What does YMMV stand for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ymmv-stand-for/155633)
**Author:** [@GoHeels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoHeels)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ymmv-stand-for/155633 "2003-02-18T00:08:25Z")
This has been bugging me for a while - will someone please enlighten me? Thanks. --- ## [Spurious sig test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spurious-sig-test/155663)
**Author:** [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spurious-sig-test/155663 "2003-02-17T21:16:54Z")
What ever happened to sigs anyway? --- ## [Putting "metatags" in your post to help searchers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-metatags-in-your-post-to-help-searchers/155483)
**Author:** [@JRootabega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRootabega)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-metatags-in-your-post-to-help-searchers/155483 "2003-02-17T14:01:07Z")
I’m trying to find threads about the awesome game “Ico.” I’ve tried searching for words which are longer than three letters, but are also relevant to the game. I’ve found nothing, but it gave me an idea. Don’t know if it… --- ## [test link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-link/154262)
**Author:** [@tesseract](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tesseract)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-link/154262 "2003-02-17T13:31:19Z")
http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/8525295.html --- ## [New Board for SD Computer Tech Supporet Questions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-board-for-sd-computer-tech-supporet-questions/155312)
**Author:** [@bradwalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bradwalt)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-board-for-sd-computer-tech-supporet-questions/155312 "2003-02-16T16:53:09Z")
How about a separate board for Computer Technical Support? Cecil’s columns and books never include “Computer Technical Support” questions. And yet the SD message boards are getting clogged with these questions. How ab… --- ## [attributing quotes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attributing-quotes/155451)
**Author:** [@grettle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grettle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attributing-quotes/155451 "2003-02-16T16:30:22Z")
I apologize in advance if this question has been answered before, the search function will not work with me this morning. I know that to put a quote in bars we use the \[quote\] function, ending the quote by placing a /… --- ## [Tuckerfan or Coldfire I have a question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuckerfan-or-coldfire-i-have-a-question/155342)
**Author:** [@Ashkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashkicker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuckerfan-or-coldfire-i-have-a-question/155342 "2003-02-16T03:27:06Z")
Don’t know if I am in the right forum or not, but here it goes. I was reading this thread about a very disturbing message board. Indeed it was disturbing. Tuckerfan suggested not to click on the link, because it could tr… --- ## [Does the SDMB Purge Inactive Member Accounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-sdmb-purge-inactive-member-accounts/148019)
**Author:** [@Orange\_Skinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orange_Skinner)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-sdmb-purge-inactive-member-accounts/148019 "2003-02-15T17:55:49Z")
One of the other message boards I belong to just did this, and I was wondering whether or not the SDMB does it as well: if a member’s account is inactive for x number of days, or only has, say, one post and it’s from 200… --- ## [What is the difference between being a "Devils Advocate" and a "Troll"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-being-a-devils-advocate-and-a-troll/154159)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-being-a-devils-advocate-and-a-troll/154159 "2003-02-15T16:36:31Z")
self explanitory --- ## [Thread "ownership"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-ownership/155131)
**Author:** [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thread-ownership/155131 "2003-02-15T04:04:36Z")
Anthracite raises an excellent point in a different thread and rather than hijack my own thread, well, you get the idea. Does anyone “own” a thread? If the thread goes tangentially but relevantly off topic, does anyone… --- ## [Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/155175)
**Author:** [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/155175 "2003-02-14T23:21:58Z")
Bold i ng iz f u n lol --- ## [Circumstances warranting closing a thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circumstances-warranting-closing-a-thread/154986)
**Author:** [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circumstances-warranting-closing-a-thread/154986 "2003-02-14T18:05:45Z")
I haven’t been posting here too long, and I’m not sure where to look for this information. I’m sorry if this is inappropriate, or if I should be trying to contact a moderator of a specific forum. I’m not sure how to do… --- ## [Thanks Tubadiva - Just a test post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-tubadiva-just-a-test-post/154839)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-tubadiva-just-a-test-post/154839 "2003-02-14T17:32:31Z")
test --- ## [board etiquette and saying "thanks"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/board-etiquette-and-saying-thanks/154932)
**Author:** [@Photog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Photog)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/board-etiquette-and-saying-thanks/154932 "2003-02-14T14:50:24Z")
What is the accepted etiquette regarding the posting of a follow-up to simply say “thanks”? For example, I posted a question to GQ roughly 24hrs ago. It got a couple of replies which did answer my question. But, I hav… --- ## [Multiple Quotes-How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-quotes-how/154526)
**Author:** [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-quotes-how/154526 "2003-02-14T09:23:40Z")
I’ve done a few searches and nothing came up, so - how do you do quotes from several different posts in one reply? Thanks in advance-DESK --- ## [Quick question: merging threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-merging-threads/154359)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-question-merging-threads/154359 "2003-02-14T06:47:36Z")
Is there a built in function in vBullitin for merging threads or do you do it manually? Is it a real PITA to do cos I don’t see merged threads that often so I assume that some mods just cant be bothered doing it. --- ## [Quick Reply Login](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-reply-login/154738)
**Author:** [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-reply-login/154738 "2003-02-14T01:30:18Z")
Hiya folks, I’ve often used the login thing under the quick reply, just punching the letter ‘w’ into every field and hitting “Reply”. It’s never actually posted anything, because it never worked right; it’d just lead to… --- ## [Double Posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-posts/153739)
**Author:** [@Anaxagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaxagoras)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-posts/153739 "2003-02-13T23:38:02Z")
I recently committed a double post. I’ve seen that others do it and always thought “what a bonehead”. And then I did too. And I don’t know how. What did I do wrong? --- ## [Is this socking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-socking/154142)
**Author:** [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-socking/154142 "2003-02-13T23:18:34Z")
If you post under your username, but saying that you are someone else (your SO, for example), is that considered sock puppetry? Obviously it would be a bit difficult to prove, but I’m curious of the prevailing opinion. --- ## [Aol-sdmb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aol-sdmb/153251)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aol-sdmb/153251 "2003-02-13T20:07:21Z")
I keep hearing about the origins of the SDMB on AOL. What did the boards look like back then? Are any threads in the archives? --- ## [practice link](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practice-link/154060)
**Author:** [@badchad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badchad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practice-link/154060 "2003-02-13T08:19:51Z")
dfhfdgh http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=159606&pagenumber=5 --- ## [are the fonts smaller or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-fonts-smaller-or-what/154651)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2003, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-fonts-smaller-or-what/154651 "2003-02-13T00:52:39Z")
Say - I just had a snafu with my DSL line and we were out of commission for a day or so. Now that we’re back, I notice that some sites seem to have changed. This one, for example, seems to have smaller fonts, or else I… --- ## ["Kaka za" Ka? Kakaza ka kaka "za"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaka-za-ka-kakaza-ka-kaka-za/154579)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaka-za-ka-kakaza-ka-kaka-za/154579 "2003-02-12T19:25:58Z")
Testing title. --- ## [More Questions About Making Symbols.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-making-symbols/154074)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2003, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-making-symbols/154074 "2003-02-11T23:02:14Z")
Actually, I need to know how to make the infinity symbol right now, which I believe is thus: &infty; Someone one told me that there is a list of these special codes to make these symbols, but I forgot how to get to the … --- ## [Is this Huge Font Action I'm Experiencing Normal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-huge-font-action-im-experiencing-normal/153956)
**Author:** [@Orange\_Skinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orange_Skinner)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2003, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-huge-font-action-im-experiencing-normal/153956 "2003-02-11T07:35:41Z")
After about fifteen minutes of browsing the SDMB, the font jumped to a seemingly 16 pt sized font…is my computer going through a difficult phase right now and things will be back to normal, or has the format of the board… --- ## [Money-making idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-making-idea/149122)
**Author:** [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-making-idea/149122 "2003-02-10T20:45:53Z")
I suspect this has already occurred to the staff of The Reader, but what about turning that monster LOTR thread into a book? I see that it has now moved into the “real world” by making the front page of a Swedish newspa… --- ## [More than 15 replies or 150 views?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-than-15-replies-or-150-views/153756)
**Author:** [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-than-15-replies-or-150-views/153756 "2003-02-10T20:21:41Z")
I just happened to be looking at the little icon legend at the bottom of the thread list: Yellow Open Envelope for new posts. Grey Sealed Envelope for no new posts. However there’s also: Red Open Envelope for new pos… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=434) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=436)