# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=457 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 458 --- ## [Probationary periods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920)
**Author:** [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probationary-periods/113920 "2002-06-26T15:14:31Z")
I visited a BB the other day that used probationary periods for its new members and was wondering if it would be good idea over here. Say you used a period of 30 days or maybe posts. During that time new members can po… --- ## [Signature test, readeth not. . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-test-readeth-not/102440)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2002, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signature-test-readeth-not/102440 "2002-06-25T11:55:44Z")
Sorry. Added a new part to my sig. Wanted to make sure it didn’t bust any unwritten rules. . . And yes, I took the one part from a Navy commercial. Tripler So sue me. --- ## [timezone settings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timezone-settings/115557)
**Author:** [@DVD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DVD)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2002, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timezone-settings/115557 "2002-06-25T07:45:54Z")
My user profile correctly shows my timezone as GMT+10hrs, yet the time reported on my user control panel is 1 hr ahead of what it should be. Doesn’t bother me – just for your info. :rolleyes: --- ## [low-activity times on the SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-activity-times-on-the-sdmb/115660)
**Author:** [@ratty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-activity-times-on-the-sdmb/115660 "2002-06-24T17:44:22Z")
Lately I’ve been wanting to run searches for old threads, but I know this sort of thing can clog up the board and slow things down for other people trying to read. Is there a good time when there’s not much board activit… --- ## [Unpopular opinions forbidden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpopular-opinions-forbidden/115615)
**Author:** [@Uekte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uekte)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unpopular-opinions-forbidden/115615 "2002-06-24T12:44:55Z")
I made a non-insulting, totally by the rules comment in GQ, was immediately insulted, and then I was ordered not to comment at allin the thread anymore, and was in fact admonished more severely than the guy that insulted… --- ## [Useful Symbols...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-symbols/114927)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2002, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useful-symbols/114927 "2002-06-24T10:08:36Z")
I once heard a member of these boards lament that one member could make a typographical symbol that he couldn’t (frankly, I think the one guy just had a better keyboard;).) Well, anyways I know it is a little crude, but… --- ## [To thank or not to thank when the OP has been answered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-thank-or-not-to-thank-when-the-op-has-been-answered/114974)
**Author:** [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2002, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-thank-or-not-to-thank-when-the-op-has-been-answered/114974 "2002-06-24T04:07:39Z")
Here’s something I’ve always wondered: if I ask a question in a thread, and someone answers me, am I supposed to respond to the thread and thank them? Since I personally am always curious whether my response (or someon… --- ## [Announcement - Sticky - Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-sticky-question/115030)
**Author:** [@lilelly28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilelly28)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2002, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/announcement-sticky-question/115030 "2002-06-24T02:42:35Z")
When I go into various fora, some have “Announcements” and some of them have “Stickies” hugging the top of the page (I scroll past them 99% of the time). Paused for a moment tonight and thought it looked a little tacky. … --- ## [test post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-post/114613)
**Author:** [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-post/114613 "2002-06-23T19:27:00Z")
this is a test.if this had been the real thing it would have appeared elsewhere. thank you --- ## [Didja know that some of the Threadspotting threads in the archive. . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didja-know-that-some-of-the-threadspotting-threads-in-the-archive/115507)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2002, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didja-know-that-some-of-the-threadspotting-threads-in-the-archive/115507 "2002-06-23T14:19:07Z")
don’t link to the thread it’s supposed to? Why? Signed Curious in New York testing sig too while I’m at it. --- ## [International Phonetic Alphabet symbols?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-phonetic-alphabet-symbols/113555)
**Author:** [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2002, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-phonetic-alphabet-symbols/113555 "2002-06-21T12:49:00Z")
Is there any part of the Symbol font that allows you to type out the pronounciation of a word using the phonetic alphabet? I ask this question because some time ago, in this Cafe Society thread, I ran into some awkwardne… --- ## [Question about thread closure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-thread-closure/115033)
**Author:** [@bifar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bifar)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2002, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-thread-closure/115033 "2002-06-21T11:55:33Z")
I’m digging my own grave, seeing as this is my first OP and all, but I have a query about this thread, about drinking Absinthe: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=121437 Now, as Absinthe isn’t … --- ## [test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/87695)
**Author:** [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2002, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/87695 "2002-06-21T03:25:20Z")
test\[sup\]tm\[/sup\] --- ## [what the hell button did I push????](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-button-did-i-push/114768)
**Author:** [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2002, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-button-did-i-push/114768 "2002-06-19T18:19:42Z")
Ok, sitting here w/ several browser windows open (email acocunt, bank account, SDMB etc.) and since on this computer, no matter which window I am currently looking at (w/the others tucked neatly away), whichever one is ‘… --- ## [What's with the "Hi Opal!" stuff/](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-hi-opal-stuff/111468)
**Author:** [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-hi-opal-stuff/111468 "2002-06-18T01:10:15Z")
Being a relative newbee to the boards, I have noticed this phrase in a number of threads and am curious about the story behind it. Unless of course I have to learn the secret handshake and get branded before I hear it. T… --- ## [A very minor programming glitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-very-minor-programming-glitch/114531)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2002, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-very-minor-programming-glitch/114531 "2002-06-17T16:01:37Z")
Well, perhaps it’s one. I’ll let you all be the judge. When I use a new computer and I’m not logged in, it has “unregistered” in the user box down below. I type my post, change the user to EnderW24, and type in my passw… --- ## [Is my thread messed up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-thread-messed-up/114452)
**Author:** [@caracal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caracal)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2002, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-thread-messed-up/114452 "2002-06-17T04:55:47Z")
I have a thread in the GD forum that seems to be messed up. I posted a thank you to the person who replied but I’m not sure if it shows up. If I click on the link to the thread and the reply is there, but just by looki… --- ## [Arnold, about that changing email address process.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arnold-about-that-changing-email-address-process/113947)
**Author:** [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2002, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arnold-about-that-changing-email-address-process/113947 "2002-06-17T04:30:01Z")
“Q: How do I change my email address? A: Click on “User CP” in the upper right hand corner of any SDMB page, then “Edit Profile.” Type in your new email address TWICE: once to change, once again to confirm. Make any oth… --- ## [It happened again: Preview posted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-happened-again-preview-posted/113613)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2002, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-happened-again-preview-posted/113613 "2002-06-17T04:25:47Z")
I promised to report if there were another occurrence. This time, the duplicate posts were sandwiched around someone else’s intervening post. I did not submit twice, and I did not double click Submit. The first post is a… --- ## [Can "banned" be more descriptive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-banned-be-more-descriptive/113943)
**Author:** [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-banned-be-more-descriptive/113943 "2002-06-16T21:47:00Z")
I read this in an existing thread which I can’t find right now, also loosely inspired by the immortal “Too Stupid for Words” tag. I thought it was a pretty good idea when I first read it, so I’m asking it again here. A… --- ## [test...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/113866)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test/113866 "2002-06-15T03:18:22Z")
¨X¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨\[ ¨^¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨T¨a :relaxed: ♫Lalalala♫ --- ## [Idea for speeding up the MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-speeding-up-the-mb/113812)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2002, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-speeding-up-the-mb/113812 "2002-06-14T23:09:07Z")
Has anyone thought of disabling the email notification feature? I don’t know how much this feature is used, but it has the potential to really hog the bandwidth of the server’s net connection. Did we have this feature in… --- ## [Soft Hyphen Test - Please read if you have a minute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-hyphen-test-please-read-if-you-have-a-minute/113820)
**Author:** [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-hyphen-test-please-read-if-you-have-a-minute/113820 "2002-06-14T17:28:31Z")
Wood­work Does anyone see anything in the above word between the d and the w? Anything at all? If so, please post your browser and operating system! More testing; ignore: Law I. Eve­ry body per­se­veres in its state o… --- ## [Is the SDMB mentioned in Cecil's columns in the paper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-sdmb-mentioned-in-cecils-columns-in-the-paper/113931)
**Author:** [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-sdmb-mentioned-in-cecils-columns-in-the-paper/113931 "2002-06-14T14:55:42Z")
or at least the straightdope.com website? I’ve never seen Cecil in the papers, just in books. (the last book, mentioning the message board, led me here!!) --- ## [Hahaha - I thought there was a member called 'Unregistered'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hahaha-i-thought-there-was-a-member-called-unregistered/113817)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2002, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hahaha-i-thought-there-was-a-member-called-unregistered/113817 "2002-06-14T12:35:11Z")
I keep seeing ‘Unregistered’ in the ‘last post’ column in the board indices; I thought there was actually a user of that name, but it’s actually when you have that weird ‘you are not logged in’ business (it just happened… --- ## [Round 2 of the Great Smiley Election has started](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/round-2-of-the-great-smiley-election-has-started/112185)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2002, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/round-2-of-the-great-smiley-election-has-started/112185 "2002-06-13T23:37:52Z")
Round 2 of the Great Smiley Election has started Smiley Voting - Round 2 Threads of interest Smiley Voting - Round 1 - Poll 1 Smiley Voting - Round 1 - Poll 2 Smiley Voting - Round 1 - Poll 3 Smiley Voting - Round … --- ## [Test - content = boring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-content-boring/113896)
**Author:** [@Linear\_Crack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linear_Crack)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2002, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/test-content-boring/113896 "2002-06-13T18:50:30Z")
What the? --- ## [We have a new smiley!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-a-new-smiley/113686)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-a-new-smiley/113686 "2002-06-13T17:49:34Z")
This new smiley was created through the combined efforts of Saltire and Devilman Palmer, and elected through the votes of you, the Teeming Millions. You can select it from the table next to the Message: entry box on the … --- ## [OP afterlife?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-afterlife/113764)
**Author:** [@insider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insider)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2002, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-afterlife/113764 "2002-06-13T05:44:14Z")
Where do OP’s finally end up if they don’t go to other forums or CC’s column? Do all posts go to the OP data base or are they just deleted? Is there some place where I can access all previous posts to the SDMB? --- ## [Suicide by windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-windows/113083)
**Author:** [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2002, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-by-windows/113083 "2002-06-13T01:50:20Z")
When I go into a forum I haven’t been in recently, I sometimes will go down the list opening the threads that interest me in new windows. Sometimes I’ll end up with quite a few windows. Then, when I try to reply to one … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=456) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=458)