# About This Message Board **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=517 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 518 --- ## [Long sigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-sigs/51198)
**Author:** [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2001, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-sigs/51198 "2001-01-22T16:12:22Z")
I find them extremely annoying esp for the nth time in any one thread but I am curious about much stress they put on the system. Would it be easier on the server if people restricted themselves to short sigs used infreq… --- ## [Coldfire wrote:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coldfire-wrote/51145)
**Author:** [@Doc\_Moss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Moss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2001, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coldfire-wrote/51145 "2001-01-22T15:09:41Z")
“Courtesy of Kevin Bloody Wilson, here are a few lines that will save you a few rounds of beer, a dinner, a movie, and a lot of time. YMMV, though.” YMMV? And I never knew Kevin Bloody Wilson was big in Europe. --- ## [Question regarding Danielintheetc...'s Great Debates policy pronouncement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-danielintheetc-s-great-debates-policy-pronouncement/50705)
**Author:** [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2001, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-danielintheetc-s-great-debates-policy-pronouncement/50705 "2001-01-22T14:24:59Z")
Recently, in at least two threads, Danielinthewolvesden has proclaimed that if an opposing viewpoint can’t be found, a question on matters of religion do NOT belong in Great Debates. Is this a new policy that I am unawar… --- ## [How can I find the exact day that I registered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-exact-day-that-i-registered/51240)
**Author:** [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2001, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-the-exact-day-that-i-registered/51240 "2001-01-22T08:23:07Z")
I considered looking through all my past posts and trying to find the ABSOLUTE FIRST one, but that’d take a long time, I think. There’s probably something else that’s painfully obvious that I’m overlooking, and when some… --- ## [WAG?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wag/51239)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2001, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wag/51239 "2001-01-22T07:50:30Z")
What does WAG stand for? --- ## [CODE directive, single-lined?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-directive-single-lined/50418)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2001, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/code-directive-single-lined/50418 "2001-01-22T02:23:36Z")
I thought I’d asked this question before, but I can’t find it when I search this Forum, so I guess I DIDN’T ask this question before. To wit: When I use the {CODE} vB command (using square brackets instead of curly bra… --- ## [Anybody else find the entire Straight Dope website M.I.A. yesterday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-find-the-entire-straight-dope-website-m-i-a-yesterday/50855)
**Author:** [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-find-the-entire-straight-dope-website-m-i-a-yesterday/50855 "2001-01-21T20:00:59Z")
All day yesterday I kept getting a “Cannot find server” for both the Straight Dope Home Page and the message boards. I’m used to having the boards go down, or time out. But this was the entire Straight Dope website. It d… --- ## [the speed SDMB loads here and at work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speed-sdmb-loads-here-and-at-work/51057)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-speed-sdmb-loads-here-and-at-work/51057 "2001-01-21T16:14:32Z")
When I access the SDMB from work, I use an imac that has a very fast connection - I don’t know what kind, but when I hit the sign-on button, it sometimes takes me there right away. However, loading pages from that site, … --- ## [Do user names expire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485)
**Author:** [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2001, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485 "2001-01-21T04:04:44Z")
Are registered user names ever deleted after long periods of inactivity? I was just wondering what happens to the names chosen by people who register, post once or twice, then lose interest and never come back. –subligh… --- ## [Time to update copyright notice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-update-copyright-notice/50922)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2001, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-update-copyright-notice/50922 "2001-01-21T00:49:26Z")
Down at the bottom of the page it says “Contents of the Straight Dope Message Board and the Straight Dope Web site are copyright 1984-2000 by the Chicago Reader, Inc.” That should probably be updated to say “copyright 19… --- ## [IIRC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iirc/51070)
**Author:** [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2001, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iirc/51070 "2001-01-20T23:51:17Z")
Okay, I cant figure it out; What does IIRC stand for?! --- ## [Permanent Announcements/FAQs for forums](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-announcements-faqs-for-forums/50937)
**Author:** [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2001, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-announcements-faqs-for-forums/50937 "2001-01-20T14:44:06Z")
Excuse me it this has been covered before, but I did a search on “Announcements” in the ATMB subject line (Any Date) and found nothing relevant. Due to increased board traffic, both manhattan and Eutychus55 have recentl… --- ## [Locked Threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873)
**Author:** [@IzzyR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IzzyR)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-threads/50873 "2001-01-19T23:01:49Z")
When a moderator or administrator locks a thread, does this mean that the discussion has been declared to be off-limits, (and that someone who immediately opens another thread continuing the same topic will not be looked… --- ## [Usage agreement: Am I missing it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-agreement-am-i-missing-it/50810)
**Author:** [@jeyen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeyen)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usage-agreement-am-i-missing-it/50810 "2001-01-19T20:13:38Z")
Hi, guys. Sorry if I’m missing the obvious. I wanted to read the SDMB usage agreement. (You know, the one I probably skimmed and agreed to when I signed up.) Maybe I’m spending too much time reading Pit threads, but I… --- ## [How do I search for a two word subject?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-search-for-a-two-word-subject/50644)
**Author:** [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-search-for-a-two-word-subject/50644 "2001-01-19T13:59:20Z")
I want to search the SDMB for coal oil. How do I search for a two word subject with two popular words? A quick netscape and google give both oil and coal but not the product coal oil. --- ## [Disable Email Notification Midstream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disable-email-notification-midstream/50799)
**Author:** [@choosybeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choosybeggar)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disable-email-notification-midstream/50799 "2001-01-19T10:47:43Z")
I love the email notification feature. However, sometimes I get weary of following a particular thread, and I’d like to stop receiving notifications of additional posts. The notification email text reads: but generally… --- ## [splitting up GQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-up-gq/50421)
**Author:** [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-up-gq/50421 "2001-01-19T07:55:21Z")
Given the recent crush of question in the General Questions forum, is it possible to split GQ into subforums? This would help both people posting questions, and people with knowledge in certain areas trying to keep up wi… --- ## [Where they all a'comin from ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-they-all-acomin-from/50660)
**Author:** [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2001, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-they-all-acomin-from/50660 "2001-01-19T05:56:34Z")
As I write there are 12,257 members associated with the Board. Seems to me like only yesterday that we passed the 10,000 mark but, at a guess, it was maybe 3 months ago. If that’s right, the Board is gaining new members… --- ## [newbies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbies/50527)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2001, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newbies/50527 "2001-01-18T19:16:04Z")
When does one lose the title of “newbie?” --- ## [A modest suggestion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-suggestion/50425)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2001, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-suggestion/50425 "2001-01-18T14:59:16Z")
Long ago I asked why we can’t close our own threads, and Manny replied that this rule was to prevent people from venting their anger or prejudice onto the board without allowing anyone to respond, presumably by opening a… --- ## [SD server problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-server-problems/50452)
**Author:** [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2001, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sd-server-problems/50452 "2001-01-18T10:21:40Z")
With the current push for responsible posting by the moderators I cant help but wonder… why not just upgrade the servers. Now, I realize we all can’t be rich and good looking, but if your bulging in the wrong places then… --- ## [As long as we're making suggestions:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-long-as-were-making-suggestions/49504)
**Author:** [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2001, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-long-as-were-making-suggestions/49504 "2001-01-17T13:11:17Z")
So as to not hijack Lexi’s thread, can I make a suggestion for the board? The Last Post field doesn’t do much for me. I mean: If a thread’s it’s at the top of the thead list, it was posted to recently. How much more inf… --- ## [New icons created by Stimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-icons-created-by-stimpy/42698)
**Author:** [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-icons-created-by-stimpy/42698 "2001-01-16T23:42:54Z")
Thanks to Stimpy, we now have 3 (three, count them, three) new proposed smilies. This brings the list of submitters and suggesters to\*\*\[ul\]\[li\]Chronos\*\* einstein, idea\[/li\]\*\*\[li\]Lynn Bodoni square, typingclass\[/li\]\[li\]R… --- ## [How often do mods check a thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-mods-check-a-thread/50306)
**Author:** [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2001, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-mods-check-a-thread/50306 "2001-01-16T21:54:11Z")
I assume you have to look at all the threads in your area. But how do you keep up on neverending threads? Do you get emails from dopers warning you of a heated arguement in MPSIMS? Do you have some 6th sense on these thi… --- ## [Can you all test my link to my homepage? (NOT a count generating scam)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-all-test-my-link-to-my-homepage-not-a-count-generating-scam/50088)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2001, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-all-test-my-link-to-my-homepage-not-a-count-generating-scam/50088 "2001-01-16T17:29:41Z")
Hey y’all, Falcon said she was having trouble using the link at the bottom of my post. My machine seems to pick it up okay, but I’d like y’all to give it a try. Let me know if something wrong, por favor? Tripler Much … --- ## [Sig test. Nothing to see here.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-test-nothing-to-see-here/50116)
**Author:** [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sig-test-nothing-to-see-here/50116 "2001-01-15T08:01:12Z")
Poop! --- ## [I click reply in my thread and get taken to a different thread!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-click-reply-in-my-thread-and-get-taken-to-a-different-thread/50079)
**Author:** [@Sycorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sycorax)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-click-reply-in-my-thread-and-get-taken-to-a-different-thread/50079 "2001-01-15T03:35:27Z")
I just attempted to reply to my thread (posted 12/28 - where should I live in North/South Carolina, in IMHO), and I got taken to a different thread (not the reply screen, but the thread itself). --- ## [Switching ISP's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-isps/49983)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2001, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-isps/49983 "2001-01-15T00:50:46Z")
I’m in the middle of switching from AOL to EarthLink. At the moment have both acounts active but soon AOL will be going be-bye. Should I notify administration? Do they care? Is it just a matter of changing my email addre… --- ## [Reviving old threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-threads/48248)
**Author:** [@Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2001, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-threads/48248 "2001-01-14T20:32:00Z")
(I guess I’m looking more for informed opinions here, than a definitive answer). What is the limit of politeness when it comes to bumping up old threads? Things move so fast round here, sometimes it’s a couple of days be… --- ## [Now who is Czarcasm and why is s/he mod in IMHO?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-who-is-czarcasm-and-why-is-s-he-mod-in-imho/49863)
**Author:** [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2001, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-who-is-czarcasm-and-why-is-s-he-mod-in-imho/49863 "2001-01-14T20:22:37Z")
I know it is a reg poster, I just forget who. And I knew that IMHO needed another mod. Congradulations! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=516) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/about-this-message-board/8.md?page=518)