# Alternate ways to access the SDMB

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 9, 2007, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375 "2007-05-09T11:26:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375/1 "2007-05-09T11:26:57Z")

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My company switched web censorship services. Many things that were blocked are now available but I lost the SDMB. Is there an alternate way to read the SDMB? RSS or ATOM maybe?

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**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375/2 "2007-05-09T11:55:01Z")

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Is it out of the question that approaching the right person in IT will get the SDMB open again? after all, it’s probably the word “dope” that put it in the filter automatically when they installed the new SW.

Or just put the IP address in your browser’s window: “[http://208.100.26.199/sdmb/](http://208.100.26.199/sdmb/)” (that final ‘/’ is important, otherwise the SDMB server will just redirect you to “[Straight Dope Message Board - Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/)” and you’ll still be blocked!)

All this assuming they are blocking you out based on a site-name filter, not a list of IP addresses compiled _from_ the results of such a filter; in which case you are SOL in terms of regular browsing.

I think RSS feed was turned on at some point, but may have been turned off again… you’ll have to wait for further answers on that.

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**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375/3 "2007-05-09T12:06:11Z")

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I access the Dope via my windows mobile pocket pc on a daily basis. Then you’ll have a different service provider.

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**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375/4 "2007-05-10T00:01:12Z")

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I’ve said it several times before and I’ll say it again - companies can get very cranky if you “go around” their computer restrictions (regardless of whether it’s lunch time, break time, or other goof off time) and many consider it a good reason to fire someone.

The **only** reasonable solution (other than simply not using your company’s computers and network) is to sweet-talk your IT people. A couple of boxes of donuts might help.

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**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-ways-to-access-the-sdmb/403375/5 "2007-05-10T00:17:45Z")

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Thanks for the suggestions everyone.