# An SDMB Timeline **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 15, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027 "2012-05-15T22:35:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/1 "2012-05-15T22:35:48Z")
Does such a thing already exist? If so, where? If not, I think it might be fun to build one with such details as: - Sequence of starting dates for the various fora - Vital statistics of Mods and Admins (etc.) — Join Date — Date of becoming whatever — Number of posts - Major dates of significant events — Pay to Play — Changes in Board Software — Major crashes — Busiest day — Least busy day Any help with topics? Anybody want to help make such a thing happen, if it hasn’t already? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/2 "2012-05-15T22:54:47Z")
So much has been lost in the mists of time. So sure, go on ahead. When I get a chance (not today, sorry!) I’ll look through the announcements and see if I can pick out some relevant dates for you. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/3 "2012-05-15T23:14:04Z")
Don’t forget the _Winter of Our Missed Content._ (Don’t know the exact dates) ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/4 "2012-05-15T23:24:47Z")
I’m sure there’s threads existing where at least some of this has been done before, just not sure where they are. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/5 "2012-05-15T23:25:07Z")
My joining certainly changed things for the better! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/6 "2012-05-15T23:30:35Z")
Notable bannings might be one. Say, **handy** , **Satan** , or more recently, **Diogenes the Cynic**. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/7 "2012-05-15T23:34:08Z")
> [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](#): > > Notable bannings might be one. > > Say, **handy** , **Satan** , or more recently, **Diogenes the Cynic**. All dwarfed by the blanket banning by a mod who shall be nameless. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/8 "2012-05-15T23:41:52Z")
The mass exodus brought on by Pay2Post was a huge game changer for me. Trek threads were never the same after that. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/9 "2012-05-16T03:13:02Z")
This may be the thread TubaDiva was thinking of: [Ten years of the Dope: a history](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=537416). It’s a list of important board events, but AFAICT nobody got around to adding dates. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/10 "2012-05-16T04:50:53Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > This may be the thread TubaDiva was thinking of: [Ten years of the Dope: a history](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=537416). It’s a list of important board events, but AFAICT nobody got around to adding dates. Wow–a thread I made got noticed!!! I’m somebody! I’m somebody! Came in here to offer that as a starting point. I can’t believe that thread’s three years old already. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/11 "2012-05-16T05:39:30Z")
In the effort to locate a thread I had started some time ago about the first posts in each forum, I stumbled across [SDMB Wiki – List of moderators](http://straightdope.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_moderators) which needs updating but at least lists some of the group: > [@](#): > > bibliophage Maine. Comments on Cecil’s Columns > > Cajun Man New York State of Mind. Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) > > C K Dexter Haven .Cafe Society, Comments on Staff Reports > > Czarcasm Earth Prime, Pre-Crisis In My Humble Opinion > > DrMatrix New York State of Mind. General Questions > > fluiddruid Des Moines, IA.Cafe Society, The BBQ Pit > > Frank Denver, Colorado. In My Humble Opinion > > Gaudere . Great Debates > > Giraffe San Jose, California. The BBQ Pit > > MEBuckner Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Great Debates > > Rico Utah’s Dixie. General Questions > > samclem Akron, Ohio. General Questions > > SkipMagic In Yon Twee. Cafe Society, Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) > > tomndebb N E Ohio.Great Debates > > TubaDiva .About This Message Board > > TVeblen Cecil’s dungeon.The BBQ Pit > > Ukulele Ike Brooklyn.Cafe Society > > xash Santa Clara, CA.General Questions It ought to be easy enough to add the current group and to collect the join dates and number of posts, etc. Who knows the story behind [SDMB Wiki](http://straightdope.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page)? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/12 "2012-05-16T06:37:33Z")
If we can go by the sequences in The Archives for each current forum’s first posts, we get: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php) Straight Dope Message Board About This Message Board Comments on Cecil’s Columns/Staff Reports Straight Dope Chicago General Questions Great Debates Elections Cafe Society The Game Room In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) Marketplace The BBQ Pit … with these details: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-491.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-491.html) About This Message Board 03-10-1999, 11:38 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-7.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-7.html) Comments on Cecil’s Columns/Staff Reports 03-10-1999, 11:25 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-372280.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-372280.html) Straight Dope Chicago 05-19-2006, 01:55 AM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-6400.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-6400.html) General Questions 03-16-1999, 02:57 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-734.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-734.html) Great Debates 05-27-1999, 02:39 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-564397.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-564397.html) Elections 05-24-2010, 01:30 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-11962.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-11962.html) Cafe Society 08-24-1999, 01:26 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-8222.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-8222.html) The Game Room 11-11-1999, 01:59 AM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-3399.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-3399.html) In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) 04-13-1999, 11:03 AM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-15145.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-15145.html) Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS) 03-15-1999, 08:17 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-588374.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-588374.html) Marketplace 12-07-2010, 01:37 PM [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-1458.html](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-1458.html) The BBQ Pit 03-11-1999, 12:20 AM ---
**Author:** ![Charley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charley)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/13 "2012-05-16T06:54:16Z")
That doesn’t look right though. I don’t think Cafe Society has been around that long. Is it perhaps corrupted by the fact that existing posts were moved into the new fora as they were set up? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/14 "2012-05-16T06:59:56Z")
> [@Charley](#): > > That doesn’t look right though. I don’t think Cafe Society has been around that long. Is it perhaps corrupted by the fact that existing posts were moved into the new fora as they were set up? I wondered about that, too. Many of those “first posts” look odd when compared with the versions I’ve seen (read) about when and why the various fora were established. The Game Room is much more recent than the date shown in the Archives. Question is: Where’s the better source? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/15 "2012-05-16T07:32:47Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > In the effort to locate a thread I had started some time ago about the first posts in each forum, I stumbled across [SDMB Wiki – List of moderators](http://straightdope.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_moderators) > > It ought to be easy enough to add the current group and to collect the join dates and number of posts, etc. Here’s the current group: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=32](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) TubaDiva Total Posts: 8,578 Join Date: 03-10-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=42630](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Gfactor Total Posts: 9,469 Join Date: 12-22-2003 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=207](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Rico Total Posts: 4,597 Join Date: 03-16-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=19](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) C K Dexter Haven Total Posts: 14,002 Join Date: 02-19-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=10115](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Colibri Total Posts: 18,506 Join Date: 10-11-2000 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=2145](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) samclem Total Posts: 18,485 Join Date: 08-15-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=32947](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Gary “Wombat” Robson Total Posts: 8,726 Join Date: 03-20-2003 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=1961](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Gaudere Total Posts: 6,107 Join Date: 07-28-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=21437](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Marley23 Total Posts: 58,685 Join Date: 04-19-2002 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=82](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) tomndebb Total Posts: 32,676 Join Date: 03-12-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=24510](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) twickster Total Posts: 34,410 Join Date: 08-11-2002 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=1185](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Ellen Cherry Total Posts: 8,882 Join Date: 05-21-1999 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=53286](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Gukumatz Total Posts: 2,288 Join Date: 06-11-2005 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=38203](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Idle Thoughts Total Posts: 6,854 Join Date: 08-07-2003 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=7108](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) RickJay Total Posts: 27,078 Join Date: 06-12-2000 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=11601](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Miller Total Posts: 30,838 Join Date: 12-19-2000 [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php?u=6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) Ed Zotti Total Posts: 1,643 Join Date: 02-18-1999 ================================== I know there are other past Moderators not on either of these lists. Can you help name them? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/16 "2012-05-16T07:45:20Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > I wondered about that, too. Many of those “first posts” look odd when compared with the versions I’ve seen (read) about when and why the various fora were established. The Game Room is much more recent than the date shown in the Archives. > > Question is: Where’s the better source? Maybe search for the announcement threads for those forums? ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/17 "2012-05-16T09:47:05Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > In the effort to locate a thread I had started some time ago about the first posts in each forum, I stumbled across [SDMB Wiki – List of moderators](http://straightdope.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_moderators) which needs updating but at least lists some of the group: > > It ought to be easy enough to add the current group and to collect the join dates and number of posts, etc. > > Who knows the story behind [SDMB Wiki](http://straightdope.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page)? How soon they forget. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/18 "2012-05-16T10:49:26Z")
Euty (above), Ukelele Ike, Manhatten, Coldfire, Melin to name a few. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/19 "2012-05-16T11:06:49Z")
> [@Eutychus](#): > > How soon they forget. WILL ANDREWT85 _NEVER_ GET HIS ATMB BANNING THREAD? What is WRONG with you MODS AND ADMINS?! O THE INJUSTICE!!!1!!! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027/20 "2012-05-16T11:46:44Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > All dwarfed by the blanket banning by a mod who shall be nameless. Now we can’t even have _blankets_? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-timeline/622027.md?page=2)