is there anyway i can search the fourms or do i have go throug the archives manuly?
There are two different search functions, depending on where you are and what you’re talking about.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A THREAD ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS: there’s a SEARCH button up there on that blue bar across the top of the screen. It says SEARCH and has a cute li’l down pointing triangle next to it. You click on that, you’ll be able to search the Message Board forums. However, that takes time (depending on how busy the boards are) and strains the hamsters that run the drives, so please use with some consideration for others.
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ONE OF CECIL’S COLUMNS OR A STAFF REPORT: To search the Archives (that is, Cecil’s Columns and Staff Reports), go to the home page at www.straightdope.com and then to the section called ARCHIVES, and scroll down a bit and you’ll find a search function there. Since the Archives are reasonably static, that’s a faster and easier search.
I’m wondering if Lear’s_fool means this archive, which doesn’t seem to be searchable?