That gosh darned BLIMP THREAD!!!
My friend told me about Straightdope.com, so I went and looked at all the articles. Eventually, I clicked on the message boards, and was hooked.
I used to make a point of picking up a local paper that had the Straight Dope and “News Of The Weird” in it.
When I got online service at home, I looked into both columns online, since both of them had web addresses in their printed versions.
For quite some time, I just checked in a few times a week to read Cecil’s column and the staff reports.
One day, I got bored, and clicked on “Message Boards.”
Been here, off and on, ever since.
I found this place when Bricker and manhattan signed up on the trivia game site pyroto.com some time ago. Bricker became a pseudo-admin there, and I don’t go there anymore (no connection). (checking) Hey, where’d it go?
My first SDMB experience was when a thread started by Libertarian about an imfamous episode of the Newlywed Game caught the eye of a friend of mine (known as Spatula here). She told me about it, I attempted in vain to find the episode and vindicate Lib.
Of and on, other friends started linking me to articles and threads and I just decided to join. (Thanks Earl of the CC and Spatula!)
I found the main page by searching for something or other and read most of the archive in a week. I even figured out the numbering scheme (I am so sorry uncle cece, but I have redeemed myself buying your books). Once my brother was bored and I sent him the link, he returned the favcor by telling me to check out the boards… I’m ashamed to say it but it took a while for them to grow on me, but I’ve never left them.
I rode the bus on a forum tour search…keyword - anti.
My dad had one of the books from the early 80’s that I read repeatedly growing up. When I moved a few years ago, I happened across the book in my stuff. I did a search on it one day and, of course, it brought up this site. After reading pretty much every article and staff report, I turned to the forums. After reading it for a few months, I decided to sign up.
Well as a newbie as of today, I guess my story is still fresh in my head 
I am a regular user of bulletin boards, but I was getting sick of talking about the same stuff and all the ones I was on. Thus I went on a long and dangerous quest to find a new bulletin board… 
Actually I remember reading my free local weekly a few weeks ago, saw the Straight Dope column, decided to check this place out… and guess whos coming for dinner
I dont remember the actual searches but I was led to this site twice. Once about two years ago and then again about 1 year ago. After the second hit I decided to poke around a little and stayed. This is an awsome place, Ill probably stay for a while.
Through Ask Jeeves and childs homework.
Welcome to the boards Caprigenus Chèvre. If you haven’t already read the rules, you’ll learn as you go. I’d suggest glancing through them though (you can never be too careful). I think that you’ll enjoy the boards so long as you mind your p’s and q’s. Welcome and enjoy :).
I’ve checked out the Straight Dope for nigh on to over a year before I joined, because back when I used AOL boards (not the SD one, the teen “debate” ones, :shudder: ) someone -usually Daoloth- would would link to Cecil a lot.
I’ve checked out Bored.com since 1999, but I never really clicked on the SD link because then, just as now, I had a special skill for avoiding all the popular links/threads :smack:. Finally, at the late end of July I spent a couple of days hooked at the SD columns (which I still reread from time to time) and finally decided to register to the board.
Ya know, if I had registered back in 1999 I’d have so much more clout around this place. I’d probably have gotten pitted lot more though.
Don’t remember really. Guess I have slept too long since then. I remember vaugely finding the site off another persons’ personal web page, and read all the articles. I even sent in a few of my own questions. None got answered.
At this point I didn’t even know what a message board was, so I poked around and read some of the stuff in GD, I was really into religion and the mystical type of thing back then. I don’t remember ever posting or registering or anything, but I was around reading back in Nov 1999 or so, I only know this is because I was living with my parents at around that time and I remember finding it off their AOL they had back then.
I forgot about it untill a couple years back and I started reading it again on a whim. I remember not wanting to register and post because so many of the people were very intelligent and sometimes a bit abrasive. I asked a question on the Uni webpage (damn if I can’t remember the name of it) and they directed me here. I figured what the hell and registered to ask a question.
I have picked up a bit of the abrasiveness unfortunately, but have learned so much, the most humbling of which is that I don’t know jack shit. Of course that doesn’t stop me from posting.
I have no idea.
A typo more than likely while surfing for SM/BD sites.
Seriously…I googled up an archived comment by Cecil in pursuit of some info.
That sounds a lot better doesn’t it?
Found it in June 2002 by googling for some long forgotten topic, and was directed to the fountain of all true knowledge. Spent the rest of the day reading columns and dispelling ignorance. And then forgot the URL, so i couldnt get back.
Took me three months roughly to find the URL again, and catch up to all the new revelations. Most educational website that ever existed. Where else was i meant to learn the essential facts on whether Tanks have horns?
Back in May 2000, I found the message board through Cecil’s columns. I had read some of them, and discovered the “message board” link, and decided to read it. I read the entire MPSIMS and GQ forums in that week. I actively read the posts until December or so of that year.
Then, in July 2001, I decided to come back, and to join this time. I was glad to see that the people I remember from before (manhattan, TubaDiva, OpalCat, and iamphuna) were still here and posting.
Same here.
I really enjoy the maturity and intelligence of the people here.
As well as the random info I pick up. 
There I was. Killing a few hours in the late great much lamented Coliseum Books back when they were at 57th and Broadway. I’m in the Humor section.
I find a book. The book has a title. ( You’re squirming at this point, wondering where this will go. Right? Right??? I knew it. People usually are at this point. Patience, I’ll get there. One simply cannot rush a fine tale. ).
It was called The Straight Dope. I stood there laughing in the aisles. Gales of hilarity ejaculating from me in a relentless torrent of mirth.
The authorities were called in. It became ugly. Thank goodness for the Chicago Reader’s Work Release Program For Needy Dopers. They saved me, I tell ya !!
This was perhaps…hmm…1993? Ownership of other books followed, and I became a member during the AOL days.
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