How do you keep track in the Dope?

I’ve posted for many years on this message board yet I still have some problem keeping track of where I’ve been. Sometimes I get the nagging feeling that, in some thread in which I’ve made a comment, somebody has asked me a question. Only I’ve since forgotten the thread and haven’t returned.

Sometimes I use the search engine to look up my username and show me all of the recent threads I’ve participated in for no other reason than to jog my memory about where somebody might be waiting for an answer. Or in the case of the Pit, somebody deserves a shot back for shooting an insult at me.

So, how do you keep track of your past comments? Is there and easier way outside of the search engine to keep track of your conversations?

Go into your account. Click on the “statistics” tab. there will be a link for find all posts by BubbaDog.

It’s not very intuititve and I’m a little supprsised they never came up with a better system of keeping track of treads that you are interested in.

Simple: Quick Links, Subscribed Threads. Sometimes I subscribe to threads in which I haven’t posted, just because I want to know how it turns out.

I forgot all about this. I’m going to use it more and see if it’s a better system.

Normally, I open two tabs. One for the regular message board and the second tab displaying just subscribed thread.

If you just click the User CP link in the top menu bar, you’ll see all of your subscribed threads there. (Same thing as Quick Links --> Subscribed Threads, but one click instead of two! Saves time for lazy people!)

If you’re really lazy, just click on your name and select “Find all posts by…”

I have it configured to send me emails when there are posts to threads I’m subscribed to.

I don’t subscribe to threads as such.

If I’m after threads that have posts I’ve made I do
Search → Advanced Search → Search by User Name → and type in “Zeldar” → and click Search all Open Forums → and click Search Now

If I’m looking for threads where my username has been typed or quoted by others I do
Search → Advanced Search → Search by Keyword → and type in “Zeldar” → and click Search all Open Forums → and click Search Now

If I’m doing that keyword search I will also type in “Zeldars” since there are times when that’s how people will have referred to my posts or name.

If there are other places where I’ve been addressed, I just miss them! :frowning:

(There are occasions where my ego bristles when I see indirect mention of things I may have said or where traits I have have been mentioned indirectly. I assume this wasn’t meant for a response or reaction from me, so I disregard such.)

And I can’t be responsible for those who have me on their Ignore List. :smiley:

Just FYI, if you post to a thread, you are automatically subscribed to it.

Thanks. I had no idea. I’ve only been here 8 years. :slight_smile:

I’m noticing that most of the replies are from Charter Members. Are some of these features reserved for paying members? (I’m a Guest is why I ask.)

I just pop on new posts. Any thread I have posted on is marked. I open in new tab 4 or 5 threads at a time and read them from where I left off reading them previously. If something needs a post, I then post. Or read it to mrAru and giggle.

Is that the default? I know a lot of us (myself included) started doing that when the board started forcing us to wait 5 minutes between searches which meant searching for threads you’ve posted in or using the New Posts button was a but tedious. But I don’t think it’s automatically set up that way.

I don’t think so, no. I use the User CP link, in my browser, it’s at the far left of the first thick blue line under the The Straight Dope Banner, along with FAQ, Calendar, New Posts, Search, Quick Links and Log Out.

Once I’ve checked the User CP for replies to threads I’ve posted in, then I use New Posts to see what’s new that I haven’t posted in.

ETA: The User CP button doesn’t seem to count as a Search for the 2 minute lockout the way New Posts does. I can click User CP and immediately click on New Posts.

Mine shows 0 subscribed threads. I know I’m “active” in at least ten at the moment. Posting in that many hasn’t “subscribed” me to any – unless I’m missing a trick.

Weird. This thread doesn’t come up for you when you click User CP?

I don’t “subscribe” to any threads, but my User CP shows any threads I’ve posted in recently, and the ones that have new replies are bolded.

I have no idea why yours doesn’t, sorry. :frowning:

Direct quote:

The display of subscribed threads in the default CP view is a bit inscrutable. I cannot figure out how it decides which ones are selected to be displayed “for this time period.” But go to the far right of the purple bar under that and click “View All Subscribed Threads” and see if you get anything.

This has worked for me for many years.