# I have arrived **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 28, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349 "2025-10-28T00:48:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/61 "2025-10-29T14:48:34Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > ChatGPT weighs in when I ask, “Tell me about the culture of the Straight Dope Message Board.” That was darn good! > [@pjd](#): > > Hey ! > I heard that. Like it says at the bottom left of every single page: > Welcome > Straight Dope Message Board > Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. ---
**Author:** ![Alli](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alli/32/20123_2.png) [@Alli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alli)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/62 "2025-10-30T22:48:39Z")
Never met him. ---
**Author:** ![Alli](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alli/32/20123_2.png) [@Alli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alli)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/63 "2025-10-30T22:49:19Z")
Heaven forfend! That’s abuse. ---
**Author:** ![Alli](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alli/32/20123_2.png) [@Alli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alli)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/64 "2025-10-30T22:52:23Z")
I have a former student, now in his mid 30s whom I’ve always called Grasshopper. It’s been a long time since anyone’s suggested I was young. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/65 "2025-10-30T22:57:28Z")
> [@Alli](#): > > It’s been a long time since anyone’s suggested I was young. Here: You’re young. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/66 "2025-10-30T23:05:19Z")
Seconded. All in favor? (also: welcome!) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/67 "2025-10-31T00:11:51Z")
How do we know it’s not a dog on the internet? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/68 "2025-10-31T00:16:42Z")
Friendly dogs are also welcome. > [@Alli](#): > > Heaven forfend! That’s abuse That’s the right answer. ---
**Author:** ![Alli](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alli/32/20123_2.png) [@Alli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alli)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/69 "2025-11-01T02:17:28Z")
It’s always a cat. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/70 "2025-11-01T02:51:50Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > How do we know it’s not a dog on the internet? It’s usually hard to tell, and does it really matter? A frequent tell, if you really look hard, is that because of their penchant for grammatical correctness, most canines tend to be pedantic. 🐶 ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/71 "2025-11-01T02:58:39Z")
A little too dogmatic, if you ask me! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/72 "2025-11-01T03:05:51Z")
I hear by attest, Dogs and cats are somewhat smarter than a ‘possum. Anywhoo. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/73 "2025-11-01T23:37:37Z")
Welcome, welcome Alli !!! I’m a '99er. First got hooked on [The Straight Dope](https://www.amazon.com/Straight-Dope-Cecil-Adams/dp/0345422910/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2EEVC3LF8W6TD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2Z6Glhm0TfFB_8COmm8aiAf2DUuYZhhAoSOlRqst0JyRstSjnVjT0PfUWoR1BePlOff_rKEiCKCyYsx66Ebyiz8bsksspLC-TN0QRa4lDTRwxnd5b7TxfvdKtQvyXI-OrR1DCFX2oTo0WequqFnGVgu1Lil7YpXYvx4jZ3oykSaCMzM_RxgsDh5AkDEuQXcxtsMH_tIrsP2XaJSfqEv3lSDobjlSEran5ajHgkaYdEc.vqhHYmTeO2KgVZ0Hr91k1ckq_3XDyZS_cuM5smJ-2AQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Straight+Dope&qid=1762040028&s=books&sprefix=the+straight+dope%2Cstripbooks%2C135&sr=1-1), the first printed compendium of columns of The Straight Dope, which originally ran in the Chicago Reader. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes, laying in bed, reading. And reading. And going back to Coliseum Books on W. 57th St in NYC and getting more books. Then I found the nascent AOL Board and was hooked. It’s a hell of a lot of fun and I’ve learned all sort of things here. And continue to do so. Also, the friendships. Enjoy !!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alli](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alli/32/20123_2.png) [@Alli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alli)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/74 "2025-11-02T16:00:50Z")
Dare I ask what a 99er is? Thanks for the welcome! ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/75 "2025-11-02T17:00:21Z")
> [@Alli](#): > > Dare I ask what a 99er is A Doper who has been a member since 1999 or earlier. Something specific platform-wise happened in 1999 but since I’m a measly 20er I can’t remember what that is. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/76 "2025-11-02T22:22:11Z")
I’ve been on the board since 2001, though reading for quite a while before that. If memory serves, the board started off as an AOL board but migrated to the web proper in in 98-99. Lots of posters migrated but a lot didn’t. Some of the original 99ers are still around and actively posting. We’ve lost a lot as well. Those posters are the ones who laid the foundation for the board’s culture to be what it is and persist how it has. This board is a vestige of the “old internet” before social media and streaming took over everything. It’s a minor miracle this place is still here and still active. All that said, welcome to @Alli , we can always welcome new blood. This place always needs it. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2025, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/77 "2025-11-07T12:15:52Z")
> I resemble that remark (on SDMB since 1999, just post-AOL transition). ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/78 "2025-11-07T20:00:11Z")
Because I spent several years living in Tucson, I had no doubt that this was a thing, the first time I googled SDMB to get the link here and saw that (I was already a member, I just can never remember the link). ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349/79 "2025-11-07T20:03:57Z")
Also, welcome! I’ve been here…a long time, but I don’t think I’m _quite_ a 99’er. I came over as part of the invasion in the board wars between the SDMB and evangelical christian board around 2000/2001. Unlike most of the invading folks who came with, I stayed here and left that place behind. I mostly lurk these days and occasionally end up posting. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-arrived/1024349.md?page=3)