# I need a new message board a lot like the Straight Dope **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285 "2009-02-24T22:32:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/1 "2009-02-24T22:32:17Z")
Except still, you know, allowed to be fun. My favourite parts of the Dope were IMHO, MPSIMS, and The Pit, with frequent visits to Café Society. I’ve tried the Fabulous Forums but they’re far too cliquey for my taste. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/2 "2009-02-24T22:37:10Z")
I came here from Snopes (it was still semi-readable then), and really haven’t been anywhere else since. This board had _everything_! It may - possibly - still turn out to be the best of a bad lot, who knows? But, yeah, I’m also open to some advice on where to look around. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/3 "2009-02-24T22:40:25Z")
I’ve been hanging out a lot over at [SomethingAwful](http://forums.somethingawful.com/). The population over there skews a little bit younger than here, but it’s still worth checking out. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/4 "2009-02-24T22:47:14Z")
Funny, you read my mind. Be sure to leave a trail of breadcrumbs. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/5 "2009-02-24T23:20:34Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > I’ve been hanging out a lot over at [SomethingAwful](http://forums.somethingawful.com/). The population over there skews a little bit younger than here, but it’s still worth checking out. Thanks - I will check that out. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/6 "2009-02-24T23:32:00Z")
It ain’t the **BOARD** , it’s the **PEOPLE** that make it up, so from one ignern’t Southern/German boy, let’s not fuck with it, okay? Please? SDMB has survived many storms since its inception, and it can and will survive this one. I know about “ownership” and that they can dictate anything they want, but here’s an opportunity for a diplomatic solution. If it isn’t too late, can y’all just sit down and talk it out? I need my “family” in one place - right here - and not scattered all over the ether. There is cohesion here, and it needs to remain here. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/7 "2009-02-24T23:45:46Z")
I don’t want to go, **Quasi** , but dying boards aren’t filling my “sit on my ass and be entertained” needs. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/8 "2009-02-25T00:00:58Z")
Then fight for what we all want! Choose some people representing the “dissatisfied” and sit down and talk with the Admin people! At least **offer** it! Hell, I’ll chip in for plane tickets, even! But don’t just take our toys and go elsewhere to play! We need to at least _try_. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/9 "2009-02-25T00:19:18Z")
Quasi, I’m not intending to go anywhere, but I ain’t real happy, neither. So I have to admit, I’m interested. This is a storm that’s been months in the growing. It’s not going to go away so soon. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/10 "2009-02-25T00:36:36Z")
I understand, and believe me, I’m NOT the guy who needs to be saying this stuff! I’m the guy who’s asking for some of **our** people to meet with some of **theirs** , and let’s work something out to benefit all of us. Unless I’m mistaken, this is **THE** Premier International Message Board, right? Isn’t it worth saving? All I’m saying is, **eyes** are on us right now, and if we can’t make this work out, we’re no better than those damn banks the Feds keep closing down! I may be wrong, but I believe **this** board has set the standards for others, and if we crumble, then they will too. “Fighting Ignorance Since 1973” suddenly means _nothing_? I don’t believe y’all want to throw in the towel that easily. Admittedly, I came into this a bit late. I saw the “Ed, WTF” thread and thought that this is where it began, but apparently not. I hope this isn’t the case, but if Creative Loafing wants to divest itself of SDMB, I think it would be a HUGE mistake. Let’s not let this happen, okay? Bill ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/11 "2009-02-25T00:49:45Z")
some suggestions here: > **[Is there an online forum w/intelligent people and little moderation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=496433)** > > I’m looking to join an online forum or message board where there are intelligent people who talk about all kinds of stuff, including possibly taboo and offensive subjects, but where there is little moderation or organized efforts to “control” the... ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/12 "2009-02-25T00:51:30Z")
You shot who in the what?? I must need to go read some multi-page threads. I knew there was some general grumbling but I didn’t realize it had gone _this_ far. Now we’re leaving? Gah! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/13 "2009-02-25T00:56:57Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I understand, and believe me, I’m NOT the guy who needs to be saying this stuff! **Quasimodem** , please. If you turn this into a discussion on the board or its rules, the thread will likely be closed. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/14 "2009-02-25T01:05:24Z")
Okay, whatever. I’m outta here. Sure don’t wanna mess anything up. Q ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/15 "2009-02-25T01:11:34Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Except still, you know, allowed to be fun. My favourite parts of the Dope were IMHO, MPSIMS, and The Pit, with frequent visits to Café Society. I’ve tried the Fabulous Forums but they’re far too cliquey for my taste. Any suggestions? I’ve been thinking the same thing. I’m a member of another board that i like, and i think that from now on i’m going to be spending far more time there than here. Here’s a rundown on the good and the bad (or, perhaps, the “same” and the “different”) of that board. Here’s the board: [Urban75](http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/index.php) Stuff that isn’t very different on Urban75 than on the SDMB: [ul] [li] quite a lot of smart people[/li][li] feeling of community[/li][li] good discussions of politics, history, culture, etc., etc.[/li][li] lots of good answers to GQ-type questions[/li][li] decent moderation (although the mods maintain less distinction between their regular posts and their Mod posts than the SDMB)[/li][/ul] Stuff where Urban75 is quite different from the SDMB: [ul] [li] smaller membership (or at least, it seems that way to me)[/li][li] not as many threads; less thread turnover than SDMB[/li][li] threads tend to run longer, on average, and develop into real extended conversations, more often than on the Dope[/li][li] politics; if you thought the Dope was left/liberal, it often looks conservative compared to Urban. There are a few avowed socialists, communists, and anarchists there; but there are also plenty of mainstream liberal/progressive types, and some conservatives. There’s still no shortage of heated debate and acrimony, but the flavor tends to be somewhat different from the Dope.[/li][li] geographic orientation;Urban is based in the UK, and the discussion tends to be UK-centric in the same way that the Dope tends to be US-centric[/li][li] No BBQ Pit. Insults are allowed in any forum, although if things get out of hand the mods do step in. The lack of restrictions on insults does lead to some thread derailings, but there are plenty of vigorous discussions that don’t descend into name-calling.[/li][li] much more _laissez-faire_ attitude to discussions about illegal topics. There is a forum specifically devoted to Drugs, and there are also frequent discussions about file sharing, bittorrent, etc.[/li][/ul] I think that just about does it. I think (and hope) that i’ve given a reasonably fair and accurate description, one that does justice to Urban75 and to the Straight Dope. Anyway, if that sounds interesting, you should check it out. I use the same handle over there. There are a few other former Dopers there (including our old friend **Aldebaran** ), and (i think) a few current ones. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/16 "2009-02-25T01:22:18Z")
Oh, one more benefit of Urban75: No time limit between searches, and it basically never goes down. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/17 "2009-02-25T01:31:03Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > **Quasimodem** , please. If you turn this into a discussion on the board or its rules, the thread will likely be closed. Yes, please - this thread might be a response to things happening around here, but it isn’t a complaint or discussion of these boards - I really would like suggestions for new places to go. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/18 "2009-02-25T02:45:05Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > My favourite parts of the Dope were IMHO, MPSIMS, and The Pit, with frequent visits to Café Society. So a couple of rule changes in one of those three and- oh nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/19 "2009-02-25T02:55:52Z")
Thank you, **mhendo** , that was very helpful. Could someone post a similar analysis of Something Awful? I see it mentioned every time we discuss other boards, but it’s hard to get a feel from quick visits, especially since it seems to have tons of forums and lots of really long threads. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285/20 "2009-02-25T02:57:15Z")
I’ve heard good things about this place: [http://thechurchofgroove.com/](http://thechurchofgroove.com/) If I show up there, it won’t be as Oak or variations thereof…but I prolly won’t be too hard to spot. It’s a smaller board…and one I have no ownership or management interest in…but has some cool people, and a similar vibe. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-message-board-a-lot-like-the-straight-dope/487285.md?page=2)