# Is this the best message board on the internet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2002, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074 "2002-12-07T02:52:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/21 "2002-12-07T17:17:23Z")
Of course it is…What could be better? ---
**Author:** ![Kantalooppi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a5b964/32.png) [@Kantalooppi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kantalooppi)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/22 "2002-12-07T17:30:06Z")
I… think that if I was in a desert island and had to choose only one message board to survive, I’d choose [Apolyton.net forums.](http://www.apolyton.net/forums) But that’s mostly because I’ve been a member for 4 years and have probably over 10,000 posts made there, and know and have been part of the entire forum history. But this would be my clear second favorite. This board is sometimes a bit… too good, you know? In an intimidating sort of way. ---
**Author:** ![Slartibartfastt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@Slartibartfastt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slartibartfastt)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/23 "2002-12-07T17:31:58Z")
SDMB is the best general forum on the net but for specific topics some boards do a better job. It is one of many that I try to browse each day. For example I am an old Amiga computer fan and there are a couple of message boards that I visit that deal with the current Amiga scene and Amiga emulators. I also play some games and visit forums that are specific to that game only (at one I am an administrator). Then there are some forums that I visit when I want to ask about something very specific, for example I visited the AMDZone forum when I had some trouble with my new motherboard since they have many members that have lots of experience with AMD hardware. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/24 "2002-12-07T19:14:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tehanu \* > \*\*Until I found this forum, I was beginning to believe that all interest in proper spelling and well-thought-out arguments was dead. > > Thank you to all the dopers out there for restoring my peace of mind! 😉 \*\* Certain forums will do that to you, won’t they, **Tehanu**? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/25 "2002-12-07T19:29:51Z")
This was the first message board I ever posted to, and when I looked around to other ones, I never really found anything I liked for long enough to stick with it, unless it was on superspecific topics. I just got tired of the fact that I’d be done reading all the messages within an hour, and would have to wait a few days for a possible new post. I still go to a couple other message boards, but they’re for more “out there” kinds of topics that I want serious answers to and opinions of without the filler being mostly jokes about it. I don’t think I’d stop looking in here now that I’ve been around for a couple of years. Yeah, there will be the times where I take an internet hiatus [I’ve taken a couple of 'em in the years I’ve been on this board, and I doubt most of the people noticed, excepting some of the people who’ve been around since I have and noticed me early on], but that won’t keep me from making myself known around here every now and then. ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/26 "2002-12-07T20:21:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pantone Swatchbook \* > **James Randi’s messageboards rival this one in terms of entertainment value and knowledge base of posters.** I checked that one out and they do give us a run for our money. Seems like our alter-ego. Their “Links” forum is a really good idea. ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/27 "2002-12-07T20:23:33Z")
Forgot to add… …but we’d still take em’ 😃 Ivory tower academics don’t have the stomach to duke it out with the dope. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/28 "2002-12-07T22:33:47Z")
The Straight Dope Message Board, of course. :Cecil smiley: Worship! Worship! ---
**Author:** ![Bandanaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ab097/32.png) [@Bandanaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bandanaman)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/29 "2002-12-07T22:37:20Z")
'Tis great, 'cept for the not sees. ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/30 "2002-12-08T02:13:03Z")
Maney of teh uther missige brods in the internett r comunly litered whith this tipe of speeling. Really and truly they are. That drives me nuts! I don’t think that by any means I’m a grammarian, but sheesh! :rolleyes: SDMB is the one that simply will not allow this sort of crap, thank Heaven. I like it here. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/31 "2002-12-08T03:10:38Z")
I can’t believe the question needs to be asked. However, I would like to give a Special Mention for accomplishments in the area of Humor, Something Awful. I don’t really go there much myself, but that’s \*\* Pump Action Gerbil’s \*\* favorite hang, and I can’t help but notice when he’s sitting over there cracking up. The Photoshop Phridays forum can be truly side-splitting at times. But overall, we’re da bomb. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/32 "2002-12-08T06:04:11Z")
Posted several months ago by **Steve Wright** : “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a doper in possession of a fast internet connection, must be in want of a life.” How the hell would anybody have _time_ to check out another board? No need to anyway… ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/33 "2002-12-08T06:49:23Z")
**Slartibartfastt** , Isn’t your name out of the book _Life, the Universe, and Everything_? I love that book! Sorry bout that slight hijack. Yes, I believe this is the best message board on the internet. I haven’t really posted on any other message boards but still…The StraightDope is so civilized and intelligent! ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/34 "2002-12-08T21:13:19Z")
This is like, my 23rd post _today_. Other boards? I have no knowledge of these other worlds outside of the one under the guidance of the **Perfect Master**. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/35 "2002-12-08T23:30:31Z")
I can honestly say the SDMB ruined me for other message boards. I’m barely computer literate and didn’t even know what a “message board” was when I found the SD cite (being a long time fan of the books). I sort of waded into the MB and – you all know what happens next – I was sucked in and quickly hooked like a crack addict. Eventually it dawned on me that there must be _other_ message boards, and I’ve cruised by a couple to check them out, and what do I find? Inanity, poor spelling and grammar, legions of apparent 12 year olds LOL’ing and "U R 2 hot"ing their way through evenings when nothing’s on the Disney Channel. Or flat-out crazy people enjoying the opportunity to bond with others on the lunatic fringe. Since this was my experience of the MB world, I seriously thought _every_ MB would be of this quality, with topics this interesting and people this funny and smart. Boy, was I wrong. So this is by far and away the best MB I’ve seen, but I freely admit I haven’t seen many. But truthfully, and as someone else already said, I’d hardly have time to frequent another one anyway – the SDMB is such an effective time-sucker that it demands all of the free time I’m willing to give to dinking around on the Internet. If there were two such Boards in my life, I’d probably lose my job and friends. Long live the SDMB! ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/36 "2002-12-09T00:06:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lsura \* > \*\*Others may disagree - some prefer the boobies and beer communities, and that’s fine for them. This is more my style. \*\* Now I’m going to be mulling over this dilemma for weeks… Straight Dope or boobies… Straight Dope or boobies… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Raven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Raven\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Raven_1)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/37 "2002-12-09T05:05:16Z")
Howyadoin, The board itself? Better now that Grandmaster Tech Jerry improved the speed. The load issues were starting to impact use and therefore the depth and breadth of the discussions. As for the posters, admins and mods, which are the lifeblood of the board, I’ve never seen a more versatile group of people online. This is a superb example of the online community everyone in the Internet field was trying to forge “back in the day”. I’m curious if we have any Dopers that were part of the famous Well multi-user system. It has been said (no personal experience)that this was one of the more successful early bulletin and chat online community systems, which also ferociously guarded its domain. They charged for access, but gave freebies to a lot of journalists, writers, etc, to ensure a steady supply of verbiage, as it were… A lot of us also remember the BBS of days past, some of which were extensive in design and had many great discussion boards. The Internet makes a huge difference in making the SDMB easier to access by a diverse user base than a BBS. So to finally answer the question In My Humble Opinion… _ **You betcha!** _ Just the cacklings of a corvid… -Rav ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/38 "2002-12-09T05:46:14Z")
What **Jodi** said. I’m an AOLer, and got involved with the SDMB back when it was on AOL. And it ruined me for other boards. I’ve looked around. But it just don’t git no bettern’ this. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/39 "2002-12-09T17:08:24Z")
Of course it is. Even our trolls are the best. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Siemsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Siemsi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siemsi)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074/40 "2002-12-09T17:28:33Z")
Yes it its! I’m glad to be here!😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet/141074.md?page=3)