# Other "Smart Boards" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 21, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184 "2002-10-21T04:51:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/1 "2002-10-21T04:51:27Z")
I’m having a great deal of trouble logging on and then navigating this board. I understand that it’s because this board is so popular, which is understandable. I love this place - when I can get access. Sadly, there are only so many hours in my day and I’m spend many of those hours waiting to read the fantistic posts here. With that in mind, what are the other “smart boards” that I can travel to when Straight Dope is so jammed with admirers that there’s no room for me? Any suggestions / URLs? ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/2 "2002-10-21T04:53:11Z")
This is it. Sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/3 "2002-10-21T05:18:00Z")
[IMDB MB](http://www.imdb.com/boards/) I don’t know how smart it is, and I have hardly glanced at it, but It might be worthwhile. I found it as a result of getting too tired waiting for things to happen here. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/4 "2002-10-21T05:25:39Z")
This is more of a poll than a question with factual answers. I’ll move it to IMHO for you. Off to IMHO. **DrMatrix** - General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/5 "2002-10-21T05:41:47Z")
Hmm. There’s the forum of the JREF (James Randi Educational Foundation), a skeptical bunch at [www.randi.org](http://www.randi.org) . And there’s the Grammar Lady message board, populated by “recreational grammarians” at [www.grammarlady.com](http://www.grammarlady.com) ('Hit the Books"). ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/6 "2002-10-21T06:03:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nametag \* > \*\*… . And there’s the Grammar Lady message board, populated by “recreational grammarians” at [www.grammarlady.com](http://www.grammarlady.com) ('Hit the Books"). \*\* Hold me back! I’m serious, hit me a tire iron now before the compulsion to delve into the difference between a gerund and a present participle overtakes me! ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/7 "2002-10-21T08:05:45Z")
There’s also the [Snopes board](http://www.snopes.com/ulrpmb.stm), popular among Urban Legend Aficionados. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/8 "2002-10-22T02:26:55Z")
[I just found one at the BBC website. Again I have not looked much at it.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/messageboards/) ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/9 "2002-10-22T02:35:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lobsang \* > \*\*[I just found one at the BBC website. Again I have not looked much at it.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/messageboards/) \*\* I have had a bit more of a look at it. There are like hundreds of seperate board rooms compared to SDMB’s 10ish However, most if it is geared towards british TV (not surprising considering it’s the BBC’s boards). But I am sure The non Brits on this board will be able to find something relevant there if they have a good root. ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/10 "2002-10-22T02:55:27Z")
Well, the posters over at [www.neilgaiman.com](http://www.neilgaiman.com) _think_ that they are smarter/wiser/more talented/more informed/more intelligent etc. then (and this is a direct quote) **97.63% of the message boards on the web.** They forgot to throw in conceited and mean-spirited, and oh yeah, ill-informed. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/11 "2002-10-22T02:57:48Z")
Boards? You want message boards? I got yer stink’n message boards… [http://www.snopes.com/ulrpmb.stm](http://www.snopes.com/ulrpmb.stm) (the snopes board) Christianity Bogus Beyond Belief’s Forum [http://pub7.ezboard.com/bcbbb](http://pub7.ezboard.com/bcbbb) And two “weed” forums [http://www.420.com/pages/public123.php](http://www.420.com/pages/public123.php) [http://www.overgrow.com/edge/index.php](http://www.overgrow.com/edge/index.php) And another board [http://thebruces.stormbirds.org/forums/index.php](http://thebruces.stormbirds.org/forums/index.php)? ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/12 "2002-10-22T04:37:23Z")
\ You know, I found that very satisfying. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/13 "2002-10-22T04:40:50Z")
I like [www.fametracker.com](http://www.fametracker.com). It’s a website and message board devoted to discussing the cult of celebrity. The subject matter is light, but I find the posters to be very intelligent, witty, and articulate. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/14 "2002-10-22T12:08:58Z")
I’m on [www.randi.org](http://www.randi.org) (with stunning originality as ‘glee’). It’s smaller and much quicker. There are also several …eerrrm… unusual beliefs (such as we are descended from Martians :eek: ), and the moderating isn’t as good. SDMB is still the best! ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/15 "2002-10-22T12:34:11Z")
The [JREF forums](http://host.randi.org/vbulletin/) are good in some places and awful in others. Lots of chaff and a little bit of wheat. I am also a little disappointed to find the forums are largely unmoderated. There are moderators, but near as I can tell they don’t do anything helpful. Bashing is permitted in all forums, and no efforts are made to keep a neat house (misplaced threads are not moved to their proper forums). It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/16 "2002-10-22T15:48:43Z")
There’s always Newsmax for comic relief. I think the Infidels has a message board. ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/17 "2002-10-22T16:07:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Forbin \*(bolding mine) > \ > > You know, I found that very \*\*satisfying. > 😃 \*\* \ So, in the quote above, is _satisfying_ used as a gerund or a present participle? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2002, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/18 "2002-10-23T02:03:48Z")
Try [www.fathom.org](http://www.fathom.org). ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2002, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/19 "2002-10-23T02:40:15Z")
[Table Talk at Salon.com](http://tabletalk.salon.com/webx?) has some good forums, from what I can see, but I think it costs a little bit for a membership to post. ---
**Author:** ![japatlgt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@japatlgt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japatlgt)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2002, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184/20 "2002-10-23T02:49:38Z")
Heres a couple - [General Mayhem](http://www.genmay.net/) and [Fortean Times](http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/index.php?) 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-smart-boards/133184.md?page=2)