1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
2.) Why are you still here?
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
My answers:
1.) 4 years ago, when I joined, I found this to be a place of such diversity, that even I fit in. Plus, I could just pop in and find something to make me laugh.
2.) There are still a few people who make me laugh.
3.) Yes, after much searching today, I found a couple.
I discovered the Straight Dope via the first tradepaper back in the early 1980s. I greddily devoured each book as it came out and in the last book, it mentioned the new Straight Dope website which led me here.
I thought it would be interesting.
Among other things, it has been very interesting.
Masochism.
Yes.
Came here 4.5 years ago now to see what it’d be like, not because it’d be good for me or anything.
I’m still here 'cause it’s still an interesting place to visit, read yarns, laugh at jokes, and learn stuff. Nw and then I post (like now) but there’s no pressure to do that.
I’m a member of (lessee, countin’ th’ fingers here …) eight boards. About half are non-SDMB related, but they aren’t similar to the SDMB. As far as I can see.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
I like knowing stuff, and most of the other people here seemed to like knowing stuff; I figured we had a lot in common. Plus, I just enjoyed reading the threads here
2.) Why are you still here?
Sometimes I wonder because the character of the boards has changed so much… but I still find a higher IQ per capita than most internet sites
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
No, though I am a member of completely dissimilar, non-SD message boards.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
It looked interesting and fun. And it was.
2.) Why are you still here?
I ask myself the same question. It’s changed a bit too much for the worse, but there is still something that holds me. The place is a bit too much like home. In some small ways, it’s actually changed for the better, it must be said.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
No. I’m a member of several related boards and one non-related board . The non-related one is specialised.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
The neverending pursuit of truth and knowledge.
2.) Why are you still here?
The neverending part.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
(Hi Opal!) I am a member of a woodworking board. Similar in that there is a wealth of knowledge there but the topic is limited to woodworking
I started reading the SDMB as soon as it became accessible to those of us without AOL because the Snopes boards had, at the time, this klugey sort of interface that irritated me. I liked the UBB format better and a lot of the same people and types of people posted here.
I remain because I appriciate the diversity we have here, and the intelligent debate. My posting has slowed way down, however, because I graduated college and started teaching, and because I don’t have the patience to have the same arguements over again. But I still read the SDMB everyday.
I am not a member of any other boards. No time.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
I discovered Cecil through ‘Ask Jeeves’ (I only discovered Google from SDMB!..yes I am a doofus) while trying to help the child do homework. Something Cecil said answered the homework question and then I kept reading. I found the forums and kept reading. I can’t even remember why I first posted but it was more then a year after I started reading.
2.) Why are you still here?
I enjoy being here. Sure it is slower since pay-to-post and the tone of the board has changed a bit over the years but I still like being here. Oh and Maleinblack paid for me to stay, so blame him.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
Nope. I’m not a member of any online thing other then SDMB. When I get online SDMB manages to fill my time.
I had read a couple of Straight Dope books over the decades, even the found the old community on AOL but I wasn’t into groups at the time, so I forgot about it all until that damn e-mail found my in box for the 6003rd time. You know. The Duck’s Quack bullshit. Well, this time, I was going to answer the bogus e-mail with it’s many false claims and reply to everyone. One of the search hits for the debunking was a Cecil Classic. Then I noticed the message board link and thought I would check it out. Some asswipe in GD got my attention and I’ve been here ever since.
Mind your own business! I mean, I still find plenty of things to read and comment on.
Yes.
I had just abandined another message board, and I felt that this one was a promising alternative.
Because I still find it interesting enough to continue.
Yes.
[slaps self in face] abandoned [/slap]
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
I search-stumbled into a discussion of one of Cecil’s columns and found it intriguing. Followed links to other discussions and became fascinated. Saw a thread I wanted to get into and subscribed.
2.) Why are you still here?
It still fascinates, amuses, inspires, educates. I’ve come to enjoy and admire certain Dopers enough that I’d miss their commentary too much to exit.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
No, only Fathom. I will occasionally dip a toe into other waters but always find I’d rather be here and at FFF.
I was invited by another poster, and I am incurably chatty.
I still like it here, and I’m still chatty. I like reading the debates, and there are quite a few very funny people here.
I’m a member of a few different message boards. The other ones are all specialized.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
Entertaining and educational, what’s not to love?
2.) Why are you still here?
I must find out answers to any and all questions that I have.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
Used to be. They became old, though. This place almost never gets old.
I originally read the paperbacks and found the column after I was out of college. Then, one day, I went looking for Cecil’s site and found the boards. I was hooked right then and never looked back.
I’m still here because everytime I read something on the board, I learn - about a particular topic, about human nature, about myself. Half of the outrageous stories I tell come directly from this board.
I’m also a member over at Opal’s fathom board, but haven’t been there as much. It’s a much slower board. I’m on a couple of other boards, but nothing like the Straight Dope.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
Cafe Society, baby!
2.) Why are you still here?
All the friends I’ve made.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
I’m a member of some other boards, but none of them resemble this place. And I rarely post on them.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
Once upon a time in an entirely different decade there was an AOL message board group called Buzzsaw. The Sawn were great people to talk to, and I enjoyed those boards for about 4 years. Then as the new millennium approached, the sun set on Buzzsaw. Then the other community I belonged to, I Hate Jen, closed down New Years day of 2001… A few listless months later, I discovered the Straight Dope and found that they were as interesting to talk to as my previous cohorts, no one uses Netspeak…and hopefully the boards won’t close down any time soon.
2.) Why are you still here?
I like to express opinions and to learn new things, basically.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
I belong to several other boards , but all of them have to do with far more specific things: the X-Files or The Sims 2.
Several of you have mentioned Fathom. I signed up over there years ago, but never posted. Newbies are expected to first post in the “welcome wagon” thread and tell about themselves. I couldn’t think of anything to say about myself, so I didn’t.
Geeez, I’m pathetic.
1.) Why did you think this would be a good place for you?
At the time boredom led me here. At the time the place was more fun and game threads were allowed.
2.) Why are you still here?
Good question. Habit I suppose. It’s not fun anymore.
3.) Are you a member of any similar but non-SDMB related message boards?
I’m a member of one called Genmay
Also NADS (Non-American Doper Society) but haven’t posted or lurked there for a long tiime.
All you have to do in the welcome wagon thread is pop in and say, “Hi, I’m new! I mean, I signed up a while ago, but then I got all shy an’ stuff so I never… Anyway, I’m new – no, really I am! Oh, you want to know about me? well, I’m… er, I like to… [blushes] Aw, I can’t think of anything to say that’s interesting. Will you let me stick around and play anyway?”
Guaranteed you’ll get a warm welcome and friendly questions – “Got any pets?” and so forth – that will draw you into the chatty atmosphere of the place.
I like Fathom because it’s just different enough from the Dope, kinda like having a cabin on a lake for decompressing from life in a city townhouse.