I have read it many many times. “Search the archives.”
O.K. Where in the h… are the archives, apart from the search feature?
Inquiring “empty” minds want to know. 
The archives are on the Straight Dope homepage.
Perhaps I can use this thread to ask why the “Home” icon at the top of the Message Boards pages doesn’t go to the Straight Dope Homepage. My browser takes me to the main Message Boards page. To get back to search the Archives I have to use the link at the bottom of the page.
The only stupid question is one that is unasked.
So, if you want to ask a really stupid question, don’t ask it.
Gee, I might put that in my sig. I made it up all by myself.
Isn’t that special?
Because the message board site has its own home page, as you’ve discovered.
It’s apples and oranges, the message board and the column and associated archives.
Sorry if we confused you, that’s not our intention.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator