# Ten years of the Dope: a history **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 26, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189 "2009-10-26T15:51:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/61 "2009-10-27T02:03:54Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Here is a summary of this board’s first 10 threads after it left AOL. There is a niceness to many of the posts, when they don’t correct Cecil. The outright flattery is refreshing to read. > > I see the first post on this board is a junk thread that got closed. This one is has a problem because it’s dated at the end of 2000. > [New Guy In Town - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1) > > The second one verbosely corrects Cecil about radio call letters. > [Cecil's Lousy Call Letter Answer (repost) - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=2) > > The third praises Cecil and the board for existing. > [Cecil's column [From 1999 - Zombie, closed] - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=3) > > The forth is a board feature request and the expression of happiness with the board. > [cecil's brain - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=4) > > The fifth asks about what a series of letter in a question in one of Cecil’s books means. > [What does "DLUR, TRKE" mean? - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=5) > > The sixth is someone correcting one of Cecil’s books on the topic of The Six Million Dollar Man. > [8th man vs cecil's witless minions - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=6) > > The seventh explains how the the staff hope to encourage Cecil to participate in this computer thing. > [Welcome! - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=7) > > The eighth is somebody correcting Cecil on NiCd batteries. > [Ni-Cad Battery Answer - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=8) > > The ninth corrects Cecil about helicopters and blade pitch. > [Helicopter column of 12/30/94 - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=9) > > The tenth is humor about Preparation H used around the eyes and where eyeshadow must go. > [Cecil's column on Preparation H - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=10) Actually, the oldest retrievable thread that I could find is [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458&highlight=rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458&highlight=rules) This was on 3-11-1999. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/62 "2009-10-27T02:20:48Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Actually, the oldest retrievable thread that I could find is > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458&highlight=rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458&highlight=rules) > > This was on 3-11-1999. Which shows how badly out of order the database became at some time. I’m glad you found that. This one is about the rules for the first forum for fighting. The BBQ Pit rules. Short and sweet. This would never fly now.🙂 > **[The Rules of Engagement](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458)** > > Remember all those times we said, “hey, why don’t you take that outside?” Well, here’s where you go. No, really. This is where you go for all those verbal fistfights. When a thread veers from debate and/or discussion into personal attack, sneering... ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/63 "2009-10-27T02:34:22Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Actually, the oldest retrievable thread that I could find is > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458&highlight=rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458&highlight=rules) > > This was on 3-11-1999. > [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Which shows how badly out of order the database became at some time. I’m glad you found that. Nah. I think if has to do with the changeover from UBB to vBulletin. Nothing more sinister than that. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/64 "2009-10-27T02:37:24Z")
**Harmonious Discord** , you just linked to the same thread that you quoted in **samclem** ’s reply. 😃 I was going to think up a witty and clever way to point this out, but I’m giggling too hard to think of something. Edit: Oh, I see, you realized that yourself but were providing a little summary. OK, OK. I’m still giggling a _little bit_, though. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/65 "2009-10-27T03:23:39Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Wasn’t that poster where “penis ensued” came from? I don’t think so. I remember the original penis ensued (the poster had meant to type panic ensued) was due to odd discharge caused by eating a whole bag of olestra potato chips. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/66 "2009-10-27T03:37:37Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > This one is about the rules for the first forum for fighting. The BBQ Pit rules. Short and sweet. This would never fly now.🙂 > [The Rules of Engagement - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=1458) Wow… That’s an amazing thread right there… **Tubadiva**! So young, so carefree! And those other posters… who were they- I can see \*\*Opal \*\*in there. But who else? It’s like a Rosetta Stone - source that led up to the current Pit Rules… ---
**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:** [October 27, 2009, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/67 "2009-10-27T05:14:30Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I don’t think so. I remember the original penis ensued (the poster had meant to type panic ensued) was due to odd discharge caused by eating a whole bag of olestra potato chips. Yeah, it was **Anastaseon** , if I remember correctly. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/68 "2009-10-27T07:38:57Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > The Stormfront mishagos was similar to the Left Behind kerfuffle (yeah, I did just use a Yiddish word in relation to SF), taking place some time in '99 or so. No, it was definitely in the early 2000s. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/69 "2009-10-27T08:08:08Z")
There was one which is about a doper paying tribute to his dog (a greyhound? can’t remember) which is usually goofy and don’t take itself too seriously but once fought off a couple of stray fericous dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/70 "2009-10-27T09:04:24Z")
> [@ruadh](#): > > No, it was definitely in the early 2000s. Yeah, I remember taking part in it, which means it was at least late 2000. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/71 "2009-10-27T10:37:14Z")
> [@CrazyChop](#): > > There was one which is about a doper paying tribute to his dog (a greyhound? can’t remember) which is usually goofy and don’t take itself too seriously but once fought off a couple of stray fericous dogs. **Scylla** : [Another Dog Story (Too long too) - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=83652) That thread make me seriously misty. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/72 "2009-10-27T14:45:26Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > **Harmonious Discord** , you just linked to the same thread that you quoted in **samclem** ’s reply. 😃 > > I was going to think up a witty and clever way to point this out, but I’m giggling too hard to think of something. > > Edit: Oh, I see, you realized that yourself but were providing a little summary. OK, OK. I’m still giggling a _little bit_, though. Now I’m laughing. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/73 "2009-10-27T15:57:20Z")
Nothing like this can possibly be complete without at the Esprix’s ‘Ask the Gay Guy’ threads. I realize there’s been several of that style of thread over the years but Esprix started it all and was downright near a public service. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/74 "2009-10-27T16:09:40Z")
I remember a massive geek out thread about the respective combat capabilities between the Enterprise and a Star Destroyer. Trek geeks Vs Star Wars geeks no holds barred. Page after page of debating the imaginary characteristics of spaceships in fictional universes, it was a blast. The last time I tried to search came up a bust maybe it was one of those forever lost threads. During the Winter of Lost Content I have fond memories of the temporary board being set up as a stopgap measure and everyone eventually showing up there like war refugees. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/75 "2009-10-27T16:13:56Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > I remember a massive geek out thread about the respective combat capabilities between the Enterprise and a Star Destroyer. Trek geeks Vs Star Wars geeks no holds barred. Page after page of debating the imaginary characteristics of spaceships in fictional universes, it was a blast. The last time I tried to search came up a bust maybe it was one of those forever lost threads. [Enterprise vs. Star Destroyer](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=23098). ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/76 "2009-10-27T16:29:53Z")
WOW thanks for finding it, what a treat! I miss Spoofe! ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/77 "2009-10-27T16:31:10Z")
I’ve got links to many of these, if needed. I’ll just throw out one of my favorites, which I don’t think has been mentioned - how often does a Mod note lead to song parodies? [Please do not post complete lyrics to songs!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=120313) ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/78 "2009-10-27T16:39:37Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Nothing like this can possibly be complete without at the Esprix’s ‘Ask the Gay Guy’ threads. I realize there’s been several of that style of thread over the years but Esprix started it all and was downright near a public service. That’s exactly the type of landmark I’m looking for in a chronology … the first “ask the” thread! I just need to start assigning dates to all this. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/79 "2009-10-27T16:50:32Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > That’s exactly the type of landmark I’m looking for in a chronology … the first “ask the” thread! I just need to start assigning dates to all this. [March 2, 2000](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=23047). ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189/80 "2009-10-27T16:56:55Z")
Thanks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-of-the-dope-a-history/515189.md?page=5)