# Thanks codinghorror, for all you do for the SDMB! **URL:** \ **Category:** Site Feedback\ **Created:** [May 14, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112 "2021-05-14T21:21:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/1 "2021-05-14T21:21:43Z")
Continuing the discussion from [Cannot distinguish reply to previous post vs reply to original post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-distinguish-reply-to-previous-post-vs-reply-to-original-post/941439/69): > [@Cannot distinguish reply to previous post vs reply to original post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cannot-distinguish-reply-to-previous-post-vs-reply-to-original-post/941439/69): > > I’m not saying that we are entitled to help from him. I’m just saying that such help doesn’t seem to have been offered to change things for the better as indicated by @Heffalump_and_Roo I just wanted to take a moment to thank **codinghorror** for the many ways that he helps the SDMB. He may not have changed the pet issue that each person on the board wants fixed, but he’s done a lot for the board in general. In _MY_ opinion (and maybe not his), he takes a lot of grief from several people on this board. I’m grateful that he continues to show up and help out. Here’s just a few examples of ways I think he’s helped the board. 1. Someone wanted wording to be fixed to cancel a draft of a post. **codinghorror** got it changed. > [@Discourse makes me feel like I'm shirking my duty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-makes-me-feel-like-im-shirking-my-duty/932240/18): > > This change is now live. Good suggestion; much much better. [[Imgur] ](https://imgur.com/nNsEeR3) Because of the enduring wisdom of the shadowy powers that be at the Chicago Sun-Times, you have now entered the rarified world where the authors of the software actually listen to the people using it, and improve said software based on their feedback! raised_hands Well, except for threading. That ain’t happening, because I am unwilling to turn a car into a truck, and I don’t want a S… 1. Got rid of a list of spam > [@Are we being hit by a bad spammer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-being-hit-by-a-bad-spammer/937134/17): > > Still quite a few spam posts survived the migration (somehow…) but I am working the list as we speak. [https://boards.straightdope.com/search?q=%22spam%20reported%22%20%40running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/search?q=%22spam%20reported%22%20%40running_coach) 1. Has replied approx. 78 times in site feedback and 30 times in ATMB. In most of those posts, he’s answering questions and giving tips and pointers on how to solve issues that are being asked. 2. Alerted people about some bug fixes. > [@Date inaccuracy in thread scroll bar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/date-inaccuracy-in-thread-scroll-bar/930565/27): > > I decided the keyboard topic is a bit too much for me to chew on at the moment, but GOOD NEWS! There was an actual bug in the date algorithm on the timeline which @zogstrip’s team resolved. raised_hands It’s … sort of fixed. If you move to the end you get the correct date (Jan 16) but I’m noticing the fix is a bit incomplete since scrolling up just a little gives me “Jan 2020” which … isn’t correct. We’ll take a closer look. > [@I guess our blocked user lists went away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-our-blocked-user-lists-went-away/913049/14): > > Sorry, there were some bugs here, but everything should be working (more or less) OK now… we hope… 1. Helped coordinate with **zogstrip** to fix migration errors that fixed the @ function. > [@So, how is that @ thing supposed to work anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-is-that-thing-supposed-to-work-anyway/930206/24): > > It was indeed a bug due to the migration. I’ve manually fixed the database and the mentions should be much better +1 I’m sure there’s a bunch more stuff that he’s done to help coordinate fixes for the board and stuff I didn’t see. Maybe other people have seen his help that I haven’t seen and can post about it here. Thanks **codinghorror** , you’re awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/2 "2021-05-14T21:54:25Z")
Don’t forget that he fixed the auto-fill of posters’ names for searches. That really improved the functionality. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/3 "2021-05-14T21:57:56Z")
I know you mean well, but this type of post doesn’t seem wise to me, at all. Sure, by all means, point out the changes he has made. If that was all you did, I wouldn’t object. But you’re fawning all over him, acting like he’s not got any flaws. This thread now is essentially begging for someone to come in and give counterexamples. I’m having to bite my tongue so hard at this point, because I know those would help even less. (Heck, I’m posting this to hopefully stop people from posting such.) I will say this much: I stand by my argument in the other thread about why talking to him can be quite frustrating. I thus understand people like the person in your first quote being frustrated with him. And I do not think a thread like this helps with that frustration. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/4 "2021-05-15T01:02:16Z")
I think it’s worth pointing out that he’s been really helpful in lots of ways. 🤷‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/5 "2021-05-15T01:22:48Z")
He has and I’m grateful he’s around to read and address some requests from our insignificant messageboard. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/6 "2021-05-15T01:41:01Z")
Hmm. I just realised I was the OP for two of the threads listed by **Heffalump\_and\_Roo**. What does that say about me, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/7 "2021-05-15T02:33:01Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think it’s worth pointing out that he’s been really helpful in lots of ways. So do I. Read my post again. I said that it’s fine to report the things he’s done. The problem I have is the context and over-the-top praise. This is not just some spontaneous thread, thanking the guy. It’s a reply to another poster, and as such flat out invites that poster to reply. And it’s just so saccharine that it pushes even me to want to add some balance by pointing out some negatives. I’m not usually the type who wants to do that. Unfortunately, explaining further would do the very thing I’m hoping to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![Enjoy\_Slurm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enjoy_slurm/32/3937_2.png) [@Enjoy\_Slurm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enjoy_Slurm)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/8 "2021-05-15T02:39:08Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > But you’re fawning all over him, acting like he’s not got any flaws. Wow, in this day and age of constant negativity you can’t even give someone a little praise for making things a little better without someone coming along and telling you that giving someone a little praise is a bad thing to do. Can’t have people enjoy things, no siree, then people might be a little bit happy and we can’t have that now can we Internet? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/9 "2021-05-15T06:26:07Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > But you’re fawning all over him, acting like he’s not got any flaws. Thanking someone for being helpful is just basic civility. This is a very odd post from you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/10 "2021-05-15T13:05:48Z")
I was planning on naming my next dog “codinghorror” but now that you mention it, that does seem excessive. So maybe saying thanks isn’t that extreme. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/11 "2021-05-15T13:11:20Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > This thread now is essentially begging for someone to come in and give counterexamples. Not everyone has that reaction to hearing someone else thanked and complimented. > [@](#): > > I’m having to bite my tongue so hard at this point, because I know those would help even less. (Heck, I’m posting this to hopefully stop people from posting such.) Keep biting. Suggest you put this thread on “mute.” Problem solved! You’re welcome. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/12 "2021-05-15T14:31:12Z")
And then … almost inexplicably … it became another Black Lives Matter/Blue Lives Matter chasm. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/13 "2021-05-15T18:15:30Z")
I concur with **Roo**. **codinghorror** has done a great job and taken more crap from ingrates than he deserves. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2021, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/14 "2021-05-16T04:40:40Z")
Just to add my agreement with **Roo** – and say that I think **BigT** ’s petulant and ill-natured posts are uncalled for. ---
**Author:** ![shh1313](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shh1313/32/8020_2.png) [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2021, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/15 "2021-05-16T06:22:26Z")
UNBELIEVABLE… Thank you Coding Horror and all the mods who put up with all the B.S. Part babysitting and in this day in age of social media they need a law degree to keep SD out of the courts. You couldn’t pay me to mod. Thank y’all!! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2021, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/16 "2021-05-16T14:07:51Z")
Being a moderator at the Dope is a lot like this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/65t-oLFDCYE/maxresdefault.jpg "I Love Lucy Lucy Raises Chickens") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65t-oLFDCYE) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/17 "2021-05-17T06:11:03Z")
I agree that he has been very helpful and I appreciate his involvement here despite owing us nothing. I believe he’s here because he likes the place and that’s cool. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/18 "2021-05-18T00:29:03Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > But you’re fawning all over him, **acting like he’s not got any flaws.** @codinghorror would likely be better served if he let his wife pick out his clothing before leaving the house (although if you are going to wear T-shirts with that frequency, he does have some cool ones). Based on where he lives, he’s possibly an eater of bowls containing beets and avocadoes served over quinoa. He also seems to favor the [Wumpus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunt_the_Wumpus) over the [Wampus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.U.L.E.), which is almost unforgiveable. Now that we have the flaws covered, years ago (long before he started working on Discourse and even before stackoverflow) he was the person who introduced me to [Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software](https://www.amazon.com/Code-Language-Computer-Developer-Practices-ebook/dp/B00JDMPOK2), by Charles Petzold. I love that book so much that I added it to the “New Hire Package” at the office, although I’m down to my last few copies and it appears to be out of print for now. He’s also a big Tufte fan, and I’m always happy to find like-minded designers. More importantly to this site, he’s been far more helpful in our transition to Discourse than should be expected of the software’s creator. We were on vBulletin for two decades and I can’t name a single person/user associated with them. His activity level here comes close to what I’d expect if the software had been written specifically for this board. Discourse isn’t perfect. It is a well-designed piece of software that might take design directions that I don’t always agree with, but even they appear to be in place for a reason. Rock on, Jeff! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/19 "2021-05-18T00:33:29Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I believe he’s here because he likes the place and that’s cool. Based on his initial approach to us about ten years ago, I would say that’s right. He also used the SDMB in some of the documentation for Discourse. I still don’t like being nannied about posting too much, but that’s probably not a bad feature for software that’s being used for a site that doesn’t have cool mods like we do. Since we do have cool mods who keep the discourse moving, I don’t think we need it, but eh, feature, not bug. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112/20 "2021-05-18T12:14:57Z")
I just one to chime in to profess my love for discobot. Right, @discobot? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-codinghorror-for-all-you-do-for-the-sdmb/942112.md?page=2)