# Thanks to an unknown Doper. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 17, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751 "2010-05-17T13:11:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/21 "2010-05-17T21:40:53Z")
Awhile ago there was a thread about cooking rice properly. I can’t remember who all posted in it, but thank you! My rice has improved dramatically! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/22 "2010-05-17T21:53:24Z")
Got some great tips about what to do in Portland OR, and we did end up doing many of them and having a great time there. The dope is better than any travel book! Recently tried to remember a book title, and by posting a summary, got the title in 4 minutes time (Not an unknown doper though - thanks **Tom Scud!** ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/23 "2010-05-17T22:15:07Z")
All that raving about the video game _Portal_ made me go out and play it. God, it was awesome. A Doper’s dream. Same for the Buffy raving. I would have no interest whatsoever in that show if it wasn’t for the constant buzz in Cafe Society about it. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/24 "2010-05-17T22:57:15Z")
Posting here has made me a better person in general. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/25 "2010-05-17T23:21:07Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > For me, the latest thing was salt in my coffee. I can’t say that it changed my life, but I tried it this morning and the coffee was undeniably good! So, thanks **Superfluous Parentheses**. > > (I went back to see who it was!) Wow, that’s just what I need - something else I like to salt. 😃 I’d like to thank the doper who taught me how to tie my shoes properly (so they would stay tied). It’s now second nature and hasn’t failed me yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/26 "2010-05-18T00:22:31Z")
Ooo don’t salt your coffee after it has brewed! Put a little salt in the grounds. A pinch is good, **tdn**. ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/27 "2010-05-18T01:06:26Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Wow, that’s just what I need - something else I like to salt. 😃 > > I’d like to thank the doper who taught me how to tie my shoes properly (so they would stay tied). It’s now second nature and hasn’t failed me yet. Salt in coffee: Basic flavor balance: salt cancels bitter, and allows more coffee flavors to resonate. **Yay for science**! Shoe laces: I don’t know what methid you use, but I came up with my own technique: Pull the second “bunny ear” through, and wrap the first bunny ear a second time. Its like double knotting, except that that you can still untie the laces with the “pull on both ends” trick. there is a 5% chance of failure resulting in a double knot, but “pulling harder” circumvents the failure 70% of the time. But of course, I only were slip ons now ( **yay for birkenstocks**!) so shoe laces are like cassette tapes in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/28 "2010-05-18T02:19:28Z")
I forgot to thank the Doper that posted about [Facebook Purity](http://www.fbpurity.com/) (or FBPurity or Fluff-Busting Purity). Someone linked to it here maybe a year ago and it is a must-have for anyone who uses FB regularly. I make a point to try to link to it in any FB thread, especially threads where people are complaining about how “messy” their friends are. I wish I knew who it was that introduced this to the board! ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/29 "2010-05-18T02:41:20Z")
Once many years ago I was looking for a good epic novel to read and I was recommended the 'Song of Fire and Ice" series by George R. R. Martin. These are now some of my favorite books EVER and I’ve read all of them several times and I just can’t wait until Dance with Dragons comes out! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/30 "2010-05-18T06:05:36Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > A Doper mentioned [The Case for Socialism by Alan Maass](http://www.amazon.com/Case-Socialism-Alan-Maass/dp/1931859094) in a recent thread and I really liked it. You are very, very welcome. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/31 "2010-05-18T06:20:04Z")
The Dope is, well, dope. I have gained so much knowledge in addition to really useful insight about flatulance. My favorite subject, the fart. Obviously others share this fascination given all of the threads on the topic. \*Beans, beans Are good for your heart. The more you eat, The more you fart. The more you fart, the better you feel. Eat your beans with every meal!\* ---
**Author:** ![Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amber_in_Treasury)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/32 "2010-05-18T06:24:56Z")
Another ‘thank you’ to **Olentzero** for suggesting Maass’ book, from a Doper very interested in (learning more about, and getting a bit more serious about) left-wing politics. Googling “Alan Maass” has also brought [socialistworker.org](http://socialistworker.org) to my attention - and to my bookmarks. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/33 "2010-05-18T07:09:23Z")
> [@Amblydoper](#): > > Shoe laces: I don’t know what methid you use, but I came up with my own technique: Pull the second “bunny ear” through, and wrap the first bunny ear a second time. Its like double knotting, except that that you can still untie the laces with the “pull on both ends” trick. I can’t figure out how this is tied. I learned today that the 4 windows I need to replace with Energy Star ones can qualify for a tax credit of 30% of the cost of the windows, up to $1500. I had no idea, and so might not have searched for ones with high enough performance ratings to qualify. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/34 "2010-05-18T07:17:56Z")
Cold-brewed coffee – good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/35 "2010-05-18T07:34:55Z")
> [@Amber\_in\_Treasury](#): > > Another ‘thank you’ to **Olentzero** for suggesting Maass’ book, from a Doper very interested in (learning more about, and getting a bit more serious about) left-wing politics. Googling “Alan Maass” has also brought [socialistworker.org](http://socialistworker.org) to my attention - and to my bookmarks. Well good. The International Socialist Organization are the folks I was with when I lived in the States and are definitely worth checking out for anyone who is getting serious about left-wing politics. I strongly recommend checking out our annual [conference](http://www.socialismconference.org/) in Chicago and Oakland if you can get the time off. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/36 "2010-05-18T10:51:38Z")
This place has given me a PhD in Real Life. I thank you all. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2010, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/37 "2010-05-18T11:26:21Z")
I used you all to relearn the world when I started an up turn in my illness. The first couple years back I could hardly spell anything or construct a sentence, and my brain was scrambled, but I used you to relearn the world. I knew this would be the best place to do that, because of the way this site is and the people. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/38 "2010-05-18T16:20:54Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > Cold-brewed coffee – good stuff. ooh, can you share the how to? ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/39 "2010-05-19T03:33:32Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Steel-cut oats (much healthier than the sugary-sweet crap I’d otherwise be eating for breakfast) My aunt just recently posted this on FB. She says it isn’t super sweet. MAPLE BAKED OATMEAL (she has a programmable stove and sets it to start cooking 4.5 hours before she has to be up) We use steel cut oats. 1 cup to 4 cups water (sometimes substitute milk for water) and a splash of homemade maple syrup (the real stuff if I could get it) I grease the oven proof bowl a lot, add water and oats and maple syrup and go about 200 for 4 1/2 hours. … Yeah, I’m sure it uses more electricity than if I cooked it on the stovetop for25-30 minutes, but it is ready when I stumble out of bed. Whole milk or half and half is great on it after you serve it,and we add cinnamon sometimes. I tried the crockpot - that could be a good idea, but even low is too hot to go 8 hours on my crockpot; that is why I tried the oven. Oh yeah, in the oven the dish is covered as it cooks. I imagine it would go at 350 for a very little time. And like I said stovetop for 25 min - 30 - however done you like it. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751/40 "2010-05-19T03:41:24Z")
Forgot my own: I am grateful for book recommendations and answers to the really inane comments that sometimes (ok, frequently) pop into my mind and wont go away. I’m grateful for the deep belly laughs that I get daily, especially because I can share them with my family when they’re feeling down. I am very grateful for all the threads about sleep apnea. They kept me on my boyfriend’s case and we are both a lot happier and much more well rested now that he has had his sleep study. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-to-an-unknown-doper/539751.md?page=3)