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No two people pronounce MPSIMS the same way.
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I’m not the nerdiest person in the world, not even close.
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The use of “Hi, Opal!” is somewhat misunderstood.
Nobody has anything to add???
I mean I’ve never been to a Dopefest (yet) but there’s got to be something that those who have can add to this thread.
One thing that has surprised me meeting other Dopers is how well I relate to them. I’m not your average person, and I don’t always relate well to Joe and Jane Sixpack, but Dopers, I get. I can understand why that is (we don’t hang out around here unless there’s something about the place we like); it just strikes me whenever I meet new Dopers.
Another thing I’ve learned is how cool it is to meet people from different, diverse places. We try to make a point of meeting internet people on our travels now.
I’ve been to Dopefests in Toronto, Montreal, New York City, San Francisco and Tokyo. I’ve also been to events in London and East Lansing, Michigan organized via “spin-off” boards.
I’ve learned:
[ul][]It’s not as awkward as I’d thought to meet up with people (although it did lead to matt_mcl’s famous “DOPERS” sign).[]There are very few Dopers that I didn’t like, even after spending an evening with them. I’m sure lots of them didn’t like me, but that’s just 'cause I’m a jerk. :D[]Some of them can drink a lot. Sublight, I’m studiously not looking at you.[]There’s nearly always someone who shares one of my [del]obsessions[/del]hobbies present. I’ve spent evenings discussing solar physics with scr4, cars with Rick and languages with Sunspace. How can that not be a great way to spend time?[/ul]
Bump doesn’t work in real life.
No one says imho but some do say lawl.
I am able to split a gigantic restaurant bill into correct shares for a lot of Dopers in my head.
(Man, I hope it was correct.)
I really thought there’d be more replies to this. Oh well…
I learned some Dopers are really good kissers. 
I’ve clearly been going to the wrong Dopefests.
It’s your accent.
Never met any “in person”, but a couple have done some long-distant favors for me and have been exceptionally cool. I would not hesitate to have a beer with them.
You know who you are. 
I must concur! They make good hubbies, too.
It’s good to be able to put on good clothes, head downtown, meet someone on a streetcorner, and go somewhere to… discuss the intricacies of translating software.
It’s even better to go to Montreal and have someone cool say you look good.
I still believe that everyone else here is a figment of my imagination. Including whoever charges the annual tithe to my credit card.
I know! I loathe meeting new people, I’m terrible at small talk, and yet at the one and only Dopefest I was at, it was the easiest thing in the world to talk to these people!
I haven’t gone to any yet, but if there’s going to be kissing, I think I may have to go sometime.
Thirded. Which reminds me, us Detroiters have to get another Dopefest off the ground. The first time I went into one, it was with trepidation (cuz I’m especially quiet around strangers), and then when the night was ending, I didn’t want to leave. Felt like we’d all been friends for ages.
Another cool thing is, everyone gets the SDMB lingo.
When it comes to MPSIMS, I just say (or think) M.P.S.I.M.S. But if I were to pronounce it like a word, it’d be Mipsems.
Stateth Sunspace, “It’s even better to go to Montreal and have someone cool say you look good.”
Aren’t “Montreal” and “cool” mutually exclusive?!
Huh. I say em-pee-sims. And yes, meeting Dopers IRL is great! I’ve met a lot of the Floridopers, and they’re all wunnerful.
Houston, February 9th.