# We're THE BEST Message Board On The Internet, So WHY..... **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 18, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005 "2011-10-18T03:56:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/1 "2011-10-18T03:56:34Z")
… can’t we have some more t-shirts, rackenfracken and dagnabbit!!!🙂 I myself would order 5, because I like to keep a neat one to fly with! Do I/we need to front you a little money? I’d be GLAD to do that. Come on, pleeeeez? No kiddin’. Y’all need to consider this, okay? Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/2 "2011-10-18T10:52:40Z")
Since the server with the Straight Dope Store on it suffered a catastrophic failure a while back, we’ve discussed some sort of option a couple of times but never come up with anything that actually made it into reality. Having an online store can be an expensive proposition, both in maintaining stock and fulfilling orders. (Yes, we know about Cafe Press, etc.) It may happen at some point in the future but it’s not happening right now, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/3 "2011-10-18T13:35:51Z")
This is the thing about SD ops that puzzles me. You don’t run stuff (e.g., servers) yourself. There are companies that do it all. So the SD doesn’t run their own store server. You put up a storefront on Amazon and they take care of most to all of it. (You can ship the t-shirts and mugs to them and they will even take care of distribution if you want.) Lots of companies/people, big and small, do this. Why not the SD? The Powers That Be here seem to have an aversion to doing things the way millions of others do it. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/4 "2011-10-18T13:54:05Z")
I’d definitely buy SD t-shirts and mugs. Put me down for two each please. Yeah, this needs to happen. There are so many resources available that wouldn’t put much of a cost burden on management. I like **ftg** ’s suggestion above. Make it so, Number 1. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/5 "2011-10-18T14:00:38Z")
I wouldn’t mind another T-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/6 "2011-10-18T14:35:40Z")
I often wonder how surreal it would be to come across someone wearing an SDMB t-shirt, and then I think…oh, never mind. I, too, would be supportive. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/7 "2011-10-18T15:43:36Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Since the server with the Straight Dope Store on it suffered a catastrophic failure a while back, we’ve discussed some sort of option a couple of times but never come up with anything that actually made it into reality. Having an online store can be an expensive proposition, both in maintaining stock and fulfilling orders. (Yes, we know about Cafe Press, etc.) > > It may happen at some point in the future but it’s not happening right now, sorry. Ok, so you know about CafePress, which requires little set up, no up front cost, and has none of the issues you mentioned. Have a design contest here, and then set up a CafePress store. It’s like free money. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/8 "2011-10-18T15:56:57Z")
I’d buy anything at all SDMB related. You could get rich\* off the likes of me. (\* for a particularly pathetic value of “rich.”) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/9 "2011-10-18T16:19:52Z")
You guys are thinking small. We need more SDMB-specific products. An authentic 1920’s-style SMDB death ray gun. A glass-sided slug farm. The SMDB cookbook of things nobody ever put on top of things before. A Team SMDB jacket with two left arms. A certificate for ownership of 20 minutes in the sixties. The complete expansion of 0.99999999999999999999999999999999999~ A teacher’s pet. Jackboots. The broad side of Ed Zotti. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/10 "2011-10-18T16:22:57Z")
I was thinking it was Giraffe Boards. I dont drink coffee and dont wear advertising on my body. Well, other than tat’s. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/11 "2011-10-18T16:27:15Z")
On a funny pit thread, Bryan Ekers came up with the slogan “Random Collection of International Wise Guys”. I believe I would order one of those shirts also. I also believe that Bryan expects royalty compensation. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/12 "2011-10-19T00:44:17Z")
> [@Omegaman](#): > > I was thinking it was Giraffe Boards. > > I dont drink coffee and dont wear advertising on my body. Well, other than tat’s. That’s it! SDMB tattoos! Can’t object to that! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/13 "2011-10-19T00:52:02Z")
My t-shirt submission: “I Pit All of You” ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/14 "2011-10-19T00:53:34Z")
“Vote Twixter” ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/15 "2011-10-19T01:28:03Z")
SMDB:The Best Site! Cite? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/16 "2011-10-19T01:50:20Z")
[QUOTE=Vita Beata] On a funny pit thread, Bryan Ekers came up with the slogan “Random Collection of International Wise Guys”. I believe I would order one of those shirts also. I also believe that Bryan expects royalty compensation. [/QUOTE] That’s good, but I’d still go with ‘my post is my cite!’ as a good tag line for a tee shirt. 😉 [QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] You guys are thinking small. We need more SDMB-specific products. An authentic 1920’s-style SMDB death ray gun. A glass-sided slug farm. The SMDB cookbook of things nobody ever put on top of things before. A Team SMDB jacket with two left arms. A certificate for ownership of 20 minutes in the sixties. The complete expansion of 0.99999999999999999999999999999999999~ A teacher’s pet. Jackboots. The broad side of Ed Zotti. [/QUOTE] You forgot the real, working plane on a treadmill… [QUOTE=IvoryTowerDenizen] Cite? [/QUOTE] Personally, that would be the most indicative and quintessential tag line for a tee shirt or mug. I’d buy one of those (perhaps with some extra question marks and a few exclamation points put in for good measure). And the best part is that a lot of people wouldn’t get the joke. 😛 -XT -XT ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/17 "2011-10-19T02:22:00Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Since the server with the Straight Dope Store on it suffered a catastrophic failure a while back, we’ve discussed some sort of option a couple of times but never come up with anything that actually made it into reality. Having an online store can be an expensive proposition, both in maintaining stock and fulfilling orders. (Yes, we know about Cafe Press, etc.) > > It may happen at some point in the future but it’s not happening right now, sorry. As I remember, the last time this came up others volunteered to do the heavy lifting but it died on the vine because of a refusal to allow the use of the SDMB “logo” by TPTB. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/18 "2011-10-19T02:36:12Z")
I know I’ve asked this before, and was told “no”, but what if I wanted to design my own t-shirt with a completely different font? Shirley the words can be used, as they’re used in every day slang? “Gimme the Straight Dope, Dude!” Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/19 "2011-10-19T02:42:36Z")
One man bands, mom and pop places and 15-year-old wannabees seem to do quite well with online stores. Are you telling me the [world’s most intelligent human being](http://www.straightdope.com/pages/faq/cecil) cannot come up with an online store concept that legions of his followers wouldn’t subscribe to show their affection for wild debate, forthright answers to the toughest questions around, generously lathered with acerbic wit, occasional twits, and haute couture jackboots and riding croups that envy the world? If this is true, then Ceil needs to relinquish his shingle. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005/20 "2011-10-19T02:55:40Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I know I’ve asked this before, and was told “no”, but what if I wanted to design my own t-shirt with a completely different font? > > Shirley the words can be used, as they’re used in every day slang? > > “Gimme the Straight Dope, Dude!” > > Quasi Using it in that way, and in a different font, wouldn’t raise any red flags wrt copyright infringement, intellectual property, etc… Of course no one would want the shirt either… And don’t call me Shirley 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-best-message-board-on-the-internet-so-why/600005.md?page=2)