# What was your very first thread on the SDMB about and how did it work out for you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 7, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836 "2009-02-07T21:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/41 "2009-02-08T19:49:13Z")
I asked about hydroelectric power vs. oil-based power and how much bang for your buck you got with both. Got some very informative replies and forevermore impressed MrWhatsit with the quality and caliber of posters here on the SDMB. (The original question had been posed by him in conversation one day. I said, “I’ll ask that on the SDMB.” He was quite surprised that I got informative and even somewhat technical replies, within the space of a day. I said, hey, man, it’s the Dope.) ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/42 "2009-02-08T19:56:09Z")
My first thread was an IMHO asking how do you [shampoo](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=460861)your hair? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/43 "2009-02-09T04:51:03Z")
> [@](#): > > AOL era (1997) so no link. God is MUSTARD! No! God is CATSUP! No! God is KETCHUP! Splitter! ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/44 "2009-02-09T05:47:12Z")
It was a dumb question and it got a fair number of responses (18) but I felt really stupid by the end of it. It was about cats and dogs… I used to dogsit a lot of dogs and noticed that the ones who lived with cats would kick the grass after they pooped and the ones that didn’t didn’t… also that my own dog started kicking the dirt after I got a cat. And my current dog acts like a cat in a lot of ways. So I wanted to know if dogs and cats learned from each other. It was a dumb question. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/45 "2009-02-09T06:06:28Z")
> **[The first brick falls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=38179)** > > A species of red colobus monkey has been declared extinct. This is the first primate that has gone extinct in the last hundred years. Damn it. It figures. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/46 "2009-02-09T06:12:02Z")
Mine was 'What stupid tricks do you teach your kids." 89 posts. Not bad. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/47 "2009-02-09T06:27:04Z")
[I asked for a workout video recommendation](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=287298) and got one response. And I neglected to thank **monster** , which was quite quite rude of me. Thank you, **monster**. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/48 "2009-02-09T07:11:48Z")
A poorly thought out, badly executed, almost unintelligible, over top attempt at a rant over a phrase that mildly irritated me. Needles to say I was roundly abused and told I was an utter moron. I did learn that would be be better if I proof read and think twice before posting. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/49 "2009-02-09T08:29:26Z")
I haven’t read all of this thread, but this is something I absolutely cannot mention or it will get me banned. It’s THAT bad - take my word for it.😃 And take anyone who KNOWS me’s word for it, too.😉 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/50 "2009-02-09T12:30:45Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [This was my first thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=128562) It didn’t amount to much and neither did I. (I did get my question answered, though.) I can’t find my first post no matter what I do with the search options. I’ve tried looking for my first post, but the earliest option is only to go back 4 years, which produces a **lot** of threads. :eek: So there isn’t a simple search option? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/51 "2009-02-09T12:43:03Z")
> [@glee](#): > > So there isn’t a simple search option? [This is the oldest of your threads that I could find.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=241802#post241802) It’s from October 13, 1999, about “Ode to Billy Joe”. It’s just a matter of going to the search page and setting up the parameters you need. But that seems kind of natural to me, since I used to be a computer guy before I retired. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/52 "2009-02-09T12:47:06Z")
My very first threads were both ones oft repeated since. [Which came first - orange or orange?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=5892) [Alphabetical Order](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=6110) I seem to be speaking in those threads in a way that I no longer do. That’s a trifle weird to see. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/53 "2009-02-09T13:25:11Z")
My first three (at about one a month) were all General Questions, which all received prompt, polite and helpful answers. Definitely an encouraging welcome. Japan Parliament = Diet. Why? Mori to Clinton: ‘Who are you?’ How reversible are vasectomies? I didn’t start my first Pit thread until about a year later. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/54 "2009-02-09T13:33:13Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > [This is the oldest of your threads that I could find.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=241802#post241802) It’s from October 13, 1999, about “Ode to Billy Joe”. It’s just a matter of going to the search page and setting up the parameters you need. But that seems kind of natural to me, since I used to be a computer guy before I retired. Smoothly done, that man. 🆒 From that thread: > [@Billy Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-joe/9286/9): > > My first thread - and I put it in the wrong category (sorry Ukulele Ike). > > Anyway I found ‘Ode to Billy Joe’ in the movie database (thanks Mjollnir!), where it said it was based on a mysterious song. Also I’ve got a fair idea of the plot from your answers - so well done the Teeming Millions > (or at least the 4 of you)! > > Now all I need to know is the name of the Saints quarterback (are they still New Orleans? - I can’t keep track of the city changes). > > Also I used a signature for the first time (chest swells with pride) > > * * * > > I just had deja vu, and I’m sure it’s happened before… But what parameters did you use in the search screen? 😕 As I said, the longest option under advanced search was 4 years (and I’ve posted a lot of threads before then). I too used to be a computer guy… Now if you want to tackle the tricky question of where my signature came from, I’d be doubly grateful! (I think it was to do with sneezing.) Arnold Winkelried: ‘glee, I take my hat off to you… at first I thought you were kidding with your cite but I looked it up and it was indeed accurate. (Still in awe at the magnificent answer)’ ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/55 "2009-02-09T14:21:20Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I’ve tried looking for my first post, but the earliest option is only to go back 4 years, which produces a **lot** of threads. :eek: > > So there isn’t a simple search option? 😕 If you go into your profile and click the statistics tab, there’s a linky that says “show all threads started by XXX”. But maybe that only goes back four years as well? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/56 "2009-02-09T14:27:40Z")
## Under advance search I set the following options: **User name:** What Exit? From the drop down below it, “Find threads starter by User” ## \*The important part: \* **Sort Results by:** “Thread Start Date” … “in Ascending Order”. My first thread was [Concerning Swiss cheese article:](http:// [Concerning Swiss cheese article: - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=320337)) I don’t think it worked out too well and got only a few replies including one that was unwarranted it appears. ---
**Author:** ![welby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/57 "2009-02-09T15:10:05Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I’ve tried looking for my first post, but the earliest option is only to go back 4 years, which produces a **lot** of threads. :eek: > > So there isn’t a simple search option? 😕 Under the box where you type your name, select the drop down box and search for threads started by user. Ignore the date requirements, unless you’ve started hundres of threads. EDIT: Damn, beaten to the punch. My first one was [What do gnats eat?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=11005) It got a few joke responses, and a few knowledgeable ones. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/58 "2009-02-09T17:58:14Z")
> [@](#): > > User name: What Exit? > From the drop down below it, “Find threads starter by User” > > The important part: > Sort Results by: “Thread Start Date” … “in Ascending Order”. Doesn’t work for me. I changed user names back in 1999 and it won’t let me search for my original name. ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/59 "2009-02-09T18:39:13Z")
At the risk of further hijacking my own thread… the SD Search function remains a mystery to me. I made a valliant attempt this time after there was made mention of the old ‘Billy Joe’ song chestnut, which seems to return periodically here. And I made a particular effort because this is the ONE time, as far as I can remember, that I DID provide THE incontrovertible answer to the perennial puzzle when I quoted Bobbie Gentry herself explaining the meaning of the song. If I remember correctly, it was taken from _Billboard’s Book of #1 Hits_… and my reply has even been quoted in another thread on the same subject later on. I signed up as **omniscientnot** in April or May 1999, but changed the user name to \*\*omni-not \*\*in November of that year. And I’m pretty sure it was under that username that I posted the now famous answer.😃 Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836/60 "2009-02-09T18:39:51Z")
See the advantage of signing your posts? 😉 Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-very-first-thread-on-the-sdmb-about-and-how-did-it-work-out-for-you/484836.md?page=4)