# Why isn't this free board exactly the way I want it? Wahhh! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843 "2004-01-16T21:51:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/41 "2004-01-18T04:42:46Z")
I like the new format. My vote would be to get rid of the vBulletin logo, put on a Straight Dope logo, and leave it as-is. I think we’re just so used to the format we had before that we’re blind to the improvements. Even the fixed width is a good thing - fonts of a certain size are meant to be read with a certain line width. This format is about right. I used to have to shrink my browser all the time to make it readable, and then when I’d go to another site I’d have to maximize it again. This is much better. I also like the colors better - blue colors are cooler and cause less eyestrain than reddish colors. So nyah. Keep up the good work, mods. Great improvement. ---
**Author:** ![eli\_the\_fanatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ccd318/32.png) [@eli\_the\_fanatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eli_the_fanatic)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/42 "2004-01-18T04:44:36Z")
One thing that is cool and I don’t think was available before the upgrade: you can put your mouse on a topic and read the OP. That is pretty cool. When someone posts a topic title like “Fuck you asshole dirtbag scum,” you can see what the gist of the topic is before you click the link. Also it’s faster. I’d like to tip my hat to the sysops and admin folk and tell the complainers to bugger off. ---
**Author:** ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/43 "2004-01-18T05:37:54Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Never, ever do that again, or I shall choke you to death with your own severed ass cheeks. > > Re the OP: Hear hear. MOD, MOD! **Cervaise** is wishing death upon me!!! But cereal, dude, is that a tongue in you cheek or a gauntlet against mine? ---
**Author:** ![Poetgrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@Poetgrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poetgrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/44 "2004-01-18T06:23:54Z")
I like it. Not as pretty as I could have hoped, but I also understand there are a lot of people on the board with a sense of aethetics that could give the IRS a run for its money :rolleyes: All in all, I’m pretty impressed that the board changed in a way that I like after suggesting it some time ago. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/45 "2004-01-18T21:30:52Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > What are these anonymous LJs of which you speak? And how do they relate to the SDMB? They have no relation to the SDMB other than some members here are also members over there. It’s simply a LiveJournal community where anonymous posting is allowed. Probably shouldn’t be linked here, but maybe someone will email it to you. Easily found with a google search, too. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/46 "2004-01-18T22:10:24Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > we’re still in the renovation phase. am i the only one who think that the lack of a business sign (SDMB banner), clearly shows that the boards aren’t done updating yet? So what I’m seeing now (as I said, last time I posted was on 1/5), is what people have been bitching about so much? Sheesh, whatta bunch of whiners. Looks pretty interesting so far, and I have faith that it’ll be just fine when they’re done with all this “inconvenient” reconstruction. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/47 "2004-01-19T17:04:51Z")
yes, cosmetically it’s been pretty much the same so far, with minor exceptions like the pale smileys on day one. (somewhere around 13th i think) there have been other tweaks since then. on preview - oh my… colours are changing even as i submit this. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/48 "2004-01-19T18:14:00Z")
Everyone happy now? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/49 "2004-01-19T18:54:23Z")
I’m quite fine with it. Looks to me like they’re nearly done, but then what do I know? ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/50 "2004-01-19T20:37:31Z")
Is there an Appreciation Thread for all the people who have been working so hard and taking all this sh!t from disgruntled users? Or is this it? If so: to all you who have been working so hard on this, thank you ! We do appreciate all your hard work. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2004, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/51 "2004-01-19T21:07:50Z")
Hey! This looks nice. Forget I said anything earlier. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/52 "2004-01-20T00:30:13Z")
I didn’t complain to anyone except myself about the layout the last few days, but I’m thinking this new one will do just fine. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/53 "2004-01-20T00:58:15Z")
Ok, ok…I’m coming around, too. After being reminded of all the hard work that goes in to giving me something to read on a daily basis, I digress. I remember that it is a thankless job to run this place, and I am hereby proclaiming my sincere thanks and apology. My complaint has morphed into something less about the new format, and more about what a hopeless creature of habit I am, and a total cretin because of it. :smack: Can I have a hug now? Please? Anyone? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/54 "2004-01-20T01:12:42Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > we’re still in the renovation phase. am i the only one who think that the lack of a business sign (SDMB banner), clearly shows that the boards aren’t done updating yet? Renovation phase? Well shit. . . I got my hammer, my power drill, a couple ‘o’ putty knives, a mud knife, three rolls of mud tape, my 3 1/2" rattail paintbrush, 4" wide wall brush, a 1" trim brush, Sherwin-Williams/Behr/Ralph Lauren fandecks, torpedo level (both my 6" and 4-footer), hacksaw, aluminum speed square, steel carpenters square, propane torch with a flux and solderin’ kit, a couple ‘o’ screwdrivers and nail punches, and a 10 A/2.4 HP circular saw. So where should I start? 😕 Heh? Huh?? What? What the hell is _soft_ware? What the fuck? I just ran to the lumber yard for $50 worth of 2x4s and plywood? Dammit. Now I gotta send a goddamned pallet of sheetrock back too. Thanks a lot. :mad: Tripler This is the Pit, and I’m a part-time contractor. I can say “fuck”. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/55 "2004-01-20T09:19:30Z")
Jeez. If you don’t like the way the site looks, write your _own_ fucking stylesheet and make it look however you want. Personally, I don’t think that a few purple bars will horribly impact my SDMB experience, but by all means make yourself happy. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/56 "2004-01-20T11:16:07Z")
> [@Grace](#): > > I didn’t complain to anyone except myself about the layout the last few days, but I’m thinking this new one will do just fine. I like it. This is probably because I’m using Opera, but absolutely nothing looks different here… BTW, I **did** pay for this! Bought the t-shirt, the mug, and all of the books. So there, nyah nyah nyah nyah! ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/57 "2004-01-20T14:51:42Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > I also noticed the preview doesn’t work for every thread title, yet for some it does. Then it hit me (and checking confirmed my hunch) – the mouseover preview works only for threads that were started after the upgrade. Is that what it is? I thought it might be an OS difference (I boot in both Mac OS 9.2 and X). Thanks for pointing that out. > [@Berkut](#): > > I think you’re looking at it the wrong way. We like this place because there is an assumed standard of the people who post here. We then try to apply that standard to the posts over at the anonymous Livejournals, and it just doesn’t fit. I’m sure a lot of people over there are the same users, but that place is more of a bathroom wall rather than a message board. Take everything over there with a grain of salt, as it’s mostly hot air. It’s the virtual equivalent of the Jerry Springer show. Actually, the opposite’s correct: I went in with low expectations for my fellow SDMBers. I know from experience that not all Dopers are good people, and I figured the only reason a community LJ would be popular was if it discussed things we couldn’t discuss here: namely, each other, without moderation. That’s pretty much what you find on the anonymous LJs. Not meaning to cut you off or anything, but we should probably drop it. I don’t want to hijack this thread too badly, and that mess should stay on LJ. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2004, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/58 "2004-01-21T06:59:15Z")
Considering that they are using a Release Candidate, it is probably free for the Chicago Reader too. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. > [@](#): > > Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.0 Release Candidate 2 ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2004, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/59 "2004-01-21T07:40:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.0 Release Candidate 2 [Snake]Awh man… Beta![/Snake] All kidding aside, the latest format is great. They let you choose how you want the board to look! Hot damn. Still a couple of minor details I’d tweak, but just the way it is it’s fine by me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843.md?page=2)