Daily conversation: What is the worst possible answer?

[Scott5114]

Sentient threads will wipe out the human posters one day. 

Sure would make sewing more interesting, in any case.

[webny99]

we can see what threads others are viewing.

Shhhh! Drawing attention to this will cause it to get canned, just like the stats page. Sadly, it's probably already too late to save this feature.

[Roadgeekteen]

we can see what threads others are viewing.

Shhhh! Drawing attention to this will cause it to get canned, just like the stats page. Sadly, it's probably already too late to save this feature.

It's not like I care at all about this feature. Forum stats were cool and I think they should be brought back but unless you really want to stalk a user I've never found a reason to even check it.

[Scott5114]

So y'all are both creeps, is what I'm hearing.

Ah, I found it. No idea what made the SMF people think that was a great idea to include. It doesn't matter (much) for a forum on an innocuous subject like ours, but for one with more sensitive content, that could be a hell of a privacy violation.

[wanderer2575]

Sentient threads will wipe out the human posters one day. 

"Answer" by Fredric Brown (written in 1954).

[Roadgeekteen]

So y'all are both creeps, is what I'm hearing.

Ah, I found it. No idea what made the SMF people think that was a great idea to include. It doesn't matter (much) for a forum on an innocuous subject like ours, but for one with more sensitive content, that could be a hell of a privacy violation.

I don't think I've ever actually looked at it besides just incidently.

[kkt]

This needs to be cross-posted in Fictional Highways so FritzOwl can chime in.

FritzOwl has full permissions to view and post in this board. Maybe a mod can answer, has FritzOwl ever viewed a non-fictional board? I know we can see what threads others are viewing.

We know he can see other threads because he fairly regularly follows up to other threads in his own fictional highways thread.

[hotdogPi]

This needs to be cross-posted in Fictional Highways so FritzOwl can chime in.

FritzOwl has full permissions to view and post in this board. Maybe a mod can answer, has FritzOwl ever viewed a non-fictional board? I know we can see what threads others are viewing.

We know he can see other threads because he fairly regularly follows up to other threads in his own fictional highways thread.

I don't think he's ever quoted a thread outside Fictional.

[webny99]

we can see what threads others are viewing.

Shhhh! Drawing attention to this will cause it to get canned, just like the stats page. Sadly, it's probably already too late to save this feature.

It's not like I care at all about this feature. Forum stats were cool and I think they should be brought back but unless you really want to stalk a user I've never found a reason to even check it.

I know. Obviously, the Forum Stats page has a much broader range of utility than the Users Online page and is a much more logical addition to the forum, so my comment was 90% passive-aggressive, but the 10% serious part is that I would always rather keep cool but unimportant features, and drawing everyone's attention to them tends to make issues out of non-issues.

[Roadgeekteen]

we can see what threads others are viewing.

Shhhh! Drawing attention to this will cause it to get canned, just like the stats page. Sadly, it's probably already too late to save this feature.

It's not like I care at all about this feature. Forum stats were cool and I think they should be brought back but unless you really want to stalk a user I've never found a reason to even check it.

I know. Obviously, the Forum Stats page has a much broader range of utility than the Users Online page and is a much more logical addition to the forum, so my comment was 90% passive-aggressive, but the 10% serious part is that I would always rather keep cool but unimportant features, and drawing everyone's attention to them tends to make issues out of non-issues.

It's more like some users on this forum are offended by the very fact that the forum stats page existed (even though nobody was forcing them to view it) and got it deleted even though most had no problem on it and some was certainly interested in it.

[webny99]

Ah, I found it. No idea what made the SMF people think that was a great idea to include. It doesn't matter (much) for a forum on an innocuous subject like ours, but for one with more sensitive content, that could be a hell of a privacy violation.

I don't think I've ever actually looked at it besides just incidently.

It's also very easy to disable others from seeing your online status if that's something you're concerned about. Just go into your profile account settings and uncheck the checkbox for "Show others my online status". I just tried it (and reversed it, since I don't care) and it worked.

[Roadgeekteen]

So y'all are both creeps, is what I'm hearing.

Ah, I found it. No idea what made the SMF people think that was a great idea to include. It doesn't matter (much) for a forum on an innocuous subject like ours, but for one with more sensitive content, that could be a hell of a privacy violation.

I don't think I've ever actually looked at it besides just incidently.

It's also very easy to disable others from seeing your online status if that's something you're concerned about. Just go into your profile account settings and uncheck the checkbox for "Show others my online status". I just tried it (and reversed it, since I don't care) and it worked.

Unlike the forum stats feature though, this could have some legit privacy concerns in some edge cases. It's quite unlikely, but it also isn't that interesting so I don't really care that it's gone.

[webny99]

It's also very easy to disable others from seeing your online status if that's something you're concerned about. Just go into your profile account settings and uncheck the checkbox for "Show others my online status". I just tried it (and reversed it, since I don't care) and it worked.

Unlike the forum stats feature though, this could have some legit privacy concerns in some edge cases. It's quite unlikely, but it also isn't that interesting so I don't really care that it's gone.

... it's not actually gone, BTW.

[Roadgeekteen]

It's also very easy to disable others from seeing your online status if that's something you're concerned about. Just go into your profile account settings and uncheck the checkbox for "Show others my online status". I just tried it (and reversed it, since I don't care) and it worked.

Unlike the forum stats feature though, this could have some legit privacy concerns in some edge cases. It's quite unlikely, but it also isn't that interesting so I don't really care that it's gone.

... it's not actually gone, BTW.

Well this just proves how much I never cared about it because I honest to god couldn't find it when I tried.

[xonhulu]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

[hotdogPi]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

The car honks whenever you make an unsafe maneuver.

[formulanone]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

The new Olfactory Orifice Picking System will lower a small, flexible probe-like device to gently scoop out freshly picked snot and deposit it into either your free hand, or launch it into your mouth, so you won't have stop for unhealthy food on the road. It works in conjunction with tiny sensors in your seatbelt, with receptors woven into the belt cloth to detect hunger pangs. Since we are magical animals that can create our own food, this device can save money in the long run; providing a more efficient route by reducing stops, fuel waste, and wear-and-tear on your vehicle's charging system. It's been used by long-distance logistics drivers in Europe for years and showed promise as a driver fatigue elimination device in the 24 Hours of Lemons.

Even though the public at-large generally has frowned upon the consumption of mucus, studies show that the underground gold-mining community may be a far greater percentage than initial studies have discovered. To really tap into that market, a series of internet and TV advertisements (with delightfully catchy background music) letting people know: Boogers, it's What's for Lunch! The United States Driving Association and the Health Information Technology of American Systems Support have given their support for this invaluable and inflammable device.

And that's how the OOPS will become a standard feature that you never knew you needed, because it always picks you as a winner.

[PColumbus73]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

Automatic frosting windows will help drivers who want a little extra privacy.

[Roadgeekteen]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

To save energy, something limiting the speed of the car to 55 MPH.

[Big John]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

A rapidly flashing strobe light on all vevicles.

[Henry]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

Exterior cameras on all four sides: Not only in the back, but in the front, and on the left and right as well.

[Max Rockatansky]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

Standard under hood placement of blinker fluid reservoirs.

[1995hoo]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

Exterior lights (headlights, taillights, etc.) that are linked to a GPS and that automatically disable themselves when the car enters a bad neighborhood where people don't turn on their headlights at night. This is a safety feature because it will ensure that the local denizens cannot readily identify someone as an outsider just because he uses his headlights.

[JayhawkCO]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

A professional driver must be hired.

[Big John]

10/23/2025

The federal government needs to mandate what new standard feature in all new cars?

Exterior cameras on all four sides: Not only in the back, but in the front, and on the left and right as well.

And interior cameras so Big Brother can watch you.