SluSignGuy

Pretty much Billikens.com takes me about 10-15 minutes to update per game. Which makes it not that huge of a time commitment. The only things that I really update are the scores and news links. I have it that I only have to change a small file to change the scores on the front page (so I don't have to edit the main file for the front page). And then the news links are pretty much the same. But I may honestly drop the news links (I will ask for user feedback before I do so) because I don't know how necessary they really are or how many people actually use them. But the changes over the past 2 years have pretty much been for the sole fact that when I go to college Billikens.com would not be a major time consumer. One example is the new board software for the past year (it requires a lot less work for me personally). Another example being sharing moderation duties with thicks (moderation is rarely done on this board, but who knows how much/how closely I will be able to read when at GW). Admitedly Billikens.com isn't as stellar as a Tigerboard.com (Nick on that site knows his stuff, I am very impressed by that site). But it serves its purpose. And until the user demand increases, Billikens.com is quite comfortable where it is. So far things look good on the new server. We just ran into bad luck with the new server buyout and then the virus. Luckily my contract was up in May, so I could switch without losing any money really. But be assured, Billikens.com will be around even though the SignGuy is in DC. Now the debate is will I become GWUSignGuy (doesn't quite role off the tougue as well). One girl I met at orientation is encouraging it after seeing Billikens.com and "It Stops at 17" picture. But that is a lot of foamboard, and I know nothing about the team. Other than they seem to be rebuilding more than SLU. They are coming off a whopping 12-17 season. I think my SLU loyalties will remain strong (and there is still the potential to coming home for law school if I decide to go that route). Then another debate is do I wave signs when I come home for the holidays (I am so pissed that my spring break is the week after the C-USA Tourney, SLU better make the tourney.) Well, I have a few months to make those decisions. For the next couple of weeks, Billikens.com will probably have an addition or two while I continue to clean up shop a bit. Then hopefully I won't need to touch Billikens.com until at least the season starts (and when the scheduele comes out). That's it from the desk of the SignGuy, Steve

If I recall correctly, I think it was Brazil.. Don't know the quality of competition though. Steve

If you go to: http://www.billikens.com/msieframe.shtml Hopefully you should see the old feature of seeing the new posts on the message board without having to load the message board. Also, I cleaned up the C-USA Board links and they should all link to active boards. Tell me if anything is messed up for any of you out there in Billiken land. Steve

Uhh... 5.0? I thought that was the Open Source Version Netscape released. I can't find myself a copy of that. Here, tell me how messed up this looks in your browser: http://www.billikens.com/msieframe.shtml Thanks, Steve

Please check your Private Messages. Thanks. Steve

Does anyone still use a version of Netscape prior to 6.0? If so, please reply to this message or if you are not registered and do not wish to do so, please e-mail me. Since I may drop support for the older versions of Netscape if no replies to this. Steve

Let's just pray that we are not considered a "weak" team. I know that we aren't. But everyone may not be thinking that. We are lacking a tourney appearance for a while. And we are in the city that is the Gateway to the West with the Big East. I don't want to preach doom and gloom. But just crossing my fingers. Steve

nm means no message

Welcome to the board, always feel free to post Soccer info, there are plenty of Soccer fans out here too reading. Never hurts to share the wealth of info. Steve

>that all said, i respect steve and the vast majority of the >board and only want the best for the billiken fandom. if a >large number of the posters or just steve want me to go >away, i will in a second. Roy, the day I ask you to leave is the day I am a Republican hehe I am under the thinking I will never become a republican, therefore, I shall never ask you to leave. So, for your own sake, you better hope I don't become a republican, because when I do. Your days of Billiken Talk are OVER. hehe, Roy, I would never ask you to leave, don't even let it be a thought in your head Steve

Thicks- Don't worry, I understand that the world cannot be perfect. Yet alone this board (as we know from crashes to viruses to other goodness, this board is FAR from perfect). But I am always open for suggestions. So just seeing if anything has thought of something that I haven't. And if they have and it is a good idea, we will all benefit. Doesn't hurt to seek to improve. Steve

BigMac- You are very correct. The reporter that you are thinking of is jmolina. He still posts on the STLtoday Bernie's Board. I wish he would come back, I like the guy. Although, I may have been the one to cause him leaving. I didn't mean to discredit him or anything. I just got the Rammer's take on things since he was being insulted on this board, and I wanted to know if it was a fair insulting. Chicos, once again you are right. He was driven off. And I do read his stuff on the Marquette board when I read it. Nice fellow it seems. You are correct. And probably correct in more instances. Although, any suggestions (for what I could do as the primary runner of this board) that I can do. Since I would like to prevent things like that from happening. Thanks for the reply, Steve

Well I am old for a college Freshman, 19. 20 in March. If that helps Steve

BigMac- I am just wondering, what other posters have been run off? I am honestly wondering, not trying to discredit you. None come to mind (I can honestly be mistaken, and proven to be very forgetful (ask any of my friends, I am horrible with names)). There are some posters from Billikenboard.com (Nark's Old Board) that have parted, two that come to mind are Lewba and Kevinfootes. Although I do not know their reasons for leaving. They both have made brief reappearances, and have left us again. I honestly do not know the reasons behind it. If some posters do hamper the amount of new posters, what do you suggest is done? I cannot tell X poster to contribute less for the good of the board. It wouldn't be fair to poster X. There are very few limitations of this board. Everyone was a new poster at some time in the boards' history. Some have stayed, some have left. But everyone was new at one point. If this isn't the board for someone, I don't know what I can say. I understand that the options for Billiken talk are limited. And this is the main place to go. Just in my opinion, a lot of people have to pay their dues (in a sense) before their opinion will recieve the respect as some others. In a perfect world, everyone would respect everyone else's opinion to the fullest. But everyone on this board, including yourself and myself, have worked our way up. And by doing that, it makes it a little easier in debates for that person, because people's reactions will not be: "Who is this guy?! He doesn't know what he is talking about?!" For all we know Butter could be the high-most authority on Basketball as we know it. Although, we have no clue what he knows. That is why respect is earned on this board. Everyone on this board has had their opinions attacked. Including myself. I posted something 2 years ago about Mizzou vs. SLU and I was torn to shreds about it. It was ridiculous. People made all sorts of arguments, and the amount of knowledge I had wasn't enough to support my opinion. And I conceded, I didn't know enough about the subject, and I lost the debate. I am not saying that Butter or any other poster doesn't have the knowledge. But if you are going to go on a message board fresh. Be prepared to back up your opinion HUGE if it does go against the majority of the board. And if you make a good argument, you should be fine. But if people disagree, they will disagree, and not cut you much slack if you are fresh. That is just how it is. So, to end my long winded response: Who were the posters? How do you suggest it be solved while being fair to all parties? And do you disagree that respect must be earned? Thanks, Steve

Well, I have read over most (not quite all yet) of the posts surrounding Butter, Blake, and new posters. And I just thought I should reiterate (sp) something. People are saying that this board is unwelcoming. I am sorry that some of you find it to be that way. Although, I do not see it as unwelcoming. I see it as more of a place where you earn your respect. Butter, I apologize if you feel as if you have been disrespected on this board and no one is listening to your opinion. I would personally would enjoy having you as regular poster on this board. The more opinions, the better the debates and discussion of Billiken Basketball. Although, I wouldn't have exactly come onto this board the way that you did: "I think the majority of this board is hilarious!" Followed up by insulting thetorch and billikenguest (backwords). I don't know if that is how you introduce yourself to most people, but from my personal experience. The best way to get off on the right foot is NOT to insult people. But you are you, and I am I. And that is what makes this world interesting. Continue posting however you wish. It never hurts to spice things up a bit (just don't step over the line). About 2 years ago a poster named Triangle came around. Originally insulting SLU (calling them a cupcake). And he is still around. And while it may seem like a lot of people do not like his presence (I have actually lost one poster because of him, he posts on CUSA-Talk, and I don't think is coming back, but I would love to have him back). But at Billiken functions I have recieved a very large number of compliments for not banning him when people were wanting me too. A lot of people enjoy reading his posts. There are about 120 registered posters. But I feel safe saying there are at least 300 readers (during the season), and it has probably been a positive keeping him around. BigMac and MUTIGER, I also am sorry to hear that you feel that this board is unwelcoming. If you have any suggestions (and this goes to everyone), just give me an e-mail, and I will do my best to get back to you. So overall, Butter, I hope you stay, but it is your decision. As always, any comments complaints or suggestions e-mail me. Steve

Hell, I am part of the reason the Trash Board was >scrapped. You gotta give credit where credit is due my >friend Hehe, he has got a point there. (he is correct about the Good Ol' Trashboard) Steve

I come back to the board busier than ever for this time of year. I recieved a few e-mails about complaints, and in addition this board is hopping. This was the first time ever that I didn't say I was going out of town (GW Orientation GO COLONIALS!). I remembered on the plane there that I never said I was, and thought it would be okay, hopefully it is. I will read them over and see what is going on. Steve

Yep. My little contribution to the tiger folks. Someone mentioned the Pearl harbor thing earlier, then I mentioned in again in another post the same day. Therefore it got stuck with someone mentioning the same thing twice. Just my little claim to fame in Tigerland (I was what? Like 14 or 15 then?). I remember A_Bomb telling me never to post there again like that unless I knew the situation. hehe. Lesson learned. Steve

I just read that before you posted. God it sounds like a good Deal for SLU. Admitedly we lose Louisville and Cincy. But the Basketball conference is VERY VERY SOLID. That is one hell of a Conference too. Although how are they going to work the rest of the sports? Like Soccer and Baseball, etc. Those are great for B-Ball and F-Ball, but Athletic Departments are more than just those. Steve

College basketball: Big East holding its ground ... for now Thursday, June 26, 2003 BY TOM LUICCI Star-Ledger Staff With Miami and Virginia Tech expected to make their defections to the Atlantic Coast Conference official today, the Big East will react in a way that may surprise a lot of people -- by doing nothing, at least immediately. Key Big East officials said they will take their time before reorganizing and deciding which schools they will pursue for football and basketball. They are prepared to play the 2004 and 2005 football seasons -- with Miami and Virginia Tech in the ACC -- as a six-team conference. According to Bowl Championship Series officials, the Big East would keep its automatic BCS bid as a six-team league in 2004 and 2005. Conceivably, that means Rutgers would have to win only five games in 2004 or 2005 -- sweeping the reduced Big East football schedule -- to earn the league's automatic BCS bid. At the same time, Miami could win 10 games in either year and be shut out of a BCS spot because of its membership in the cluttered 11-team ACC. Big East and BCS officials declined to comment but confirmed the league's automatic bid won't be jeopardized by the loss of Miami and Virginia Tech for the final two years of the BCS contract. The contract expires after the 2006 Rose Bowl. After receiving formal invitations from the ACC yesterday, Miami and Virginia Tech officials have indicated the schools will accept them today. The schools will play the coming school year in the Big East before joining the ACC for the 2004-05 season. Despite last-minute hopes by the Big East that Miami might change its mind, the school has scheduled an executive committee meeting for 3 p.m. today, when university president Donna Shalala will put the invitation to a vote. The school's executive committee is expected to accept the invitation despite Shalala's disappointment yesterday that Boston College and Syracuse were not part of the package. Virginia Tech's governing board voted unanimously yesterday to accept its invitation, after ACC officials hastily completed a site visit required under conference bylaws. "I'm obviously disappointed that Miami and Virginia Tech appear to be leaving, but I'm ecstatic that Boston College and Syracuse are remaining," Rutgers athletic director Bob Mulcahy said. When the Big East reacts, it almost certainly will reinvent itself as a two-division conference, with football-playing schools on one side and basketball schools on the other. "We're going to take our time and do this right," said a Big East official, who requested anonymity. With the departures of Miami and Virginia Tech leaving six football schools -- Rutgers, Boston College, West Virginia, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Syracuse -- the Big East will add from two to four more. Louisville, Central Florida, Cincinnati, South Florida and Navy are candidates to join the Big East's football division. The basketball side will start with a nucleus of six, assuming Notre Dame remains. The others are Seton Hall, Georgetown, St. John's, Villanova and Providence. Marquette, DePaul, Xavier and Dayton are candidates to be added. Left with 12 basketball schools for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, the Big East would take all 12 to New York for the Big East Tournament. The Big East's decision to proceed slowly in its expansion plans is in stark contrast to the ACC's bungled six-week expansion process, with Miami, Boston College and Syracuse originally targeted by the league on May 13. Lacking the votes to add BC and Syracuse because of Virginia's reluctance to leave Virginia Tech behind in a crippled Big East, the ACC called an audible and voted to invite Miami and Virginia Tech on Tuesday night. Tech had been a staunch supporter of the Big East until Tuesday night, and was part of a lawsuit against Miami, Boston College and the ACC. The presidents of Rutgers, Connecticut, Pittsburgh and West Virginia reacted to the news yesterday by saying in a statement that Boston College has been dismissed as a defendant in the suit, while Virginia Tech has withdrawn as a plaintiff.

I personally have a cable modem. It works for me. As for SPAM, I have found a great little e-mail client that AOL Offers (it is still in Beta, as in the program isn't a finished product yet). AOL Communicator. It allows you to check your mail and be on AIM. The GREAT thing about Communicator is its spam blocking. It learns what you consider spam and start to block it over time. Then whatever it is unsure about, it Marks as spam, it is accurate about the Mark as spam about 95% of the time. But it allows for you to have your own little filters as well. I don't know if outlook does this too, but since my primary e-mail is AOL, it is a great find. I haven't signed onto AOL in months, I just use my communicator (we still have AOL for mother). Steve

This should be good news for our Bills. This way it helps keep Marquette in C-USA or the new conference b/c of the Big East maintaining its basketball prowess (especially with the addition of Louisville and Cincy if it happens). All that I hope for is that Marquette sticks with SLU and I expect everything to be okay. Steve

It is the same with GW, I ordered Decals in late April, and I only got them about 3. They were sold out forever. August is probably the best chance for a well stocked store, with all of the kids coming back along with parents wanting to pick up merchandise. Steve

I am out of town until Monday. My sister is Graduation from the big NU (Northwestern University Go Wildcats!). Guess there is one Rogers out of College and One into college. There shouldn't be any problems with the board, but if there are, I may be able to check my e-mail occasionally, but do not count on it. Hope you all can live without the SignGuy. Steve

Taj- I love this part of your post: >Next season notwithstanding, I am looking down the line to >where I would like the team to be. My expectations are to >go to the NCAA more often than not so as our appearances >become more of an expected occurrence as opposed to a >freaking, once-a-decade celebration of a one-and-out game. That is the epitimy of Billiken Fandom. The good stuff doesn't happen often, but when it does, boy do we get excited! Steve