I've had an idea about the board problems

This is an intriguing way of looking at it, but I can put it to rest that the changes have nothing to do with arithmetic operators. I can also put to rest the conspiracy that a former user of the site had anything to do with it [no, nothing to do with it]. The changes came about due to a necessary security update to block the injection of code on our Helpline. This is why html no longer works, and why certain things that you type that could be translated as commands are blocked as INVALID. We have fixed many of the issues that cause [INVALID] to appear, but we aren't completely there yet. We have reviewed a new system that will allow formatting in the Helpline again. I don't have a target date for the implementation of this change yet, but please know that we are working on this as quickly as possible so that the user experience here can return to normal.

I'm with Tyler on this,, "if it ain't broke don't fix it",, seems is was fine till they fiddled with it. I want back paragraphs.

I'm having to change my "dash" habit[INVALID]I always use them (opps!) Thanks Webmaster for your work in trying to resolve the issues!!

Thanks Webmaster

Well that's interesting. 5-2 or 77-13 do not trigger the I word. Doesn't come up with a mathematical answer but no I word. So 2 dashes probably still will [INVALID] in the middle of a sentence. The + and = didn't trigger anything. ...... I wonder how Webmaster is doing?

Yes, that's interesting. The [INVALID] was triggered by dashes in the middle of words but again here 676-554 works, what about with a space between characters? 676 - 554 so what happened there?

Ah, so as long as it sees it as subtraction even if there are spaces, it works. Hmmm wonder how addition and equals slip by? Glad I'm not the Webmaster.....

How about two dashes between numbers like this 1[INVALID]-2?

I really don't understand how this problem started. Everything was working fine before. Did they change servers, do a software upgrade, or something to cause the problems?

I too have a habit of 'dashing' which I've had to severely rein in the past few posts. Further, I too appreciate the Webmaster's hard work in getting (most) everything back to normal!

[stomping feet, throwing fit] I WANT MY PARAGRAPHS!!! ;-).............My "user experience here" (Webmaster) is lacking...LOL! But, I DO hate it when the injection of code needs to be blocked...Bummer...At least I don't have to shun the arithmetic operators...And Nigel's been wearing his thinkin' cap...très bien!

So, it was a security upgrade that caused the problems, i.e., there were threats that malicious code could be put on the website? Alas, the Internet is being ruined by security issues. Everywhere you look these days, it seems there is a problem. Trojans, spam, viruses, etc., and a lot of it done with criminal intent.

I haven't experienced any problems in using arithmetic operators, but had an unusual occurrence last night when I tried to use a particular word (I believe it was "selection" but I'll have to check my previous replies). The first part of the word was replaced with the "I-word". Strange??? I'm also upset that "undesirables" are causing these problems on the Internet, as it's such a great resource. Those with Smart Phones will also have to contend with this unfortunately. Cheers!

We will get paragraphs back. Single dashes work just fine. Its only when you group them into twos that it errors out right now.

Merci beaucoup, Webmaster! And I was just going to add that SINGLE dashes work fine for me...you beat me to it. That's why you're the Master, I suppose.

As a rather nice free service, I appreciate what is being done to try and fix the problem. Thanks.

Thanks, Andrew, for all your hard work! Just out of curiosity, have you ever thought about changing the forum software to something entirely different? I'm thinking something more like what other message board forums use. Not that I don't like these boards - believe me, I do or I wouldn't keep coming back. There is a good level of knowledge here that I appreciate. But it would be nice to be able to [INVALID] links without having to use html - and to be able to view the entire thread when you respond instead of just the original post.

Other message boards may have better software, but they DON'T have better members! :-) Do I get bonus points for my positive outburst? I had noticed weird things happening but was sure they were working to fix the problem.

Andrew, I'd like to "second" the comments from the others - THANKS for your outstanding work on this problem!

Eli, I'm SURE that a dozen roses and a Civita bag are heading your way right now from Edmonds........I, too, appreciate the free service that this website and this Helpline provide - it's like free travel crack. I would, however, really like some cream cheese danish or croissants to go with my latte and Helpline in the mornings...Think you could arrange that?!? I could wait on my paragraphs...;-)

Oh, and for the Webmaster.............NEVER change the font! I yuvs it.

Non! Je crois que tu as besoin des roses! C'est pour toi!

C'mon guys - you should only speak in Italian on the boot helpline.

Warum? Das macht aber kein Spass, nur im Englisch zu sprechen!

Chani, per me va bene........And did Jo just call someone a 'Spass' ;-) [nur so zum Spass!]

omg - you guys have me rolling laughing...brilliantly funny you are...

...then our work here is done, fini, fine, enden...