Every time I click on some similar threads at the bottom and it brings me back to 2004-2005 or so I keep seeing these asterisks in between emoticons or sometimes in between sentences. I used to think nothing of it at first thinking it was some retro cool thing to do back then or something but not it's beginning to get the better of me

Can someone please fill me in?

 

posts made on old version of sql/vbulletin probably not working correctly when displayed on new - or something similar!