I've never seen dots used, but I understand that they were used before my time

A dot was a small piece of bitumen impregnated fibreboard that was set on a dab of adhesive, these were spaces approx 1100m vertically and 1800mm horizontally. These were leveled in all directions for plumb and straightness. Once these had set firm more dots were added to suit the board joints. Once all the dots were set the board was dabbed in the usual way until it touched the dots, a nail was often used to hold the boards to the dots while the adhesive set.

I think the reason dots have died out is due to the advances in board adhesives which make it possible to tap a board flat and it will stay there.

I'm quite happy for yopu to post this in the other thread and tak eall the credit for it

Jason

Is it best to put adhesive onto the board before sticking it onto the wall or to put adhesive onto the wall before pushing the board onto it?

I've seen it done both ways.