Greetings fellow FFML Members,
Well, I thought perhaps I would never find time to update this, considering
all the submissions I've received (holy websites Batman!) and how little
time I've had these past few months to work on the FAQ, but here's the
latest update :) Some changes have been made of note. The FFML FAQ has now
been split into two documents; a core FAQ that contains the rules and basic
information about the ML that will be updated on a monthly basis; and an
"FFML Resources" guide, that contains all the Fanfic related MLs,
newsgroups and websites you the readership have submitted, which should aid
me in updating the FAQ in a more efficient way. The FFML Resources guide
will be posted this upcoming weekend (July 20th).
Please, do not delete this post! Many questions that unecessarily make
their way
to the mailing list could have been/can be avoided by reading this FAQ
carefully. If there is something that you think is missing, and should be
added to this FAQ, please send your idea/info to myself or Sapphire for
consideration (email addresses
are in the FAQ below).
Secondly, for those who inquired, Sapphire is maintaining her position as
Co-Maintainer of the FFML FAQ, but has been busy focusing on school these
past few months. I have been assured that she will be returning to the list
(and hopefully her FAQ Co-Maintainer duties!<g>) very shortly :)
That's the scoop! :)
Panda
WELCOME TO THE FANFIC MAILING LIST FAQ!
==========================
LAST UPDATED: July 15th 1997
Updated Sections: FAQ format, Moderator(s), Remailer, Spamming, Test
Messages, ML Content.
* FAQ Co-Maintainers:
If you have any questions or comments regarding this FAQ, please send
them to either address below:
Andy Skuse (Panda) Sapphire, The Blue Tigress
askuse@execulink.com sapphire@uclink.berkeley.edu
Updates of the Fanfic ML FAQ can be obtained by sending a request to myself
or Sapphire at the email addresses above.
Yoo C. Chung has put together an HTML version of the FFML FAQ at:
http://plaza.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/fanfics/ffml-faq.html
***VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTES***
1) DO NOT POST TEST MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!
If you think you've been unsubscribed, see the section below "* I think I've
been unsubscribed. What do I do now?"
2) DO NOT POST CHAIN MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!
Be forewarned, that anyone posting a chain message to the FFML will be
immediately banned from the FFML.
***IMPORTANT FAQ NOTE: For the following information about email
messages and requests, any word in square brackets should NOT include
the brackets with the word. The square brackets are used only to clarify
the word(s) or phrases they contain.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================
* What is the fanfic mailing list?
* How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to the ML?
* How do I post to the ML?
* What can I post to the ML?
* What's this about "subject tags"?
* What about story format?
* Who are the moderators of the list?
* I think I've been unsubscribed. What do I do now?
* How large a file can I send to the ML?
* What is SPAM?
* What is C&C?
* What is a 'LEMON' fanfic?
* Is there an archive for stories posted to the ML? "The REMAILER"
For information about fanfic related websites, newsgroups and irc, see the
"FFML Resources" guide. If you missed it when it was posted, send a request
to either of the FAQ Co-Maintainers listed at the top of this FAQ.
====================
* WHAT IS THE FANFIC MAILING LIST?
The fanfic mailing list (ML) is a forum for authors and fans to discuss
fanfics (fanfiction stories) with an anime theme that are posted to the ML.
====================
* HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE TO THE ML?
To SUBSCRIBE to the mailing list, send an email message with the word
[subscribe] in the [Subject:] field to [fanfic-request@fanfic.com].
Example:
To: fanfic-request@fanfic.com
Subject: subscribe
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the mailing list, simply send a message with the
word [unsubscribe] in [Subject:] field to [fanfic-request@fanfic.com].
Example:
To: fanfic-request@fanfic.com
Subject: unsubscribe
In the event of an address change, it would probably be wise to first send
an unsubscribe for the old address (this can be done from the new
address), and then a new subscribe to the new address (the order of this
procedure is important).
Most (un)subscription requests are processed automatically without
human intervention.
Do not send multiple (un)subscription or info requests in one email message.
Only one will be processed per mail.
NOTE: The [-request] server usually does an excellent job in discriminating
between (un)subscribe requests and messages intended for the maintainer. If
you'd like to make sure a human reads your message, send it to
[fanfic-owner@fanfic.com].
====================
* HOW DO I POST TO THE ML?
Send mail to [fanfic@fanfic.com]. Anyone can post to the ML, even if
you're not subscribed to it.
====================
* WHAT CAN I POST TO THE ML?
You can post stories, of course, story ideas, and C&C. Also, where to
find background and character information and questions and answers about
the same. Be careful about this or it might turn into excessive
SPAM. If you are looking for a chapter of a particular story and you know
the author's email address, please email the author first to request the
missing chapter instead of the ML. Other ways of obtaining missing or missed
chapters are to check the FFML Remailer (see the section on the Remailer
below) or to check and see if the RAAC archives have a copy (see the new
"FFML FAQ Resources" section called *Are There Any Other Places Where I Can
Find Fanfics Or Get Info On Anime?). Didn't get the "FFML FAQ Resources"
document? Email one of the FFML FAQ Co-Maintainers and ask for a copy.
This mailing list is mostly for stories not yet on rec.arts.anime.creative
although there are exceptions such as if it's not available via ftp
anywhere or if the general consensus on the list is to post it. Also, if
you're posting the next part of a series that has never been seen on the
list before, post the previous parts unless they're really big.
====================
* WHAT'S THIS ABOUT "SUBJECT TAGS"?
To help members of the list sort the mail they receive from the FFML more
efficiently please use the following tags in the subject header of your
posts to the FFML.
[Fanfic] = Marks a message as containing a fanfic story\chapter
[C&C] = Message containing Comments & Criticisms on a fanfic
[Spam], [Spamfic] = Self-explanatory. Sig characters go here :)
[Info], [Announce] = side notes, not quite spam, but not 'fics either
[FAQ] Frequently Asked Questions update
[Admin] = Moderator's (WW & Tybalt) use only
====================
* WHAT ABOUT STORY FORMAT?
This is just to tell you to use US-ASCII characters and to wrap your
lines to about 74 characters a line or about 10 to 12 words a line.
Also, try not to send it as an attachment; stick the story in the message
itself. Everyone has different mail readers and these little formatting
tricks makes it easier for more people to read your story. You do want
your story read, don't you?
====================
* WHO ARE THE MODERATORS OF THE LIST?
There are now two moderators as such of the FFML.
If you have any problems related to the list these are the folks to talk to:
Tybalt at:
tybalt@tendo-dojo.ranma.net
or
White Wolf at:
[wwolf@ranma.net]
or
[fanfic-owner@fanfic.com]
====================
* I THINK I'VE BEEN UNSUBSCRIBED. WHAT DO I DO NOW?
If the ML seems too quiet and you think you've been unsubscribed, just try
subscribing again. It won't let you be subscribed twice so you don't have
to worry about getting tons of double posts if you haven't been
unsubscribed.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND TEST MESSAGES TO THE ML!!!
Recently, there have been a few folks who somehow were subscribed twice when
they used the above method. We're still tracking down the reasons for this
happening, but one way to circumvent this is to send an unsubscribe message
first, before you try to resubscribe. If for some reason you still
experience difficulties, post a message to the moderator at:
[tybalt@tendo-dojo.ranma.net] and explain the problem.
====================
* HOW LARGE A FILE CAN I SEND TO THE ML?
Since everyone's mail system is different there is no definite answer.
The best route is to just send the whole story or send it chapter by
chapter. A good rule of thumb to avoid complaints from people who cannot
download large pieces of email is to keep your installments under 100k, and
chop up single installments over this size into 100k sections. Just mark
each section as 1 of 4 and 2 of 4 and so on. The readers with
restrictive mailboxes will appreciate it, and in the end you'll have a
larger audience.
====================
* WHAT IS SPAM?
SPAM is junk mail/ off-topic conversation. DON'T SPAM a lot. We're a
pretty easy-going bunch about this but if you don't stop when asked, there
will be repercussions. SPAM includes 'me too's, threads where a few people
are replying to each other more than twice a day so the list seems more
like a conversation between two or three people, and anything that would be
better off emailed privately. Don't forget that complaints about the
amount of SPAM on the list is SPAM itself and tend to generate even more
SPAM.
NOTE: If the moderator thinks someone is overdoing it, they'll recieve a
warning. If the spamming continues they will receive a harsher warning. If
the spamming persists, temporary and even permanent bans from the ML will
be considered.
====================
* WHAT IS C&C?
Comments and criticisms. Every author wants feedback on their stories to
help improve them. After all, this is what the list is really for.
When sending comments or criticisms to an author, there are a few things
to consider before posting your observations:
1) Lurk for a while before posting to the list. Spend some time getting
to know the FanFic ML. There is no better way to find out about etiquette
and 'unspoken' rules.
2) Some authors want comments on plot and characterization rather
than comments on grammar and spelling. Other authors like a more detailed
analysis of their stories that includes grammar and spelling.
Consider asking the author via private email which type they would prefer.
3) Posting your C & C to the mailing list is fine unless the author
states otherwise. If an author specifically asks for private comments then
you should abide by their wishes.
====================
* WHAT IS A 'LEMON' FANFIC?
'Lemons' are stories with explicit sexual content and should be labelled
as such in the [Subject:] field when posted. Not everyone on the ML is
over 21.
Example:
Subject: Story name [LEMON]
============================
* IS THERE AN ARCHIVE FOR STORIES POSTED TO THE ML?
Currently there are no (known) permanent up-to-date archive, but an archive of
two weeks worth of the most recent postings to the list is available
at [http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/archives/].
"THE REMAILER"
NOTE: The Remailer is still functional, but a new Remailer home is being
considered. Stay tuned for more information in future updates.
To facilitate fast and simple access to the works of the authors who post
their installments on this list, a REMAILER system has been installed. The
remailer allows author-members of the list to submit and update their
stories to a constantly updated archive while creating a convenient means
for reading-members to retrieve the latest installments of fanfics they
would like to read.
To SUBMIT a fanfic work to the remailer, send the story to:
add-ftp@ranma.net
After 30-90 seconds check your mail. You should have a message
confirming your story's reception at the remailer. The story will be added
as soon as the list's moderator can get to it.
To GET THE CURRENT LIST of fanfic stories archived on the remailer, send a
blank email (no subject, no message) to:
ftp@ranma.net
After 30-90 seconds check your mail. You will have a message with the
remailer's current contents listed along with their email addresses.
To RETRIEVE A FANFIC STORY from the remailer, find the story you want on the
remailer list and simply send a blank email (no subject, no message) to the
address listed beside the story you want to retrieve. After 30-90 seconds
check your mail. You will have a message with the fanfic story you requested.
END OF FFML FAQ ------------------------
Whois V7-28?
"BG Cross" - http://execulink.com/~askuse/bgcross/
Raven's Garage - http://execulink.com/~askuse/ravengar.html