Subject: [FFML] FFML FAQ
From: Vincent Seifert
Date: 3/1/2000, 9:26 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com


WELCOME TO THE FANFIC MAILING LIST FAQ!
==========================

LAST UPDATED: 3/1/2000

* Outgoing Maintainers:

Gary Kleppe <kleppe@mediaone.net>
Warr <warr@pobox.alaska.net>

* Incoming Maintainers:

Vincent Seifert <seifertv@csus.edu>
Shunsuke <shunsuke@direct.ca>
Switch <niftol@i-manila.com.ph>

* FAQ Co-Creators:

Andy "Panda" Skuse
Sapphire, The Blue Tigress

* Former Maintainers:

The Eternal Lost Lurker


If you have any questions or comments regarding this FAQ, or would like
the latest updated version, please E-mail one of the current maintainers
above. The FAQ may also be obtained by E-mailing
<ffml-request@fanfic.com> with

faq ffml

in either the subject or the body of the message. It is also on the web
in plain text at

http://www.fanfic.com/FFML-FAQ.txt
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/faq.txt
http://students.db.erau.edu/~sachss/ffml/faq.txt

Yoo C. Chung and Shaule Sachs have put together HTML versions of the
FFML FAQ at:
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/faq.html
http://students.db.erau.edu/~sachss/ffml/faq.html


		       ***VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTES***

1) SAVE A COPY OF THIS FAQ!!!

If nothing else, it will tell you how to unsubscribe when you are ready
to leave. As a hint, posting a message to the list will NOT get you
unsubscribed, and will probably only result in a lot of angry E-mails or
FAQ copies from other users.

2) DO NOT POST TEST MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!

If you think you've been unsubscribed or if you think the list is 
down, see the section "* 'I think I've been unsubscribed.' OR 'Is the 
list down?'"

3) DO NOT POST CHAIN MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!

Be forewarned that anyone posting a chain message to the FFML will be 
immediately banned. Chain messages include any E-mail that instructs 
the recipient to forward it to as many people as possible, especially 
computer virus warnings.

4) If you are not an FFML administrator, DO NOT use the [Admin] tag. You
should generally not reply on-list to [Admin] posts; if for some reason
you feel it is absolutely necessary to do so, remove the tag [Admin]
from the subject header. Anyone using the [Admin] tag who is not an
admin may be tempbanned.

5) The FAQ maintainers have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the actual 
list management itself.  If you have a problem with the list, email 
the list moderators.  See section "* Who are the moderators of the 
list?" OTOH, the FAQ maintainers *can* answer questions or requests for 
information, so please feel free to E-mail us.


***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) they contain.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================

* What is the fanfic mailing list?
* How do I subscribe to/unsubscribe from the ML?
* What other server commands can I use?
* What are flags, and how do I use them?
* Why does FFML keep setting me to vacation mode?
* How do I post to the ML?
* Can I post to the ML if I'm not subscribed to it?
* What can I post to the ML?
* What's this about "subject tags?"
* What are spoiler warnings, and when do I need to use them?
* What about story format?
* Who owns the FFML?
* Who are the moderators of the list?
* 'I think I've been unsubscribed.'  OR 'Is the list down?' 
* What is SPAM?
* When is it permissible to post a request for a fanfic?
* How can I find a fanfic that I'm looking for?
* Don't beat a dead horse.
* When should I respond to FFML posts by private mail?
* What is C&C?
* What is an MST?
* What is a 'LEMON' fanfic?
* Is there an official archive for the FFML?

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.  Or you can get it from the following websites:

http://students.db.erau.edu/~sachss/ffml/resource-guide.html
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/resource-guide.html

====================

* WHAT IS THE FANFIC MAILING LIST?

The fanfic mailing list (FFML, or ML for short) is a forum for authors
and fans to discuss fanfics (fanfiction stories) with an anime/manga
theme that are posted to the FFML. Generally, this means stories
involving settings, characters, props, attacks or any combination of the
above from anime/manga.  

And just in case you don't know what anime or manga is, anime refers 
to Japanese animation (cartoons) and manga refers to Japanese graphic 
novels (comic books).

====================

* HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE TO/UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE ML?

To SUBSCRIBE to the mailing list, send an email message with the 
words [subscribe ffml] in the body or subject of the message to 
[ffml-request@fanfic.com]. You will receive an automatic reply from the
server; follow the directions in the reply, and you will be subscribed.

[listar@fanfic.com] is an alternate address that can be used for
subscriptions or other list commands. Note that the old addresses
[fanfic-request@fanfic.com] and [majordomo@fanfic.com] are defunct, and
commands sent to these addresses will *not* be processed.

To UNSUBSCRIBE from the mailing list, simply send a message with the
words [unsubscribe ffml] in the body or subject of the message to
[ffml-request@fanfic.com] or [listar@fanfic.com]. Again, the older
addresses will not work.

====================

* WHAT OTHER SERVER COMMANDS CAN I USE?

set ffml <flag>
	Sets the flag you specify on your subscription to the list.
	See the "What are flags, and how do I use them?" section below.

unset ffml <flag>
	Unsets the flag you specify on your subscription to the list.

stats ffml
	Shows what options you have set on your subscription to the
	list.

flags
	Gives a list of all currently available flags.

Again, all of these commands should be done by sending mail to
[ffml-request@fanfic.com] or [listar@fanfic.com] with the commands in
the body of the message.  You should end the message with the command
'end', just to ensure that the software doesn't try to process a
signature file or the advertising banners that free e-mail places add.

====================

*WHAT ARE FLAGS, AND HOW DO I USE THEM?


Flags determine how the computer deals with your list subscription.

For example, if the flag 'VACATION' is set on your account, it will
not send you posts made to the list.  This is useful for going on a
vacation (hence the flag name) without having to unsubscribe from the
list.

If the flag 'DIGEST' is set, instead of receiving individual messages
from a list, you'll receive a single (very large) post once a day,
containing all the day's messages.  (If you instead choose to set
'DIGEST2', you will receive normal posts as well.)

If the flag 'ECHOPOST' is set (as it is by default), you will receive
copies of your own posts.

If the flag 'ACKPOST' is set, you will receive a short note telling you
that your message has been received.  (Useful if you don't have ECHOPOST
on, are using DIGEST, or if - as in the case of the FFML - the list is
quite large and it can take a long time for posts to get to all
subscribers.)

So, for example, I might send the commands:

set ffml digest
set ffml ackpost
end

And I would then be in digested mode, receiving acknowledgements of my
postings. To get back to normal, I would send:

unset ffml digest
unset ffml ackpost
end

Again, the command 'flags' will give you a list of all available flags.
Flags with (ADMIN) after them can only be set by an administrator.

====================

* WHY DOES FFML KEEP SETTING ME TO VACATION MODE?

The list software automatically does this whenever a message comes back
to fanfic.com because it could not be delivered to your address. This
may happen because your mailbox is full, or because of some technical
problem at your internet provider. The vacation mode flag may be unset
as normal (see "What are flags, and how do I use them?" above). If it
keeps getting set by the system, consult your internet provider and ask
them why your account is bouncing messages.

====================

* HOW DO I POST TO THE ML?

Send mail to [ffml@fanfic.com]. The old address, [fanfic@fanfic.com],
will no longer work. Currently, as a measure to block E-mail
advertisements on the list, only subscribers are allowed to post;
this, however, includes those subscribed in vacation mode (see "What are
flags, and how do I use them?" above, and the section immediately below)
who do not actually receive any ffml mail.

Before you send anything, please, please, PLEASE read the rest of the
FAQ, especially the following sections "What can I post to the ML?"
"What is SPAM?" "Don't beat a dead horse;" and the first section of
"What is C&C?" 

====================

* CAN I POST TO THE ML IF I'M NOT SUBSCRIBED TO IT?

Yes and no. You can no longer post from an address that isn't on the
list, but you can subscribe for posting purposes only, without actually
getting any mail sent to you. Send a message to listar@fanfic.com with
the command:

subscribe ffml

in the body or subject -- one or the other.  Respond to the confirmation
message. Then send another message to listar@fanfic.com with the
command:

set ffml vacation

in the body or subject.  This will allow you to post, but you will not
get FFML mail to that address.

====================

* WHAT CAN I POST TO THE ML?

You can post stories, of course; C&C on posted stories is also very
welcome, and posting well-thought out story ideas is permissible.  Also,
where to find background and character information and questions and 
answers about the same. Email people directly when answering a simple 
question, and don't forget to remind people to email you directly when 
answering your question. Posting requests for fics to the list is 
strongly discouraged; see "How can I find a fanfic that I'm looking 
for?" below.

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.

Please be judicious about reposting chapters that have already been on
the list. It's not necessary to post all previous sections of a story
along with a new one that you've just completed; most of the people who
are interested in your story probably already have the back chapters,
and for those who don't, WWW or FTP addresses can be included in the
current chapter, or you can offer to send them privately upon request.
If you do feel that a repost is called for, we advise at least a day or
two's wait between each sizable section so as not to overwhelm readers.

====================

* 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], [Fic] =  Marks a message as containing a story\chapter.
[C&C] = Message containing Comments & Criticisms on a fanfic.
[Spam] = Something that admittedly does not belong on the list.
[Spamfic] = A fanfic, usually under 10kb, and usually written either for
        humor or shock value; a parody or short fic with a punchline.
[Info], [Announce]  = Side notes, not quite spam, but not 'fics 
        either.
[FAQ] = Frequently Asked Questions update or Resource Guide.
[Admin]  = Moderators' use only. If a post comes over the list with this
	tag, you should read it. DO NOT post a message to the list with
	this tag in the subject header, even if it is a reply to another
	such post, unless you are one of the moderators.
[Lemon] = See the section below on 'LEMON' fanfics.

Tags are also used to identify which series a fanfic is based on, 
e.g. [Ranma], [BGC], [Inu-Yasha]. This will help direct your story 
toward those who would like to read it. Other tags may indicate the 
general tone of a fic, such as [Dark] or [WAFF] (the latter is an 
acronym for Warm and Fuzzy Feeling).

====================

* WHAT ARE SPOILER WARNINGS, AND WHEN DO I NEED TO USE THEM?


Anime and manga series often have important plot or character elements
which are not immediately obvious, but are revealed over the course of
the series, usually with full revelation coming in later installments.
It is important to keep in mind, when preparing to post information
which could reveal a major plot element of a series, that there may be
people on the list who haven't seen the entire series, and who may not
appreciate having it ruined for them when they open their e-mail.

Therefore, any time you post information which might spoil the series
for others, please include the tag [Spoiler] in the subject heading of
your message. It is also useful to enter several (usually 10-15) blank
lines somewhere before the spoiler itself, as a further precaution.

Spoiler warnings should also be used when discussing a fanfic, if the
discussion would reveal a major surprise in the fic -- for example, if
an important character gets unexpectedly killed off.

====================

* 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.  
Basically, whatever word processing program you use, save the story 
in ASCII text format (the one with the extension .TXT).  Don't use 
fancy quotes and characters either; not all of these characters 
translate very nicely to ASCII format.  

The FFML software does not allow the posting of stories as attachments.
Text attachments sent through the list will be stripped and converted
back to plain text by the system before being sent out. Non-text
attachments will be auto-deleted.

You also might want to note where to find previous parts or chapters 
of the story.  New list members are more likely to read that new 
chapter if they can get their hands on the previous chapters. On the
other hand, mass repostings of previous parts are not recommended, as it
can be very annoying for readers to have their boxes filled up with
stories that have already been sent out.

You do want your story read, don't you?

====================

* WHO OWNS THE FFML?

The owner of the list goes by the name White Wolf, also known as Cherry
Tiger, sometimes Natsume Atsuko. The physical hardware on which the list
runs and the domain name "fanfic.com" also belong to him.

====================

* WHO ARE THE MODERATORS OF THE LIST?

There are currently three moderators of the FFML.

If you have any problems related to the list these are the folks to 
talk to:

1) White Wolf (also known as Natsume Atsuko or Cherry Tiger) at:

<nukunuku@fanfic.com> or (temporarily) <cherry@fanfic.com>

WW is the list owner and also owns and maintains the machine on which it
runs.

2) Alan Harnum <harnums@thekeep.org>

3) John Biles (aka "Rhea Seraph") <rhea@ikkoku.maison-otaku.net>

4) Matt Lewis <maybeso@home.com>

These other moderators monitor the list for content and issue bans to
list policy violators.

You may also send to <ffml-admins@fanfic.com>, which will forward your
messages to all of the list moderators.

====================

* 'I THINK I'VE BEEN UNSUBSCRIBED.'  OR 'IS THE LIST DOWN?'

First, here's what NOT to do:

PLEASE DO NOT SEND TEST MESSAGES TO THE ML!!!

If you think the list is down, DON'T email the list!!!  Ask one of 
the moderators privately. Alternatively, E-mail another subscriber, 
or one of the auxiliary lists (see the Resource Guide), and ask 
whether they have been receiving list mail. Yet another way to check 
is to visit http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/ .

Remember, if the list is down and you send a test message, you're 
just making matters worse.  And if the list isn't down (or when it 
goes back up), you'll draw the wrath of the moderators down on your 
head.

If you think you may have been unsubscribed, the easiest thing to do is
to send a subscribe request to <listar@fanfic.com>. The system won't let
you be subscribed twice -- if you're already subscribed, it'll tell you.
If this doesn't work, E-mail White Wolf and explain the problem you're
having.

====================

* 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, you may be "postbanned" -- meaning that for a time, you will be
prohibited from posting anything to the list.

The FFML moderators have the following policy on SPAM:

** Posts that are not allowed and can result in permanent postbanning:

Extremely offensive flames
Chain letters, especially virus warnings
Commercial solicitations

** Not allowed, may result in immediate temporary postbanning:

Test messages
Spam polls: off-topic surveys that ask for on-list responses 
Continuation of a thread that has been banned by the moderators 
Portrayals of the murder of another author without permission 
(yes, somebody actually did this)
"Merry Christmas" posts, or similiar holiday-related spam (this does not
include holiday-themed fanfics)

** Not allowed, postbanning may result for repeated offenses:

Controversial off-topic arguments
Fic requests (see the next section below)

** Discouraged, postbanning may result for excessive amounts:

"Me too"s -- posts that agree without adding anything 
Character debates (e.g. "So-and-so is Ranma's Best Babe!") 
Off-topic discussions
Silly and thoughtless "Story idea" posts (but well-thought out ideas are
very welcome)

Evasion of a postban (by, for example, posting under a different
account) will result in the ban being made permanent.

"Flames" are insults or other attacks that target someone personally.
Negative comments on a fanfic are *not* flames, and the moderators will
not ban you for them -- though continually posting nothing *but*
negative, unconstructive comments will probably not win you any friends
on the list.

It is always a good idea to check through an entire thread before 
posting in it. The question you are answering may have already been 
answered, or the moderators may have already called a halt to the 
thread. If you think a thread is going to be banned, it probably will
be. In such a case, the proper thing to do is to refrain from posting in
it. Don't try to slip in one last post before the ban comes through.

SPAM includes 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 are SPAM themselves and tend to generate even more 
SPAM.

====================

WHEN IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO POST A REQUEST FOR A FANFIC?

Fic requests are a technically forbidden, but, in practice allowed
aspect of the FFML.  This is mainly because a ban on all fic requests
would be needlessly authoritarian--sometimes, posting to  the FFML in
search of a fic really is the last resort.

However, a great deal of fanfic requests are unnecessary, and create
needless trash on the mailing list.  This section clarifies what future
policy towards fic requests will be, in an attempt to lower the volume
of unnecessary requests and the SPAM threads created by them.

Fic requests tend to fall into four general categories:

1)  Genuine Last Resorts

The author has no web site.  They don't respond to e-mails.  If they do,
their hard drive has crashed, and they don't have a copy of the fic.
The FFML Archive shows no trace of it.

In this instance, posting a fic request to the FFML is acceptable.
Please make a genuine attempt -- checking web sites and e-mailing the
author at the very least -- to find the fic without resorting to a FFML
post.  Specify, as you always should with fic requests, that people
should reply to you privately.

2)  General Requests

Classically, this is the request for "any fanfics where Ryoga and Ukyo
are a couple" or any other similar such thing.  There are generally two
reasons for making requests like this -- either you're interested in
reading a fanfic of this type, or you want to see if the idea you've got
has already been written.

Requests like these are discouraged, as there are other methods to find
them--the prime one being to read a lot of fanfics.  You can also ask on
a newsgroup such as rec.arts.anime.fandom, or, if you have on-line
friends who are also into fanfic, ask them.

If you do post requests like this, don't do it frequently.  And, of
course, ask for private replies.

3)  "I Can't Remember the Name"

It's a fanfic you read half of on a forgotten web page several months
ago.  Ranma was in it.  And Predator.  And Bun-Bun, from "Sluggy
Freelance".  But the page is gone, and you can't remember what the
fanfic was called, or who the author was.

Like general requests, these are discouraged, and the same methods
outlined under general requests can be used to attempt to find them.  If
those don't work, be as detailed as possible in posting your requests to
the FFML, don't do it frequently, and ask for private replies.

4)  Simple Laziness

You were off the FFML for a week, and would like everyone who wrote a
Sailor Moon fanfic that wasn't WAFFy to send it to you. Sure, you could
use the author database or the archives to look for them, but you don't
want to take the time.  Or you deleted a fic and then saw C&C that made
you interested in it, but can't be bothered to write to either the
author or the person making the commentary to ask for a copy.

Requests like these should never appear on the FFML.  Asking for private
replies won't cut it here--people posting fic requests spawned from an
unwillingness to make a little extra effort will be warned, or possibly
even tempbanned.

No matter what the type of request, ALWAYS make replies to fic requests
privately, even if the author does not request it.  Do not post them to
the FFML.  If the author of a fic request finds himself or herself
deluged with e-mail, he/she can post a short notification to the FFML
that the request has been filled.

If you are also interested in the fic requested, write to the person
making the request and ask him/her to pass on any information received
to you.  Do not post such a request to the FFML.

====================

* HOW CAN I FIND A FANFIC THAT I'M LOOKING FOR?

There are plenty of ways to obtain a fic *without* posting to the list.
The first thing you should try is to E-mail the author of the story, 
or check the author's web site. Web sites for many authors are listed 
in the FFML Resource Guide. Didn't get the Guide? Email one of the 
FFML FAQ Co-Maintainers and ask for a copy, or see the web addresses 
above.

If you don't know who the author of a fic is, try emailing someone 
else on the list who seems to have read the story; or check the FFML
archives (see below), or the weekly synopses lists at

http://konatsu.dhs.org/synlist

There are also author databases on the web, listing fics that have 
been posted to FFML with their authors. These are located at

http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/author-db/

and

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/8222/ffmllist.html

====================

* DON'T BEAT A DEAD HORSE

Threads that usually degenerate into SPAM, or are SPAM to start with, 
are better not started on the list in the first place. If you really 
have to ask about such topics on the list, make sure you remind 
everyone to send responses PRIVATELY and not to the list. If you want 
to, you can post the results of the PRIVATE discussions on the list 
afterwards. 

     - Romanization.  Especially, the 'u' argument.  "Is Ryoga 
       spelled 'Ryoga' or 'Ryouga'?" Just remember that there's more 
       than one 'official' system being used in the world today.
     - Physics discussions.  Anything from black holes to time travel.
       Questions on these subjects may be E-mailed directly to Gary
       <kleppe@mediaone.net> for answering.
     - Technical discussions.  Mech designs, weapon comparisons, and 
       things that go boom.
     - Character debates, such as those over who would make the best
       spouse for character X or who would win in a fight between
       characters Y and Z. (Characterization issues that are related 
       to a specific posted fic *are* fair game for the list, 
       provided that they are kept focused and that the discussion 
       stops if the moderators ask that it do so.)
     - Discussions of controversial topics like religion, politics, 
       etc. when not directly related to a particular posted fic.
       Remember that the list serves people with a wide variety of
       beliefs and nationalities. One person's honored leader is
       probably someone else's rotten scoundrel, and what you think
       is an inspirational message may be a declaration of war to the
       next person.
     - Complaints about certain types or genres of fanfiction, e.g. 
       'Why do so many fics feature Ranma' (or Sailor Moon, etc.) 
       Everyone has different tastes, and if you don't like a 
       particular type of story, the best thing to do is simply to 
       look for something else to read.
     - Personal arguments between yourself and another list member. If
       you have a problem with someone else's behavior, take it up with
       him/her by private mail. If you feel someone is violating
       list policy, E-mail the admins about it. Posting to the list is
       not a good idea, as this sort of thing tends to result in long
       and bitter spam feuds.

====================

* WHEN SHOULD I RESPOND TO FFML POSTS BY PRIVATE MAIL?

To keep list traffic at a manageable level, certain types of responses
are almost always better sent privately:

     - Answers to questions, unless you really think your reply contains
       information beneficial to the list at large. Remember, if the
       answer to a question is obvious to you, chances are it's obvious
       to a lot of other subscribers. The person who posed the question
       might deserve to have his or her mailbox filled with hundreds of
       replies, but the rest of the list certainly doesn't. So please,
       send your reply privately. In particular, survey questions (e.g.
       "What is your favorite anime?") MUST be answered privately.
     - Replies to someone who asks for private responses only. This can
       be violated in RARE circumstances, such as when a poster gives
       inaccurate information and refuses to post a correction. When
       people ask for private responses to a question, they are doing it
       to keep the spam level on the list down. You should oblige them.
       If you really feel the need to have other people read your
       response, consult the Resource Guide for a listing of other
       places to which it might be sent.
     - Posts that don't add anything that hasn't already been said.
       ALWAYS make sure this isn't the case before posting to the list.
     - Flames, responses to banned threads, or anything else prohibited
       by list rules.
     - It goes without saying that a private message should be replied
       to privately. Do not reply to private messages on the list,
       unless the sender gives you permission to do so.

====================

* WHAT IS C&C?

Comments and criticisms.  All authors want 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 creative content (plot, 
characterization, etc.) while others like a more detailed analysis of 
their stories that includes technical aspects such as grammar and 
spelling. Some authors greatly appreciate honest negative criticism, 
while others would prefer those without anything nice to say to say 
nothing at all. Often authors will indicate what kind of feedback 
they are looking for in their authors' notes. If not, consider asking 
the author via private email which type of response 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 his or her wishes.

4) In your C&C, quote however much (if any) of the story is necessary 
or helpful for readers to understand what you are referring to. 
Sections that you have no comment on should be snipped. Do NOT repost
an entire fic or section merely to add a line or two of commentary.

For an expanded discussion of this, see the "What is C&C" FAQ
Supplement. This is available via E-mail from the FAQ maintainers, or on
the web at:

http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/faq-addon.html
http://students.db.erau.edu/~sachss/ffml/what_is_c+c.html

====================

* WHAT IS AN MST?

MST stands for Mystery Science Theater, a cable TV show featuring a man
and two wisecracking robots. They are forced to watch bad movies, and
they make clever commentary on them as they go.

Fanfiction MSTs are based on the format of that show. In a fanfiction 
MST, several characters (one of whom is usually the actual author of 
the MST) read a fic and make running commentary.

It's important to note that an MSTing doesn't necessarily indicate a 
bad fic. While it's true that some authors do MSTs to make fun of 
stories that they didn't like, others do them for stories that they 
did like in order to give them more exposure.

====================

* WHAT IS A 'LEMON' FANFIC?

'Lemons' are stories with explicit sexual content and should be 
labeled as such in the [Subject:] field when posted.  Not everyone on 
the ML is over 21.

Example:

 Subject:  [LEMON] Story name

A 'Lime' is a story that involves sexual situations, but does not give
explicit descriptions of sexual acts. Tagging this type of story as
[LIME] is highly recommended.

The term 'Lemon' derives from an anime called "Cream Lemon."

====================

* IS THERE AN OFFICIAL ARCHIVE FOR THE FFML?

Yes. The FFML archive is accessible via FTP at 

ftp://ftp.fanfic.com/pub/archive

 From here there are four sub-directories of interest:

/FFML-1 holds posts from Aug. '95 through Feb. '96.
/FFML-2 holds posts from Feb. '96 through Jan. '98.
/FFML-3 holds posts from Feb. '98 through Nov. '98.
/FFML-4 holds posts from Nov. '98 through the present, and is updated by
the minute.

There are also some unofficial web-based archives; these are listed in
the Resource Guide.


END OF FFML FAQ ------------------------





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