[FFML] Re: Opening up the list (was Re: Re: The Stories Men Tell [SW])

From: Gary Kleppe <gary@garykleppe.org>
Actually, what we've got are one mod in favor, one neutral, and one  
who can't post his opinion because he's tempbanned.


Given that the future of the FFML is being decided and given that DB is one of the list's most faithful contributers, wouldn't it be a really good idea to unban him?

I know that ordinarily consistency in enforcing the rules is important and posting by mistake isn't an excuse, but this is the most important discussion on the FFML in the past five years.  These are extraordinary circumstances.  Just ignore the rules.  Bring him back.  I want to hear DB's take on this.  I bet a lot of other people do too.


At this point I'd invite anyone else who wants to weigh in pro or con  
to email your opinion on the subject to <ffml-admins@anifics.com>.  
Once we've heard from everybody who wants to be heard from, we'll  
decide.

According to the FAQ linked in your sig, "The owner of the list goes by the name White Wolf, also known as
Cherry Tiger. The server on which the list runs and the domain
name "anifics.com" belong to Philip Mak <pmak@aaanime.net>."

Wouldn't this decision be up to the two of them? I mean, this is a pretty massive revision to the FFML being considered.

But okay, my opinion on the matter. Long time lurker, very rare poster here.

I agree with those who have said that a proper web interface is absolutely essential for the continued longevity of the FFML. The internet has moved on in the past decade, and a text file FAQ simply isn't going to bring in new blood.

The FFML needs a searchable web page with clearly marked archives. It needs, in other words, to be structured as much like a Yahoo group as possible. Considering that Yahoo is a large company with considerable investment in figuring out what mailing list users need and want, that shouldn't be any surprise.

Should non-anime fics be allowed? Yes. About six months ago I was in a fanfic writing frame of mind, and I turned out four or so Kim Possible fanfics, the first things I had written in a long time. If I could have, I would have posted them here. But KP isn't anime, so I just went to fanfic.net. That's all the anecdotal evidence I can offer.

If there are concerns about being flooded with Harry Potter fanfic, then here's a suggestion. Exclude Harry Potter. Exclude Star Trek. Pick some specific fandoms and say that the FFML isn't interested in those, due to there already being numerous outlets. That can help keep a single fandom from flooding the list, while still opening it up.

I'm vaguely tempted to write some Doctor Who fanfic lately, and I would be awesome if I could post the adventures of the Doctor and Rose here.

That's all I've got.

---
Matthew Campbell