FAQ 4.0

Hey hey hey, kidlets and giglets, it's that time again!

Lots of new things happening in these parts! You asked us questions and we answered them, frequently, and so here comes the new updated metafandom FAQ. Enjoy!


The basic premise of metafandom is listed in the userinfo. You can also find contact information for the compilers and other handy hints there.

1. What does metafandom do?

We post links to interesting discussions in fandom on LiveJournal and LJ clones. Currently we link to LJ, JF, DW and IJ as time and manpower constraints allow. As always, links passed to us from readers from those sites are gratefully received.

1.b Wait, what?
Yes, you read that correctly. metafandom will now include meta on Dreamwidth, GreatestJournal and Journalfen. Cool, huh?

1.c What about wordpress / myspace / blogger?
Not yet. It's a matter we've been discussing for several years. Do YOU want us to like to those sites too?

1.d I friended metafandom over on Ij / JF / DW. How come you guys don't update over there?!
We're human. Sometimes things like work or life get in the way of a daily update. But we try.

2. What doesn't metafandom do?

We don't provide commentary or opinion. We don't guarantee your blood pressure. We don't censor according to your personal taste or decency. We don't link to fiction, fanart or fanvids. We don't promote communities or nathons. We don't promote people's thesis projects or posts looking for research participants UNLESS the post also falls into the "interesting discussion about fandom" parameter. We don't promise anything and we don't push any agenda except this: Make Up Your Own Mind.

Or, you know, don't. Whatever.

3. How do things get listed on metafandom?

It's really simple.

There are compilers who trawl for content together throughout the week. We rely on a variety of tools to find fandom meta, including reader journals, LJseek and links from readers like you. We tag what we find in a shared del.ici.ous account. Whenever we come across something, we add it to the account. On an update day, the person on duty compiles a post from the memories, hence the name "compiler". Only compilers can add links to the del.ici.ous account, but anyone can contribute links.

4. How do I contribute links?

Make a comment on the most recent entry in metafandom. Anybody can do this, members or not. You don't even need an LJ - anonymous commenting is always enabled. If you like, you can email us at metafandom at gmail dot com. You must include the specific URL. You can find the URL by copying it from the address bar when you're on the right page. It might look something like this:

http://username.livejournal.com/1234.html

or this:

http://community.livejournal.com/commname/45678.html

5. How do I get listed on metafandom?

You need to host an interesting discussion in fandom on LiveJournal, or the beginnings of one, and send us a link. The content of each post is up to the individual compiler, as they have to read each post, quote it, code it, put their name to the metafandom update and receive the comments, so it might not go in.

6. Who is this metfanreads person and why do they have me friended?

We created four "reader" journals named metfanreads. One is on IJ, one on GJ, one on lj, and one is on JF. Those journals have friended people and communities that tend to have meta content. They're tools for our compilers to find interesting discussions in fandom.

7. You guys always miss my fandom / journaling site / friends!

Drop us a link. Send us links for communities or people who write the meta in your area of fandom and if it's not a bunch of quizzes and cat macros we'll more than likely add it to metfanreads.

8. You didn't list my/my friend's post. Why not?

Most likely because you didn't tell us about it. Otherwise... Because it wasn't an interesting discussion in fandom on LiveJournal, journalfen, Greatestjournal or InsaneJournal. Because we're busy and just got around to linking it, so it wont be included until tomorrow, or the day after. Because it was about your cat. Because we already posted 57 identical meta posts in the last three days and the post added nothing to the conversation. Because there are only so many hours in the day. Because we never promised you a rose garden.

9. You guys missed a day! Do you need help?

Yes! Sometimes, despite our best efforts we simply cannot find meta to link to. Other times the compiler is simply overwhelmed and couldn't get to their update. If you want to help out, please, speak up. From time to time editors leave or need breaks, so if the glamour of compiling links appeals to you, by all means tell us! We'd love the help.

10. What happened to the "specific fandom" section and why did you refuse my link?

When we started using del.ici.ous rather than LJ memories as our tagging system, this section no longer made practical sense. While we still include some specific fandom meta, we weigh it against these factors:

Most fandoms have a newsletter anyway, so we don't look to cover all those essays about Snape's hair or the significance of polar bears, fine as they are.

We do look to cover stuff that might be of interest to those outside the specific fandom, who might not subscribe to said newsletters.

We try to avoid specific fandom spoilers.

11. Someone came from metafandom and was rude to me. What do I do?

Well, that's horrid. If you want the link to your post taken down, comment on the relevant entry or email the relevant compiler and make your request. We'll get on that ASAP. Try to remember that not everyone is online 24/7, and there may be some delay. As we do not link to flocked (friends locked) entries, your post was probably published publicly on the internet. metafandom does not take responsibility for that. You can find out how to flock your entries here.

12. I am offended by a post you linked to. What do I do?

We don't know! What do you think you ought to do?

13. Who decides whether something is an interesting discussion?

We do

14. Isn't that a little dictatorial?

Yes.

15. How do you define interesting?

In the traditional way.

16. I don't think that was an interesting discussion; I think that was a bag of wank. Who do I tell?

Write it in your Journal? Send us a link.

17. I want to make banners, icons, a fanlisting! I want to show the world my love! Is that okay?

Yes.

18. I want to make icons, banners, a hatesite! I want to rally fandom against you! Is that okay?

Yes.

19. I'm a grad student/researcher/whatever doing a project about fandom. Will you link my survey/study on metafandom?

No. Generally, "helping you with your homework" does not fall under the category "interesting discussions on LJ, IJ, and JF". When the two meet, we may end up linking your research project - but only when and if it meets our link parameters. It's also worth noting that we generally do NOT link to posts that restrict the conversation, so that "by posting here you allow me to use everything you've ever written in my dissertation" disclaimer may be seen as an unacceptable restriction.

20. Are there any other guidelines I should know about before submitting a link?

Yes. Metafandom is about building community and facilitating conversations. It's not about bullying other fen because they disagree with you. Links to posts that "out" fans, or that we feel otherwise act contrary to our goals will be removed. Knowingly editing linked posts, or link bombing metafandom posts to maliciously connect real life and fannish identities will result in banning from Metafandom. Period. Be cool with each other, mmmkay?