ATX Faq and Newbie Info Kiosk (DRAFT)
Bernardine
NOTE TO ATXers:
With some spare time on my hands over the holidays I decided to try
and put together a Newcomer FAQ for ATX. This is not a series-info
FAQ, but rather answers some of the usual questions and concerns about
the newsgroup itself. I would appreciate _any and all_ feedback and
particularly any _corrections or additions_ that need to be made.
I'm also concerned specifically about the following:
. I did some tabbing in one of the lists and if this causes anyone any
read-out problems please let me know
. I'm happy to include any worthwhile links to individual X-Pages,
just mail me the url
. If anyone should receive credit for any of the creative aspects of
the group represented here, let me know.
Again, _please_ point out any mistakes or omissions and please respond
via email, so I don't clog up the group. Thanks,
- Bernardine
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FAQ FOLLOWS:
Welcome fellow phile,
ATX is a large and fairly evolved group so for the continued
comfort and safety of all passengers the following FAQ has
been prepared to acquaint newcomers with the lay of the land. This
FAQ does not contain background information about the series,
but will offer links where such info can be found.
1.0 Generally Speaking
All netiquette rules apply including alerts indicating that your
posts contain SPOILERS, if applicable. If you have a question that
is not answered by this FAQ, you can either post it to the group
or mail me privately (at pett...@fox.nstn.ca) and I will be
happy to find an answer. Your question may even be added to
future versions of the FAQ.
2.0 Spell Checker
There are often liberal variations in the spelling of character
names. If you would like to be correct, check here:
FOX MULDER, DANA SCULLY, ALEX KRYCEK
3.0 Abbreviations and other Acronyms
Because it is the way if the net, and because it makes us all
sound so damn knowing, we have a complete set of nicknames and
acronyms that can be very confusing to newcomers. A few of the
most popular are decoded here for you:
DD - David Duchovny, actor playing Fox Mulder
GA - Gillian Anderson, actor playing Dana Scully
CC - Chris Carter, creator The X-Files and Millennium
1013 - Carter's production company
Ratboy - Krycek
CM, CSM - Cancerman, Cigarette-Smoking Man (same guy)
ATX - alt.tv.x-files (as in YOU ARE HERE)
TXF - The X-Files
UST - Unresolved Sexual Tension, a
perceived non-platonic attraction between Scully
and Mulder
Shippers - those who perceive the aforementioned UST,
as opposed to Non- or Anti-Shippers
Consortium -- the nefarious panel of suits that oversee the
conspiracy
WMM - Well-Manicured Man -- the elderly gentleman who
appears to have a key role in the Consortium.
Mytharc - the Mythology Arc (so named by CC) -- the continuous
sub-plot relating to the abduction of Mulder's sister
Samantha and government conspiracy and involvement
in genetic experimentation.
MOTW - Monster of the Week. As opposed to Mytharc, these
episodes are stand-alones featuring various creeps
and crawlers.
M&S - Mulder and Scully OR Moose and Squirrel (a brilliant
reference to Rocky and Bullwinkle originated in ATX
by Gia Gattleson).
4.0 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why the X on the Window?
Although this is now a thing of the past, the masking tape
"X" was Mulder's signal to herald his informant, the now-
deceased Mr. X.
2. Where do you get show titles?
Good question and it's not a mystery. Some programming mags like
TV-Guide include show titles, the easiest way is a webpage like:
http://www.thex-files.com.
3. What is X-Ville?
X-Ville is a newsgroup within a newsgroup, a riddle wrapped in an
enigma. X-Ville (also XV) is a role-playing game based on TXF
where residents are identified by their jobs, businesses, or services
otherwise in a town. It is a model society relying on barter and
human kindnesses to thrive. All X-Ville posts should be labelled
XV or X-Ville to assist those who are not interested in reading or
playing along. To join X-Ville simply read along for a while, and
then decide what (new) role you would like to play.
4. How can I avoid all these X-Ville posts?
Perceptive scrutiny or news reader options such as kill-files
(or filters) and alphabetical header outputs.
5. Are you people obsessed?!
Yes, but we refused to be ashamed as well. Seriously, there is
sometimes a misperception that because we entertain ourselves
further in this newsgroup with often passionate discussions, that
these issues also affect our qualities of real-life and otherwise
keep us awake at night. Not so. It's a hobby -- often challenging
and always fun.
6. Does Chris Carter read this group?
If so, unlike us he's too ashamed to admit it. There has been
suggestion from time to time that some people involved in the
writing or production of the show lurk or visit from time to
time but never openly or publicly. As a side-bar however
personal letters to Carter are in poor taste on ATX and should be
sent instead through viewer feedback on the official webpage, url
given below.
5.0 Links for more Info:
http://www.thex-files.com -- (official FOX page containing history
and upcoming episodes)
[more links to come in future versions]
* * * * * * * *
For further info contact Bernardine at
pett...@fox.nstn.ca. This FAQ will soon be available on the web, date
and url to be announced soon.
Happy newsgrouping!