Fanfiction.net

Various sources have brought changes in ff.net's posting policies to my attention, and it made me think that all fans should visit Chillingeffects.org. They have sample threat letters to fansites from copyright owners and sample responses, as well as a FAQ about copyright, trademark and fandom. I disagree with some of the details (as I just wrote elsewhere, two lawyers, three opinions) but it's a great resource, if you think we're all alone out here, us against Mickey Mouse and AOL/Time Warner.

On a slightly related note, I took the opportunity to read ff.net's posting guidelines, and the directions to authors were funny, albeit unintentionally so: they instruct authors to proofread and watch grammar in language so painfully ungrammatical as to invite the thought that it's some sort of postmodern commentary. (E.g., "'Hot off the press' content are often riddled with errors.") Not that any of the advice was bad, just itself poorly written. And whenever someone starts talking about the writer's duty, I reach for my revolver.

I watched "Bring It On" again tonight, only the DVD was busted and skipped the training montage. I think I'm going to ask not to pay. After all, a sports movie without its training montage is almost a contradiction in terms. TLA Video, which seems to be staffed by true videophiles, will understand, I hope.

Sleepy now. 'Night.

Geekier than thou

This is a thing of beauty for West Wing fans. In case you were wondering "who curses the most on the show, and can it be expressed as a percentage of their lines of dialogue?" The FAQ is charming too.