ALT.SF4M FAQ: alt.sf4m • p*******x@****.com 02/12/1996 00:00:000 UTC This is the FAQ for alt.sf4m, last updated 3 June 1996 1) WHAT IS alt.sf4m alt.sf4m is a newsgroup which is about the Stony Brook Science Fiction Forum and the university community it serves, and about science fiction and science fiction fandom. 2) SO, THIS ISN'T A SEX GROUP? The Distinguished Gentleman from Nebraska notwithstanding, there's not a whole lot of pornography all over the Net. There certainly isn't any here. Please refrain from posting sexual wants and desires unless they somehow relate to the Science Fiction Forum and/or science fiction. 3) WHAT IS THE SCIENCE FICTION FORUM? Founded in 1969, the Science Fiction Forum (abbrieviated as sf4m) is a lending library and general discussion organization located at the State university of NY at Stony Brook on Long Island, NY. Forum membership is open to all interested parties, whether or not they're connected with the University in any formal way; the sf4m's mission is to serve the university and the university community. However, the university community is fairly loosely defined; we have active Forumites worldwide. For more information, check the Forum's home page at http://www.sf4m.org 4) WHO CAN BE A MEMBER OF THE FORUM Almost anyone who shows up at meetings can be a member, check out books and participate. University rules require that officers be students, but beyond that, we're pretty cool. WHAT IS A FORUMITE? A brief essay by Kevin "Doc" Conod k******d@d*****i.com What is a Forumite, you ask? A Forumite is a member of the Science Fiction Forum. I suppose Forumites need some description, since they are rare during the daytime (Forumites are nocturnal). They are an eclectic lot, known for their high IQs and low GPAs. Some are taller, others are shorter than the bearded Magic Card players. There is little or no magic about them except the ordinary, everyday sort which invariably gets them into trouble (they are fond of tunnels and roof-tops). The Forumites had lived in Stony Brook for time out of mind, and people did not consider them very respectable. No only because they never had any money, but also because they were always off on some damn-fool adventure (and rarely knew where they were going). And you could always tell what a Forumite would say on any question without the bother of asking. The answer invariably was a non-sequitor or some line from an obscure sci-fi flick. They are a boisterous, noisy bunch and can often be heard blundering along in the middle of the night making a noise like elephants which can be heard a mile off. They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright garish colors; and some wear no shoes because their feet grow thick brown hair. They have good-natured faces and deep, throaty laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice or even three times a day when they can get it). They are very fond of food - if you should dine with one, keep your hands away from his mouth (especially when Chinese food is involved). 5) WHY DO PEOPLE POST SEXUAL MESSAGES TO alt.sf4m, instead of some place like alt.sex.wanted Check your dictionary under "clueless" (late breaking news suggests that AOL users have been using "sf4m" as an abbreviation for "single female for male," but since alt.sf4m predates AOL's access to net.news and nobody else on the net uses it, we can leave them to their usage, so long as they don't spam us) This message is posted once a week to alt.sf4m A copy can be found at http://www.liii.com/~phydeaux/forumFAQ -- 73 de Dave Weingart KB2CWF "Can you find the Valium? mailto:p*******x@****.com Can you bring it soon? mailto:p*******x@e******.*********n.edu Lost Johnny's out there http://www.liii.com/~phydeaux Baying at the Moon"