This is the edited and extended version of my WriterconUK talk on Modding Communities, given on Saturday, 15th August, 2009, at the Ramada Hotel, Coventry
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Really excellent post. I am totally never going to run a comm, but if I ever, accidentally, inherit one, this will be my first port of call, for advice on how to do it.
Search. Search again. Double and triple check. If it already exists but it's not being run as well as you think you could run it, ask yourself if it's worth fragmenting your fandom/pairing? Because it's very possible, even likely, that you will.
OMG, I cannot tell you how much this annoys me!!!! I notice it a lot more (and hence, I think I've become even more frustrated with it), since I've been keeping up several newbieguides. Whenever I see a new comm that is exactly the same as another comm, I want to pull my hair out, and ask the mods, is this really necessary?!! And for god's sake, if you'd done an interest search and the other comm would have popped up!! I mean, does a fandom as small as Leverage really need two Nate/sophie comms? Do we need two small fandom big bangs when it would be smarter (imo) to support the already existing one, instead? I just don't have the words for how much this phenomenon annoys me.
Tags.Disorganized tag lists (I've seen tag lists with fic, fanfic AND fanfiction selections,
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I mean, does a fandom as small as Leverage really need two Nate/sophie comms? Do we need two small fandom big bangs when it would be smarter (imo) to support the already existing one, instead?
*head desk*
I have not figured out why some comms refuse to include ANY interests at all, even the name of the fandom.
That boggles me, constantly. I can understand media-sharing comms wanting to stay under the radar, but it's a huge problem outside of that arena. How are we supposed to find your shiny comm if you don't put yourself on the map?
I had not considered, though, including an interest such as 'spike/xander fanfic' instead of merely 'spike/xander' and 'fanfic' separately. I'll have to remedy that at my comms.I only really thought of this as I was writing up notes on Interests, but then it occurred to me that 'fanfic' is a wonderful catchall interest to have on a personal journal, but relatively useless for a comm
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I used to look at your collection of modhats and think 'That woman is insane!' And now I know... not better, but I know why you do it.
Because now you know I'm insane?!! *g*
Trust me, I've learned the lesson of thinking fandom needed a comm and jumping into it only to find out that I was really the only person who thought fandom couldn't live without that comm. *g*
I'm not saying 'don't insist on a meaningful subject line', I'm saying 'If you demand (on threat of deletion/refusal) a specific order to the subject line information, you will lose people.I agree that being that obsessive will annoy and frustrate many people. That said, I'm anal enough to actually prefer a certain order because it's easier to find the information. (I don't always require it, but I do prefer it. *g
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Thank you for posting - I was fascinated (and impressed) by your talk, and it's great to have accessible for reference in case I wind up with some fandom duties in future.
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This is a good place to start gathering info to make a decision about modding. I'm very impressed.
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If I can help people make an informed decision on whether to don the modhat - or not - I'll be a happy bunny. *g*
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:)
*spins you*
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Thankee!
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Search. Search again. Double and triple check. If it already exists but it's not being run as well as you think you could run it, ask yourself if it's worth fragmenting your fandom/pairing? Because it's very possible, even likely, that you will.
OMG, I cannot tell you how much this annoys me!!!! I notice it a lot more (and hence, I think I've become even more frustrated with it), since I've been keeping up several newbieguides. Whenever I see a new comm that is exactly the same as another comm, I want to pull my hair out, and ask the mods, is this really necessary?!! And for god's sake, if you'd done an interest search and the other comm would have popped up!! I mean, does a fandom as small as Leverage really need two Nate/sophie comms? Do we need two small fandom big bangs when it would be smarter (imo) to support the already existing one, instead? I just don't have the words for how much this phenomenon annoys me.
Tags.Disorganized tag lists (I've seen tag lists with fic, fanfic AND fanfiction selections, ( ... )
Reply
*head desk*
I have not figured out why some comms refuse to include ANY interests at all, even the name of the fandom.
That boggles me, constantly. I can understand media-sharing comms wanting to stay under the radar, but it's a huge problem outside of that arena. How are we supposed to find your shiny comm if you don't put yourself on the map?
I had not considered, though, including an interest such as 'spike/xander fanfic' instead of merely 'spike/xander' and 'fanfic' separately. I'll have to remedy that at my comms.I only really thought of this as I was writing up notes on Interests, but then it occurred to me that 'fanfic' is a wonderful catchall interest to have on a personal journal, but relatively useless for a comm ( ... )
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Because now you know I'm insane?!! *g*
Trust me, I've learned the lesson of thinking fandom needed a comm and jumping into it only to find out that I was really the only person who thought fandom couldn't live without that comm. *g*
I'm not saying 'don't insist on a meaningful subject line', I'm saying 'If you demand (on threat of deletion/refusal) a specific order to the subject line information, you will lose people.I agree that being that obsessive will annoy and frustrate many people. That said, I'm anal enough to actually prefer a certain order because it's easier to find the information. (I don't always require it, but I do prefer it. *g ( ... )
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Also: hooray for sneaking in Bert/Ernie!
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Bert/Ernie deserved a shoutout. They just don't get enough love. *g*
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