If I were to think about making a new SB fanfic archive, it would go something like this...

[debris_k]

It's been a long long while since the SB fanfic archive Walk of Shame went offline. Also a while since I've updated my fairly complete list of SB fics (sheesh, I'll have to track it down now, goodness knows if I even bookmarked it). So, I figure it's about time to take some initiative. Now that I've figured out the most basic basics of wordpress, I

Comments

[quiet__tiger]

Personally I think it would be nice to have an actual central archive of all the stories.

If you just house links do you need to ask permission from the authors? I'll assume if people posted here they wouldn't mind being linked in an archive.

Let's see what other people say as well.

[debris_k]

I guess it's been my experience that every single author needs to be thoroughly warned/asked about any archiving of their work, as some are quite sensitive about this issue. I'm okay with having some stories archived AND some stories only linked, but then again I'd be using their own summaries, which is again their own property, so I'd like to be sure and get opinions whereever possible.

Thanks for the fast reply; I've wanted a new SB archive for ages, and finally I broke down and said, to heck with it, I can make one if that's what it takes. :-)

[quiet__tiger]

I'd love it if my stuff were archived or recced. The only time I've gotten annoyed is when someone archived my story with my permission, then changed my summary of my story to one of her own. I have no idea why she thought she could do that. Particularly because her summary takes away some of the surprise of the story. People are weird though, yes. I don't actually have any SB fic, but if I did you could put it on the site.

I just think it would be a lot of work to set up the archive by yourself, so I hope people offer to help you. Right now I'm on vacation so I won't be able to do anything for another week.

[debris_k]

Time is not the essence here, and to be truthful, yes, setting up an archive does take a lot of time, but I've done it before and am completely willing to waste spend my time on it. It would just be nice to have someone kick some CSS ass, as wordpress layouts rely heavily on it, and it's all greek to me, no matter how much time and effort I try and put into it.

Hey, just having a couple of people whom I can quiz on "does it look alright now?" and "is this better than the other way, huh huh huh?" would be *marvelous*. :-D

[del_writes]

I'd love to have an archive of SB stories. I'd prefer actual stories being archived, but links are fine too, or some combination thereof, depending on what the author is more comfortable with.

I'd help anyway I could, which basically amounts to taking a look at various stages of development and offering up opinions. My internet access is too spotty for much else. I'm a beginner at CSS, so probably not really helpful on that front.

[debris_k]

Thanks for the fast response! Also, like I said, any little bit will be most helpful.

If this project takes off, I'll be sure to let you know.

[milady1844]

You may want to hop over to Organization of Transformative Works. It's the start of a multi-fandom, non-profit archive. Considering the folks involved, it looks like it will really be happening. It may save you the work of building a site yourself. :)

[debris_k]

Thanks for the link; that archive does seem like a well thought out and planned project, but it doesn't have a deadline, so in the meantime I'm not giving up on my plan yet. Anyways, I or anyone else could hardly enter other people's stories to an archive they don't have an active part in running, at least not without explicit concent from the authors, so either way an author round-up will be necessary, whichever archive is used. I'm just trying to find some other suckers volunteers to help with that, as it's too big a job for just one person.

[ladydreamer]

I really like this idea, with the caveat that authors are allowed to upload their own fic (and take it down) like MyKryptonite. The remainder could be a links section, until those authors can be found. I know nothing about wordpress.

I'm not the BEST graphics designer, but with some idea of what you were looking for, I could provide you with manipulations, banners, icons, wallpaper, etc. I'm handy in Photoshop 7. The only thing is I'm a graduate student and thus always pressed for time, so if I SAY I will do something, I will, but give me some time to work on it.

[debris_k]

Thanks for your offer to help; if anything is settled, I'll be sure to let you know about the details.

So far only a handful of people have responded, as you can see from the comments on this post, so I'm not exactly rushing to start in on anything.

As for your idea that authors maintain their own stories - I think wordpress allowes every blog/site/whatever-the-heck-it's-called to have joined members, and I can certainly make sure said members have posting privilages, and what they do with their own posts is their own matter - editing, deleting, updating, etc. -wise. Will take a bit of beta-testing, but I think that's doable as well.

All in all, thanks again for your response; let's hope that more folks step up and say yay or nay to this idea. A handful does not a worthwhile cause make, I'm afraid. :-(

[aerynvala]

* opinions on this project in general (i.e. does the world really need another fanfic archive?)

Yes, I think we need an archive for this. I really prefer archives for reading fic. And I like posting my own writing to them as well.

* opinions on whether the archive should just house links to the stories, or the stories themselves as well

Both because that will give us the greatest number of stories.

* volunteers of all kind and creed:

I can do these:
- to peruse wordpress layouts and vote for their favorite based on outlook and usability
- someone with l33t skillz to help configure the chosen layout's CSS and various PHP related options (as I can do HTML but suck at CSS)
- to offer to make/find someone to make SB-related banners, backgrounds, pic type stuff for the archive
- to provide basic beta-viewing and feedback on the setup of the archive (so my own opinion is not the only deciding factor)

I'm not a master of CSS, but I'm pretty handy with it. And I'm intimately familiar with Photoshop.

* your honest opinion that if you

[debris_k]

Hey, you're handy with CSS - yay! *grabs you tight and refuses to let go, for a century or so

[aerynvala]

I'll drop you an email with my replies :D

[debris_k]

Hey there,

I seem to have misplaced your email addy, and it's been a long while since I've heard from you, so. I was wondering if you're still up to helping me out with setting up the SB archive.

Wordpress proved to be mainly PHP powered, which I have no clue how to use, so I'm semi-decided on another automated archive. Either that, or just a good del.icio.us account.

I'd love it if you could let me know if you're still willing to lend a hand, as it were. Happy holidays and all that. :-)