links and more thoughts

[atrata]

First, I totally think we can do this. If there's one thing fandom is good at, it's organizing.

Second, some links.

• twocorpses has a site that's in beta right now. There is more information on that project here; the service itself is http://www.scribblit.com.
  
  
• Ponderosa has some thoughts about features here.
  
  
• florahart has comments and a poll here
  
  
• shaggirl has also

Comments

[thejennabides]

ponderosa121 and blue_soaring have started talking about starting up a new multifandom sandbox. Pond doesn't have LJ anymore, obviously, but I thought I would point you to her post here on greatestjournal, in the event that y'all want to hook up with each other.

[atrata]

Yup, we're talking over there, too. I think hooking up with as many people as possible is the only way to do this.

[thejennabides]

Right on! ♥

[the_gentleman]

I've asked this elsewhere, but why are we looking at US-based hosting when it's that which causes the problem? Surely it's possible to find either a data haven or a non-US ISP that would prevent direct legal attacks, or at least slow them down? The global fandom should be able to find some places where it's possible to host non-ad based things with a fan-friendly TOS. Services like Scribblit might be useful, but the comments under the FAQ suggest the creator doesn't know what Chan is- which is pretty much going to be a problem!

[mayflo]

I second it. There are quite a few posts on my f-list that as far as it is bound to US laws, there will be banning. Also, If you get banned, you not only get kicked out permanently but also reported to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children because it's required by US federal law. :/

[atrata]

I initially mentioned the U.S. because that's where I'm from and these are the laws I'm familiar with. They're actually pretty lax, but many hosting providers just don't want to deal with and so are overcautious and paranoid, or they're under pressure from advertisers.

However, I am absolutely going to be doing a lot of research about where is the best place for the servers to live.

[katkim]

I agree. I'm not familiar with US law or even the law where I'm from (UK) but I think it's definitely worth investigating.

[threerings]

I just want to say that I think this a fantastic idea and I wholly support it. I can't offer much except my support and word-spreading. I have no technical skills. But tell me where to go and sign up and give money and I'll do it.

Love to anyone working on these projects.

[atrata]

Love back atcha. Thanks for your support. :)

[mayflo]

I have one concern. If this is going to be fandom journal for fandom fen, how can one determine if the person getting an account is indeed a fan and not a total outsider who doesn't even know fandom? Or a fandom newbie that is just testing the water?

[bizarity]

Would it matter? If they test the water and find they don't like it they can leave and find another site to play with. If forum and archive sites like FictionAlley, SugarQuill etc. don't have this issue I don't see why the suggested site should.

Unless you're worried about fandom content being reported Ooh! Never mind. I realised that the moderaters would be fandom-knowledgable and therefore wouldn't delete stuff that wasn't an issue.

[mayflo]

Yup, that's my concern, but also, if real criminals like the paedophilia networks sneak in and have their ways in there and jeopardise our safety???

[the_gentleman]

The analogy here would be a big hotel. In the case of LJ, the hotel is occupied by anyone, and fandom just occupies a ballroom and a wing- but there are other wings and lots of nooks and crannies out of the way where bad stuff can happen. LJ's security is based on the idea that other hotel users might stumble across this happening and report it. But since the hotel is so large and the fandom is mostly in one wing, there's a lot of stuff that slips under the radar. And then there's the stuff that's reported but turns out to be a bit of fun that looks bad to an outsider.

Now, in our own communal hotel, it's smaller, there are more links between everybody, and the managers and security guards have a much better idea of what's actually illegal or not acceptable, and what just looks that way because the managers are part of the same sub-culture.

Paedophiles are going to creep in to any system, but the more a system has to protect, the harder they'll fight to keep them out.

[ysabel]

I could be convinced to be involved as an architect/developer.

[atrata]

Awesome! We're going to need you.