WELCOME TO THE FICTION FILES REDUX GROUP!!

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Martyn wrote: "I don't like the layout of Goodreads for groups.

Have a nice day!

"

what don't you like about it? more info would be helpful. :)

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Adrian wrote: "God, look at the moderators! It appears to be an Internet rogues gallery.

I think the moderators should have to wear outrageous costumes and fight each other in an arena.

"

well i just made you a moderator so we can be the first in the arena. i want to be spock, and you be kirk! :)

[Hugh, aka Hugh the Moderator]

Ahh... Yes.... you feel the call, don't you Ben? Become one of us, Ben. You ARE one of us...A Mod-er-a-tors. Moderators and vampires live forever.... (I'm sure you've read "Interview with a Moderator"... (As for what Moderators want -- is Universal Healthcare too much to ask for?)

[[deleted user]]

Maureen wrote:

"well i just made you a moderator so we can be the first in the arena. i want to be spock, and you be kirk! :) "

This ain't the time of Pon Farr, honey. You don't stand a chance! :P

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

Ben wrote: "i don't want to be a moderator. it makes me very nervous. but i don't want to relinquish my moderator status, for fear of what others might to do me."

But destiny claims you, Ben. It points at you with its waggling finger and dictates that you, Ben, shall be our Moderator.

It's like the Pu-6 explosive space modulator.

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

Maureen wrote: "Martyn wrote: "I don't like the layout of Goodreads for groups.

Have a nice day!

"

what don't you like about it? more info would be helpful. :)"

I'm thinking we can't really alter the layout of groups... but I don't know for sure. I have to imagine it's not a matter of just monkeying around, like I can with Wordpress's layouts.

It just takes getting used to reading posts without little boxes around them.

There's nothing a designer loves more than to hear "I don't like it" and nothing a developer loves to hear more than "It doesn't work."

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Adrian wrote: "Maureen wrote:

"well i just made you a moderator so we can be the first in the arena. i want to be spock, and you be kirk! :) "

This ain't the time of Pon Farr, honey. You don't stand a chance! ..."

i am pouting now because you are using star trek lore against me.

how about you be gorn and i be kirk? won't you scuffle? i love a good scuffle. especially in a snow bank. :)

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

okay so it's been a while since i've welcomed anybody and there have been lots of new people to join us, among them our good friend smarty kate!!!!!!!!!

i can't keep track of all of us any more and when who signed on when but i just wanted to say thanks to everybody for making such a great effort. we may not be able to recapture old golden ages but we may very well be able to find a new one -- with new friends and new books!

y'all rawk. :)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jennifer, hot tamale]

Maureen wrote: "y'all rawk. :) "

do they say this in canada??? :)

[Jonathan, the skipper]

. . .nice job, you gals and guys, re-enlivening this community . . . a welcome change of venue!

[Michael, the Olddad]

Lauren wrote: "Oh HAI errrbody!"

Hi there back Ms. Lauren-Mischief (something something) MacCoup d'Etat.

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

great to see new faces like melody and old young ones like that of the cream cheese angel. i'm happy to see we have over 50 members in the first week of trying goodreads out! and it's great to see people making an effort to make this space their own, not waiting for me, or jonathan or anyone to get talking! pretty soon i will be able to slip away and you won't even notice. :)

and canadians say y'all rawk, but it doesn't sound very convincing, i imagine. we think it sounds cool though. :)

[Pavel]

Well this looks like a good place to put this. Anyone else think 50 posts per page a bit rough? Any way to change it? 25, 20, or 15 like old Jon's basement?

[[deleted user]]

yes, no, I don't think so.

[Dan, deadpan man]

Pavel wrote: "Well this looks like a good place to put this. Anyone else think 50 posts per page a bit rough? Any way to change it? 25, 20, or 15 like old Jon's basement?"

You know Pavel, I was kind of thinking about that. I don't know if it can be changed but It would be nice to limit it to 25 or so.

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Dan wrote: "Pavel wrote: "Well this looks like a good place to put this. Anyone else think 50 posts per page a bit rough? Any way to change it? 25, 20, or 15 like old Jon's basement?"

You know Pavel, I was ki..."

i had a look around and no, that option doesn't seem available. i haven't noticed it, either because i'm clicking into threads because of email notifications or because i've got a wheely mouse, so i just zip down but i see how it could be frustrating if i didn't have that.

i wrote an email to goodreads making the suggestion that they add this functionality to the groups, and got a response saying they will try their best to answer my question in a few days. it will be interesting to see how responsive they are. i never quite got over the fact that jonathan had to start the fiction files over again after the great BLACK OUT and that none of us were ever contacted about the emails we sent in distress when it occurred. so this will be a good test. i probably should have replied in the testing the environment thread, but anyway. let's wait and see shall we? i have seen posts by otis, the chief architect in other threads so i think he is fairly active in trying to improve the site for everyone.

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

What I've found is that when you click on the little red word "new", you go to directly to the new posts.

Definitely a usability issue, though I have seen it on other sites... at least the real estate to the right and left isn't cluttered with animated gifs of dancing people, or chucky dolls, or icky teeth.

[Dan, deadpan man]

Shel wrote: "What I've found is that when you click on the little red word "new", you go to directly to the new posts.

Definitely a usability issue, though I have seen it on other sites... at least the real es..."

Well this new thing does alleviate these problems. I also noticed at the top of a thread a link word that says "newest" clicking that will take you to the newest part of the thread. I guess my complaint has been thoroughly nullified.

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Maureen wrote: "Dan wrote: "Pavel wrote: "Well this looks like a good place to put this. Anyone else think 50 posts per page a bit rough? Any way to change it? 25, 20, or 15 like old Jon's basement?"

You know Pav..."

Well you guys: I actually got a response to my email about Pavel's suggestion! What a nice switch! Here it is!

Hi Maureen,

Currently, the number of posts per page is not customizable, but that's a great suggestion - thanks! We actually already have something like that on our "to do" list, but every time someone makes a suggestion, it makes it more likely that we'll get to it sooner. So thanks for writing in!

Best,
Jessica

[Christopher, Swanny]

Adrian wrote: "God, look at the moderators! It appears to be an Internet rogues gallery.

I think the moderators should have to wear outrageous costumes and fight each other in an arena.

"
Maybe they could do this at Dorkapalooza.

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

I'm a lover, not a fighter.

[Michael, the Olddad]

Chris wrote: "Adrian wrote: "God, look at the moderators! It appears to be an Internet rogues gallery.

I think the moderators should have to wear outrageous costumes and fight each other in an arena.

"

How do you get to the list of moderators. I want to change some aliases.
Maybe ..."

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Michael wrote: "Chris wrote: "Adrian wrote: "God, look at the moderators! It appears to be an Internet rogues gallery.

I think the moderators should have to wear outrageous costumes and fight each other in an a..."

i think if you can't figure out how to change people's aliases on your own, i'm not going to help you. :)

[[deleted user]]

at group home page in upper right area click on link to "members". all members who are moderators hav titles.

[Neil]

All right . . . I'm here

I'm oddly resentful of having to join yet another networking site to keep up with folk. I know it's irrational, but what the hell in the last 6 mths I've been poked or prodded into joining a half dozen different networks. . . . and the reasoning is always the same no one's on Myspace anymore so let's leave too . . . feh, at least I've got Martyn to be grumpy with.

[Dan, deadpan man]

Neil wrote: "All right . . . I'm here

I'm oddly resentful of having to join yet another networking site to keep up with folk. I know it's irrational, but what the hell in the last 6 mths I've been poked or ..."

IF you are grumpy at least use more words than the five or so he's been able to string together!

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Neil wrote: "All right . . . I'm here

I'm oddly resentful of having to join yet another networking site to keep up with folk. I know it's irrational, but what the hell in the last 6 mths I've been poked or ..."

welcome oh reluctant and resentful neil!!!!!!! i hope this means you missed us. :)

(pssst. we missed you -- plus there's a bunch of neat stuff here!)

[Ben, uneasy in a position of power; a yorkshire pudding]

dude, i'm annoyed i have to be on the internet at all... but there's just nowhere else to go in my house.

[MJ]

Thank you! I will enjoy this group!!!

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Mary wrote: "Thank you! I will enjoy this group!!!"

hi mary!!! nice use of exclamation points!! on behalf of the skipper and the rest of these punks, welcome again!!! :)

[Jonathan, the skipper]

Maureen wrote: "Neil wrote: "All right . . . I'm here

I'm oddly resentful of having to join yet another networking site to keep up with folk. I know it's irrational, but what the hell in the last 6 mths I've bee..."

. . . just stay away from my beers in the refrigerator!

[Neil]

Jonathan wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Neil wrote: "All right . . . I'm here

I'm oddly resentful of having to join yet another networking site to keep up with folk. I know it's irrational, but what the hell in the last..."

You're fine until my single malt runs out, and then all bets are off.

[Joseph]

Maureen,

This group seems to attract people of taste,who also share my love for the short story. Besides, you speak Italian(or at least know how to say,"Do you understand?") That's good enough for me.

Please don't be nervous and jump to conclusions, but I think the group would enjoy either of my two collections. The newest, Love Songs in Minor Keys,is due out Tuesday and features cover raves from, among others, a short-lister for this years best work of literary criticism. I'd be willing to discuss either or both in great detail with any member who wishes. I'M a writer first and foremost, but I do have an extensive academic background.
If you check me out on Goodreads, you'll see that I comment a great deal about literature and the writing process. Most of my comments are VERY detailed. I'm not here only to plug a book, but I think it more honest to be transparent.
Please check me out on Goodreads or Google or Amazon etc. and draw your own conclusions. I've done the two books in less than 2 years and am very serioius about my life -long love of the written word.
Hope this isn't considered spam. Let me know.
Best.

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Joseph wrote: "Maureen,

This group seems to attract people of taste,who also share my love for the short story. Besides, you speak Italian(or at least know how to say,"Do you understand?") That's good enough..."

Hi Joseph:

welcome to the fiction files redux!! and thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself to us. Our skipper Jonathan Evison must be given the credit for bringing us all together on myspace -- i just spearheaded the move to goodreads. :)

i grew up in a multicultural neighbourhood, and my calabrese neighbours spoke italian to me until i came to understand enough to reply. i've lost quite a bit over the years though: when i was in roma a couple of years ago i found it easy to understand but i was pretty shy in my speaking. thanks to my italian neighbours, i also came to love an occasional frangelico, and sauce that's been canned by a big italian family. :)

people who come to the group to talk about writing and books are more than welcome to tell us about the books they are publishing or working on -- we just hope that you will come back now that you've introduced yourself, and join in our discussions. we know that sometimes it hardly seems there's time: the skipper is a writer himself, and has less time than he used to to keep the conversation flowing (it was amazing how much work he put in!) but he still makes an effort to come by and keep us up to date on what is currently out there. a lot of our other authors do too: for example, you'll see posts from keith dixon, and james p. othmer, and patrick kilgallon throughout the threads.

thanks for dropping by and hope to see you again soon. i am sure shel would love it if you dropped by her short story threads. :)

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Carmen wrote: "I was wondering where you guys went. Used to be on this group when it was on myspace."

glad you found us carmen! i left a note! ;)

[Joseph]

My mom's side came from Calabria and I liked her just fine! You can depend on me returning with comments.If you are at all interested, you can find plenty of my views on The Second Best Book Club, the Hemingway Group etc.I'm not saying they're particularly brilliant, but there sure are a lot of them..

Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Best.

[[deleted user]]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this group. I am also a goodreads author.

Warmly,
Jo-Ann

[Jonathan, the skipper]

. . .welcome, jo ann, you'll meet brilliant people here . . .

[João]

Only brilliant people. That is why we are so snob.

[[deleted user]]

I'm here too.

[Jonathan, the skipper]

. . . oh don't be humble, marge . . . the notes you gave me on the early draft of west of here were brilliant . . .

[João]

I demmand the shinning thing!

[[deleted user]]

I meant I'm not a snob. Glad you liked the notes, I have brilliant moments.

"What Shinning thing?!"

[Pavel]

lawlz

[João]

We, rodents, like shinning things.

[[deleted user]]

Does this have anything to do with Democracy? I'm having a nonbrilliant moment. We, cats, like rats.

[João]

Due the overwhelming numbers, the abuse of democracy can not be applied to rodents. It would take a lifetime to vote what to do with the cat. Therefore, a bait. Eventually, the cat will discover his position in the chain food...

[[deleted user]]

This is a really good group with alot of nice people.

[Christopher]

I'm back!Feels good to see everyone again.

[Jonathan, the skipper]

Christopher wrote: "I'm back!Feels good to see everyone again."

. . .welcome back!