Home > ATXF Unofficial > Understanding ATXF
By Danny.
Hi there, and welcome to aus.tv.x-files, fondly known as ATXF or atxf. If you're new here, please read the regularly posted FAQ for answers to some Frequently Asked Questions. After all, that's what it's for.
If you have questions about The X-Files and X-Files Fandom in Australia, please read Ken's "SEP - The X-Files in Australia" to see if it has the information you require.
This "guide" explains some of the things you may come across as you read atxf - in-jokes, attitudes and thread styles peculiar (in both senses of the word) to atxf.
You can find a lot out about atxf on The ATXF Official Web Site, at http://welcome.to/atxf - maintained by Robin. It's out of date, but Robin is unsueable.
For more recent information about atxf, visit the Unofficial ATXF web site, at http://geocities.datacellar.net/wollongong_ken/ Maintained by, you guessed it, Ken, who is from Wollongong.
DISCLAIMER: Once you've read this guide, you still probably won't understand ATXF. That's not my fault. Just hang around, join in and try to laugh at everyone's jokes (and then later, privately ask them what the hell they meant) and try not to go "Gah?" too much.
Last Updated: 15th March 2000
Updates: Yeah, a bit here and there.
Before you post to ATXF, it's advisable to lurk for a while and try and get used to what we talk about. Use tags on your post (see the FAQ) and play nice. Imagine ATXF is a large social group (it is!) and you wouldn't really just come along and say "Hi there, I'm new, everybody pay attention to me!" because you'll either get ignored or made fun of. Please do an official "de-lurk" post, if you like, and you're likely to get a fair few welcomes.
[1] NB: This isn't necessarily everyone's attitude, but more of a generalisation. All generalisations are false. Actually It's mainly *my* opinion of what I think (in a general sense) that everyone else is feeling. Don't think that *everyone* believes this, because we all believe something different.
<Serious>
Most of us here have been fans of The X-Files for 5 or more years. This doesn't mean that we have to like everything about it. You may notice that the volume of TANgential to RELevant posts is usually 2:1 or more in favour of TAN. Don't complain, saying "No one talks about The X-Files!" - post something about The X-Files and you'll more than likely get a response.
Yes, we're fans, or X-Philes, if you prefer. But it's become
apparent in the opinions of some that The X-Files, as a show,
has been rapidly going down the drain. A few would be prepared
to say that Lord Kinbote's giving it a guided tour of the
Centre of the earth already. Some people haven't liked what's
been happening since seasons 3, 4, 5 or the movie. There
remain few who think that The X-Files is still at the high
standard it once was. Then again, there are those who do
think that the show is the best thing since <insert relevant
sliced bread product reference here> and eagerly await each
new episode in antici
pation. Be prepared for various viewpoints, and don't insult
anyone because of what they say.
The thing to remember is that everyone's right - it's all
a matter of opinion. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
On the matter of Opinions, feel free to express yours, but make sure you back it up! Eloquent discussions on why you think Season 7 Episode x was excellent/good/bad/appalling are much appreciated, whereas to say "That sucked" lacks a certain something. Note also that moderately correct grammar and correct spelling are appreciated, otherwise Trevor Calder may be pedantic at you.
</Serious>
Something that began long ago is the tradition of the X-Report. This is somewhat less frequent now than it used to be, but the tradition carries on none-the-less.
Basically, The X-Report is an awards ceremony, usually also with a story component, written by a volunteer. Quite often the story involves members of ATXF playing well known roles from TV shows, Movies, Books etc.
The "awards" are presented within the report to people who posted something award worthy - either funny, serious, smart, or just damn persistant. Anything can be nominated, and all nominees get an award.
To nominate a post for an X-Award, forward the entire post (with an award name if you can think of one) to xreport@thepentagon.com . Keep an eye out for posts by Ken with the subject "ADMIN: X-Report Schedule" to see when the next report is, and who is doing it.
For more info, read the FAQ, Ken's X-Report Schedule posts. Be sure also to read the past X-Reports on the ATXF Web sites http://geocities.datacellar.net/wollongong_ken/xreports/ (1999 reports) and http://welcome.to/atxf (1998 reports)
The concept of a quotewar is simple. The execution of one is not so simple.
It all starts with a quote. Then someone else follows up that quote with another quote, which is related to the first by a keyword, theme, artist, etc. Then the beat goes on, and more and more quotes are added. Sometimes the thread branches - this doesn't matter.
The rules of a quotewar are : There are no rules. However, when the Quotewar is an official competition (which is usually only once a year, just after the "off" season has started) then there are guidelines which you can choose to follow.
The guidelines are: Don't repeat a quote, make the link between quotes obvious, and have fun. It doesn't matter if the quotes are obscure (attribute them if you think they are obscure) and depending on the type of quotewar, anything's possible. Song lyrics seem to be the most popular, but quotes from TV, Movies and books have also been used.
Occasionally there will be a specialist quotewar - eg, only from Red Dwarf, The Simpsons or South Park. These don't generate nearly as much volume as the free-for-all Quotewars do. Quotewar 1998 had over 1000 posts in 1 week. Now, can you see how dangerous it can be?
David Wood is currently Quotewar champion - he won both Quotewar 99 on the newsgroup, and the Live Quotewar at NatGat 99.
Mutato Threads are somewhat more innocent than Quotewars, but they can also lead to devastating consequences.
Usually, someone says something innocent in one of their posts. Another person follows up and mutates the words somewhat, but keeping the general structure. Then someone else mutates the line further and on it goes.
For example:
And so on. The infamous "Fabio" Mutato thread lasted more than 100 posts. Beware.>>>>I'll be back >>>I'll be black - Arnie playing chess >>I'll be slack - Arnie on his day off >I'll eat a snack - Arnie when he's hungry
A lot of us have made close friends with other atxfers, and thus Real Life meetings were a logical consequence. From this and other "offline" sources several other traditions emerged and it's quite possible that when mention is made of these you'll have no idea what's going on. Asking is the easiest thing to do, but here's a brief intro to some things...
"Gatherings" is the name we give to Real Life meetings, parties etc. Many many atxf gatherings have already been held, all over Australia. There are "chapters" in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne (BrisXF, SydXF and MelbXF respectively) which meet regularly. Subscribe to their mailing lists if you're interested (See "SEP - The X-Files in Australia"). Be warned though, Gatherings related to The X-Files are now few and far between.
If you're not near these capitals, or in another city entirely, and you still want to see some atxfers in real life, find someone else who posts from your region and contact them, or you could travel! Some people have made the effort to visit many gatherings in other cities just to meet people face to face. There are ATXF regulars in: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, Wollongong and Cairns. <NB If I've missed a location, tell me!>
Something else that arose out of this tradition was the idea of a National Gathering so that ATXFers from all over Australia could meet in one spot and have fun. This has happened. NatGat 98 was held in Early December in Sydney, with about 30 people in attendance. NatGat 99 was held in Early December in Brisbane, with over 40 people in attendance. Photos are now up on several websites. Start with mine, and link to the others from there:
GIP stands for "Giant Inflatable Penguin". GIPs are the ATXF mascots, in a way. You can buy your very own GIP from your local Australian Geographic store, they usually are guarding the entrance. (Here's an extra cute photo: http://www.ausgeo.com.au/ag/image-l/dwb.jpg )
The GIP legend started back when Annette Fraser was visiting her home town of Penguin in Tasmania. This town has a large statue of a Penguin, known to atxf as "The Big Penguin" or BP. Annette sent postcards of the BP to several ATXFers and soon afterwards the first ATXF GIP was bought. There are now more than 8 owned by ATXFers in all cities. If you see a GIP and you aren't near an Australian Geographic store, there's a high chance that ATXF are near....
The EIP, or Evil Internet People, are a consortium who maliciously choose people at random to make their Internet access as frustrating as possible, or just make it impossible for the people to even access the Internet at all. They are believed to have their Headquarters in Adelaide, which is perhaps the reason why so few Adelaideans post to ATXF. You must be wary of the EIP at all times, for they can destroy Newsgroup and IRC access with a click of their fingers. No-one knows who they really are, but in fact THEY DO NOT EXIST. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE EVIL INTERNET PEOPLE. THERE ARE NO CONSPIRACIES. THE TRUTH IS NOT OUT THERE. MOVE ALONG, PEOPLE.
THANKYOU. GOOD CYCLE, CITIZENS.
ATXF has other traditions and injokes (and the more common ones will be added to this soon) but if you hang around enough you'll learn to fit in.
Seeya. Danny.
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