The Contact-a-Mod Post

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

This is where you get to talk to your local mods about all your questions, comments, concerns, ideas and other sgagenrefinders related stuff. We welcome all input, constructive or otherwise!

Comments will remain screened only if you put something along the lines of "Privacy, please!" in the subject line. (Likewise, their answers will also be screened*.) Otherwise, all comments and their threads will be unscreened, whether they are anonymous or not.

We look forward to hearing from you!

<3,

your mods.

_{* Screened comments aren't viewable in lj inbox, so you should make sure you have emailing of comments turned on if you want private correspondence that you can actually read. :-)}

ETA: Due to anon spammers anonymous comments have been temporarily turned off. If you need to you can contact your mods, debris_k and lavvyan, at their personal journals anonymously.

Comments

[skaredykat.livejournal.com]

Hello mods-of-awesomeness at one of my favorite comms! I have... A Question!

In the comm profile, would you guys be willing to edit this:
This community is explicitly for finding stories in a specific genre. You can also search for the link to a particular rec list or the website address of a particular author.
to explicitly clarify whether or not searching for/requesting copies of multiple stories by one author (who's taken their work offline but still permits sharing of their work) is allowed at this comm?

I'm hoping for yes (of course), but either way, thank you if you're willing to clarify in the rules (so I can point people to the right comm for that kind of request, as it's a no-no at sgastoryfinders and allowed at stargate_search, though the latter gets less SGA-particular traffic and request-responders than you guys)!

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

Ah, see, two of the three PMs I couldn't reply to asked about this.

Yes, that search is fine as long as the author has given permission (such as 30toseoul), and yes, we'll edit that asap. And when I say we I mean myself and asap is tomorrow afternoon my time, unless debris_k takes pity on me.

[devo79.livejournal.com]

I'm just here to praise the mods.

This comm has helped me a lot as I try to get into this new (to me) fandom.

Thanks for putting in the work required to make this a great comm =)

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking the time to comment! It means a lot to us that we know all the time we spend on the comm is not wasted. ;-)

Thanks

[mikikat.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to thank the hardworking mods who make this comm so easy and friendly to use.

Re: Thanks

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thank YOU for taking the time to tell us that!

[madwitch58.livejournal.com]

i very much enjoy this site. i love to read fanfiction but hate having to search all over the web for what i want to read. this site is a blessing, pity that are not sites like this for fic from other shows.

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your kind words! Happy you're enjoying the comm.

To be fair most, if not all, other fandoms do have similar rec and/or search comms. You can even look for them at the_rec_room, for example. :-)

Thanks from me too!

[annie866.livejournal.com]

I just want to add my gratitude and thanks! This site has introduced me to so many wonderful stories that I never would have found on my own. I especially find the tags very useful as I can quickly find the genre I want. Thanks again for your great work!

Re: Thanks from me too!

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting, it makes all our hard work worth while. ♥ I'm personally extra happy every time I hear the tags are indeed useful. *beams*

thanks, mods!

[elderwitty]

Thanks for all your hard work.


And the pouty Mr. Darcy cracks me up every time.

Re: thanks, mods!

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thanks for commenting! It's muchly appreciated.

(Dreamy-eyed Mr. Darcy is a close favorite of mine now, too. ;-) )

[busaikko]

You guys run an awesome comm! Thank you!

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thank YOU for the lovely words! ♥

love it here

[ellenlj.livejournal.com]

and visit frequently -0
thanks for your hospitality!

Ellen

Re: love it here

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting, it means a lot to us! Happy you're enjoying them. :-)

[danceswithgary]

Thank you dear mods for keeping this comm running! *applauds*

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

*blushes, toes dirt* Thank you for the awesome comment! ♥

[squeakyoflight.livejournal.com]

I check this comm everyday, I love it so...

THANK YOU MODS!

<3 Squeaky

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

We're very pleased you're enjoying the comm, and thank YOU for letting us know about it! ♥

Just want to get tagging the posts right

[devo79.livejournal.com]

Oh, I remembered that I do have a question :)

I was wondering what the 'genre tag is used for. I posted two searches:
http://community.livejournal.com/sgagenrefinders/755681.html
http://community.livejournal.com/sgagenrefinders/748060.html

The mod added the 'genre tag on the one about Koyla. So, since there wasn't that much of a difference between the two searches, I added the 'genre tag to the post about bug!Rodney.

But the mod removed the tag from the bug!Rodney post later.

So I'm wondering why it was added to one post but removed from another post since they were similar?

Re: Just want to get tagging the posts right

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Hi there,

The 'character related tag is for single-character specific requests; in your bug!Rodney search you didn't ask for anything but what related to Rodney's character alone, hence the tag correction.

The 'genre relates to multi-character or theme specific requests, i.e. anything not single character specific. In your post involving Kolya you asked for stories with a slightly altered canon scenario of Rodney being involved in the plot instead of John, plus you specified the episode as the setting so what you basically asked for was an episode fix-it in which any of the two or three characters mentioned might play main role, but they wouldn't necessarily have to in a story that would match your request. Hence the 'character related tag not being warranted and the 'genre tag being used instead.

I know the system of having the 'genre and 'character related tags isn't perfect, but in my mind it kinda works, especially now when lj has the ability to search for posts that match more than one tag. The 'genre tag plus any theme tag lists posts that generally match the theme, but aren't strictly focused on a single character, while the 'character related tag plus any theme tag does the opposite.

Basically, if you were looking for stories involving Kolya without naming any other characters or pairings that he must interact within your request, the 'character related tag would be the one to add.

And if you were looking for transformation fics in which anyone or one of several characters you list by name turned into, say, a caterpillar, then the 'genre tag would need to be added.

Hope that's clearer than mud.

Feel free to ask for more clarifications if I failed to explain things properly; I know it's a bit on the fuzzy logic side of things, but it's the best (read: only) system we have, so. :-)

[devo79.livejournal.com]

I posted a search for "Shocking secret Rodney" yesterday. I tagged it (I even had a note for the mods on it about being unsure if the 'character related tag should be used or the 'genre one, since I wasn't sure) I was very clear about being okay with AU, any pairing, any rating.

But the post is gone now.
Was it deleted by one of the mods?
And if so, could you tell me why?

As far as I can see from the comms rules I didn't break any of them.

And, as far as the last post from the mods goes, I always thank people for answering my requests.

So...I'm just a little puzzled.

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

I commented on your post before deleting it, explaining why I was doing so. This part: (I even had a note for the mods on it about being unsure if the 'character related tag should be used or the 'genre one, since I wasn't sure) was what got it deleted in the first place.

Such a note clearly invited a discussion on the merits of the local tagging system which is OT for search posts, to say the least. We're all trying to make the tags work to the best of our abilities, mods and members alike; if you don't want to help improve them, you don't get to make a problem out of them outside designated modly posts or PMs.

Like I said in my comment on the deleted post, you're welcome to repost without that note. I'll even quote our rules for you this time:
For questions regarding the tag system, please contact debris_k. Anything related to the rules please take up with lavvyan. You can use PMs, or the local Contact-a-Mod post for both.

Meaning, don't put messages for the mods into search posts, especially if they invite discussion. That's what this post is for, or PMing a mod directly. We'll do our best to help you, but we can only do that if you go about contacting us in the right way. Thank you for understanding.

[devo79.livejournal.com]

As you can see above my first comment about my deleted post, I have asked you about this tag problem before and I really did try to understand the difference between the two kinds of tags.

As far as you commenting to my post before deleting it... I live in Denmark and it is impossible for me to check the posts while I'm sleeping. I actually checked my inbox at 3.30 at night and then again at 8.00 in the morning so you can't have given me much time to change my post.

I understand why you don't want the members of the comm to have long discussion about tags in fic searching posts.

But I have to say that this part of your comment to my question actually makes me feel a little stupid:

"if you don't want to help improve them, you don't get to make a problem out of them outside designated modly posts or PMs."

I was not trying to make a problem out of them. I have always tried to follow the rules in any of the comms I post to. I personally love tags and am happy when a comm uses them since it makes searching through posts easier. And I have made an effort to understand the difference between 'character related and 'genre tags. My small comment to the mods in my original post was simply an attempt to ask if I was using the tag correctly in that particular post.

I really did try to tag it correctly and I would have changed the post if only I had been given a chance. But you have to understand that not all of us live in the same timezone as the mods and that means that some might need more time to change their tagging/posts.

If you deleted the post before 3:00 at night I was checking my inbox almost every hour up until midnight or so before that since I was looking forward to getting some answers to my request.

I know that being a mod in any comm means dealing with annoying people all the time. And I know that the reason this comm is so easy to use is because the mods put a lot of time into making it work smoothly.

All I ask for is enough time to correct any mistakes I make in a post.

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

I understand why you don't want the members of the comm to have long discussion about tags in fic searching posts.

Because that's OT (off topic), like I said in my previous comment. Are rules are pretty clear on what is On Topic at this comm.

I don't know what difference timing makes, but I'm fairly sure I deleted the post before 11pm your time, give or take one hour. I also commented on it before deleting it. I'm sorry if lj lost or ate that comment, but I have no powers over what lj does with comments once I post them.

As long as I in my modly capacity feel that whatever needs removing from your post *is better removed sooner rather than later*, I will not hesitate to delete your post and tell you that you can repost *with corrections* as soon as you want. Not because I like making things difficult for you or other comm members, but because order in the comm comes first.

This is what has happened this time. Again, you can repost at any time, minus the note about the tags.

If you have been at the comm for any length of time you might have noticed that many posts are not tagged perfectly or fully originally, but that their tags are corrected in due time (by me), usually without any hassling of the posters if they'd forgotten to add a tag or three, even, as long as it's clear they tried their best.

That's all that's asked of you, to try and do your best with the tags we have.

And, to repeat myself once more, if you have any problems or questions, to bring those up outside your search posts. That really is all.

[pampalini007.livejournal.com]

Hi! I love this comm dearly too (otherwise I wouldn't hang out here so much :), thank you for all the work you're putting into it.

My question:
I'm a fan of a specific kind of SGA AU's (with magic! :) - there are quite a few, and not surprisingly I read quite a few. I have a nice, semi-long list of them too (only titles, authors and links mostly). I would like to add more to it via a request here at 'genrefinders, because I'm sure, other fans have found many I haven't yet. But I'm unsure how to do it. Should I post my "already found and mostly read" list, so people don't have to put work into finding stories I already have? Or should I post the list in my own journal, and refer to it here? What's the polite but efficient way to do it?

Many thanks in advance!

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

You certainly can post the list in your own journal and link to it in your post here, but as long you put the stories in the list under an lj-cut you're allowed to include the list in your post here. Basically, we're fine with whichever you choose. :-) Thank you for asking, though!

(I should add that if your list doesn't contain links to the stories you should probably link to it since most of the folks will want to know how they can find them and us mods will have our hands full with reminding them about our no-specific-searches rule. Thanks for understanding!)

[devo79.livejournal.com]

I'm having problems with this post: http://community.livejournal.com/sgagenrefinders/769984.html

I can't get rid of the "miscellaneous" tag. I don't really think it's needed after looking the request over a second time but no matter what I do I can't delete that tag.

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Thanks for letting me know, I'll remove it from your post ASAP. You did the exact right thing, since only mods can remove already added tags (and make up new ones). I think I included that bit in the rules, too, but feel free to yell at me if I forgot.

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

Hello,

sorry for the delay in replying. I'm working overtime at the moment and yesterday was Christmas-party-night at work, so I didn't get around to replying. Since it was me who did the banning, I told debris_k I'd take care of this. As I said, sorry for the delay.

As for the reason you got banned, may I point you to that last "conversation" we had over that joke Joe Flanigan made, the one I didn't find funny at all? I'll admit I didn't read your second reply to my comment, but I can't imagine it was any more pleasant than the first one. You've subsequently been banned from commenting on my own journal (not that I think you would) as well as any and all communities I run or co-run. Since you can't seem to respect me as a person, I very much doubt you'd respect me as a moderator.

Nevertheless, I am un-banning you over here, with the caveat that I will ban you again if we have another run-in like the last one. You may take that as you wish.

Re: question about how to post a request

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

To quote our rules:

you may ask for copies of multiple works by a particular author if they've taken their stories down, provided they allow the sharing of those stories.

so the answer is yes, as long as it's according to said rule. And you may want to check here (http://community.livejournal.com/stargate_search/392798.html) to make sure the author hasn't forbidden sharing their works.

Since we haven't had many searches like this (that I can recall) you can leave the tagging to me, I'll think of something.

[qzee.livejournal.com]

hi, I found a tool "found here" (http://flag.erayd.net/) that can convert stories on fanfiction.net into ebooks. I've successfully used it for a NCIS story and would like to post a request on SGA genre finders for recommendations for good SGA stories, team or Rodney centric that can be found on fanfiction.net. Would this be okay?

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell that's perfectly okay. :-) Thanks for checking to make sure!

Oh, and have you checked AO3 (http://archiveofourown.org)'s download options? It allows you to save stories as .mobi, .epub and .pdf files.

[race-the-ace.livejournal.com]

Hi! I just started a new community and was wondering if we could affiliate with you? It's sgapicfinders as we do basically what this comm does except with pics. Thanks!

- Ace

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

Hello,

apologies for the late reply. I'm a bit made of fail this week.

We'd love to affiliate with your community. If you'd like to pimp it as well, consider this your just-this-once permission to do so. :)

Thanks, and good luck!

lavvyan

e readers

[madwitch58.livejournal.com]

I just got a ereader and I was wondering if it was OK withyou if I asked if there was any stories out there that I could download on to my reader so I could read them when I was off line? Thank you.

edit to reflect the correct comm *facepalm*

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

You're welcome to post! :-)

[content removed due to modly stupidity, sorry!]

Thanks for taking the time to ask before posting, it's always appreciated! :-)

[briar_pipe]

Hi mods! A kind soul suggested to me that this might be the place to post my search, but I wanted to check in with you guys first.

I'm looking for any OT4 works created in the past two years, especially ones related to common OT4 tropes. I'll also happily accept works posted earlier than 2009 if they illustrate specific tropes. I've looked through the previous OT4 searches, and while some of them are useful to me, all are more restrictive than my interests. Do you think it would be okay to post here?

The second item I'm looking for is a place where I can direct people who are looking for 30toseoul's OT4 work. I have links to her posts on oddball_sga, but not all her work made it up there. Should this kind of question be directed to a separate post, or could it be bundled with the first request?

Thank you so much for your help! I've never actually posted here before, so I don't want to mess things up. ^_^

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

Hello,

sure, go ahead. We prefer if people put their searches all in one post, actually, so that's a yes to the bundling as well. :)

Good luck!

posting access?

[kathrynparis.livejournal.com]

Hey! I was wondering if you guys were going to allow me to post at the sgagenrefinders again? I figured out how to do the tags so that wont be a problem anymore. I'm really sorry about that.

Re: posting access?

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

Your posting privileges have been restored. If you need any help feel free to contact us, we're here to help.

Can I post this?

[allonympt.livejournal.com]

Hi mods!

I wanted to check in with you first - I'm fairly marginal in the SGA fandom, and I'm not really familiar with where everything is. Then I wrote fic for SGA ('cause something possessed me): specifically, Lorne centered fic. Now I don't know what to do with it. Can I post a request asking where everybody is going to get their fic, other than fanfiction dot net, and where a good place to post something like this would be? Or is that totally out of the perameters of this comm?

Thanks for your patience,

Al-

Re: Can I post this?

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

It is slightly OT to our comm, yes. But I think I can answer your question, at least partially: while there are many SGA fanfic comms, genre and pairing centric or not, I personally don't know of a Lorne centric one off the bat, but the sga_noticeboard might have such a comm promoted among its posts (you can check through their tags for comms or promos or such), or you can post the story to your own journal and post an announcement about it to the noticeboard itself. Next, there's AO3 (http://archiveofourown.org/), the fan-owned, fan-run fanfic archive, you could also post your story there (if you need an invite to join the archive I think I have one left, just let me know your email address). And there's at least one other fanfic archive listed on our comm's sidebar in the links list which would welcome your fic as well.

Oh, and if you check sga_noticeboard's rules you might be allowed to post your search for a Lorne-centric comm there, though all stories announced on it do get included in the sga_newsletter so your fic would get plenty coverage without crossposting, I'm thinking.

Anyways, hope this helps a bit. If you need any further help feel free to ask, and thank you bunches for asking before posting! ♥

Tags

[mmneely932.livejournal.com]

Hi, trying to correctly tag my entry and it won't let me add John and Ronan except with a - in front. Doesn't - mean you don't want them on the story? Any help would be apprecited.

Re: Tags

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

Hello,

no, that's just a way of sorting tags. It still means you want them in the story. :)