Subject: Re: Regarding the Lost Tales and the Original Series.
Author:
Posted on: 2009-12-13 00:49:00 UTC
Archive the OS = Yes, especially to get those missing stories together again for the first time.
Edit the OS = Yes, since that's usually the first thing anyone sees, it should be more presentable regarding readability.
Neshomeh is most definitely awesome.
I don't know much about coding, so I unfortunately can't help with that.
First of all, I would like to point out that I am awesome. You should check it out if you haven't lately.
Second, I've been wondering if I should put the Original Series in the archive. It's not exactly lost, but there are a couple of discrepancies between what was on the Oddlots site and what's on Miss Cam's site--namely, Oddlots was missing "No Way Back" and Miss Cam is missing "The Dark Elf." So, it might be nice to have a complete archive, and it's always good to have a backup in any case.
Third... I've been over and over the question of cleaning up the Original Series for a long time. Thus far I've restrained my inner editor because, as July wisely pointed out, the OS isn't mine to edit. And yet, I can't help but feel that it would be nice to fix the minor little things, like missing dots in ellipses and stuff like that. Also, if I do archive it, it'll be in my archive. More than that, it will be in the PPC's archive, because the site belongs to all of us. So... what do we all think?
To reiterate:
Archive the OS = Yes/No?
Edit the OS for spelling & punctuation = Yes/No?Neshomeh is awesome = Yes/Yes?
In all seriousness, it's important that everyone have a say in this, so please take a moment to respond. Even if you're a lurker. Even if you just joined. This is our Canon we're talking about, after all.
Also, I remind you that this project is open to everyone, so if you want to help with the HTML--just looking over things for broken code, links that don't work, things that look wrong, etc. would be very helpful--please, please step up.
~Neshomeh
*delurks on command*
Definitely archive -- we don't want to lose the basis of Canon, and we want all the parts of it that can be found.
As for editing, sure, go for it. I trust you know how to do it with care toward the original meaning and spirit of it all.
And yes to awesomeness, but we already knew that.
...I'd vote yes to both. In my opinion, editing can't hurt unless it changes the original meaning of the text. Also, when I do get time to read it, having everything in one place would be nice. =)
'Cause I KNOW some of you haven't said anything yet. I hope it's not because you don't care.
I'll wait another couple of days.
~Neshomeh
I'm going to go ahead as planned. Thank you, all of you who replied; and I really appreciate the votes of confidence in addition to the votes. {= )
I promise to treat the OS very lightly. You'll hardly notice a difference. Your Inner Editors might, especially those of you whose Inner Editors are more Outer Editors... but other than that, you won't notice a thing.
~Neshomeh
I haven't seen The Dark Elf either, so a complete archive would be very helpful. As fro editing TOS, if it's olny little things, then I think it's a good idea.
I've only read the stories on Miss Cam's site. Liiinks! Liiinks for a des-per-ate MAUDLIIIIIN! Sorry.
…including TDE. Do you want me to send it to you?
FYI, therein lies the reason why Agent Tourmaline of Intelligence had osteoporosis.
gypsy_fox@hotmail.com
Very much in favour of both ideas, and if I can be of help on the editing front, you know where to find me :)
Yes to archiving! I didn't even know that Miss Cam was missing a story! Ah, the apocrypha of the PPC. :) Yes, also, on the question of editing TOS. With your innate awesomeness, I'd say that we can trust you to do it in a way that is respectful to the original canon.
I'd be happy to help however I can. :) Just let me know what I can do.
Mainly what I need are extra eyes to look things over and make sure I haven't missed anything--which I do, frequently; e.g. there's at least one broken link in the SIELU complex, and I don't remember where it is. I just remember spotting one while browsing where I'd typed "SIELE" instead of SIELU. >.
Re. apocrypha: I didn't know, either, until a couple of days ago. I came across a link to "Gemini Stone" on the Wiki, and since it was on Odd Lots, I was going to fix the link to point to the same story on Miss Cam's site. Only it has a different title ("Broken Doll") and a different number there. With the help of the Wayback Machine, I figured out why.
Crazy stuff!
And, thank you. {= )
~Neshomeh
Firstly, yes, I think archiving TOS is definitely a good idea.
Secondly, I won't object, but I think it would be a rather large time-killer that you could spend writing new stuff...
And third, yes, you're awesome. However, the large images on your page make my slow internet connection cry.
So, to answer the questions in the reiterative order:
Yes
If You Feel Like It
Definitely
Making your connection cry. I am aware of the issue, and I mean to try various things and see if I can't get the file sizes down without actually reducing the visibility. For example, I may divide them into rectangles and just place the pieces side by side. Would that help?
Speaking to the time commitment, time is all I have right now, so it isn't an issue for me. I do have a Derik & Earwig mission in the works, though--a Super Smash Bros. Gary-Stu, if you're curious. NOT my usual at all. O.o It was brought to my attention via the form on my website, and since it's the only time anyone has used the thing, I feel I need to see it through to set a good precedent. {= )
And, thanks. {= )
~Neshomeh
As long as it's the punctuation and none of the actual writing (grammar included) that's changed.
The only caution I'd advise is making sure that you use the exact same punctuating style as Jay and Acacia did, but I'm sure you've already thought of that.
That said, I didn't know that there were chapters missing from those two sites. Now I want to read them!
Let me also add: OF COURSE YOU'RE AWESOME. JUST LOOK AT THAT SITE!
Oh, and I finally have access to all my files again, so I'll toss you an email right now with everything that I saved in case there's something that was missed.
Wow. That site looks really nice. I like all the cool links that look like books.
I would have to say yes to archiving the OS because it's always good to have a back up copy and I'd also have to say yes to editing, just as long as it doesn't change very much in the OS at all. Like you said, the minor things.
(And yes, you are totally awesome. :D)
I'd say, yes on archiving TOS; if it's incomplete, it would certainly be better to have a full archive. Yes on editing as well, as long as it's nothing that could change meaning.
Archive the OS = Yes, especially to get those missing stories together again for the first time.
Edit the OS = Yes, since that's usually the first thing anyone sees, it should be more presentable regarding readability.
Neshomeh is most definitely awesome.
I don't know much about coding, so I unfortunately can't help with that.
This is the third time I've had a beloved canon that's been woefully in need of editing.
BagEnders was awesome, but it has some technical errors and the odd hiccup that a beta would have caught. The Shoebox Project is awesome, but same again plus a couple of Americanisms. I like being a fan of such things, but I'd rather be a fan of something that's clearly had a beta and been edited to standard English standards. I feel it reflects on all of us badly when we try to be a community that upholds all standards of good writing, yet our canon material fails in any way on that front. So my vote would be yes, clean up the OS, if you're archiving it on your own site.
Also, yes, might as well archive it. Who knows when it may disappear? It'd be handy to have the record. If someone ever had the space, it'd be awesome to have all PPC missions on one site, but that's just a pipe dream, I fear.Yes, Neshomeh is awesome.
Well, if both lists are incomplete it would be good to have a third archive for the OS, a place where it can be complete.
As for making minor edits in spelling and punctuation, I think you can do that. It's not like you would change the meaning of sentences with those edits (and thus possibly compromise the intention of the original authors).
And I think you deserve a yes on the last question too.