M I A...

[athersgeo]

I'd love to say that my non-posting here was as a result of being out having fun and pootling around the countryside in my shiny new car (and it is very shiny in every sense of the word!)...but it's not. I have, instead, been decorating and tidying and dealing with very smelly ex-starlings [don't ask] and generally doing stuff away from the computer.

When I have been at the 'puter, I've been busy (no NOT that sort) with CBB-type stuff. I've started running weekly music quizes (any passing CBBers reading this, this weeks is up and running - if you haven't already, feel free to take a look and enter! /shamelessplug) and, glory be, I've also actually been writing. I've finally picked up one of my WIPs and started aiming towards getting it finished. Yay! If I can really get that moving, there should be some decent hope for me getting other things finished, too. *cough*fivebyfive*cough*

ah well. Time to get on with today's mindnumbing tasks...

Comments

[b-liz.livejournal.com]

glad the new car is shiny :)

the music quizzes are shiny too, although I know shamefully few of the answers!

Offtopicish question

[partly-bouncy.livejournal.com]

You don't list an e-mail in your profile or I'd have e-mailed this... Some one from the Highlander fan fiction community pointed me at you. The person, Beth E., said that you had been involved in Internet based fan fiction communities back around 1995 or so and might be able to answer or give me some insight into a topic I've been sort of researching regarding the origins of the usage of the term beta reader. I know, based on Usenet comments and from other people, that the term was being used back in 1995 in the Highlander community. The references I've seen and the people I have corresponded with have said they think the term was being used earlier but they can't really place the context. I was hoping perhaps you had some insight or remembered when you first heard it or used it? Or if you could point me at some one who might know?

Re: Offtopicish question

[athersgeo.livejournal.com]

Hiya

Not a problem. I'll put you straight on one thing, I actually haven't been around online since 95 (it just FEELS like it sometimes!), only since the latter half of 1999. As far as the phrase 'beta reader' goes, I would *IMAGINE* that the term (like a lot of fanfic terms) probably originated somewhere in the Star Trek: Original Series fandom, in which case, it's probably somewhere in the region of 20 to 30 years old. I know terms like Mary Sue started out with Trek and proliferated out from there. Also, I strongly suspect it probably has a connection to the process of beta testing software. Both of those, though, are guesses on my part.

If you're interested, specifically, in Highlander, a place you might try is HLWW (http://www.highlanderworldwide.com/home.shtml ); many of the folks involved in the site have been active in fandom for years and/or know people who've been active for years. Another person who might have an insight is Nessie, who's hung out in Highlander and also X-Files (http://lonestar.texas.net/~lochness/ ) - though I'm none too sure how active online Nessie is these days. Lastly, if you haven't already, it might be worth checking Trek Usenets to see if there's any mentions and anyone who can help you there.

Sorry that I can't help you more - and good luck with your research!

[cmar-wingnut.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you're pleased with the car, after all that hassle. Also very glad to see you're picking up on unfinished business. And sorry to see your mind is being numbed!