Q: What do all do you people do here, anyway?
A: Well, the main purpose is to experiment, create, and push boundaries. Obviously, a lot of the exhibits, stories, and the like are fairly traditional, but we like to play around with new ideas. Most of all, the goal is to have the work on here seen and enjoyed by others.
Part of the theory is that as the site itself grows larger and more people come and check it out, the individual members will get publicity and have their abilities boosted into the general spotlight. That's the plan, at least.
Q: So, if I wanted to go in and manually mess around with the site, or start some vast, insane project of my own...
A: We would do everything in our power to accommodate. Personally, I would love it if someone showed up and said, "I want to create a multimedia display of a world grown rich and fat with plundered wealth, with an emphasis on the roleplayable aspects of the culture, could you help?" I would absolutely go mad with glee if that happened.
Q: How often does the e-zine update?
A: Roughly at the beginning of every month, if there is enough content and I don't have too much schoolwork taking up my time. Currently, for instance, the site is on hiatus while I rearrange various parts of it. The site tends towards inactivity around this time of year due to the number of members on vacation.
Q: Do you accept anyone?
A: Of course. Some people do tend to last longer than others, though. The major thing is, you need to have a sense of humor, you have to take constructive criticism (we are trying to help, after all), and you can't fly off the handle at some of the random stuff we do. For instance, if you think that randomly changing all the letter "c"s to the letter "k" is a funny prank you'll be fine. If you think that being told you should write in passive voice less is tantamount to being called a whore, you probably won't be. It's as simple as that. Also, you can be a part of the group without having to contribute stuff to the home page. There is no obligation at all.
Q: How do I join?
A: Just go right here. After you enter the needed information, the site should send the password to your e-mail address, and you can log in and mess around with your profile.
Q: Where do I go first?
A: General Chat. Introduce yourself here.
Q: I can't log in/I lost my password/Conforums or someone else randomly deleted me!
A: If you have problems, just post your question somewhere in the General Chat section. We'll fix things as soon as we can.
Q: Will you feature my artwork/writing/etc. if I join?
A: Probably. If it isn't up to the level of quality necessary for the regular updates, we won't just turn you down, either. We'll try and help you improve in as many ways as you can.
If your stuff is good, you're guaranteed a place in an update of the E-zine-ish, and will probably be featured at least once in the form of a show of your collected work.
Also, I am working on new ways to help artists and writers who are just starting out. One of those ways is through The Criterion. If you are interested in writing a weekly article, with a deadline, standards, and direct feedback from the other visitors to this site, just give a shout.
Q: What's this I hear about contests?
A: We sometimes have contests for art, writing and the like, or hold competitive games. Winners are awarded completely ceremonial prize images for their signatures, respect from the rest of the New Wastelanders, and a high chance of being plugged somewhere here on the front page.
Q: Who are the affiliates of the site?
A: Currently, the only affiliates are Scarlett By Design, a fashion design site, and The Quotebook, a weekly webcomic. Scarlett by Design is slated to expand soon, but The Quotebook is currently on hiatus [and just getting started]. The affiliates are generally people associated with the forum who have branched out into their own work, or who had websites to start with that mesh well with this one.
Q: You claim to have seven sections on your forum, but there are only six! Speak the truth, knave!
A: You can only access the Ruined Tower by a spiritual journey of awakening. Or you could simply join. Either way, The Ruined Tower contains Fiendish Snogging, a section dedicated to the long-term projects kept secret from the eyes of non-members, and some random bits of 4-channish behavior floating in from outside. It also periodically contains Carthage, which is constantly being destroyed and recreated. It is used to complain loudly about life.
If you attempt the aforementioned spiritual journey, you must walk among the lowest of the dead, journey through the desert, then through the red cracked mountains where there is no water but only rock, and attain the wisdom that the thunder speaks in the ruined chapel. Then, use that enlightenment to at least put your lands in order.
Q: Everything is out of order and jumbled around! Your FAQ doesn't even make sense anymore!
A: I or one of the Praetors probably jumbled it. Either that, or Freewebs and Conforums are going crazy again. Ignore it till it goes away. If it doesn't go away, assume that it's a permanent change, and give us time to make sure all the other bits of the site finally match up. I support a hands on philosophy, so things can get a bit chaotic at times.