Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ /F-A-Q/ or /fak/ /n./ [Usenet]
1. A Frequently Asked Question.
2. A compendium of accumulated lore, posted periodically to high-volume newsgroups in an attempt to forestall such questions.
-- The Jargon File

Traditionally, alt.fan.pratchett has always been a newsgroup where discussions range wide and far. Unlike many other newsgroups, a.f.p. does not always insist on topical relevance. Like many other newsgroups, however, alt.fan.pratchett is not an anarchy but a community, with a strong sense of history and culture, and many social rules and conventions. This is reflected in the plethora of FAQs and supporting documents that has become available over the years -- "accumulated lore", indeed.

This page is intended to help newcomers who want to learn how they can best approach the Pratchett newsgroups for the first time, but it is also meant as a resource for old hands who are trying to quickly locate a specific piece of information. Here you will find the most recent version of each Pratchett-related FAQ, available as a text file for downloading or as a web page for viewing. The web versions are automatically generated from -- and are therefore guaranteed to match -- their text-only counterparts.

If you have a specific query, you can also try to find relevant documents (not limited to just the FAQs) by using the L-Space Web search engine:

If none of this helps you to find the information you need, try e-mailing your question to our volunteer help desks. Queries about anything newsgroup-related are welcomed by the A.f.p. Clue Fairies, while the L-Space Librarian will attempt to answer any questions specifically about this web site.

Currently available Big FAQs (large, general-purpose):

• The alt.fan.pratchett FAQ
  The a.f.p. FAQ contains the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Terry Pratchett himself, as well as about the Usenet newsgroups alt.fan.pratchett and alt.books.pratchett. It is a good idea to have read this FAQ before posting to the Pratchett newsgroups for the first time.
  Maintained by Orin Thomas; Last updated: January 2006
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Terry Pratchett Bibliography
  The Bibliography lists all Terry's books and stories, and includes much technical detail concerning different editions and translations.
  [auto-generated web page]

Currently available Mini FAQs (small, specialised):

• The Pratchett Newsgroups mini-FAQ
  A very concise introduction to the Pratchett newsgroups on Usenet.
  Maintained by Leo Breebaart; Last updated: 3 July 2005
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Subject Tags FAQ
  The Pratchett newsgroups use a rather bewildering system of Subject 'tags' or key codes to keep the newsgroup traffic manageable. This FAQ explains them all.
  Maintained by Karen; Last updated: 27 May 2006
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Acronym FAQ
  On Usenet, acronyms and abbreviations are used in written conversation the way normal people use punctuation. This FAQ explains some of the more common acronyms, as well as a few that are specific to the Pratchett newsgroups.
  Maintained by Karen; Last updated: 27 May 2006
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Alt.fan.pratchett.announce FAQ
  Everybody with an interest in Terry Pratchett really should subscribe to the moderated, low-traffic/high-signal 'announcement' newsgroup alt.fan.pratchett.announce.
  Maintained by AFPA Moderators; Last updated: 17 August 1999
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Alt.books.pratchett Posting Guide
  Alt.books.pratchett is a lower-volume newsgroup specifically intended for the discussion of Terry Prachett's work only, without the social chit-chat found on alt.fan.pratchett.
  Maintained by Orin Thomas; Last updated: October 2005
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Afpmeet FAQ
  On-line Pratchett fans frequently get together in real life to drink, eat, and have a good time. This FAQ is useful for everyone who would like to attend (or even organise) such an 'afpmeet', but is not quite sure what to expect or what will be expected.
  Maintained by MegaMole; Last updated: 24 May 2004
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The Lspace.org Domain FAQ
  Information about the lspace.org domain and the services it provides.
  Maintained by The L-Space Cabal; Last updated: 23 January 2005
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• The History Monks List Fanfiction FAQ
  Information about the History Monks mailing list for Pratchett fanfiction.
  Maintained by Karen; Last updated: 20 April 2004
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

• Signing Tour Etiquette
  Frequently asked questions about attending book signings.
  Maintained by elfin & Rose; Last updated: 9 February 2004
  [web page (no text version available)]

• The Recipe Archive FAQ
  Pratchett fans like good food almost as much as they like good books. This FAQ gives information about the a.f.p. Recipe Archives.
  Maintained by Ailbhe; Last updated: 5 November 2001
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

Miscellaneous periodical documents:

• The Daftpabank
  A database of information about a.f.p. readers past and present.
  Maintained by Karen; Last updated: 27 May 2006
  [auto-generated web page] -- [original text file]

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