Welcome fellow phile!
There are a number of resources designed to assist newcomers to alt.tv.x-files which can be found at The X-Files Mytharc and Newsgroup Information Resource main page at http://www.geocities.com/~bjruef
including links to this version of the Newbie Info Kiosk file, Myrke's Newcomer Friendly Tips and "Ketchup on the X-Files" a collection of synopses of the mytharc/conspiracy episodes. The Kiosk contains links to several sources of information including the Official Fox Site (which includes all past episode summaries and a FAQ in the feedback section) and the Official X-Files FAQ written by Pat Gonzales and hosted by Mike Quigley.
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ATXF (alt.tv.x-files) is a large and fairly evolved group so, for the continued comfort and safety of all passengers, the following Info Kiosk has been prepared to acquaint newcomers with the lay of the land. This Kiosk does not contain background information about the series, it is simply a welcome mat for newcomers. There are two comprehensive FAQs that are posted to this group including Pat G.'s "XF FAQ" (in 5 parts) and Al's "Read This Before Posting" FAQ posted on a regular basis. Newcomers are encouraged to look for and read these FAQs.
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All netiquette rules apply including alerts indicating that your posts contain SPOILERS, if applicable. If you have a question that is not answered by this Kiosk, you can mail me privately and I will try to find an answer. Your question may even be added to future versions of the Kiosk. For a general overview of Usenet rules and regulations, visit HERE.
(i) Do not post binaries to this group. If you have something relevant to the topic that you feel you must give to others, post the binary to alt.tv.x-files.binaries then post an article at ATXF telling people what can be found or allow them to email you directly for the file. Binaries (for the uninitiated) are audio, grahic or other data files (versus text files).
(ii) With obvious leeway for some *creative expression*, true fan-fiction (scripts, short stories, etc.) should be posted to alt.tv.x-files.creative.
(iii) Posting *tests* can be done in alt.test or any of a number of other groups in the "alt.test" hierarchy. Posting a test with "Sorry!" or "Please don't read" is not acceptable. Use the alt.test hierarchy for testing out your signature, etc.
(iv) Be careful how you quote! Most newsreaders show different levels of quote such as:
>Poster 1
>> Poster 2
>>> Poster 3
Make sure you know what you're doing when you snip and quote or you could attribute something nasty (or brilliant) to someone who didn't say it.
(v) Do not post in HTML format in ATXF. Many newsreaders now support HTML but Usenet is accessed by many news servers where this format is not readable. The HTML code comes across in the message as gibberish. Remember that not everyone has the same capabilities as you do (computer, speed of download, type of newsreader) so limit your posts to text only. Check your preference settings to make sure you post in text not HTML. Also, be aware that attaching signature cards and image files to the end of your messages will also be picked up as binary files for those reading text only and are not acceptable for Usenet.
There are often liberal variations in the spelling of character names. If you would like to be correct, check here:
FOX MULDER, ALEX KRYCEK, DANA SCULLY, ALEX KRYCEK, MARITA COVARRUBIAS, ALEX KRYCEK. Did I mention that it's ALEX KRYCEK?
Check the Official X-Files site or use a search engine to find the website resource of your choice and take note of additional characters and the correct spelling of their names.
Because it is the way if the net, and because it makes us all sound so damn knowing, we have a complete set of nicknames and acronyms that can be very confusing to newcomers. A few of the most popular are decoded here for you:
DD -- David Duchovny, actor playing Fox Mulder
GA -- Gillian Anderson, actor playing Dana Scully
CC -- Chris Carter, creator The X-Files and Millennium
1013 -- Carter's Ten-Thirteen production company
Ratboy -- Krycek
LabBoy -- Agent Pendrell, the FBI lab technician often consulted for forensic data/reports
CM, CSM -- Cancerman, Cigarette-Smoking Man (same guy)
ATX -- Or ATXF, alt.tv.x-files (as in YOU ARE HERE)
TXF -- The X-Files
UST -- Unresolved Sexual Tension, a perceived non-platonic attraction between Scully and Mulder
Shippers -- those who perceive the aforementioned UST, as opposed to NonShippers or more specifically, NoRoMos (people opposed to a Mulder/Scully romance on the show). Shippers is derived from the term relationshippers. A new addition is Fencers, or those who are waiting out the debate on the fence.
Consortium -- the nefarious panel of suits that oversee the conspiracy, AKA the "Smoke Ring". Chris Carter has also referred to them as The Syndicate.
WMM - Well-Manicured Man -- the elderly gentleman who appears to have a key role in the Consortium.
Mytharc - the Mythology Arc (so named by CC) -- the continuous sub-plot relating to the abduction of Mulder's sister Samantha and government conspiracy and involvement in genetic experimentation.
MOTW - Monster of the Week. As opposed to Mytharc, these episodes are stand-alones featuring various creeps and crawlers.
M&S - Mulder and Scully OR Moose and Squirrel (a brilliant reference to Rocky and Bullwinkle originated in ATX by Gia Gittleson).
Uniblonder - Or Unablonder, Uniblonde -- Mulder's new (possible) informant, the smoky blonde Marita Covarrubius, Assistant to the Special Representative to the Secretary General.
SRSG - See previous, the bureau that X's dying message led Mulder to pursue.
Oiliens -Wormlike alien life-forms brought to the mytharc in Tunguska/Terma
Bounty Hunter - AKA the Schwartzenalien and a host of other nicks. The hulking alien with the ice pick who chases and destroys alien hybrid beings.
Plam - Stilleto ice pick weapon used first by Alien Bounty Hunter. So called because of Mrs. Mulder's hospital bed attempt to write "lamp" and because we had nothing better to call it (though I like alien pithing device).
This is a short list and, as such, is limited. For a new and more frequently updated list of acronyms check out these sites:
Acronym Lookup - www.ucc.ie/cgi-bin/acronym
Coz's List of ATXF Acronyms - www.enteract.com/~coz/TV/XF_Acro1.html
1. Why the X on the Window?
Although this is now a thing of the past, the masking tape "X" was Mulder's signal to herald his informant -- the now deceased Mr. X. Prior to this, Mulder signalled X's predecessor, the paternal Deep Throat, by shining a light in his window which would be visible from the street. Check out Al's archived list of interesting answers to the "X in the Window" question.
2. Where do you get show titles?
Good question and it's not a mystery. Some programming mags include show titles, the BEST way is a webpage like The Official XF Site's Episode Index. Quite frequently, newsgroup participants post the latest list of upcoming episodes from the official site or you can determine the title after the first airing when half the posts will include the title...and hopefully a spoiler warning.
3. What is X-Ville?
For a complete description of X-Ville and all its parts follow the links below to the X-Ville Homepage (webmastered by the hypertalented Alby Reid):
http://members.aol.com/AlbyReid/X-Ville/MainPage.html --- (main)
http://members.aol.com/AlbyReid/X-Ville/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.html ---- (FAQ)
4. How can I avoid all these X-Ville posts?
Perceptive scrutiny or news reader options such as kill-files (or filters) and alphabetical header outputs. This is the case with any of the post which you have no interest in. The newsgroup is a free, uncensored society. The best way to get along, stress free, is to avoid topics you have no interest in by screening headers and using the delete function liberally.
5. Are you people obsessed?!
Yes, but we refused to be ashamed as well. Seriously, there is sometimes a misperception that because we entertain ourselves further in this newsgroup with often passionate discussions, that these issues also affect our qualities of real-life and otherwise keep us awake at night. Not so. It's a hobby -- often challenging and always fun. Our motto, courtesy of gizzie, has become "We're not obsessed, we're focused."
6. Does Chris Carter read this group?
In a Rolling Stone article, Carter confirmed that he lacks the time and opportunity to follow the group himself anymore, but receives a synthesized report from an assistant. It has often been suggested that people involved in the writing or production of the show lurk or visit from time to time. As a side-bar however, personal letters to Chris Carter are in poor taste on ATXF and should be sent instead through viewer feedback at the official webpage.
7. When will The X-Files go into syndication?
The X-Files began airing August 19th on the FX cable network. For information on the schedule and air dates for the FX channel, check the official FX Network site (good luck; the links are down more often than not and its annoying Java crashes my computer when I get tired of waiting and try to beat a retreat...beware). On October 18th, The X-Files began its syndicated run on non-cable television stations throughout the US and Canada. Various stations picked up the syndication rights in each city so you need to check the broadcast schedule for your particular area. Visit the official XF site for a list of stations and episodes, or check your local TV guide listings. Most stations are airing episodes on the weekends, some stations both Saturday and Sunday.
8. Is Chris Carter leaving the X-Files or is the series ending?
The latest information is that Carter, Anderson and Duchovny have contracts for seven years. Rumor has it the show will go at least seven years with Carter at the helm. The implication being that at the end of season seven the television show will cease production and the series will continue in a movie franchise after the year 2000. But when asked directly about an eighth season, Carter, as elusive as ever, commented that with The X-Files "you never know."
Chris Carter does have a new project in the works. Aside from continuing to helm The X-Files and Millennium, Carter has plans to adapt a six issue comic book series called Harsh Realm to the small screen. Visit the Harsh Realm site or the author James Hudnall's website, TheHud.Com, for more information, news and rumors. Currently, rumor has it the show will be shot in Vancouver and that the lead character will be played by Nicholas Lea, who is still enjoying infamy as the recurring character of Alex Krycek on The X-Files.
The show moved to LA to begin shooting season six. The final first unit filming ended in Vancouver on April 29th, 1998. If you want to pay your respects to the Vancouver Crew who did not make the move to LA, check out the ATXF Vancouver Crew Appreciation Page. You can leave a note in the guestbook sending the crew your well wishes and thanks.
9. Is there an X-Files movie?
The feature film began filming in June/July 1997 and wrapped at the end of the summer hiatus leaving the crew only a minimal break before filming began for season 5. Reshooting took place during the fifth season leading to several episodes either Scully- or Mulder-lite. The working title of the movie was "Blackwood" but was then advertised as "The X-Files: Fight the Future." The final product, though, was simply known as The X-Files Movie. Here is a link to the Official X-Files Movie Site. The movie had its North American release on June 19th, 1998 with various dates through the summer in other countries.
10. What is the OBSSE?
The Order of The Blessed Saint Scully the Enigmatic is a fan group dedicated to tongue-in-cheek reverence of Dana Scully. Visit their Sanctuary at http://security-one.com/obsse/.
11. Where can I find X-Files related books and episode guides?
There is a fantastic resource at the DDEB3 website allowing the purchase of XF-related books from Amazon.com. By purchasing from the DDEB3 Book Nook, your purchase will afford a donation to the charity of the DDEB3's choice. Plus, the website has taken the time to organize all the XF-related books in one place for ease of ordering. Visit the DDEB3 Book Nook at http://www.ddeb3.org/books/mainindex.html then follow the link at the bottom to view the David Duchovny and XF-related selections.
12. Where can I go to find transcripts or reviews of episodes?
To find information about upcoming episodes and those that have already aired, a good one-stop source is Tiny Dancer's Site. You can find transcripts from episodes from seasons up through the current episodes. This site is updated regularly and the transcripts appear within a day or two of an episode's airdate. It's a great site to bookmark. Aside from transcripts, reviews of the episodes can be found at Laura Burchard's X-Review site. She compiles and categorizes reviews from every reviewer she can find on every episode. Extremely comprehensive. Or you may want to start by reading reviews from ATXF's incomparable Autumn Tysko.
13. What am I forgetting to ask?
Well, I'm not a mind reader but here are a few additional links. If you are looking to buy some Official X-Files merchandise, visit FOX's online store. I can't vouch for any of the products or prices but it *is* the official site. Also, the Official X-Files Site has a section listing books and magazines that are available along with the addresses to write for back issues. The Official Site also has a section listing the episodes currently released on video. To find XF-related multimedia, check out the X-Files Multimedia Archive. This site used to have even more resources but they were paid a visit by the FOX lawyers. They still have a huge collection of images, etc. so it's well worth a visit. Finally, another one-stop shopping website is the Miningco's X-Files website. David Swinney, who runs the site, has amassed a huge number of links and resources and categorized them for ease of use. Take the time to drop into the MiningCo site since you might want to bookmark this one, too. (MiningCo recently changed their name to About.Com.)
NOTE: The X-Files Official Site also has a FAQ which they have composed based on mail through their "Feedback". Please see http://www.thex-files.com/feedbac2.htm for answers to more frequently asked questions.
5.0 Links for more Info:
http://www.thex-files.com - Official FOX page containing history and upcoming episodes
http://www.mjq.net/xfiles/index.html - Mike Quigley's page containing Pat Gonzalez's FAQ and lots of other archival data
http://www.turning-pages.com/xf/xf.htm - Al Ruffinelli's X-Files Page including XF 101 and lots of information and selected links
http://www.insanity.com.au/td/ - Tiny Dancer's homepage with tons of quotes, notes, sounds, transcripts, etc.
http://members.aol.com/AlbyReid/X-Ville/MainPage.html - Official X-Ville Homepage by Alby Reid
http://security-one.com/obsse/ - OBSSE Sanctuary hosted by the Reverend Mother Nancy, ncs.