Multex707's Elementary Guide to The Interactive Story BBS

Introduction
Hello, and good day. About a year or so ago, round early 93 i think, I dunno, sometime when i was younger, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a site called Nsider. Great place, an RPer(roleplayer)'s haven if there was one. Upon that site, became known to me and many others, a form of roleplay that was original, amazing, and just dang FUN! It was a section of the BBS called the Interactive Story Board. Being a part of the stories that occured there was a dream of paradise to any RP lover, fic wirter, or the common day dreamer! Unfortunately..it died, and the Lazy Noa's have *yet* to remake it. So we from the board sort of lost track of each other and melded into other communities. Well, most of us. A few exceptions, such as myself, decided not to let this awesome RP form die out, and have created our own IS(Interactive Story, it's the abbrev, get used to it) Boards since then. But, until now, most of us thought EVERYONE knew what an IS board was! Unfortuantely...we all were a bit foolish back then. Now a days I normally get the reaction of someone you tell an alien abduction story too when i mention an IS board. The incredulous look and you can just see them thinking "Peh, what a moron. It'd never work". Fortunately, my confidence has been kept alive by people with the reaction "Sounds interesting, but I couldn't do it.". Frustrating as heck when you hear an accomplished writer say that, and as i usualy say "WHAT?! Heck you couldn't! It's easy!". *That* is the phrase that always ends up putting me in a position that has grown tedious and annoying in it's repitition- explaining HOW an IS bbs works.
That's where this file you're reading now comes into play. Recently, when i was scouring other IS BBS's for any explanation of how the worked, I came to the conclusion: "Why has *noone* written an explanation file to save the time??"
This, ladies and gents, is the file that never got written. I'm not positive, as i haven't extensively researched this, but I do believe this to be the only explanation of the workings of an Interactive Story BBS out there written by an Nsider who was an active member of the original board. Don't quote me on that though, there's always a possibility i missed one.
Well, enough of the past, on with getting you oriented to one of the greatest RP forms out there!

The Basics

An IS bbs is basically this:
It's an entire message board (MB) devoted to a story. All the people behind it are pretty much known as the "writers", and the board owner tends to be known as the "moderator" or "editor". Now, as I try to be as organized as possible when i make an IS board, I tend to like the board to start with the following:
1.A Title

2.A Brief explanation of the Back Ground or what direction you're trying to head. (be a
bit VAGUE, otherwise you won't have as much ability to interact)

3.Indication of how to contact the moderator in case of a problem (email addy, AIM
number, etc.)

Now that you're past the opening of an IS board, onto the main principle of it all.
First off, after people have a general back ground of the story in mind, though you may think you're set, it's best (in my experience) if the Moderator Intros his character and makes the first post, as to get things stared.
Now, everyone involved starts out by formulating in their minds a character that could be part of the story. Some stories have guidelines, so that may be applicable to what your character can be. After getting a character, most IS bbs's ask you to post your character's Stats. (All of my IS bbs's do this), and IS's that ask for stat posting will probably include some info on how to do that in the opening.
Now that you've got a character and your char's stats up, the fun can begin. In An IS, each post is like a chapter in the story. Think of it as a prolonged fanfic of sorts. Now the thing that makes IS's such a different form, is that IS's are like a bunch of writers writing their characters into the same world, and they'll occasionally have their characters cross pathes, normally ending up in some characters grouping together on their adventures. Now, to start off, you probably want you character to be alone or somewhat. After all, the first post you make is refered to as your "Intro" post, as you're introducing your character into the story. An Intro normally shows how the char got where they are and starts them off on whatever they're going to do. Characters don't usually cross pathes for a few posts in most of the IS's i've been in, as it tends to develop their individuality.
Now that you see the basics, allow me to go further into a few specific points.

Interaction

THIS is what makes an IS so fun. It allows writers to develop their characters playing off of what other characters do to them. It can be fun in that you never know what will happen to your character next, as you're *not* writing the whole story. It's like an ultimately prolonged RP, and though you may feel it slow, it's quite practical for people who can't enter certain types of chats and such. Now don't go overboard with enthusiasm and make 13 posts a day. Normally 1-3 a day max suffice, unless the story is *really* rolling. The biggest issue in Interaction would be about a term I have created for the IS jargon called "Using".

The Horror of "Using"

Using is a BAD thing. What IS using is, would be refered to as taking controll of someone else's character in an unfair way and making them do something that ruins to plot, or is just totaly hurtful to their character, like making someone else give you all their posessions or making them kill themselves or the like. In IS's, it's the old golden rule of "do unto your neightbor as you'd have them do unto you". Always be fair. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't have characters do anything in your posts what so ever. After all, it wouldn't be Interactive then!

Making the Moderator step in

Think of it like this-
An IS is like a little world, with an insurance policy that anyone using obscene language, profanity, inappropriate content such as adult content or language, will be uncerimonously struck to a smoldering pile of ash and their post deleted. Well, maybe the struck down part's a bit harsh, but getting a moderator upset can be pretty risky buissness, like standing in traffic. Be smart and be polite. If posts tend to get off story content too much, the moderator will most likely have to put a wrench in the gears and erase the posts before things get worse. In short- Moderator's don't like jackasses. If you're a jackass, and you know it, kindly stay off the board.

The Annoyance of GOD-moders

Now I'm betting anything NO IS bbs writer or moderator likes GOD-Moders. These pests stoop to the mindset of a preschool pain in the butt with their "I'm all powerful so you can't hurt me!" crud. usualy, GOD-moders are also perpetrators os "using" in many cases. Trust me, a GOD-moder is more likely to win the lottery than last a full two days acting like that. (Note:this is not saying there can be no "god" or "goddess" characters, just make them REASONABLE!. Make sure your character has some weakenesses and flaws and you should be pretty well set. Not too hard to do, ok?)

If I missed anything

Now if i didn't address something you have a question about, and it's a decent question, PLEASE email me at multex707@hotmail.com
I wish to make this guide as complete as they come and your help and comments are greatly appreciated. Feel free to email me any sensible comments or questions concerning this guide.
I sincerely hope this has helped better your understanding of the common IS, and may you have great times in your RPing!

Hellow folks, Just bringing attention to a new system I've decided to put into affect, because I've been rather Lax about things recently. I must begin to put some of my kind understandings aside and Be a MODERATOR >=P. That means the system as follows, devised by a clever IS moderatin pal of mine, shall go into affect:

The "Red List" IS System

The Redlist system is a simple way to keep IS's flowing upon a nice, clear and comfy track, and to eliminate dead weight so to speak. Afterall, out there there are numerous people who will join anything that puts their name up for public display and attention. So this system was devised to prevent that. The Red List system works on a simple basis as follows-
If a moderator observes a writer who has not posted in an extensive period of time, he may contact them and inquire as to their lack of posts. The Writer should give a feasable reason as to the delay, or else they may be Red Listed.
If a person is Redlisted, the following steps shall go into action:
1)The Moderator Shall email the Redlisted writers in question, asking for their reason of lack of posts, or whatnot.
2)The Emailed RedListee shall reply to the Moderator within the period of a week with an exceptable reason for delay, and may request a bit longer for their work.
If the reason is fair: The Moderator shall grant up to three extentions of variable time (depending on the need for the character or not, no extention shall exceed a week unless of extrodinary reasons on the redlistee's part) After the three extentions are given, no more shall be and the Redlistee will be emailed again with a final request to post. If this recieves no reply or is choosenly ignored, the redlistee will be removed from the story, and the moderator shall find a way to over write their character.
If the reason is not acceptable:Reasons consisting of insults, demands to be left alone, or of vulgar/aggressive/threatening nature shall immediately put the Redlistee in the position to be erased and over written, with a final warning of their condition. No extentions shall be given to this case.

If a person has been removed, they may reapply by emailing the moderator and requesting re-entry to the story. They must explain their reasons for being erased and May kindly ask for a reinstatement. This shall be left up to the Moderator(s) to decide.

Sorry to have to get the crack down on some folks, But, this is how things work when we have those who sign up and never post =/
Any comments or complaints, please reply, but don't let this become a free for all.
-Multex707, head Moderator of WWMAIS and TCIS-