From: Analda Anglin 

The Alt.Fan.Monty-Python FAQ
 (C) Copyright 1998-2004 Analda Anglin
Version 8.1
Last modified October 10, 2005

***Important Notices***

Last link check date:  October 10, 2005.  If you find any broken links,
please notify me at analda{at}hiwaay.net.

Remove defunct links to Monty Python Direct Update link to Cardinal Fang's
Python Site

Changes for Version 8.1:  Editing to create a shorter document.

***FAQ Facts***
This FAQ is written specifically for the alt.fan.monty-python newsgroup.  
It originally created by John 'Shaggy' Kolesar. In August
1998 it was passed on to Analda Anglin and in February 2000 it was given
its own website, www.pythonfan.com.  Current FAQ point of contact is
analda{at}hiwaay.net.  This FAQ is posted to the newsgroup on or about the 1st
of each month.

Many thanks go to the following people who have helped with
ideas/revisions: (In absolutely no sensible order whatsoever) John 'Shaggy'
Kolesar: Original writing of the FAQ and several years of maintenance
Bonni Hall: Net Guidelines, Group History Sir David: The Liberty Bell March
(MP theme song) Q & A Dave Morning: Authoritative Cause of Death for
Graham Chapman Dirk Rehberger: Translation of the Funniest Joke in the
World Andrew Bromage aka Sir Pseudonym: ASCII Artwork-Foot and Spiney
Norman, available for viewing at the website

PART ONE:  Posting Guidelines

RULE ONE: Please post sensibly and courteously.  This means no large files
(scripts, images, sounds).    If someone requests a large file
that you can provide, please email the file or furnish directions to an
appropriate web or FTP site.

Edit long cascades.  Long cascades are posts with multiple follow ups.
Delete the lines you're not using in your reply, such as "so and so
wrote" headers and signature files.

Refrain from HTML posting.  Many newsreaders do not interpret HTML tags
correctly, so HTML posts come across as lines of gibberish.

RULE TWO: Please be polite.  Lots of people post here asking for skits,
songs, scripts, and facts.  Be polite, be friendly, and be helpful if you
can.  Don't blow them up because they don't know which web or FTP site to
go to.  We are a friendly, generally amusing, mostly intelligent bunch of
folks.  We really ought to act that way.

Flames are hurtful and unkind and have no place in this newsgroup. Personal
direct insults are right out.  If someone is rude, ignore him/her.  Do not
send any mail to that person, do not flame in return, and do not post about
that person.  In short: DO NOT FEED THE FLAMES.

When you see Spam (articles that are cross posted to newsgroups they have
nothing to do with), do not post follow ups.  That just adds to the problem
and usually creates more cross posts.  Like flames, the best thing to do
when someone posts Spam is to ignore it.

When in doubt, email instead of posting.  If you're not sure whether
something will be taken as a joke, it's usually best to restrict the
remarks to email instead of posting them for everyone to see. Personal
comments, private jokes, and off topic threads are best kept private.

RULE THREE:  Please try to keep things on topic.  We understand when things
become silly.  Let's face it--Monty Python was a bunch of very
silly/wacky/loony people.  Still, in a Monty Python newsgroup posts should
be Python-related or Pythonesque.

Direct Python discussions are obviously fine.  Posts about Python
information, such as this FAQ and requests for Python web and FTP sites,
are allowed.  So are posts about the newsgroup and announcements of
upcoming events in the Python and a.f.m-p communities.

Original humor that has a strong basis in Python is also acceptable. Python
based means things such as parodies on Python bits or original works that
involve Python ideas in a new way.  If you think that other people could
read your creation and say to themselves "Hey! That resembles Monty
Python!" then it should be fine.  Original humor that has absolutely
nothing to do with Python is unfortunately out.  While it is probably
funny, it more likely belongs in rec.humor or email.

And finally, THERE IS NO RULE SIX!!

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5