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At the risk of seeming overly bold, I have presumed to update the group's Rules (the text in the yellow pop-up that appears when you go to write a comment) to be a little more concise and less imposing (and with less SHOUTING!). Hopefully, it will seem a little friendlier, but not semantically different. You can see the current rules by moving your mouse cursor over the comment text box below. I hope no one objects. If we see a sudden rash of vulgar, off-topic personal attacks with terrible spelling posted in the wrong folder, I can always put the old text back :)

Personally, I find them distracting when they pop up each time & try my best to ignore them. I wouldn't have noticed you changed them if you hadn't mentioned it.

Good work! You've been the most active in getting things done for the group so thanks G33z3r!

FYI, I took it upon myself to expand the titles of some of our folders (those categories in which discussion topics are sorted � sort of.)

"General" -> "General SF&F Chat", to clarify its for discussing SF&F topics that aren't specific to a single book (such as would go in "Book Discussions�)

"Serious Stuff" -> "Serious Stuff (off-topic)", to clarify its for discussing topics not specific to SF&F.

(We have a couple of older folders that have fallen into disuse, such as "Point System", which I think are obsolete. I'm tempted to add "(obsolete)" to their names or even delete them. Or, in the case of "Sci-fi/fantasy themes", folding it into the "General SF&F chat" folder.) Suggestions?

G33z3r wrote: "FYI, I took it upon myself to expand the titles of some of our folders (those categories in which discussion topics are sorted � sort of.)

"General" -> "General SF&F Chat", to clarify its for dis..."

Good work.

I'd probably not delete the folders until Connor says something since he made the group in the first place. However I would add the (obsolete) next to it and move it down. I'd also fold some of the folders together as you mentioned. Again, great work with the modding!

I noticed that our group description (which appears at the top of the group's page and in thumbnails of group listings) begins: "Do you like books like The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Earthsea, and The Sword of Shannara?"

It occurred to me that all four of those were heroic fantasy, and none were science fiction. I thought I might correct that, so I started thinking, what would be three iconic science fiction books? Titles anyone who might be interested in the genre would instantly recognize. Clearly middle Earth, Narnia and Earthsea are iconic fantasy books. With a moments thought, I might've added Conan the Barbarian as equally iconic, but no matter. Either because they're famous, or helping to make them famous, all three have been made into movies as well (though Earthsea not so successfully, in my opinion.)

So, I was thinking of expanding the list to include, perhaps, Dune, Pern, & Ender's Game. (I know, 2001 is probably more famous, thanks to a movie. Oddly, I can't think of many successful science fiction movies actually based on books that kept the same title as that book.) Now, I realize both Dune and Pern occupy that uncertain border between science fiction and fantasy. So I also thought, perhaps Ringworld? Or, Stranger in a Strange Land? Or, go totally classic with The Time Machine?

Anyone have any better ideas for three iconic, well-known science fiction novels to use as examples?

The Martian Chronicles, The Day of the Triffids or Ringworld (as you said) or there's Foundation

Starship Troopers, A Princess of Mars, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep...

How about stretching it out over the 20th century to present & alternate SF & heroic? Instead of "A Princess of Mars", use Barsoom (early 1900's) - you get more books & any fan will know. Then an SF 'Dune' (60's), & heroic a bit later, maybe KEW's Kane which is from the 70's, & SF from 2000 (Altered Carbon?).

g33z3r just so you know i dont spell very well. i was tested in the 9th grade and they found me reading on a 2ed year collage level and spelling on a 6th grade level. i was told it was not possable but there it is. i will do my best.

I think my spelling is most likely to be worse. I am not a native speaker of English & make lots of spelling & grammatical mistakes.

Problems spelling in English? How could that be when we have such logic to our language?
[/sarcasm]

I hope this won't prove more confusing than helpful:

I created a new Folder for SF&F Movie, TV & Video Game discussions. I'm hoping with the increase in summer SF/F movies it'll both give them a home of their own and help give easier visibility to the non-movie SF&F discussions.

I had a suggestion for Group Reads nominations and I wasn't sure where to post it so I hope this is OK...

How about a "Catch Up" read every other month? Maybe the months we're not reading an anthology/collection/novella we can select a book from our group "Read" shelf to re-read? It could be a Mod selection or a group vote. Any interest?

Randy wrote: "I had a suggestion for Group Reads nominations and I wasn't sure where to post it so I hope this is OK...

How about a "Catch Up" read every other month? Maybe the months we're not reading an antho..."

I really like this idea - there are a lot of books on the "Read" shelf that I would like to read.

Randy wrote: "How about a "Catch Up" read every other month? Maybe the months we're not reading an anthology/collection/novella we can select a book from our group "Read" shelf to re-read? It could be a Mod selection or a group vote. Any interest? ..."

It's OK by me if a couple of Members want to give it a try.

I note that we currently allow re-reads as part of our regular monthly reads; and if anyone happens to read one of our old discussion choices, they are more than welcome to extend the previous discussion (which may or may not pick up again, depending on how long ago the discussion was and how popular the novel was. :)

To repeat Randy's question, any interest?

Rosemary wrote: "I really like this idea - there are a lot of books on the "Read" shelf that I would like to read...."

Not surprised, especially in the "classic" category. Inevitable for a group that's been around a few years. (Though I'm still often surprised at what we haven't read. E.g., how have we never read any Ray Bradbury until tomorrow's Illustrated Man?) :)

I own several books from the group Read shelf that I haven't read so I don't mind catching up either, especially without the "several years since last read" rule.

Or maybe can do something different for those months without anthologies like adding a non-fiction book which could be an author biography or a science book or a book about SF/F books.

Or graphic novels since they are gaining in popularity. Also, good if it's hard to add a third book to your reading each month, these are short.