FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. This file is intended to cut down on those questions most frequently asked on this list so that we may enjoy greater bandwidth to discuss other trivial subjects. So "What's a FAQ?" is itself a FAQ, a FAQ which is curiously self-referential.
It varies. The list started out with mostly alumni from a single dorm at Duke University, but as you can see, it's grown far beyond that. As of this writing, this list boasts 127 names from 30 countries, and all continents are represented except Antarctica.
This list offers a way to occupy the copious spare time we all enjoy. Realizing that surfing several terabytes of garbage on the web is often not enough to fill an empty work day, this list offers a way to personally assail our friends and acquaintances with our self-important rantings on any number of subjects. Interestingly, we were at one point the subject of research by a graduate student, but we'd rather not talk about that now.
Dan Gezelter, chemistry professor and computer nut, maintains the mailing list. He claims that it isn't very hard, but he can read sendmail configuration files, so he gets the chore.
The web site isn't really maintained by anyone. We're looking for volunteers.
If you are on the list, you already know this info. If you aren't on the list, you probably want to send us spam. Go get your own friends.
Long lost Alspatians should send email to Dan to get back in our good graces.
The tape club was a vast network of music industry insiders who sent each other the latest in alternative music offerings. That is until some people, who shall remain anonymous because they know who they are, stopped mailing their tapes in the middle of the last round. It was also characterized by escalating production values, to the point that there was a plan to buy out Sony and have them mass produce CDs for the next round.
Geoff Davis is maintaining a database of names, addresses, telephone numbers, and birthdays, although we haven't seen an update in a long time.
You will often see DW as the subject of a note. It stands for "Deathwatch".
Tony Moody elaborates:
"Deathwatch is an old and venerable tradition started by my wife (Charlie Bowen) and Ces Marciuliano while living in Alspaugh. Points are awarded (but only in the most non-competative and irrelevant of senses) for universal knowledge and recent obscurity. For example - George W. Bush dead = no points because we'd know about it before he hit the ground. Charo = 100 pts because the only way you would find this one out is to read the Obits or watch CNN. It's a celebration of our own immortality."
A thorough examination of the root causes of his behavior would be beyond the scope of this text, but suffice it to say that his background, when combined with an extended stint in the City Of Evil(tm), often results in aberrant behavior such as extended email laughter, existential crises, and dumpling-eating contests. He is also a shining testimony that anyone is welcome on this list and that we do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender, profession, or intelligence. Although after "the mountain incident", others may disagree. Geoff is currently "consulting" whatever that might mean...
:-) is a sideways smiley face, the use of which is discouraged by the list maintainer. Say he: "The sideways smiley face was invented by the humor-impaired for those who can't recognize sarcasm when they read it."
Various weddings serve as reunions for members of this list. However, one regular event is the annual West Coast Thanksgiving Day Orphan's bash (of which 1994 was the FIFTH), which generally alternates between NoCal and SoCal. No one has ever been disappointed attending this multi-day event, although on occasion attendees have drank too much and risked eviction threats. Everyone is welcome except for girls recently picked up at airports and Mark S. Inman.
Sure. The list is generally under control most of the time unless an inordinately large number of people have died on any given weekend. However, I would suggest checking and deleting your mailbox every hour during election years. Given the creeping age of the group and the current tendancy toward procreation, we've become kind of staid in recent times.
It's: president@whitehouse.gov. Tell the Bush twins that Pat Chu says hello.