For all those wanting to come along to the IRC band chat on Thursday 12th March at 2pm GMT, PLEASE READ the following instructions. It's really important you understand how this works beforehand because it might be a bit frantic, what with everyone throwing their underwear at the band an' all. The instructions below are also on the WWW now at http://www.majordomo.net/sinister/chat/bschat-users.html P.S. Special message for Susannah from Stuart David: if you're going to send him any more nudey pictures, please send make them nudey ones of yourself. -- Honey -- Belle and Sebastian Chat - Users Organised online chats are notorious for turning into chaos and leaving everyone dissatisfied so there are some hard and fast rules which will be applied - you need to read these to take part and because time is limited infringement of these rules will be treated harshly as it will mess it up for everyone. The chat will last about 1 hour. The first 50 minutes will follow a strict schedule as described below as experience shows this is the only way to prevent chaos. The last 10 minutes will be a free-for-all and general bunfight-type-thing. As described before you need to do the following things first to participate. Please see notes on all the main B&S websites for guidance but do it in good time as help will not be available on the day. If you have any problems please contact d.kitchen@virgin.net. * Download chat software and install * Join IRC server chat.virgin.net * Join both chat rooms/channels #Sinister and #JeepsterRecords The chat will work as follows. Organised 50 minutes Everyone can speak in #Sinister but it's absolutely necessary that you stay quiet except for asking questions, follow-ups and very urgent requests. If someone starts flooding this channel with rubbish they will be kicked without warning and banned for 30 minutes - the ban can't be lifted (a feature of Virgin software). You should only need to type the following two things in #Sinister: * "Q", followed by your question if you wish to pose one * "F" if you wish to ask a follow-up to the current question There will be "operators" available in #Sinister to handle queries and problems - they will all have nicknames starting with "Op-". You should ask these operators if you confused about anything while the chat is taking place. You should never send a private message to David ("huxley") or Paul ("honey") as they will be swamped with work to keep the chat going. Equally anyone found trying to private message the band themselves will be kicked immediately - no appeal - this is taken very seriously as it will mess things up for everyone. When you are chosen to ask a question, you will be given a voice in the room #JeepsterRecords. You will see a personal message in that room and should ask your question immediately in #JeepsterRecords - please don't go in for long-winded introductions. You'll be able to follow-up responses quickly but bear in mind if only 25 people ask questions that's only 2 minutes each. It's likely that two people will be given voices at a time to help the flow. Please don't gripe if you don't get a chance to ask your question. We will do everything possible to be fair to people! But you can imagine how difficult it will be to coordinate all this - and it's likely there will be more chats in the future. Lastly - please bear in mind that the band are very new to IRC chat - most of them will have never used it before. This is unavoidable really but please be patient. Finally - what kind of questions should you ask? Anything! We don't want an endless round of "why won't you release Tigermilk"'s but one or two are fine... But try and stay friendly and don't ask questions that show how clever you are and can't really be answered :) Last 10 minutes Everyone will be given a voice in #JeepsterRecords and chaos will reign. Please try and give the band time to speak. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ That's it - enjoy the chat and please make sure you remember the rules above. Sorry it's all so harsh but these things often fall to pieces and this is an attempt to make it better. If it seems to go well and everyone abides by the rules we may be on for a few more. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- . This message was brought to you by the Sinister mailing list. . To send to the list please mail "sinister@majordomo.net". . For subscribing, unsubscribing and other list information please see . http://www.majordomo.net/sinister . For questions about how the list works mail owner-sinister@majordomo.net . We're all happy bunnies humming happy bunny tunes. Aren't we? -----------------------------------------------------------------------