Welcome to Rec.Toys.Misc!

WELCOME TO REC.TOYS.MISC!

(last revised 09/23/96)

We are glad you have decided to take the plunge into the world of toys. 
And this is the newsgroup for all those toys that don't fit somewhere 
else. Here, you will find posts for buying, selling, critiques, fantasy, 
humor and much more. If it deals with toys, then its probably OK to post 
it here. 

Other relevant news groups include:

     alt.food.pez  
     alt.toys.gi-joe                  
     alt.toys.transformers 
     rec.toys.action-figures
     rec.toys.cars
     rec.toys.lego                    
     rec.toys.vintage
     rec.arts.sf.starwars.collecting
     rec.collecting.dolls

    
Here are a few of the more recent frequently asked questions:

Q1: "Why are action figures off-topic in rec.toys.misc now? We used to 
be able to talk about them here."

A1: On June 19, 1996, a new newsgroup was created via the official 
Usenet guidelines. This group is called rec.toys.action-figures and is 
intended for discussion of all action figure-related material. This 
includes things like vehicles, playsets, and assorted accessories 
related to action figures. There was a one month period in which
crossposting was allowed. On July 19, 1996, action figure topics
became "officially" off-topic on rec.toys.misc.

Q2: "What if my server doesn't get rec.toys.action-figures? Can't I 
just stick to rec.toys.misc?"

A2: The best thing to do is to e-mail your news administrator and
ask that the group be added. The e-mail address is usually something 
like: [email protected]. If you aren't sure of your news administrator's
e-mail address, send e-mail to you system administrator and ask.
Your sysadmin (a helpful person to know) usually has an address called
[email protected]. 

Technically, you can keep posting anything you want to rec.toys.misc
since it is an unmoderated newsgroup. But the majority of the action 
figure traffic has already moved to rec.toys.action-figures so by
staying behind you will be missing a lot (not to mention the fact that
the people in rec.toys.action-figures might want to hear what you have
to say!). Additionally, it is considered poor netiquette to post
off-topic material to a newsgroup. By continuing to post action-figure
related material to rec.toys.misc, you risk looking like you don't
know what you are doing and the inevitable flames that follow.

There are several alternatives that can be used in reading 
rec.toys.action-figures. For reading, there are several web sites with
full newsfeeds. For posting, there is the possibility of e-mail to 
news gateways. 

Q3: "But aren't action figures miscellaneous toys?"

A3: Not by the definition found in the charter for rec.toys.misc.
The charter (which defines the topic area for a newsgroup) explicitly
states that rec.toys.misc is for toys which do not have their own
rec.toys.* group. Since action-figures now have their own official
rec.toys.* group, they are no longer considered miscellaneous toys.
This same logic applies to lego and car related material, both of
which have their own groups as well.

Q4: "Do Not Read - Testing" posts:

A4: Test posts belong in alt.test, misc.test or your local test group. Some 
newsreaders don't show you the things that you post. I guess they figure 
that since you wrote it, you don't need to read it.  In addition, making 
a test post and then having a real post right below it makes you look 
like a new user. Test posts are off-topic and poor netiquette. Not the 
best way to make a first impression.  Remember, just because you don't 
see your post, it doesn't mean that others don't see it.

Crossposting (i.e., posting the same article in two or more newsgroups) 
is reasonably tolerated (especially if it contains information that might 
be of interest to several newsgroups). However, please consider where 
you post first. If its only really relevant to one group, then its 
probably best to only post it there.

But first....

Please take a minute to read this message. It contains a few suggestions
that will make your stay here more fun and help you avoid a few mistakes
that are easy to make. We want to hear what you have to say and we want 
you to come back often.

STEP 1: THE FAQ


********************************************************************
NOTE: The rec.toys.misc FAQ has been adopted by the new newsgroup
rec.toys.action-figures. This document is primarily related to action 
figure collecting and will no longer be primarily relevant to 
rec.toys.misc after July 19, 1996. The need for a new FAQ for 
rec.toys.misc has yet to be seen. Since the group may take on a new 
flavor with the removal of the action figure material, creating a new 
FAQ immediately may be a bit premature. If anyone is interested in 
developing a new FAQ for rec.toys.misc, please contact Scott Gordon or 
myself.

For the interim, the old FAQ will still be made available through the 
usual channels. Much of the general advice will still be helpful to new 
and old users alike.
**********************************************************************

Read the FAQ.

Now some of you are probably wondering what a FAQ is. If that is the 
case, then you probably want to start off really slow. FAQ stands for 
"Frequently Asked Questions." Its a continually updated document that 
contains the answers to the questions that seem to crop up on a regular 
basis. There is a great FAQ posted in the newsgroup 
news.announce.newusers that will help get acquainted with the Usenet 
newsgroups in general.

Why should you read the FAQ? This newsgroup has its own FAQ filled with
valuable information pertaining to the topic of this group: TOYS! If you 
ask a question that is contained in the FAQ, then it becomes painfully 
obvious that you have not read the FAQ. Often you will still get a reply, 
even if it is only a suggestion to read the FAQ. Nobody likes being new 
or appearing naive. The FAQ can help....but only if you read it.

The FAQ is a great place to start. So how do you get it? Several ways.
First, let me say that the rec.toys.misc FAQ was maintained by Scott 
Gordon ([email protected]). He is responsible for coordinating 
all the questions and answers and putting them in a useable form. If all 
else fails you can mail him for help (If that fails then you can mail me 
for help. *grin*).

Check the bottom of this message for several ways to obtain the FAQ. It 
will be well worth your time.

Additionally, there is an entire FAQ devoted to the topics of Buying, 
Selling, Trading and Auctions on the newsgroup. This is a must read
for all new posters and even experienced posters should be familiar
with the information found in this guide. The B/S/T/A FAQ is posted
bi-weekly and is available on the web at the Raving Toy Maniac
site (see below). Do yourself a favor and read this info before
entering any transaction on the newsgroup...either as a buyer OR
a seller.

STEP 2: LURKING 

Read the newsgroup for a while before posting. This is called lurking. 
If you lurk for a while, you will get a sense about what is acceptable 
and what is not. You will learn what types of posts get angry replies and 
which types of posts get nice replies.  Some people suggest that you lurk 
for a month or more before posting. Personally, I lurked for over 6 
months before making my first post to R.T.M. (due to a bad experience 
on another newsgroup). I'm glad I did.

If you are buying or selling, then it is even more important to lurk for
a while. Many sellers are scared off because they post a "For Sale" ad 
that gets many negative replies. They often don't even know what they did 
wrong.  And they seldom come back. We don't want that to happen to you. 
Selling is perfectly acceptable here. But please remember, anything you 
post is up for comment...including prices.

If you are buying, then it behooves you to shop around. If you buy from 
the first post you see, you will probably want to kick yourself when you 
see the same thing for sale cheaper just a few lines down or a few days 
later. Be patient. And be informed. Ask questions of the seller and know 
exactly what you want and what you are getting. Knowledge is your best 
defense to getting ripped off.

One further note: If you see something you'd be interested in buying or
you have something that someone wants, use private e-mail to respond.
Do NOT follow-up the original article with another post. This goes
for auctions, sales or almost any business transaction. Private e-mail
will get to the individual faster and more directly. Plus, you are
assured that the person will actually see it (though maybe not read it)
because posts are not always thoroughly propagated. You have the best 
chance for a response by using e-mail. However, if you have a comment
or a question that might be of interest to others, then a follow-up
post is proper.


STEP 3: FLAMES

It is human nature to disagree from time to time. And that happens here 
as well. Some of the best conversations come from disagreement. 
Differences of opinion are welcome. Insults and personal attacks (or 
flames as they are sometimes called) are not (though we do indulge in 
some good natured ribbing now and again).
 
Remember that we are all human, we all have feelings and we all get 
angry from time to time. Remember that what you say could be read by 
thousands of people. A good general rule of thumb is this: "If you 
wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it here. And if you wouldn't 
do it in public, don't do it here."


STEP 4: LET'S PLAY

ENJOY THE TOYS!!! And your fellow enthusiasts. Ideally, rec.toys.misc can 
be a collaborative and cooperative endeavor. We are glad that you have 
chosen to join us. Pull up a chair and let's talk toys!


STEP:5 FINDING THE FAQ

Here are several ways to get the FAQ:

 Usenet Newsgroups

      The  FAQ  is posted to the following newsgroups the first and 
      fifteenth day of each month:

      a) rec.toys.action-figures (since r.t.m is currently Faq-less)
      b) rec.answers
      c) news.answers
 
                                  FTP

NOTE: This info may not be valid or may change very soon!

      The  old r.t.m. FAQ may be retrieved from MIT's ftp archive 
      using the following info: 
      address:   rtfm.mit.edu 
      username:  anonymous
      password:   
      directory: pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/rec/toys/misc

 World Wide Web (New rec.toys.action-figures FAQ)

      The FAQ is available in html format at the Raving Toy Maniac 
      Page (the B/S/T/A FAQ is also available here along with
      numerous other FAQ's for toy collectors): 
      http://www.toymania.com/resources/faqs/index.shtml	
       
                       

That's it. 

Hope you enjoy Rec.Toys.Misc!