Online+Fandom

=Introduction= toc

Online fandom is in a continuous state of growth. This is because in the real world, fans are limited in the kind of activities that they are able participate in; however, the web gives fans access to a myriad of online activities. You can use the web to dig up spoilers for the soap-opera //Passions//, meet up with hundreds of fellow //Final Fantasy// video game lovers, buy a Naruto headband from eBay, and write romance fanfiction about Harry and Draco from //Harry Potter//. The possibilities are endless. At the same time the web also presents fans with new moral and legal difficulties, such as stealing and copyright.

=Online and Offline Fandom=
 * What's the difference?**

Online fandom lets you do many things that you can't in real life. It lets you access otherwise unattainable or prohibitively expensive resources. It also lets you connect to many other fans who share the same interest as you. Most of all, it lets you express how much you enjoy a certain interest, especially if that interest is not as acceptable offline. For example, yaoi fans, which are fans who enjoy anime and manga that deals with homosexual relationships, cannot express their interest easily on real life. They freely admit that the anonymity of the web lets them unleash the fan inside them, most notably because nobody knows who they really are (Benasa 2005).

One fan shares her experience:

Being a fan, especially with belonging to a small, or unheard of fandom, is much easier on the internet. On the internet, there are communities, sites, and even other fans you can talk to or obsesses with. In real life, especially if you live in a small town, the chances that you have other people to talk to are slim. It's also hard to find fandom related things in small cities, and chances are you have to keep quiet about certain aspects of your fandom lest you be laughed at or irritate someone. (Katya 2006)

=Online Fan Activities=

Fans partake in four main activities:
 * 1) Fan sites
 * 2) Fan communities
 * 3) Shopping online
 * 4) Fan Works

Each activity is its own niche, complete with its own ups and downs. Fans use web sites as a resource to obtain "goodies" such as wallpapers and music of their interest. They can also build fan sites and participate in online communities, connecting to other fans. They also shop online for items which may not be available at a nearby store. Finally, they can create their own fan works and often share it with others. The narrative below briefly illustrates a regular fan's experience.

//I check my email// //and notice three people want to join my fanlisting site for the show// //15/Love// //about// //Harry Potter////. I skim through the new posts of a 146-page thread about Harry and Draco's relationship and post a reply. I move on to eBay and gaze at a// //Star Wars// //pillow featuring Hayden Christensen. I wish I hadn't spent all my money on the season 4// //Buffy the Vampire Slayer// //box set. I finally open up Word and continue the// //Beyblade// //fanfiction I am writing with a fellow author, Misty. I clatter on the keyboard until a window pops up telling me I have 3 new emails: one is a reply to a post I made in another online community I belong to, another is from a fan commenting about my Hana Yori Dango web site, and the last is a review of a fan fiction I posted on the web.// 
 * Example**

Fan Sites
A fan site is exactly what the name implies: a site made by and for fans of a specific interest. Fan sites come in many different shapes, sizes and qualities. Some sites are filled with heaps of information on an amateur layout, while others are filled with snazzy graphics on a content-free flash layout. Despite the different appearances, fan sites share the same goal: to spread the love of something they enjoy. Fans spread the love of their interest by providing resources such as information, music, graphics, pictures, videos and lots of other goodies through a web site. There are also special fan sites called [|fanlistings], which are websites that contain a list of fans of a certain topic.
 * About**

[|Harry Potter Fan Zone] is a popular fan site for Harry Potter that provides fans with up-to-date news, information, and media.

One of the most imporatant benefits of fan sites is that they give fans a chasm of resources that otherwise would not be available to them (Pullen 2004). Certain interests are not easily accessible in a local area. For example, if I wanted a picture of Lana from Smallville from episode 12 at a specific moment, I could probably find it online, but not at a local store. The web also overcomes geographic and language barriers (McLelland 2001). For example, there are some sites that subtitle and distribute anime (Japanese cartoons) that currently run in Japan for non-residential fans in English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and more.
 * Benefits**

Running a fan site has benefits as well. Many fans find it rewarding and fun to provide fellow fans with information, media, etc. The webmasters of fan sites also have full creative control over the content and presentation. It allows fans to make a niche for themselves on the web - one that allows them to express the "fan" part of their identity (Chandler 2000). Building a fan site may also be a fun way to learn how-to's such as how to make a layout, html, flash, and graphics. Moreover, if a fan site is successful, webmaster's often receive praise and donations for their work.

Most of the difficulties relating to fan sites come from running the fan site itself. Running a fan site can be very time-consuming, and often, fan sites die because their creator either lose interest in that fandom or they are too busy in real life (Gregson 2005). One fan explains that "aside from possible financial burden (cost for web hosting), running a successful fansite requires a lot of effort and time to organize, track, maintain and update a fansite. I have seen many fansites start out and die soon thereafter due to lack of maintenance and updates" (Shine 2006). Moreover, many web masters deal with visitors who complain about the fan site. "You get annoying mail from some fans, complaining of the lack of updates, how you missed out some section that they really want to see, etc" (Hannah 2006).
 * Difficulties**

At a more series level, fan sites also face corporations and copyright laws (Consalvo 2004). An article in [|Wired News] explains a case between 20th Century Fox and //Buffy the Vampire Slayer// fan sites. Fox forced several unofficial //Buffy// fan sites to shut down because of alleged copyright violations, which received an uproar of protest from the //Buffy// fan community. 

Fan Communities
A fan community is an online community that revolves around a shared interest among the members. Communities are usually created in an online forum or message board. Fans communicate with each other by posting messages on an the forum in asynchronous time, which means that fans can post a messages and receive replies at a later time. They can also PM (private message) each other by clicking on a user name and hitting the "PM" button. There are fan communities that are in the format of a blog, where a group of fans share a single blog. In [|Livejournal], you can create a community, which allows users to join and post messages in one journal. Communities also require administrators and moderators, who act like a government for a city. They run the community by implementing rules for members to follow, solving disputes between members, and encouraging activities.
 * About**

A major benefit of joining a fan community on the web is that you can surround yourself with people who share your interest (Pullen 2004). This is a major benefit, especially when it comes to interests that are not popular in a fan's local area. For example, if my favourite show is American Idol, then I could probably find a handful of fans in my class. However, if I liked something liked w-inds (a Japanese boy band), I may have trouble finding people in my class that share my interest. Communities also expose you to different views on the same subject, especially since fans come from all over the world. Once you connect with other fans, you can also start building friendships. As one fan puts it, “online participation has helped me to connect with people, and I have made – and am continuing to make – wonderful, everlasting friendships” (Kara, e-mail 11/13/05). Besides meeting fellow fans, online communities offer a wealth of fan-related items like a web site. However, unlike a web site, communities can have over 100 members, and each member has the ability to add to the pot of resources.
 * Benefits**

[|J-drama Uploads] is a community on Livejournal where members share English-subtitled Asian dramas.

Being part of a community means you talk to many different people. Unfortunately, not everyone will always agree with each other. Fan squabbles may arise such a "pairing wars" which are disputes about pairings in a show. For example, if I am part of a fan site about //Harry Potter// and I am also a fan of Harry and Draco as a couple, I might get into a "pairing war" with fans of Harry and Hermoine.
 * Difficulties**

The people that run fan communities have more to deal with than members. Like a fan site, fan communities could be hard to maintain because of how much work it is. The main difference is that web masters have control over //passive// content, while community moderators watch over //active// members. Some members may not follow rules or in extreme cases, purposely cause problems such as harassing other members. Moderators need to make sure that people are having fun, while keeping an eye out for trouble makers. 

Shopping Online
Shopping online refers to buying products on the web. A few places where people can purchase items are [|eBay], [|Amazom] and [|YesAsia].
 * About**

For fans, shopping online is more than a convenience - it's a necessity. Imagine having to travel all the way to England because you want a Harry Potter special chain necklace that is not sold in your area. For fans, the web might be the //only// place to buy specialty items. One fan shares her experience: "there are maybe two shops in my city that sell Japanese items, but it's still very selected and you don't get to buy things that you specifically want. At least online you can get whatever you want" (Laura 2006).
 * Benefits**

This is a w-inds (Japanese boy band) photo album you can get on [|YesAsia] for $29.99 US.

Shopping online isn't as easy as it seems, especially for fans. Not only do they deal with privacy and security issues on the web, but the costs for online merchandise can be very expensive. Higher prices come from shipping costs when fans want to buy something from another country. Moreover, Auction based sites like eBay and Yahoo Japan Auctions can make the prices especially expensive because of other people bidding on the same items. There are also limits that challenge the belief that the web can let you buy anything from anywhere. One fan points out that "items sold online may not offer shipping to your location or the site containing the item you wish to purchase is written in a different language you can not understand" (Shine 2006). Even when the items you want are accessible, another problem that could arise is over-spending money. With just a few clicks of a button, you can spend over a hundred dollars. 
 * Difficulties**

Fan Works
Fan works are fan-made creative pieces based on a subject of interest. The main type of fan works on the web are fanfiction and fanart. Fanfiction refers to fan-written pieces, while fanart refers to fan-drawn pieces. Fanfiction and fanart uses characters (and often the setting and storyline) from a show, movie, novel or any another media that the fan enjoys. Fans can exhibit their fan works by submitting them to web sites and communities that houses fanworks such as [|FanFiction.net] (an automated site that archives fanfiction) and [|deviantART] (a site that archives both fan and original artistic works). Other fan works include fan-made avatars, music videos, web layouts and banners.
 * About**

The web gives fans the opportunity to share their fan works with ease. Before Tim Berner's Lee invented the web, the circle of people that a fan could distribute his or her fan work was limited. The web allows fans to publish their works quickly and often for free (Pullen 2004). Moreover, the web's nature connects a fan to a wider audience.
 * Benefits**

On top of showcasing fan works, the web also allows fans to practice their skills in writing, drawing, graphic designing, and video editing. The web allows fans to receive instant feedback; thus, they can receive both compliments and constructive criticisms. For example, FanFiction.net has a feature that allows a reader to comment on a writer's piece by using the "submit review" option. Once a review is submitted, it is immediately emailed to the author.

The web also gives fans the opportunity to collaborate with other fans. For example, [|Roomies] is a fanfiction based on an anime series called Beyblade written by me and a fellow writer named Misty. We decided to write the story by sharing a blog. Each entry is one chapter, and we take turns on who is writing. There are other ways to collaborate a story, such as exchanging chapters through emails. In deviantART, many fans participate in a practice called "art trades," where fans barter fanart.

The biggest problem with fan works (and any other creative works on the web) is stealing and copyright infringement. Japanese fanart has been especially prone to this problem. Since Japanese fanarts are found on a web sites that are in Japanese, fans who don't understand the languag may not bother to ask for permission to use fanart and simply take it. This led to the creation of [|OFT] (Online Fanart Protection), which is a union of Japanese artists who want to protect online artworks from being reused or reproduced by other websites. Japanese fanart sites often have a banner such as the one seen below, that links to OFT, which explains in English that the site that had the link does not allow visitors to steal fanart to post on other web sites.
 * Difficulties**



Sadly, stealing occurs even when the viewer understands that the creator does not want their fan works stolen or manipulated without credit. One fan shares her experience: "Some girl actually stole one of my icons and had a huge argument with me when I confronted her about it, throwing a fit and claiming she made it! It's a good thing I always keep the original PSD file" (Hannah 2006).

=Legal concerns=

Different countries have different laws on the web. A certain online action may be legal in one country, but illegal in another. Since there is no clear national border line in the virtual world, the application of laws are also blurred. What fans on the web can do, however, is adhere to the laws of their own country and be ethical in in any type of online fan activities.

=Conclusion=

Fans have to accept both the positive and negative aspects that the web gives them. Although they can take part in many activities (such as fan sites, fan communities, online shopping and fan works), they must also accept the responsibilities that come with it.

=Related Wikis=

Copyrighintg Online Work Online Shopping Video Game Communities Virtual Online Communities

=References=

Benassa, Anielyn. (November 12 2005). //Confessions of Yaoi Fans//. Retrived February 20, 2006, from [|http://home.utm.utoronto.ca/%7Eanielyn/benasa_cct260_A2/web-content/index.html].

Chandler, Daniel (April 2000). //Personal Home Pages and the Construction of Identities on the Web//. Retrieved February 18, 2006, from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/webident.html [Date of Visit]

Consalvo, Mia (2003). Cyber-Slaying Media Fans: Code, Digital Poaching, and Corporate Control of the Internet. //Journal of Communication Inquiry, 27//. Retrieved February 22, 2006, from http://endnear.com/texts/con03.pdf

Gregson, Kimberly S. (2005), What if the Lead Character Looks Like Me? Girl fans of Shoujo Anime and Their Web Sites. In Sharon R. Mazzarella (Ed.), //girl wide web// (121-140). New York: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.

Hannah (2006, February 24). Fandom on the Web Questionnaire [Msg 3 and 9]. Message posted to http://community.livejournal.com/jdramas/363297.html

Katya (2006, February 24). Fandom on the Web Questionnaire [Msg 1]. Message posted to http://community.livejournal.com/jdramas/363297.html

Laura (2006, February 24). Fandom on the Web Questionnaire [Msg 6]. Message posted to http://community.livejournal.com/jdramas/363297.html

McLelland, Mark (2001). //Why Are Japanese Girls’ Comics full of Boys Bonking?.// Intensities: The Journal of Cult Media, 1. Retrieved February 19, 2006, from http://www.cultmedia.com/issue1/CMRmcle.htm

Pullen, Kirsten. (2004). Everybody’s Gotta Love Somebody, Sometime: Online Fan Community. In David Guantlett, Ross Horsely (Eds.), //Web.Studies. 2nd Edition// (81-91). London: Oxford University Press Inc.

Shine (2006, February 25). Fandom on the Web Questionnaire [Msg 6]. Message posted to http://community.livejournal.com/jdramas/363297.html

Harry Potter Fan Zone image courtesy of [|Harry Potter Fan Zone]
 * Images

J-drama Uploads image courtesy of [|J-drama Uploads Livejournal Community]

Online Fanarts Protection image courtesy of [|Online Fanarts Protection]

W-inds photo album cover image courtesy of [|YesAsia]