Channel 27 Launches! Again! News Posted by John Hoare on 23rd October 2005, 21:37 There we go. Excellent work, Ben. He’s also got some extra info on the comic and some Robert Llewellyn stuff. Sadly, most of the sections don’t work yet, but no doubt they will come in time. That is all.
I don’t understand having loads of websites saying the same thing when all that’s going on is some DVDs are being released. Soon there won’t be any new ones left to talk about, what then?
Well, the important thing is that the websites *don’t* exactly duplicate – Channel 27 has already covered stuff we haven’t, and also covers stuff in a different way. More to the point, if you think that the only thing going on in Dwarf fandom is the DVDs being released, you clearly haven’t been reading the sites properly… But, you know, I sometimes wonder if it’s fair that Dwarf has all these sites, and so many other programmes have none. That’s just what happens when people use their spare time to create something about a show they love – shows like Dwarf just seem to attract people like that. But it’s a shame that loads of other shows that *really* deserve covering, don’t get covered. Which is one reason why we set up Noise To Signal – so we could cover a load of things that isn’t covered anywhere else. I’ve not managed to do a huge amount of stuff like that on there at the moment, sadly, but give me a chance. Loads of stuff about Hippies, anyone?
Btw, John: is there a reason why I can’t post on Observation Dome any more? Keeps on telling me that, since this is the ‘first time I’ve posted’, my posts will be held for approval. Have I been black-listed? :)
I’ve had to put *ultra*-strict comment moderation on OD for a bit – the spam was just getting too much. I’ll go and approve your comments now.
I’m not sure what WOULD justify any collection of fan sites, though. Even when a movie is in production, surely all they can report is that, merchandise, etc. in much the same way? What justifies all the Star Wars sites? Or Trek? Or anything? My feeling has always been that the greatest worth of fan sites is in the areas of opinion and research. Opinions should be wide-ranging. SFX review the DVDs, but it’s hardly going in-depth. A fan review will often go deeper, and have other priorities. And why should one fan site be ‘the voice of’? Everybody has an opinion, and for many forums and webboards are enough – but, so far as I’m concerned, more fan reviews means more diverse opinions. And that all feeds back into the machine it really does. And then research. This is mega-specific journalism, but one site, run in fans’ spare time, can’t cover all the bases. Having so many people out there looking into things – the comic, the partwork, DVD material, movie, website, merchandise – means not much can stay un-investigated for long. Which, sure, makes my job tougher. But better that than an apathetic, spoon-fed fanbase. I’ve a grudging respect that John is checking the BBFC constantly for bonus material nuggets the main site has yet to mention; that Ben and Seb are going ape in search of the comic. Reddwarf.co.uk is the official line. And I’m doing my best with it. But the best thing for any culture is…to not just take the White House Press Secretary’s story and reprint it. It’s to have an indepedent media to look at the other angles. (In fact what saddens me is the LACK of more viewpoints. G&T and the Obs Dome have fostered a fairly tight-knit group, and I’d love to see more indies come out and surprise everyone with a perspective that doesn’t fit their often-matching one.) Also, and finally – the fan sites hit both more specific and wider targets. Details on the music (aah, Groovetown), or what various guest cast members are up to. Again, things the main site might not take on. Jeez, sorry – that went on a bit. As you were.
“I don’t understand having loads of websites saying the same thing when all that’s going on is some DVDs are being released. Soon there won’t be any new ones left to talk about, what then?” John has a point in the sense that there are some websites whose interest for me are solely connected to a movies imminent release, followed by the inevitable endless parade of theatrical, extended, special, director’s cut etc. etc. etc. dvd’s. After that, my interest simply falls away. For me however, Red Dwarf stands apart from this not just because of the sheer variety of merchandise available, but because of all the upcoming projects like the comic, the movie, the potential for future episodes and movies and so on. Finally, as an original dwarfer (the first episode I ever watched was Waiting for God on it’s first run), I am still excited and interested by opinions, news etc. concerning the show because it was and is in so many ways unique and enjoyable. So I also say, the more websites, the better.
As others have said, its all about diversity. How many news site are there on the net? Hundreds. People go to the sites they like the most. This also isnt just a fan site for me, its an excercise in web design and programming. The back end code is going to be a sort of demo for future projects (But they will look prettier lol).
> Details on the music (aah, Groovetown), or what various guest cast members are up to. Aah, Groovetown’s autumnal years.
Andrew brings up an interesting point that’s dear to my heart – research. Despite the huge fandom Dwarf has, there’s still *so* much that isn’t covered when it comes to the history of the show, and other Grant/Naylor/cast programmes. (Although the DVDs are doing a damn fine job. Suck mode cancel. Ooo-er, etc.) When G&T started, we did a bit of stuff… but we’ve slipped, frankly. I think we’re really good on news, but we’ve not done a properly-researched article for ages. Opinion ones are fine, but nothing beats an article or interview that brings up a whole load of new information that’s never been published before. This needs fixing. And will be fixed. There are plans in place, with realistic deadlines this time. Watch this space.
And for what it’s worth, I’d like nothing better than for a new site to come along that *totally* contradicts every opinion that G&T holds dear. It’s one reason why I really wanted a proper, busy comments system – G&T is quite opinionated, and I really want the chance for people to come along and put the other point of view on things. I wish there were more people that do that, although it does happen, and usually leads to an interesting discussion.
And for what it’s worth, I’d like nothing better than for a new site to come along that *totally* contradicts every opinion that G&T holds dear. Apart from world peace, that is. And a *really* good blowjob. With proper stimulation using the hand, as well, and a lot of head-licking.
Despite the huge fandom Dwarf has, there’s still *so* much that isn’t covered when it comes to the history of the show …and, of course, loads of stuff that *was* covered, but has since been mainly forgotten about. There must be countless golden nuggest hidden away in early BTLs, that deserve digging up, and asking about again.
“G&T and the Obs Dome have fostered a fairly tight-knit group, and I’d love to see more indies come out and surprise everyone with a perspective that doesn’t fit their often-matching one” So what you basically want is someone to come along and say they have a totally new take on Dwarf, am I right? Maybe if someone younger (hey, I’m nearly 23, I’m not feeling young anymore…) who recently discovered the series, perhaps through the DVD releases, would view Dwarf differently. Personally, I just can’t believe there are some people who seem to prefer VII and VIII to the others (just check some of the amazon reviews), and I’d like to have a good rant at them. There are also some people who think the movie is a 100% bad idea, which I also cannot get my head around. I can see some negative aspects of a movie, but the positive side surely outweighs them. Anyway, if someone with that retarded (there’s no other word) viewpoint did a site it’d be interesting. Massive arguments might break out.
I only got into Dwarf ‘fairly’ recently (I wasn’t amazingly interested until the Series 3 DVD came out) and I do have some rather contradictory views, so here goes: 1. Series 5 is overrated, it was once my least favourite of the first six series, I’m not so sure now, but it is certainly not the best 2. CGI is good in Series VIII (NOT better than model shots, before anyone complains), it just should have been used in more different circumstances, not mostly to show shots of Red Dwarf. Some of the CGI in VII wasn’t too bad (e.g. in the opening credits). 3. Some elements of the remastered were better… well, a couple of music cues, but still… Howzat?
Whilst I think it’s great to have so many Dwarf related sites, I tend to think there are too many covering the same things at the moment. Yes, it’s nice to read peoples views and I’m sure it’s useful for feedback purposes, but speaking as someone who spends a lot of time on the ‘webboard’, I find I never have time to trawl loads of other sites. There are others I visit of course, but too many tends to dilute the information. The main sites, for me, share an affiliation anyway, so anything ‘new’ is normally linked to or from here. I suppose there are sites out there with nuggets of info, yet to be found, but anything uncovered tends to be announced in just a handfull of places. I rarely visit TORDFC or TRD these days, which has nothing to do with the content or layout, but rather a personal need to cut down on visited sites. I have to admit to still carrying out a weekly search for titbits though. I suppose my most visited site outside of TOS, is G&T as I pop in most days, and despite certain reservations about some of the content it remains the best non-official source of news. Having said that, Bens site does have the makings of a decent weekly read and the OD carries some very interesting viewpoints…
why have none of the red dwarf fansites mentioned fridays update on TOS. I am dying to see the comic but my browser wont open the comic viewer, is this just me or has anyone else had this problem?
My site has the update :( Also, no one is allowed to reproduce the comic on their own sites as GNA want to use it to help drive traffic to the Official site.
