IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Arbitrary Hour

2009-01-13T08:15:36Z

72.134.18.113:

{{TOCright}}

Arbitrary Hour is a Fall 2008 seminar series is a [[Olin_College_Student_Courses|Student Designed Course at Olin College]] in Boston, MA. The course is essentially an educational collective in which each student in the course (there are no "teachers" or "professors") gives a one to two hour long seminar on a topic that interests them. The seminar can be about anything, from a hands on baking experience to a discourse on international politics.

== Course Background, Description, and Expectations ==

Arbitrary Hour is a one-credit student organized seminar series for Spring 2009. The course is essentially an educational collective in which each student in the course (there are no "teachers" or "professors") gives a seminar on a topic that interests them. The seminar can be about anything, from a hands on baking experience to a discourse on international politics.

All students enrolled in the course will be required to plan and deliver at least one seminar during the course. All students are required to give written feedback about each seminar to the seminar leader. The leader must then write a written reflection about their seminar that will be posted to the Arbitrary Hour blog for others to read. This will enable us as a group to figure out what makes an effective experience. Students are encouraged to casually post about the seminar experiences (with photos and video!) to the Arbitrary Hour blog.

As a one-credit course, each week includes three hours of expected work time. This translates roughly into a one-hour seminar, and a one-hour feedback requirement. During the week in which a participant is delivering a seminar, they are expected to spend an additional two hours planning their seminar, and two hours reviewing feedback and reflecting on their presentation. Additional time can be allotted to publicizing documentation, such as posting about an experience to the blog, keeping the Wikiversity page up to date, and uploading videos.

=== Seminars ===

One hour a week will be allotted for seminars, discussion regarding the seminar, and hands-on practice of whatever topics the seminar covers (if applicable).

A twenty to thirty minute lecturing time limit might be important. It is difficult to give an engaging one hour lecture, and a discussion or hands-on experience is likely more effective for learning.

=== Free Discussion ===

Thirty minutes a week will be allotted for group investigation of our overarching theme of what makes a good seminar. Sessions can cover anything from free form discussion, short readings, videos, and any other interesting material suggested by members of the course.

=== Feedback and Reflection ===

Each week every student in the course should write a reflection on the seminar presented. The seminar leader should write about his or her experience running the seminar and post it to the course blog; one other student should also post a summary of the seminar from an audience perspective.

Additionally, written feedback should be given to the seminar leader by the end of the week, preferably within 24-48 hours. This can be combined with reflection, covering not only the experience as presented by the seminar leader but also the impact it had on the student.

=== Recording and Archiving ===

Talks will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube for posterity.

== Competencies ==

Olin College employs a competency system. The following competencies will be addressed by the Arbitrary Hour course:

* Life Long Learning
* Communication

== What is a Good Seminar? ==

In addition to the various documentation produced by the class, students should also present a final reflection addressing the question "What makes a good seminar?" - this should reflect the experiences of both leading and attending a seminar.

'''Question for consideration: should this be individual or team? (answer on the [[Talk:Arbitrary Hour|discussion page]])'''

== How to Join ==

Sign up for the Arbitrary Hour mailing list at http://lists.olin.edu!

Olin College (and other BBOW schools) students wishing to take this "course" should contact Nikki Lee, preferably before the first week of January, so that Independent Study paperwork and scheduling can be handled appropriately. You must also create a Wikiversity account and add yourself to our participant list below.

External learners who would like to participate in the course are welcome. While geography may be a problem, we will attempt to be accommodating, and would love drop-in lecturers or participants! To let us know your interest, please add yourself to our participant list below!

== Participants ==

* [[User:Nlee|Nikki Lee]] (Olin College)
* [[user:Kathleen Towers|Kathleen Towers]] (Olin College)
* [[User:Andreatl|Andrea Lai]] (Olin College)
* [[User:Mchua|Mel Chua]] (Olin '07, "external learner", potential 1-2x drop-in guest student/lecturer)
* Nikolaus W
* [[User:Kelcy|Kelcy Adamec]] ''tentatively'' (Olin College)
* [[User:EllenChisa|Ellen Chisa]] (Off Campus, in MI, drop in when possible)
* [[User:greg_marra|Greg Marra]]

== What Do You Want to Learn About? ==

Fill this space with topics you would like to learn about. Maybe someone knows a lot about it.

It's kind of like [http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2275186944/tt0384793 that wall from the movie Accepted].

* Car Maintenance
* Cooking
* making Dim Sum (I will be learning this summer and can theoretically teach it after --[[User:Nlee|Nikki]])
* international politics
* philosophy
* rhetoric
* color theory for web design
* making balloon animals
* breadmaking
* fast ways of ironing/folding clothes
* book cataloging systems (dewey, library of congress, etc.)
* howto make a database-backed webapp in an hour
* using the pcb miller and doing surface-mount soldering properly, for those sans hand-eye coordination like myself
* how to stretch / become more flexible
* grantwriting
* what makes an engineering textbook good? (this is a lecture I can give, I did my AHS capstone on it --[[User:Mchua]])
* designing a sound system for your domicile
* auto repair
* skateboarding
* biomechanics of breakdancing

[[Category:Olin college]]

Archive:Fanboy

2006-12-26T03:12:30Z

72.134.62.238: /* Subjects of obsession */

{{Otheruses3|Fanboys}}

'' '''Fanboy''' '' or '' '''fanboi''' '' is a term used to describe an individual (usually male, though the feminine version ''[[fangirl]]'' may be used for females) who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]]. ''Fanboys'' remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors that differ from their point of view. They are also typically hateful to the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term originated from a crackhead and in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other less obsessed fans. In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is most ha ha ha ha ha beet the t
and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[music]], [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies.

The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, young man who may be perceived as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''.

The earliest published uses of the word "fanboy" have been dated to 1982. One reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," and are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics. Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic. In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer [[John Byrne]] and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration." The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" which was a play on words referring to a [[List_of_Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus_episodes#8._Archaeology_Today|Monty Python skit]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be "'Gayboys in Bondage' by William Shakespeare".[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154] Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in [[1985]].

In talks among fans of the [[video game industry]], fanboys disproportionately praise one [[video game console]] manufacturer over its competitors. They often attempt to mitigate bad press or unpopular decisions by listing the company's achievements or turning the discussion towards popular decisions. Sometimes they go after the credibility or motivations of the purveyor of bad press. For example, a person reporting that 10% of the controllers produced by Company A are defective might be accused by fanboys as being a supporter of Company B who is simply trying to create [[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] in Company A. Other topics of discussion are likely to involve long-winded rants about the failures of Company A's competitors, the acceptable defective rates of electronics, and even the meaning of the word "defective." Because of their actions, fanboys are often described as unrealistic, willfully ignorant, accusatory, defensive, and paranoid. One major hallmark of fanboys is to call other people fanboys in order to distract from meaningful conversation that is not going the way they would like it to.

==Subjects of obsession==
Some brands and products, which have fanboy supporters:
*The [[graphics processing unit|graphics processing units]] produced by [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] and [[NVIDIA]].
*The [[computer]] [[microprocessor]] companies [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] and [[Intel Corporation|Intel]].
*The various [[Automobile]] manufacturers, such as [[General Motors]] and [[Ford]].
*The [[cola]] products [[Coca-Cola|Coke]] and [[Pepsi]].
*The competing video game consoles [[Xbox 360]] (Xbots), [[Wii]] (Ntards) and [[Playstation 3]] (Sonybitches)
*The competing handheld video game consoles the [[Nintendo DS]] and the [[PlayStation Portable]].
*The competing [[DVD]] successor formats [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]].
*The competing computer hardware and software produced by [[Apple Computer|Apple]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Linux|GNU/Linux]]. See [[Operating system advocacy]].
*The [[science-fiction]] movie series [[Star Wars]] and [[Star Trek]].
*The comic book brands [[DC Comics]] and [[Marvel Comics]].
*The MP3 players [[iPod]] and [[Zune]]
*The Internet browsers [[Internet Explorer]], [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]] and [[Opera (Internet suite)|Opera]].

==Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*Doug Holverson's "Fanboy" (anthropomorphized rotary fan obsessed with comics, who uses his electrical plug for a hand). Dates from the prolific minicomic wave of the 1980s.

===Television===
*''[[The Simpsons]]'''s [[Comic Book Guy]] refers to himself as a fanboy.
*''[[Freakazoid!|Freakazoid]]'''s [[freakazoid!#Other_characters|Fan Boy]]

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]
*ifanboy - [http://www.ifanboy.com]
*[[The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast]] - [http://www.fanboysmackdown.com]

===Webcomics===
*Fanboy Almanac (webcomic) - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]
*[http://www.fogclub.net Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club web comic]
*[http://www.fanboysonline.com Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)]
*[http://www.fanboys-online.com Fanboys-Online]

==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Computer zealotry]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary: fanboy]
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind] - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]
[[de:Fanboy]]

Archive:Fanboy

2006-12-26T03:12:10Z

72.134.62.238: /* Subjects of obsession */

{{Otheruses3|Fanboys}}

'' '''Fanboy''' '' or '' '''fanboi''' '' is a term used to describe an individual (usually male, though the feminine version ''[[fangirl]]'' may be used for females) who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]]. ''Fanboys'' remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors that differ from their point of view. They are also typically hateful to the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.

==History of fanboys and the term==
The term originated from a crackhead and in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other less obsessed fans. In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is most ha ha ha ha ha beet the t
and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[music]], [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies.

The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, young man who may be perceived as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''.

The earliest published uses of the word "fanboy" have been dated to 1982. One reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," and are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics. Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic. In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer [[John Byrne]] and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration." The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" which was a play on words referring to a [[List_of_Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus_episodes#8._Archaeology_Today|Monty Python skit]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be "'Gayboys in Bondage' by William Shakespeare".[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154] Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in [[1985]].

In talks among fans of the [[video game industry]], fanboys disproportionately praise one [[video game console]] manufacturer over its competitors. They often attempt to mitigate bad press or unpopular decisions by listing the company's achievements or turning the discussion towards popular decisions. Sometimes they go after the credibility or motivations of the purveyor of bad press. For example, a person reporting that 10% of the controllers produced by Company A are defective might be accused by fanboys as being a supporter of Company B who is simply trying to create [[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] in Company A. Other topics of discussion are likely to involve long-winded rants about the failures of Company A's competitors, the acceptable defective rates of electronics, and even the meaning of the word "defective." Because of their actions, fanboys are often described as unrealistic, willfully ignorant, accusatory, defensive, and paranoid. One major hallmark of fanboys is to call other people fanboys in order to distract from meaningful conversation that is not going the way they would like it to.

==Subjects of obsession==
Some brands and products, which have fanboy supporters:
*The [[graphics processing unit|graphics processing units]] produced by [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] and [[NVIDIA]].
*The [[computer]] [[microprocessor]] companies [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] and [[Intel Corporation|Intel]].
*The various [[Automobile]] manufacturers, such as [[General Motors]] and [[Ford]].
*The [[cola]] products [[Coca-Cola|Coke]] and [[Pepsi]].
*The competing video game consoles [[Xbox 360]](Xbots), [[Wii]](Ntards) and [[Playstation 3]] (Sonybitches)
*The competing handheld video game consoles the [[Nintendo DS]] and the [[PlayStation Portable]].
*The competing [[DVD]] successor formats [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]].
*The competing computer hardware and software produced by [[Apple Computer|Apple]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Linux|GNU/Linux]]. See [[Operating system advocacy]].
*The [[science-fiction]] movie series [[Star Wars]] and [[Star Trek]].
*The comic book brands [[DC Comics]] and [[Marvel Comics]].
*The MP3 players [[iPod]] and [[Zune]]
*The Internet browsers [[Internet Explorer]], [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]] and [[Opera (Internet suite)|Opera]].

==Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*Doug Holverson's "Fanboy" (anthropomorphized rotary fan obsessed with comics, who uses his electrical plug for a hand). Dates from the prolific minicomic wave of the 1980s.

===Television===
*''[[The Simpsons]]'''s [[Comic Book Guy]] refers to himself as a fanboy.
*''[[Freakazoid!|Freakazoid]]'''s [[freakazoid!#Other_characters|Fan Boy]]

===Radio/Podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]
*ifanboy - [http://www.ifanboy.com]
*[[The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast]] - [http://www.fanboysmackdown.com]

===Webcomics===
*Fanboy Almanac (webcomic) - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]
*[http://www.fogclub.net Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club web comic]
*[http://www.fanboysonline.com Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)]
*[http://www.fanboys-online.com Fanboys-Online]

==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Computer zealotry]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary: fanboy]
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind] - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]
[[de:Fanboy]]