Archive:Fanboy

Fanboy 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. Fanboys are also typically aggressive and hateful towards the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.

Subjects of obsession

Some current examples of brands and products which have fanboy supporters:

• The competing video game consoles Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 3.
• The competing computer hardware and software produced by Apple, Microsoft, and GNU/Linux. (See also Operating system advocacy).
• The internet web browsers Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera.
• The various technology companies: Google, Sony, Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo.
• The graphics processing units produced by ATI and NVIDIA.
• The computer microprocessor companies AMD and Intel.
• The competing DVD successor formats Blu-ray and HD DVD.
• The competing handheld video game consoles the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation Portable.
• The various MP3 players, notably the iPod and the Zune.
• The various automobile manufacturers, such as General Motors and Ford.
• The long running science-fiction franchises Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars, The Matrix, Godzilla and Babylon 5.
• The competing tabletop role play game systems D&D (and other D20 system spinoffs), World of Darkness, and GURPS.
• The Japanese style of animation and comics, also known as Anime and Manga, respectively.
• The comic book brands DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
• The wrestling companies WWE, TNA, WSX and ROH.
• The competing games The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Final Fantasy VII (for Nintendo 64 and Playstation, respectively).
• Sports teams that have large, if not bandwagon, fanbases (New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, etc.)

Media

Comic Book

• Sergio Aragonés' Fanboy
• Galactic Storm Fanboy

Television

• The Simpsons's Comic Book Guy refers to himself as a fanboy.
• Freakazoid's Fan Boy
• King of the Hill's Hank Hill is a fanboy of propane.

Radio/Podcasts

• Fanboy Radio - [1]
• Drooling FanBoy - [2]
• ifanboy - [3]
• The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast - [4]
• The Opie and Anthony Show - [5]

Webcomics

• Fanboy Almanac (webcomic) - Fanboy Almanac
• Fanboys web comic
• F.O.G.Club web comic
• Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)
• Fanboys-Online

See also

• Addiction
• Cyberstalking
• Editor war
• Anorak
• Astroturfing
• Otaku

External links

• Urban dictionary: fanboy
• Dissecting the Fanboy Mind - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.
• The trial of the Fanboy - A criticism of the fanboy concept and overusage of the term.