October 16, 2006

4:59 PM

The article that I wrote for Library Journal about Ask Metafilter is now online. It lost a wee bit in the editing process, but I'm pretty happy with it. MeFiBrarian Posse represent!
posted by jessamyn to MetaFilter-related at 4:59 PM (30 comments total)

Does Library Journal keep the reprint rights or can you post the original text somewhere?
posted by ?! at 5:07 PM on October 16, 2006

They seem to own the rights to everything, but I could probably email it to you. It's a few hundred words longer than this one.
posted by jessamyn at 5:12 PM on October 16, 2006

Don't let the man keep you down, Jess. Or, more specifically, me down. I'd love a copy of the full on the dee ell.
posted by cortex at 5:16 PM on October 16, 2006

Same here
posted by wheelieman at 5:33 PM on October 16, 2006

Ooh, ooh, me too. We won't tell anyone - promise ;-)

I like the writing style of the article - just friendly enough without talking down to the audience.
posted by dg at 5:37 PM on October 16, 2006

Maybe you could post the removed paragraphs with instructions for re-assembly?

Maybe that is too devious..
posted by Chuckles at 5:45 PM on October 16, 2006

Did the redacted sections include the parts where you talked about disposing of dead bodies and finding porn in the woods?
posted by dersins at 5:49 PM on October 16, 2006

No. They did talk about librarian's pantyliners though...
posted by jessamyn at 5:51 PM on October 16, 2006

HAWT!
posted by dersins at 5:53 PM on October 16, 2006

Way to go jessamyn!
posted by snsranch at 6:25 PM on October 16, 2006

"I have since answered over 2500 questions—that's two a day for two and a half years."

2 X (2.5*365) = 1825, doesn't it?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:27 PM on October 16, 2006

2 X (2.5*365) = 1825, doesn't it?

Yeah it totally does. It's more like two and a half per day since the site started, I probably rounded down from saying "more than two" or "less than three". It'll be interesting to see if that garners irate letters to the editor. I'd love to know the MeFiBrarian posse contributions over time, though I think the better point is that it doesn't matter who and who is not a librarian as long as they have a good answer to your questgion.
posted by jessamyn at 6:43 PM on October 16, 2006

LoC represent, yo.
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:57 PM on October 16, 2006

I have to start adding totally into any math equations.

Two plus two totally equals four.
posted by ODiV at 7:01 PM on October 16, 2006

e totally = mc²
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:04 PM on October 16, 2006

Anyone else think it's sick that Library Journal is withholding this from us?

*Runs into nearest library, starts disorganizing the books*
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:13 PM on October 16, 2006

That Vienna phonebook thread is the one that hooked me on AskMetafilter.

If I'd shown that post to my granddad (who didn't live long enough to see the www), his brain would've exploded. I think sometimes we take how awesome these internets really are too much for granted.
posted by popechunk at 7:32 PM on October 16, 2006

(flagged as breaks the guidelines: Obvious self-link)
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:05 PM on October 16, 2006 [1 favorite]

By which I meant, good article. And it inspired me a bit...

*rushes off to register library2.0.com/beta*
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:37 PM on October 16, 2006

The Vienna phonebook thread is one of the most amazing things I've seen on the Internet, but I didn't know about the photos till just now. What a great ending.

And nice article, jessamyn.
posted by diddlegnome at 8:41 PM on October 16, 2006

Thanks. Good introduction. I hope more Journal readers come join.

But I wasn't aware there was an official "MeFi Librarian Posse."

What about those on the periphery or who left the friendly pulp spore breeding grounds? Can we join?
posted by ?! at 9:07 PM on October 16, 2006

I really enjoyed reading that, jess. Yankeefog's question is still my favorite AskMe ever and was the perfect referent for its awesome possibilities. Well done!
posted by melissa may at 9:15 PM on October 16, 2006

Thanks Possemistress. That's a good read.
posted by peacay at 10:40 PM on October 16, 2006

Nice. I loved that Vienna phonebook thread, too.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:14 PM on October 16, 2006

?! asks Does Library Journal keep the reprint rights or can you post the original text somewhere?

According to Dorothea Salo, the rights you retain depend on what contract you signed. Library Journal is owned by Elsevier.

Nice article, Jessamyn.
posted by bevedog at 11:20 PM on October 16, 2006

Nice article, Jessamyn! I too would like to see the original (sent you and email request). I am especially interested to see if the original addressed anonymous questions.
posted by terrapin at 5:07 AM on October 17, 2006

Thanks folks. I sent an email copy of the longer version to anyone who mentioned wanting one. If anyone else would like a copy, drop an email to the address in my profile.
posted by jessamyn at 6:37 AM on October 17, 2006

Most xlnt, Jessamyn! I enjoyed it immensely. Cali librarians represent!
posted by Lynsey at 9:46 AM on October 17, 2006

Corporate librarian here.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:36 PM on October 17, 2006

I would expect LJ to be more interested in librarians' party lines than pantyliners.

So, Jessamyn, when are you taking over from Will Manley?
posted by QIbHom at 2:03 PM on October 25, 2006