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                    Fanstasy-Science Fiction Forum on Bitnet
                                                                Volume Zero
     Number 00
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Readers please note: These stories were originally published in DargonZine's predecessor ezine, FSFnet (Fantasy & Science Fiction on the Internet), which printed original fantasy stories of all kinds, not just stories set in the world of Dargon. FSFnet predated the mainstream use of the Internet, thus the original issues were formatted in ASCII (and there may be some glitches that translated into the html). These converted stories do not contain reader ratings or proper e-mail addresses of the authors (those accounts are long dead). Also, since FSFnet represented the early days of the Dargon Project, some Dargon material printed may contradict the current state of the shared world. It has long been established that FSFnet Dargon stories are not 'canon' in the current world. Please enjoy this glimpse of the early days of the Dargon Project.

From the Council Chamber

by Ornoth Liscomb

Hello, and welcome to this premier issue of FSFNET. This mailing is being sent to a number of people who are in the current BITNAUTS LIST maintained by CSNEWS at MAINE, who have listed interests including any of the following: fantasy, SF, books, fending, RPGs, FRP, D&D, wargaming, mysticism, SCA, games, and other related topics.

My reason for starting this group was to bring together people who might be interested in fantasy and science fiction literature, particularly when such an accessable mode of communication such as BITNET is available to us.

FSFNET will be a forum for F/SF fans over 'the Net'... You might ask "Precidely what is going to be IN FSFNET?" Well, this depends entirely on you. FSFNETs success depends on reader contributions and efforts. And what would be suitable for submission? Anything related to Fantasy or SF: reviews of books you have read, films you have seen, games you have played, news of conventions or new products, anything! I would like to see FSFNET expand to include more exotic ideas, such as original fiction, poetry, and the organization of games through Bitnet. We have a very powerful network available to us, and I would like FSFNET to be unique and well beyond the dreams of any single contributor or reader.

To contribute something, be in anything from a letter of comment to original fiction, to a critical essay or review, just send it to NMCS025 at MAINE (please be sure to get the userid correct... there are a number of NMCS ids at Maine), and it will be considered for publication. Please, FSFNET can only work if people are willing to contribute to it. It will appear as frequently as possible, providing we have submissions enough to fill it. Comments and suggestions are VERY welcome...

This mailing went out to 100 people. I would like to increase this number, and the only way to do this is by telling people. Those of you who are interested in FSFNET, and are willing to submit articles to make it work, I ask you to inform your friends on the Net. Everyone is welcome to receive FSFNET, and the more people who read it, the more people will submit quality work, the better FSFNET will become. Please, encourage others to read FSFNET, and to give us feedback.

The next issue will be sent to everyone who receives this issue, and anyone else who responds. Following issues will ONLY be sent to your userid if you have responded by telling me that you wish to stay on the FSFNET mailing list. If you wish to continue to receive FSFNET, please respond. Also, if you are not interested in seeing issue 1, simply notify me of that fact, and you will be removed from the mailing list.

Also, do not expect future FSFNET issues to be like this one... Volume One will come out in early- to mid-January, and will contain a look at some new gaming releases, books, and, with any luck, a story by myself, if I get no submissions immediately. Please respond as quickly as possible, and encourage your friends! FSFNET costs nothing but disk space, you know...

This is your fanzine, more than it is mine. It is up to you to keep it going. I have merely brought you together. Now it is your turn. Send comments, suggestions, and (please?) submissions to NMCS025 at MAINE.

-Orny - 'editor'