Steve-o's Transformers FAQ
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This page lists every section in the FAQ which is currently open, and all the questions contained within them. The largest divisons of the FAQ are the chapters which refer to very broad categories such as "fans", "Beast Wars", etc., and are indicated with roman numerals. Each chapter is divided into sections (listed by capital letters), and each of these sections has its own HTML page which starts with a brief table of contents for that section alone, and then has all the questions and answers for the section below. The exceptions are chapter zero, which is all on one page, and the appendices which don't have questions, but are still one-page-per-section.

Note that there is a glossary of some fan terms and lesser-known TF creators in the first appendix.

0. Introduction
1. Transformers Fandom and Resources
   1. Transformers Fans and Fanhood
      1. What makes somebody a true Transformers fan?
      2. Right. So are there any non-serious ways to show what kind of fan you are?
      3. Seems like some fans complain a lot... what's bothering them so much?
      4. How old are TransFans? What else do they like?
      5. Can you define some fan jargon for me?
      6. I hear fans talking about Transformers creators and staffers, but I don't know who they are. Can you drop some names for me?
      7. Is there anyplace I can go online to talk TFs with people?
      8. Are there any Transformers conventions?
      9. Are there any Transformers clubs or fanzines?
      10. Don't you guys realize you're worshipping a 30-minute toy commercial?
      11. So the incarnations of TFs that I like are really cool, but the ones I don't are obviously complete piles of garbage. What is the matter with the brain-dead syccophants who like that stuff?
   2. Transformers on the Internet
      1. There are so many TF websites... how do I find the good ones?
      2. Are there any Transformers MUSHes?
      3. Can you list all the TF lists (toy list, quote list, etc.) for me?
      4. I love fanfic! Where can I find it, and how can I share mine?
      5. How do I buy, sell, or trade TF toys online?
      6. What TF stuff can I get for my computer?
      7. What other resources are references are out there?
      8. Um... I, uh, was wondering if you can point me to any info on Tonka GoBots?
   3. Transformers Newsgroups and Web Boards
      1. What TF newsgroups are available?
      2. Why are there so many of them?
      3. I can't read the newsgroups I want. What should I do?
      4. What TF web boards are available?
      5. What are the relative strengths and weaknesses of newsgroups and web boards?
      6. What are "spoilers" and "spoiler space"?
      7. What topics should I avoid bringing up?
      8. Are there any other guidelines for making posts?
   4. Transformers Conventions
      1. What is BotCon (and OTFCC)?
      2. Who runs the convention? How much involvement does Hasbro have?
      3. I heard that the convention was hijacked away from the founders, and then the new guy had to change the name. What happened?
      4. How is the location for the official convention chosen?
      5. Why do people make such a big deal about preregistering early?
      6. What exclusive toys have been released at official conventions?
      7. How are the toy exclusives chosen?
      8. Why doesn't the convention release more G1 toy exclusives?
      9. I'd like to get the exclusive toys, but... why are they so expensive?
      10. Why don't they make enough exclusive toys to sell over the web to everyone who wants one after the convention?
      11. What are the exclusive toys going to be this year?
      12. What other convention exclusive items have there been?
      13. Are the stories and comics written for conventions available online?
      14. Are the BotCon/OTFCC stories really "official" TF canon?
      15. Do they ever hold conventions outside the USA?
      16. Are there any other conventions related to TFs?
2. Business and Franchise History
   1. The Many Faces of Transformers
      1. Can you describe each incarnation of the franchise for me?
      2. How do these incarnations relate to each other?
      3. Why do some people compare Transformers to mythology?
      4. What was the deal with Animorphs? Were they really Transformers?
      5. I'm a stick-in-the-mud who is personally offended by change. Why would Hasbro ruin my life by altering their line periodically to match market trends and remain profitable?
   2. Franchise History
      1. Give a real brief rundown of the franchise's whole history.
      2. How did the TF franchise start?
      3. Who was involved in early planning of the TF franchise?
      4. Which was on store shelves first, Tonka GoBots or Transformers?
      5. Why did G1 decline and die out?
      6. Why did Hasbro change things so drastically for the Beast lines?
      7. During what time period were TFs made by Kenner?
      8. What prompted the decision to import Car Robots?
   3. Business Questions
      1. What's the nature of the relationship between Hasbro and Takara?
      2. What was the nature of the relationship between Hasbro and Dreamwave?
      3. Why is Hasbro full of idiotic jerks that hate their fans while Takara's number one goal is to fulfill the every desire of theirs?
      4. Why does the vampiric Takara feel the need to exploit their fanbase with super-rare collectibles and reissues instead of making new stuff all the time like the saints at Hasbro do?
      5. What sorts of legal rights does Hasbro have regarding Transformers? If Hasbro owns Transformers, doesn't that make all fan-made stuff like art and fanfiction illegal?
      6. How can I contact Hasbro to ask them questions or provide feedback?
      7. How's business for Hasbro?
      8. How's business for Takara?
   4. News and Rumors
      1. I heard there is going to be a live-action TF movie... is that true?
      2. I heard there are new TF comic books... is that true?
      3. What is the "Heroes of Cybertron" line?
      4. What is the "TransTech" line?
      5. What is the "Energon" line?
      6. What are the "Alternators" and "BinalTech" lines?
      7. What is the "Smallest Transformers" line?
      8. Where can I look to find Transformers news?
3. Multi-Line and General
   1. The Basics
      1. What's the basic story of Transformers?
      2. Who are some of the most important characters?
      3. Who makes the toys?
      4. Who makes the cartoons?
      5. How is Transformers different in Japan than the US?
   2. Merchandise, Media and Tie-Ins
      1. There are a lot of random products with Transformers on them. Is anybody crazy enough to keep a list of all of them?
      2. I'm looking for a nice TF guidebook. What are my options?
      3. What TF clothing is there?
      4. What official TF video games are there?
      5. What fan-made TF video games are there?
      6. What TF trading cards are there?
      7. What TF books are there?
      8. What TF videos, DVDs, or LDs are there?
      9. What TF music is there?
      10. I heard about a special movie soundtrack with the whole musical score... how can I get a copy of that?
      11. Where do the instrumentals from the original TF:TM soundtrack fit into the 'Till All Are One CD?
      12. Are there any Transformers fonts I can download?
      13. Is there a TF role-playing game?
      16. Where have pop-culture references to TFs appeared?
15. Appendices
    1. Glossary
       5. Acknowledgements & Legalese

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       Steve-o's Transformers FAQ is written and maintained by Steve-o Stonebraker (sstoneb@gmail.com).
       Steve-o and this FAQ are not affiliated in any way with Hasbro, which owns trademarks on many of the terms used within. This FAQ is presented for the entertainment and reference of Transformers fans, and is made available under the terms of a Creative Commons License