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Boing Boing commenced its existence as a web-only publication in 1996, following its establishment as a website in 1995.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing was established as a website in 1995 and became a web-only publication in 1996. However, its existence began as a zine in 1988, prior to its web presence.
Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair, a married couple, are recognized as the primary founders of Boing Boing.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that Carla Sinclair and Mark Frauenfelder, a married duo, are the primary founders of Boing Boing, establishing it as a zine in 1988.
The Boing Boing zine achieved a maximum circulation of 17,500 copies before its transition to a web-only publication.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that the Boing Boing zine reached a peak circulation of 17,500 copies before it became a web-only publication.
When Mark Frauenfelder relaunched Boing Boing as a weblog, he described it as a 'digital encyclopedia of curiosities'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mark Frauenfelder described Boing Boing as a 'directory of wonderful things' when he relaunched it as a weblog, not a 'digital encyclopedia of curiosities'.
Boing Boing was originally known as bOING bOING and its issues were subtitled 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that the zine was originally known as bOING bOING and carried the subtitle 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
Boing Boing became a web-only publication in 1995, the same year it was established as a website.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing was established as a website in 1995 but became a web-only publication one year later, in 1996.
What was Boing Boing's original format and when was it established?
Answer: A zine established in 1988.
Explanation: Boing Boing was originally established as a zine in 1988 by Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair.
Who are the primary founders of Boing Boing?
Answer: Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair.
Explanation: The primary founders of Boing Boing are identified as Carla Sinclair and Mark Frauenfelder.
What was the maximum circulation achieved by the Boing Boing zine before it transitioned to web-only?
Answer: 17,500 copies.
Explanation: The Boing Boing zine reached a maximum circulation of 17,500 copies before its transition to a web-only publication.
When did Boing Boing become a web-only publication?
Answer: 1996.
Explanation: Boing Boing became a web-only publication in 1996, one year after being established as a website.
How did Mark Frauenfelder describe Boing Boing when he relaunched it as a weblog?
Answer: A directory of wonderful things.
Explanation: Mark Frauenfelder described Boing Boing as a 'directory of wonderful things' upon its relaunch as a weblog.
What was the initial subtitle for the Boing Boing zine, originally known as bOING bOING?
Answer: 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
Explanation: The Boing Boing zine, originally bOING bOING, was subtitled 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
What was the initial subtitle of the Boing Boing zine, established in 1988?
Answer: 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
Explanation: The Boing Boing zine, established in 1988, was initially subtitled 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
What was the initial subtitle of the Boing Boing zine?
Answer: 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
Explanation: The initial subtitle for the Boing Boing zine was 'The World's Greatest Neurozine'.
Boing Boing primarily focuses its content on topics such as finance, conservative politics, and traditional news reporting.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing's content typically covers technology, futurism, science fiction, gadgets, intellectual property, Disney, and left-wing politics, not finance or conservative news.
Jason Weisberger is listed among the current editors of Boing Boing, alongside Mark Frauenfelder and Carla Sinclair.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jason Weisberger is identified as the publisher of Boing Boing, not one of its current editors. The current editors include Mark Frauenfelder, David Pescovitz, Carla Sinclair, and Rob Beschizza.
Cory Doctorow, David Pescovitz, Xeni Jardin, and Rob Beschizza all had previous professional affiliations with Wired magazine before joining Boing Boing as co-editors.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Cory Doctorow, David Pescovitz, Xeni Jardin, and Rob Beschizza, all former contributors to Wired magazine, joined Mark Frauenfelder as co-editors.
Maggie Koerth-Baker served as Boing Boing's Science Editor from 2009 until 2014, when she left for a Nieman Foundation fellowship.
Answer: True
Explanation: Maggie Koerth-Baker served as Boing Boing's Science Editor after guest blogging in 2009 and departed in 2014 for a Nieman Foundation fellowship.
Boing Boing resumed its 'guest blogger' series in 2008, with guests posting in the main blog for one-week periods.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing resumed its 'guest blogger' series in 2008, but guests posted for two-week periods, not one-week periods.
As of November 2019, Boing Boing's own original content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that as of November 2019, Boing Boing's original content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license.
Which of the following topics is NOT commonly covered by Boing Boing?
Answer: Stock market analysis and corporate finance.
Explanation: Boing Boing's content typically includes technology, futurism, science fiction, gadgets, intellectual property, Disney, and left-wing politics, but not stock market analysis or corporate finance.
Who is identified as the publisher of Boing Boing?
Answer: Jason Weisberger.
Explanation: Jason Weisberger is explicitly identified as the publisher of Boing Boing.
Which group of individuals, all previously from Wired magazine, joined Mark Frauenfelder as co-editors for the Boing Boing weblog?
Answer: Cory Doctorow, David Pescovitz, Xeni Jardin, and Rob Beschizza.
Explanation: Cory Doctorow, David Pescovitz, Xeni Jardin, and Rob Beschizza, all former contributors to Wired magazine, joined Mark Frauenfelder as co-editors.
When did Boing Boing resume its 'guest blogger' series, which featured guests posting for two-week periods?
Answer: 2008.
Explanation: Boing Boing resumed its 'guest blogger' series in 2008, with guests posting for two-week periods.
As of November 2019, Boing Boing's own original content is licensed under which Creative Commons license?
Answer: Attribution Non-Commercial.
Explanation: As of November 2019, Boing Boing's original content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license.
Who served as Boing Boing's Science Editor and left in 2014 to join a Nieman Foundation fellowship?
Answer: Maggie Koerth-Baker.
Explanation: Maggie Koerth-Baker served as Boing Boing's Science Editor and departed in 2014 for a Nieman Foundation fellowship.
Which of the following individuals is NOT listed as a notable guest blogger for Boing Boing?
Answer: Jeff Bezos.
Explanation: The list of notable guest bloggers includes John Hodgman, Rudy Rucker, and Jason Scott, but not Jeff Bezos.
Which of the following is NOT one of the current editors of Boing Boing as listed in the source material?
Answer: Xeni Jardin.
Explanation: The current editors listed are Mark Frauenfelder, David Pescovitz, Carla Sinclair, and Rob Beschizza. Xeni Jardin is not listed as a current editor.
Boing Boing's original content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license, which allows for what?
Answer: Use, share, and adapt for non-commercial purposes with attribution.
Explanation: The Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license permits the use, sharing, and adaptation of content for non-commercial purposes, provided appropriate attribution is given.
Boing Boing initially removed its user-comment feature in September 2003 due to technical limitations of the Quicktopics platform.
Answer: False
Explanation: The removal of the Quicktopics user-comment feature in September 2003 was speculated by bloggers to be due to issues with 'identity impersonators and idiot flamers,' not technical limitations of the platform itself.
The comment facility on Boing Boing was restored in August 2007 and was moderated by John Battelle.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the comment facility was restored in August 2007, it was moderated by Teresa Nielsen Hayden, not John Battelle.
In 2013, Boing Boing switched its comment system from the open-source Discourse platform to the proprietary Disqus platform.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2013, Boing Boing transitioned its comment system from the proprietary Disqus platform to the open-source Discourse platform, which is the opposite of the statement.
Boing Boing has been described as a strong advocate for internet censorship and content control.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing has been characterized as an 'outspoken critic of censorship elsewhere' and actively supports internet freedom.
'Disemvoweling' is a practice popularized by Boing Boing where objectionable comments are completely deleted from the site.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'Disemvoweling' involves stripping vowels from objectionable comments to render them unreadable, not completely deleting them.
Boing Boing operates a high-speed, high-quality Tor exit node to help users maintain anonymity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Boing Boing operates a high-speed, high-quality Tor exit node to assist users in maintaining anonymity.
The removal of Boing Boing's user-comment feature in September 2003 was primarily attributed to what issues?
Answer: Concerns over 'identity impersonators and idiot flamers'.
Explanation: Bloggers at the time speculated that the removal of the Quicktopics user-comment feature was due to issues with 'identity impersonators and idiot flamers'.
Who was responsible for moderating the redesigned Boing Boing site's restored comment facility in August 2007?
Answer: Teresa Nielsen Hayden.
Explanation: The redesigned Boing Boing site, launched in August 2007 with a restored comment facility, was moderated by Teresa Nielsen Hayden.
Boing Boing transitioned its comment system from Disqus to which open-source internet forum in 2013?
Answer: Discourse.
Explanation: In 2013, Boing Boing switched its comment system from the proprietary Disqus platform to Discourse, an open-source internet forum.
Boing Boing's stance on censorship is best described as:
Answer: An outspoken critic of censorship elsewhere.
Explanation: Boing Boing has been characterized as an 'outspoken critic of censorship elsewhere,' advocating for internet freedom.
What is the practice known as 'disemvoweling,' popularized by Boing Boing?
Answer: Stripping vowels from objectionable comments to render them unreadable.
Explanation: 'Disemvoweling' involves removing vowels from objectionable comments to make them unreadable while retaining a trace of the original text.
Boing Boing operates a high-speed, high-quality version of what type of network node to help users maintain anonymity?
Answer: A Tor exit node.
Explanation: Boing Boing operates a high-speed, high-quality Tor exit node to facilitate user anonymity on the internet.
What was the primary reason cited by bloggers for the removal of Boing Boing's user-comment feature in 2003?
Answer: Issues with 'identity impersonators and idiot flamers'.
Explanation: Bloggers speculated that the removal of the user-comment feature in 2003 was primarily due to problems with 'identity impersonators and idiot flamers'.
What is a Tor exit node, which Boing Boing operates?
Answer: The final relay in the Tor network through which encrypted internet traffic exits.
Explanation: A Tor exit node is the terminal relay in the Tor network, facilitating the exit of encrypted internet traffic to its destination, thereby aiding user anonymity.
The 'Gweek' podcast, launched by Boing Boing in September 2006, features interviews with writers, artists, and other creatives.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Gweek' podcast was launched in May 2011 and focuses on comic books, video games, and movies. The podcast launched in September 2006 that features interviews with writers, artists, and other creatives is 'Get Illuminated'.
Boing Boing Gadgets, a companion site, was introduced in August 2007 and was initially headed by Rob Beschizza.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing Gadgets was introduced in August 2007 and was initially headed by Joel Johnson, not Rob Beschizza.
Offworld, a blog dedicated to covering video games, was added to Boing Boing's offerings in November 2008 and was edited by Brandon Boyer.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Offworld, a video game blog, was added in November 2008 and edited by Brandon Boyer.
Around 2010, Boing Boing Gadgets and Offworld were spun off into independent websites.
Answer: False
Explanation: Around 2010, Boing Boing Gadgets and Offworld were incorporated into the main Boing Boing site, not spun off into independent websites.
Boing Boing TV launched in October 2007 as a new component featuring video segments, including 'SPAMasterpiece Theater'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Boing Boing TV launched in October 2007 and featured video segments, including 'SPAMasterpiece Theater' with John Hodgman.
The art tech group monochrom was a frequent contributor to Boing Boing TV, creating their sock puppet series 'Kiki and Bubu' for the platform.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that monochrom was a frequent contributor to Boing Boing TV and created the 'Kiki and Bubu' sock puppet series.
The 'Boing Boing Boing' podcast, introduced in September 2006, is a weekly show covering the week's posts and upcoming projects with editors and a guest.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that 'Boing Boing Boing' was introduced in September 2006 as a weekly show with editors and a guest, covering the week's posts and upcoming projects.
Boing Boing TV episodes were exclusively available for viewing online and were not distributed on other platforms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing TV episodes were available online and also on Virgin America flights, indicating distribution beyond just the internet.
The planned revival of the Offworld site in 2015, led by Leigh Alexander and Laura Hudson, resulted in them continuing to edit the site for several years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Leigh Alexander and Laura Hudson left Offworld in early 2016 after crowdfunding and publishing a collection of articles, rather than continuing to edit the site for several years.
Which podcast, launched in May 2011, features Boing Boing editors and friends discussing comic books, video games, and movies?
Answer: 'Gweek'.
Explanation: The 'Gweek' podcast, launched in May 2011, features Boing Boing editors and friends discussing comic books, video games, and movies, among other topics.
Boing Boing Gadgets was introduced in August 2007 and was initially led by which former editor of Gizmodo?
Answer: Joel Johnson.
Explanation: Boing Boing Gadgets, launched in August 2007, was initially headed by Joel Johnson, a former editor of Gizmodo.
What happened to Boing Boing Gadgets and Offworld around 2010?
Answer: They were incorporated into the main Boing Boing site.
Explanation: Around 2010, Boing Boing Gadgets and Offworld were integrated into the main Boing Boing site.
The art tech group monochrom was a frequent contributor to Boing Boing TV, creating which sock puppet series for the platform?
Answer: 'Kiki and Bubu'.
Explanation: The art tech group monochrom created the sock puppet series 'Kiki and Bubu' for Boing Boing TV.
Boing Boing TV episodes were made available for viewing in which two primary locations?
Answer: On the Boing Boing website and on Virgin America flights.
Explanation: Boing Boing TV episodes were accessible online and also on Virgin America flights.
Who replaced Joel Johnson as the editor of Boing Boing Gadgets in July 2009?
Answer: Rob Beschizza.
Explanation: Rob Beschizza, formerly of Wired News, succeeded Joel Johnson as the editor of Boing Boing Gadgets in July 2009.
In what month and year was Offworld, the video game blog, added to Boing Boing's offerings?
Answer: November 2008.
Explanation: Offworld, a video game blog, was integrated into Boing Boing's offerings in November 2008.
When did Boing Boing launch its two initial podcasts, 'Boing Boing Boing' and 'Get Illuminated'?
Answer: September 2006.
Explanation: Boing Boing introduced its two initial podcasts, 'Boing Boing Boing' and 'Get Illuminated,' in September 2006.
What was the outcome of the planned revival efforts for the Offworld site by Leigh Alexander and Laura Hudson in early 2016?
Answer: They left Offworld after crowdfunding and publishing a collection of selected articles.
Explanation: Leigh Alexander and Laura Hudson departed from Offworld in early 2016 after successfully crowdfunding and publishing a collection of selected articles, rather than continuing to edit the site.
What was the name of the sock puppet series created by the art tech group monochrom for Boing Boing TV?
Answer: 'Kiki and Bubu'.
Explanation: The art tech group monochrom created the sock puppet series 'Kiki and Bubu' for Boing Boing TV.
In September 2009, Boing Boing complied with Polo Ralph Lauren's demand to remove a post about a heavily manipulated image of model Filippa Hamilton.
Answer: False
Explanation: Boing Boing explicitly refused Polo Ralph Lauren's demand to remove the post, asserting fair use and issuing a mocking rebuttal.
Playboy's lawsuit against Boing Boing in November 2017 was dismissed by a Federal Court in early 2018.
Answer: True
Explanation: A Federal Court dismissed Playboy's claims against Boing Boing on February 14, 2018, effectively ending the legal challenge.
The controversy involving Violet Blue and Boing Boing in 2008 stemmed from her public criticism of the site's editorial policies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The controversy arose from the unexplained deletion of all posts related to Violet Blue, with commenters speculating it was linked to her suing a porn star, not her criticism of editorial policies.
Xeni Jardin publicly disclosed the specific reasons for the removal of Violet Blue's content from Boing Boing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Xeni Jardin stated her hope that she would not have to make the specific reasons for the removal of Violet Blue's content public, maintaining editorial discretion.
In September 2009, Boing Boing refused a demand from Polo Ralph Lauren's lawyers regarding a post about what?
Answer: A heavily manipulated image of model Filippa Hamilton.
Explanation: Boing Boing refused Polo Ralph Lauren's demand to remove a post concerning a heavily manipulated image of model Filippa Hamilton.
What was the core legal argument in Playboy's lawsuit against Boing Boing in November 2017?
Answer: That a hyperlink to copyright-infringing content was itself illegal.
Explanation: Playboy's lawsuit alleged that a hyperlink to copyright-infringing content was itself an illegal act, raising questions about linking liability.
What explanation did Boing Boing provide for the removal of content related to Violet Blue in June 2008?
Answer: 'Violet behaved in a way that made us reconsider whether we wanted to lend her any credibility or associate with her.'
Explanation: Boing Boing's statement indicated that Violet Blue's behavior led them to reconsider their association with her, resulting in the content removal.
What was the final outcome of the Playboy lawsuit against Boing Boing in February 2018?
Answer: A Federal Court dismissed Playboy's claims.
Explanation: A Federal Court dismissed Playboy's claims against Boing Boing on February 14, 2018, concluding the legal challenge.
What did Xeni Jardin state regarding the specific reasons for the removal of Violet Blue's content from Boing Boing?
Answer: She hoped she would not have to make the specific reasons public.
Explanation: Xeni Jardin publicly expressed her hope that she would not be required to disclose the specific reasons for the content removal, maintaining editorial discretion.
Boing Boing received the Bloggies award for Weblog of the Year in both 2004 and 2005.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Boing Boing was awarded the Bloggies for Weblog of the Year in both 2004 and 2005.
The project incorporated as Happy Mutants LLC in 2004, and John Battelle became the blog's business manager.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that the project was incorporated as Happy Mutants LLC in 2004, and John Battelle assumed the role of business manager.
Boing Boing's initial advertising income during its first quarter of implementing ads was $27,000.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that Boing Boing's advertising income during its first quarter of implementing ads was $27,000.
As of 2010, Boing Boing was still a member of John Battelle's blog network, Federated Media Publishing, Inc.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2010, Boing Boing was no longer a member of John Battelle's blog network, Federated Media Publishing, Inc.
Boing Boing's popularity peaked in 2006, after which it was no longer among the most widely linked blogs globally.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Boing Boing was named the most popular blog until 2006, it continued to be among the most widely linked and cited blogs into the 2010s, indicating its popularity did not simply end.
In which years did Boing Boing twice win the Bloggies award for Weblog of the Year?
Answer: 2004 and 2005.
Explanation: Boing Boing received the Bloggies award for Weblog of the Year in both 2004 and 2005.
In what year was the Boing Boing project incorporated as Happy Mutants LLC?
Answer: 2004.
Explanation: The project was incorporated as Happy Mutants LLC in 2004.
What was the initial advertising income for Boing Boing during its first quarter of implementing ads?
Answer: $27,000.
Explanation: Boing Boing's advertising income during its first quarter of implementing ads was $27,000.
As of 2010, Boing Boing was no longer a member of which blog network, founded by John Battelle?
Answer: Federated Media Publishing.
Explanation: As of 2010, Boing Boing was no longer a member of John Battelle's blog network, Federated Media Publishing, Inc.
Boing Boing was named the most popular blog in the world until what year, when Chinese-language blogs gained popularity?
Answer: 2006.
Explanation: Boing Boing held the title of the most popular blog globally until 2006, when Chinese-language blogs began to gain prominence.
Cory Doctorow left Boing Boing in January 2020 and sold his co-ownership stake in the site to pursue other ventures.
Answer: False
Explanation: Cory Doctorow left Boing Boing in January 2020 to start his solo blogging project, 'Pluralistic,' but he explicitly acknowledged remaining a co-owner of Boing Boing.
A 'unicorn chaser' is a practice created by Boing Boing editors as an antidote to blog postings that link to sites containing disgusting or shocking images.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source defines a 'unicorn chaser' as an editorial practice by Boing Boing to counteract shocking posts with pleasant imagery.
The first 'unicorn chaser' was posted by Mark Frauenfelder in August 2003, in response to a particularly controversial political post.
Answer: False
Explanation: Xeni Jardin posted the first 'unicorn chaser' in August 2003, in response to a picture of a rash Mark Frauenfelder had posted, not a political post.
Virgin America recognized the 'Unicorn Chaser' concept by naming one of its new Airbus A320 aircraft 'Unicorn Chaser' in 2007.
Answer: True
Explanation: Virgin America indeed named one of its new Airbus A320 aircraft 'Unicorn Chaser' in 2007 as part of its 'Name Our Planes!' campaign, following a suggestion from Boing Boing.
When did Cory Doctorow leave Boing Boing, and what was the name of his new solo blogging project?
Answer: January 2020, 'Pluralistic'.
Explanation: Cory Doctorow departed Boing Boing in January 2020 and subsequently launched his solo blogging project, 'Pluralistic'.
MetaFilter famously described Cory Doctorow's departure from Boing Boing as what for the blog world?
Answer: 'The equivalent of the Beatles breaking up'.
Explanation: MetaFilter characterized Cory Doctorow's departure from Boing Boing as 'the equivalent of the Beatles breaking up' for the blogosphere, signifying its significant impact.
What is the purpose of a 'unicorn chaser' on Boing Boing?
Answer: To provide a pleasant visual contrast after a shocking post.
Explanation: A 'unicorn chaser' is an editorial practice designed to offer a pleasant visual antidote following blog posts containing disturbing or shocking images.
Who posted the first 'unicorn chaser' in August 2003, and what was the immediate context?
Answer: Xeni Jardin, in response to a picture of a rash Mark Frauenfelder had posted.
Explanation: Xeni Jardin posted the first 'unicorn chaser' in August 2003, prompted by a picture of a rash that Mark Frauenfelder had posted seeking a diagnosis.
Which airline named one of its Airbus A320 aircraft 'Unicorn Chaser' in 2007?
Answer: Virgin America.
Explanation: Virgin America named one of its new Airbus A320 aircraft 'Unicorn Chaser' in 2007 as part of its 'Name Our Planes!' campaign.