http://www.abyssandapex.com/200710-wikihistory.html
This is a cute series of simulated forum entries that end up telling a story. Since online forums like this are relatively new to the world, however, this is something that we literally could not have seen not so long ago. The methods people use to interact are changing, and in doing so, the things people choose to present are growing and evolving with the new technologies. Those people not familiar with forums and their related etiquettemay not immediately understand what is going on, but reading through once or twice should straighten everything out. Those that have used forums to any decent extent will recognize all the familiar symptoms: the bulletins, the enforcers, the noobs that insist on rushing in and ignoring the aforementioned. This could all have easily taken place in a real forum, and were time travel real, these would no doubt be issue tackled constantly.
And, though composed by one person, great attention is given to the different characters. They, though brief in this short adventure, come to have roles and characteristics we expect of them. The author even plays upon our expectations with some of his interactions, such as the exchange between AsianAvenger and SilverFox316. BarracksRoomLawyer is another character who becomes familiar, with only four appearances in the text. It’s all very well done and flows nicely.
In addition, the piece works to establish a background, while not worrying too much about filling the reader in. The reader is expected to be able to figure out what is going on, as though a snapshot of a forum’s timeline is being examined. BigChill’s reminder that “everybody kills Hitler on their first trip” sets the basis for a long-standing setting in which this has gone on enough for veteran members to be accustomed to it as a regular event.
All in all, I think this is a very effective new media text that pushes the current boundaries of literature into new areas that conform to growing world stages where they can be seen as applicable and fitting. They’re new works catering to new audiences, and the fresh style targeting the electronic-savvy demographic should prove to hold a large fan base.