> This FAQ is generally posted around the first of the month and maybe
> around the 14th of the month. Sometimes more often when the traffic in
> the newsgroup is high, say, due to a recent television show on magic, or
> what-have-you.
>
> Thought for the day:
> "ask for a secret, you'll get abused"
> "ask where to learn or get more info about a secret, you'll get answered"
>
> 1. What is this FAQ's purpose?
> 2. Why is there more than one FAQ for this group?
> 3. What is alt.magic.secrets purpose?
> 4. What isn't alt.magic.secrets purpose?
> 5. What is the deal with this Bill Page guy?
> 6. How do I find how ....is done?
> 7. Is there a good list of books, videos or magazines?
> 8. Why did all these magicians rip my lungs out when I posted a secret?
> 9. Why did all these magicians rip my lungs out when I asked about...?
> 10. What are some things safe to post?
> 11. How do patents, copyrights, and trademarks cover routines?
> 12. What things will get me enough flame to make an asbestos suit
> worthless if I post them?
> 13. What are some effects/methods that are in the public domain?
> 14. What are some effects/methods that are protected?
> 15. How is flash paper/powder made?
> 16. What is a troll?
> 17. What do I do when somebody trolls?
> 18. What is and how do I *plonk*?
> 19. Can I make commercial posts in alt.magic.secrets?
>
> 1. What is this FAQ's purpose?
>
> To provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and..wait
> that's the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Really, it's to help
> define the boundaries of what is a trade secret and what is in the
> public domain to keep the number of flame wars to a minimum, as well as
> removing any myths involved with the newsgroup. Its purpose is NOT to
> teach you how to use the Usenet or your newsreader. That's another forum
> altogether and outside the scope of this newsgroup.
>
> 2. Why is there more than one FAQ for this group?
>
> Some people find that the other FAQ doesn't address many questions that
> are actually frequently asked and appears only to address the ego of
> the author, Tilman Hausherr; read it and see; one of his few updates
> came from my suggestion..why NOT to make flash paper. This one is
> written by myself but is revised promptly when new questions/answers
> arise.
>
> 3. What is alt.magic.secrets purpose?
>
> Some will say to reveal magic secrets, others will say that it is to
> keep those very secrets. In reality, it's a mixture of the two and
> should be taken with advice from a certified doctor. I'm not supporting
> either side because they are two opposing extremes and there are good
> points for both sides.
>
> 4. What isn't alt.magic.secrets purpose?
>
> To ruin a magician's career or put magic dealers out of business, no
> matter how unlikely.
>
> 5. What is the deal with this Bill Page guy?
>
> Bill Page is in essence a child in a man's body. He's harmless but can
> be annoying. If you find him unbearable there is no reason to
> complain publicly about him, just add him to your killfile to ignore him
> and be done with it.
>
> 6. How do I find how .... is done?
>
> Read a book, check the web, watch a video, go to a class, use some
> resources other than just being spoon fed the info. You can ask but
> don't expect any answers to be very informing unless you want to
> exchange secrets with other magicians.
>
> You can also try checking out Mitch Leary's Deja file. It has many cool
> ideas and tricks that may or may not be dangerous to your health. So, as
> usual, proceed with caution; it could cost you your life. He's got an
> awesome reading list that he posts once every now and again and you
> should find every book he mentions and read a thousand fold. Trust me, I
> own a mere 3 or 4 of these books and they have priceless information.http://groups.google.com/groups?as_ugroup=alt.magic*&as_uauthors=Mitc...
>
> 7. Is there a good list of books, videos or magazines?
>
> Yes there is, in the alt.magic FAQ Lots of other things can be found
> there too..
> The alt.magic FAQ is archived at:
>
> http://www.learn-great-magic-tricks.com/
>
> (Note: Other sites appear to carry older, out of date, versions
> of the FAQ. The above sites are sent those parts which have been
> amended, near the end of each month and *should* be current.)
>
> For those who do not have a web browser, individual parts of the
> five part FAQ may be obtained from an auto-mailer. Send blank
> e-mail to: altma...@aaronjones.com for details.
>
> 8. Why did all these magicians rip my lungs out when I posted a secret?
>
> Probably because you posted a secret about something that they paid good
> money for and isn't in public domain yet.
>
> 9. Why did all these magicians rip my lungs out when I asked about....?
>
> Did you ask "Who fooled Houdini" "What is another name for the Elmsley
> count" or some other question posed by many magic sites to prove you're
> worthy of entry? Maybe you asked "How did do..."?
> Many of the magicians in this newsgroup will chastise someone who
> doesn't want to spend the time to find, learn, and practice, or just
> plain *pay for* the trick in some shape, form or fashion. Do a simple
> web or google search before asking and maybe you will be accepted as
> someone who is knowledgeable and/or willing to expend the energy to
> learn.
>
> 10. What are some things "safe" to post?
>
> Methods that are in the public domain and can be used in other routines
> are safe to post. Your own routine is safe to post as long as you are
> the originator. Routines of other magicians are safe to post as long as
> they are in the public domain.
>
> 11. How do patents, copyrights, and trademarks cover routines?
>
> If a routine uses a specialized device/method for that routine, then
> chances are the device/method is patented. In the United States a
> "device" is not patented unless you apply for a patent and spend a
> couple $1000 and wait a year or two for the Patent Office to issue you
> one. It then assigns it a number and your full description of the device
> becomes public knowledge. The complete description is available at many
> libraries and on the internet at the IBM(*not* International Brotherhood
> of Magicians) site and probably at the US Patent site. If your novel use
> is not described in the patent such that a person knowledgeable in the
> field cannot understand it then it isn't protected by the patent. You
> cannot hide the patent number because until the patent holder makes
> known publicly the existence of the patent others may assume it is not a
> patented device and act accordingly. On the other hand, if you are
> talking a design patent then only the specific design is protected.
> Making relatively minor changes in the appearance of the device is
> generally sufficient to get around this kind of patent. This is where
> the grey areas begin though. If you use a common device/method but use
> it in an original routine then the routine is subject to copyright but
> the method is in public domain. So if Copperfield uses public domain
> device A with an elevator, he can copyright the fact that it is an
> elevator for the presentation, but I can perform with the same device A
> instead with a 69 Mercedes Benz and be free from any copyright
> violations from Copperfield. Trademarks cover names or logos, like
> "D'Lite" or "Mofo"(Penn and Teller's psychic primate). {note:needs
> editing but works for now}
>
> 12. What things will get me enough flame to make an asbestos suit
> worthless if I post them?
>
> Try posting how David Blaine did his latest routine. Actually, almost
> anything can start a flame war so if you can't handle the heat, post
> with extreme caution. Usenet is pure anarchy and there's nothing you can
> do to stop it other than to have a thick skin and asbestos suit.
>
> 13. What are some effects/methods that are in the public domain?
>
> [snipped directly from Andru Luvisi's wonderful suggestions]
> I don't think it's accurate to say that these are "sold as if [they
> were] unique invention[s]", but here are some old tricks that you can
> find in a magic shop:
>
> Several trick decks are described in The Encyclopedia Of Card Tricks,
> my edition of which is copyright 1937. The Encyclopedia Of Card
> Tricks can also be gotten for free from The Learned Pig Project
> (http://www.thelearnedpig.com.pa/).
>
> * Stripper Deck
> * Svengali Deck
> * Mirage Deck
> * Mene-Tekel Deck (I've heard that the Infinity Deck is related to
> this)
>
> Some trick decks which date back to the days of Sachs and Hoffmann:
>
> * One Way Forcing Deck
> * Electric Deck (See "More Magic" under the heading "To Spring the
> Cards from the one Hand to the Other (with Mechanical Pack)")
>
> The Brainwave Deck was invented by Vernon and is described in issue 49
> of The Jinx for October 1938. In The Encyclopedia Of Card Tricks,
> under the heading "A Super-Reverse Problem" you will find essentially
> the same trick but using wax instead of R/S. The Invisible
> Deck/Ultramental Deck is a variation of the Brainwave Deck that is at
> least as old as Tarbell 3 (1943 for the book), where it is described
> in the chapter at the end on mental magic.
>
> Marked cards are as old as the hills. Even Robert-Houdin mentions them!
>
> The principle of "McDonald's $100 Routine" dates back to Hofzinser
> (check out "The Power Of Faith" in "Hofzinser's Card Conjuring").
>
> According to T. A. Waters' book "The Encyclopedia Of Magic And
> Magicians" Ralph Hull died in 1943, which means that the Nudest/Mental
> Photography Deck and the Pop-Eyed Popper Deck, both of which Waters
> says he invented, are at least that old.
>
> Theodore DeLand, who according to Leo Behnke's booklet "Find The Ace"
> invented the oldest known gaffed Three Card Monte, died in 1931
> according to Waters. The trick was called "Pickitout" and used
> misprinted indices. I have seen this trick under several names over
> the years.
>
> Of course I've barely scratched the surface with the above, but it may
> be enough to get you started.
>
> [if you, the reader, have any additions, changes, etc., please either
> post them or preferably email them to me]
>
> 14. What are some effects/methods that are protected either by
> copyright, trademark, or patent?
>
> [Thanx to Mitch Leary for posting these]
>
> Steinmeyer's Origami Illusion: Patent #D345,595http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/USD0345595__
>
> Adam's Mirror Production Box: Patent #4,023,794http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/US04023794__
>
> Magician's Anti-Gravity Boots: Patent #5,255,452http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/US5255452__
>
> Theatrical Levitation Device: Patent #4,244,566http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/US04244566__
>
> Tenyo's Inexhaustible Cigarette Drawer: Patent #4,557,476http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/US04557476__
>
> China Change & CSB Type Coins: Patent #3,822,879http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/US03822879__
>
> Tenyo's Phantom Clock: Patent #5,886,936http://www.delphion.com/cgi-bin/viewpat.cmd/US05886956__
>
>
>
> 15. How do I make flash paper/powder?
>
> First answer, you don't. You lose 4 or 5 fingers first trying like an
> idiot to save a few bucks and then you buy it from a magic shop like you
> did before.
>
> Second answer. It's basically the first answer but with more info. Flash
> powder(the stuff that flash paper is coated with...a generalization to
> be sure but for the purposes of the stupid..it'll do..) is EXTREMELY
> dangerous and is the hardest pyrotechnic to make without injury to
> yourself or others, and that doesn't count improper use once you're
> done. With that being said you can find it in "The Magicians Arsenal" by
> Lee Scott or rec.pyrotechnics. If you need to know more, I have some
> more info that used to be in this sentence's place but now probably got
> overwritten by some accident. So either write me and ask or wait for
> more info as I find it.
>
> Now, if all the warnings don't deter you, read this next part.
>
> A friend of mine who is both a magician and an experienced pyrotechnic
> decided that he would make his own. He made it successfully and had been
> using it with awesome results for a while and then one time he had a
> piece between his hands(they were palm to palm) and when he opened them
> quickly the sudden rush of air(oxygen), combined with the heat from his
> hands, set the stuff off in his hands, no flame/spark needed. After this
> he quickly used his remaining stock and vowed to just save the fingers
> and buy it.
>
> This same friend told me about a company that a few years ago was
> advertising that they had flashpaper that had different colors of flash.
> There was apparently a huge demand so some BIG magic dealer put in an
> order for tens of housands of dollars. One month passes, no paper; two
> months, no paper; three months and everyone is starting to get worried
> as to whether they were ripped off so they start investigating. Then
> they found out what happened. There had been so much demand that they
> were in soo much of a hurry that they skipped some safety details and
> promptly levelled their entire facilities. If you've ever seen what a
> pyrotechnic's site looks like, it's generally spread over several acres
> to eliminate the possibility of this.
>
> In short..Flash is dangerous and it's manufacture needs to be left to
> professional pyrotechnics.
>
> 16. What is a troll?
>
> It's name is derived from people fishing and that while they are moving
> in a boat, they let their bait "troll" behind them in hopes they'll
> catch a hungry fish. And that's basically what happens, someone puts out
> a very controversial post that will attract a lot of posts in anger or
> what-have-you. They quite often also put very inflammatory subject lines
> on their posts in an attempt to "grandstand" and try to make their
> trolling more effective.
>
> A good person to start ignoring is Tilman Hausher since he's not a
> magician and you should share no magical knowledge with him.
>
> I used to have a list of other trolls here but I simply decided that you
> can determine for yourself if you think someone is not serious about
> this newsgroup by the way they are rude, insult, overreact(actually
> attacking someone's character for no real reason when the person is
> simply asking a "newbie" question or simply disagreeing with their point
> of view), drone on and on about things that have nothing to do with this
> newsgroup(especially topics that are already heavily debated like
> politics, religion, etc); and they don't have to use vulgar language but
> that can be the case.
>
> Though it isn't always reliable, it can be helpful to see what the
> opinion of the overall group is toward this individual's posts by
> reading responses to their posts or posts made about them. In using this
> method for research, be certain that you're reading more than simply 2
> or 3 people who dislike this person since we're not all friends here and
> even a troll can have people who agree with him/her on a couple of
> topics(the old adage of a stopped clock being right twice a day comes to
> mind).
>
> Many that I used to list here will be discovered to have these
> traits that you will see repeated within 10 hits of a search. Here's
> the link to do your own search if you don't already know how..
>
> http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search?hl=en
>
> 17. What should I do if somebody trolls?
>
> Trolls need attention and they starve if you don't give them any so
> ignore them and maybe *plonk* them.
>
> 18. What is and how do I *plonk*?
>
> Plonking is putting someone in your killfile so you can ignore them. How
> do you do it? For *how to *plonk* in 23 newsreaders see Killfile and
> Anti Troll FAQs athttp://www.hyphenologist.co.uk/killfile. If you
> reader isn't listed, RTFM(read the fine(or f---ing) manual) and then
> tell the person who runs the page how to do so...
>
> 19. Can I make commercial posts in alt.magic.secrets?
>
> A: Technically, you can make any post you wish in an alt.* heirarchy
> however as a courtesy to those who frequent the newsgroup, it is
> requested that you add the following to the beginning of a subject line:
>
> AD:
> If you are simply posting an advertisment, use the AD with a full colon
> after the letters.
>
> FS:
> If you are selling something, use this to indicate an item For Sale.
>
> FA:
> If you are posting an item for auction or link to an item for auction,
> use this to indicate that it is For Auction.
>
> FT:
> Use this if you are indicating an item that you are posting is For
> Trade.
>
> If you use the full colon after the letter combination, those who want
> to filter out based on FA:, FS:, FT:, or AD: won't miss any posts with
> subject lines containing words that have those letter combinations
> without the full colon such as FAilure, soFT, ADmit, and others.
>
> Example:
> AD: Just Released - Porcelain Cups and Balls!
>
> Thanx to all who have contributed to this FAQ even if you are unnamed.
> There is much more to add here and I hope to have time in the upcoming
> couple months to get the editing done.
>
> To do:
>
> Define what does and does not count as "protected" in many contexts.
> Add more questions as they are asked.