Q    What is the *FTP* Clan?
A    We are a group of Acrophobia players, most of whom have played regularly in the Flying Toaster room.  We enjoy each other’s company and Acros, and decided to form a Clan so we could go out and play with other Clans.

Q     When did *FTP* Clan start?
A     The *FTP* Clan formed on February 5th, 1999, we are really not so new but we are the merger of two teams called the Flying Toasters and the Toaster Philes.

Q    What does the *FTP* Clan do?
A     The *FTP* Clan plays other Acro clans in specially scheduled matches.  We enjoy playing, and we certainly enjoy winning, but our motto is "It’s just a game!  OK, it’s the best game, but it’s still just a game!!"  In other words, *FTP* Clan believes that Clan matches should be as much fun as the games we have in the Flying Toaster, or why bother in the first place?

Q    How are matches scheduled?
A    Matches are tentatively scheduled with the Captains of other Clans, and then one of the  *FTP* Co-Captains (currently Wolfie and MsDiva) send emails to all *FTP* players to see who would be available to play.  We try to schedule players as evenly as possible, but we also like to get matches confirmed quickly, so players who respond first tend to get scheduled for matches most often.

Q    How many players are in each match?
A     *FTP* Clan likes to have the seven players required for a full roster, as well as a minimum of two alternate players.  The alternates are there in case a player in the match encounters any technical difficulties, and the alternates stay online and in Acro until the match has concluded.

Q    How do players know where to go and what to do when it’s match time?
A     *FTP* Clan’s pre-match procedure is as follows:

1.     All players, including alternates, sign onto ICQ at least 30 minutes before game time.

2.    Players wear their special *FTP* Acro names for matches.

3.    Players are "grabbed and dragged" into an ICQ chatroom (no, it does not hurt).

4.    The designated Captain for the match will be in ICQ contact with the Captain of the other Clan, and a scout is sent from one of the Clans to find an empty Acro room for the match.

5.   *FTP* Players are told the name of the room and then go to the designated Acro room.

6.    Players leave the ICQ chatroom, turning off ICQ and leaving it off for the entire match.

7.    Players can practice composing Acros so long as there are no non-clan members in the room, but MUST NOT vote until the Captains tell them to begin. This signal will not be given until all 14 players are present.

8.    In the case of "Problem Players", the Captain(s) are the only people who will address the Problem Player. Other team players should use Acro's "Problem Player" feature to file a complaint, and should log the chat. I'm sure you all know this but a non-clan member is Not a problem player until he/she refuses to leave, and/or starts trouble.

9.    Playing  does not have to start on a 3 letter round unless both Captains decide this.

1.    We play by regular Acro rules for categories, using the choices provided by the Acrobot.

2.   Each player tracks his or her own score during each round of play;  there is also a designated Clan score-keeper and scribe who keeps track of the total points accumulated by each Clan, as well as game highlights.

3.   The player who wins the Face-Off earns a 5 point bonus which is added to the Clan total.
 
4.   The Clan with the largest number of accumulated points wins the round.

5.   The Clan which wins 2 out of 3 rounds is the winner of the match.

6.   *FTP* Clan is reasonably flexible in their scoring procedure and we try to accommodate different scoring used by other Clans.

1.     Only the Captains of each Clan keep their ICQ on during the match.

2.    No one uses private messages (no red lettering).

3.    No chat should start until one of the Captains has stated that "Chat may now begin" or words to that effect. Once the signal is given, chat comments are encouraged, especially cheering on other players, both *FTP* and the other team.  Remember, we are having fun here!

4.    *FTP* players refrain from using each other’s names in Acros, even though we like to do that in regular Flying Toaster Philes play.  This is out of consideration to the other clan, whose players will not understand our special *FTP* references. Exceptions may occur If the other clan is one with which we've played before and both clans are comfortable using names in Acros, or if the category is "Other Players" or in couch rules "Pandering".

5.   *FTP* players show a reasonable sense of propriety in the content of their match Acros.

6.   *FTP* Clan players refrain from chat comments about lame Acros, typos, quirks of the Acrobot (such as when the Acrobot refuses to accept a legitimate Acro or a vote), or anything else which might make interfere with other players' enjoyment of the game.

7.    If an *FTP* player is having technical difficulties, (as in an imminent booting) they should immediately inform the Captain;  they may do this in open chat or using an emergency private message.

8.   *FTP* Clan shows the same warmth and friendliness in a match as we show in regular play, because that is what the Flying Toaster is all about.  We treat all players with respect and want to be remembered by the other Clan as much for our attitude and sportsmanship as for our score.  We consider it the highest honor when a Clan requests a rematch, because that means they enjoyed the match as much as we did.