Hello, we're back again with another edition of the�'ask allkpop' mailbag feature! �The response to the previous edition was an overwhelming success, so we've decided to make this feature a regular�occurrence. For the first mailbag, we tried to select questions that were primarily general-issue type of inquires, but for this edition we're going to be tackling more of the technical questions. The questions presented below are not word-for-word as they appeared in the e-mails, mainly because they have been edited for spelling, grammar, and brevity; however, the general tone of the questions have been maintained. So without further ado, onto the questions! --- "When is the shop going to be open?" Asked by: Kelvin, Tina, and Davidtimothy Answered by: johnnydorama First of all, we apologize for the delays. �We've been juggling multiple projects at the same, so the shop has been put on the back burners until we could come back to it. �We have a lot of cool new features currently in the works (including the new comment system that was just released!), but we're hoping we can debut the shop in November. --- "How can I work at allkpop?" Asked by: Y Answered by: johnnydorama Typically, we make a post when there are job openings available. �However, even when we are not actively hiring, we will be glad to consider individuals who we feel are exceptionally talented. You can always submit your resume/portfolio to "jobs[at]6theory.com" for consideration. �At the moment, we are looking for talented bloggers who are fluent in both Korean and�English, as well as graphic design and web developer interns. --- "When is the allkpop idol contest going to be held again?" Asked by: Yuri and Cassandra Answered by: johnnydorama We're not sure that we'll be holding another singing competition just yet, but it's definitely something that the staff is discussing. If we do revive it, we plan to do it on a much bigger scale. Stay tuned... --- "Is an allkpop app coming soon?" Asked by: Denise and Linh Answered by: johnnydorama allkpop apps are currently in development for both the Android OS and iOS platforms, and they will be released in the coming months. Now I know Blackberry users want an app as well, and if this was a perfect world where we had unlimited capital and resources, we would roll out a Blackberry version too. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and having apps developed�professionally�is a costly venture. The main point here is that after we did some thorough research and carefully examined our user data, we decided to go with the Android OS and iOS platforms. �We found that Android OS and iOS were the two most popular smartphone operating systems, while Blackberry came in at 10th place. �So we apologize to Blackberry users, but that's just the current reality of the numbers. --- "Why do you start fan wars?" Asked by: Icia Answered by: CM and asphodel Like the bias question in the previous mailbag, I've noticed this one coming up quite frequently, so I think it's a good one to address. Fan wars are a bit like car crashes, in our opinion - you only see the end result, and don't consider how it got to that point to begin with. Whenever people see a fan war in a thread, they blame the article, the writer, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and the site. While admittedly, these users don't make up the whole, they're prevalent enough to cause others to believe that we're the ones actively inciting flame wars on the site. �What astounds us is that they're somehow oblivious to the crude response of other commentators. Reality check on Aisle 9, please seek the nearest mirror when you accuse us of ignorant or antagonizing posts. A good example of this is when we did the�background poll for allkpop. For that poll, we simply wanted to give users the chance to vote on the background, something that they see everyday. We figured it'd be a refreshing change to switch it up, and thought it was a great idea to incorporate the opinions of our users into the site. Well, you know how the saying goes. "The best laid plans of mice and men..." We certainly didn't expect this huge fan war to emerge from the poll, let alone screaming accusations that we only set it up to incite fan wars. To us, you have to look at why this happens. Does the major problem lie in the fact that a site posts something, or that people will fight about anything, especially when it is idol-related. �That poll simply listed the most popular male and female groups, and users could choose from the selection given. There was nothing controversial about it, there was no incentive to start bashing other idols, but it started anyway, and why? Because we forced everyone to start talking negatively about other groups or idols? �No. It's because people wanted to do it anyway. The problem isn't that allkpop has opinions, or that allkpop posts controversial articles, or that allkpop posts polls. The problem is endemic within the individuals, and that's simply something we cannot police. �If people want to start fan wars or e-fights, that's going to happen regardless. �I mean, honestly, fan wars start when we simply post up videos for music shows, so the only way to avoid these types of things is to never post. Does allkpop post controversial articles? �Yes. �Does allkpop post opinons from time to time? �Yes. �Does allkpop want to create user interaction? �Yes. �But none of that means we're giving the greenlight for in-fighting, which is what some are suggesting. Again, I enjoy grand conspiracies as much as anyone else, but let's look at this logically - starting fan wars simply isn't pragmatic for the longevity of the site. So next time a thread gets out of hand, before instantly blaming the site or the writer or the article, please take some time to consider if you're actually just mad with another commenter who made a dumb post; because from our observation, that's usually the case. --- "How did you decide to use the name 'CM', CM?" Asked by: CM Answered by: CM Update Note: There seems to be a bit of �confusion with this question. �What happened is that a user with the name of "CM :o" asked me (CM) how I got my username. This is quite obviously a glitch in the Matrix, and I fear that I must destroy you to continue on.

--- "What do you guys see in the two attached images below?"

Asked by: IHasBoner Answered by: CM and asphodel CM says: First and foremost, that has to be the classiest name I've ever laid eyes upon, thank you for sharing your status with all of us. Anyway, in the first picture I see a hulk of a man sitting on his office chair with his legs spread eagle, furious at the "PC LOAD LETTER" notice he just got from his printer. �In the second picture, I see two individuals trapped in a cocoon type of thing, much like from the movie, "Alien". �Except instead of the little alien babies being a parasite that eventually bursts out of the humans, the two individuals in the picture are slowly turning into aliens themselves. That's my story and i'm sticking to it. asphodel says:�Agreed with CM on the username - it just signals to me that the user has a difficult time...uh... greeting his morning glory, I suppose. Anyway, for the first image,�I see the aftermath of an angry clown whipping out his AK47 after one too many children asked him to twist a balloon animal. �The second is a more poetic image - two men emerging from their chrysalises, damaged in a way, yet fragile and new...And then, I don't know why, but I see Optimus Prime as well. (I'm normal. Please believe me. :x) CM says: Killer armed clowns and two men becoming butterflies interspersed with a Transformer. �Yeah, definitely the sign of a mentally stable individual. :o asphodel says: Whatever! �Who was it that said, "No doubt exists that women are all crazy, it's only a question of degree"? �Well...yeah. �What he said. --- We're loving this project, and we're looking forward to answering more of your questions, so please keep sending them in! The place where you should send your questions, concerns, and compliments is // .