Well, Hyptertext FAQ opens up with a poem constructed soleley from words that can be made with the letters of 'hypertext.' Whether or not that poem is actually the author's work or not, I am unsure. Whether any of the people he writes about (as though his work were a legitimate criticism or 'how-to' document) exist is a puzzle, too. So, what is it that we need to know about to properly read this text? Well, we need to be familiar with Star Trek fandom (Though probably only to the point that we can cringe his references to Slash), and we need to be familiar with Hypertext Art.
Why do we need to know either of these? Well, the K/S thing just doesn't provoke the same kind of in-your-face reaction as a preoperative penis does, unless you know the background. As for the whole J/7 thing, 7 of 9 is played by Jeri Ryan, so just smile and roll with it.
Why do we need to know Hypertext? Because we need to think we're heading in a definite direction when we open the piece and read it——so that we can get thrown for a loop immediately. That's all.
And why is it the Hypertext 'FAQ?' Well, I'm not 100% certain, but I know one of the most useful implementations of Hypertext is in website FAQ's——and this one is build in a similar way, what with links connecting all the segments internally as well as in a typical, vertical menu bar on the left.
So, this work mimics the structure of an FAQ, or a Wiki, or some type of reputable document. It get under your fingernails while you play with it, and you think it's real just long enough to be baffled, awed, spontaneously combusted, and pieced back together molecule by molecule at the end. Hmm. That sounds like the plot to a Slash story on a transporter pad.
What else does Hypertext FAQ do? It takes normal ideas of plot and character and sneaks them into the text behind its main focus, then tangles them into the reading in ironic and paradoxical ways. The seamlessness of the author's transition from speaking about an imagined author and various imaginary interpretations of an imaginary poem into the life and times of Alan/Ellen Richards into a picture of ET holding up his middle finger is noteworthy. It is the reason this text, and its bent reality work so well together.
What is it about, when it all comes down to it? Probably one man's dream to see how many lewd, unnatural, and Trekkian sex references he can tease out of the word Hypertext. My value judgement: it beats Gold.
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