SM-201

SM-201
Description	Internet encyclopedia
Available language(s)	english
Launched	November 2007
Current status	active
Number of Articles	12,850 (Effective: May 22, 2023) 5 of them taken over
More info
Software	MediaWiki 1.39.3
Content license	GFDL
Registration	yes
Commercial	no
Owner	Robin Roberts[sm-201]
URL	sm-201.org

SM-201 is an online encyclopaedia of all things fetish and SM run by Robin Roberts^[sm-201].

The project was first started in November 2007‎ under the domain "www.backdrop.net/sm-201/".

The project was relaunched on September 17, 2019 under the domain "sm-201.org".

The project is completely restored in September 2022.

Quote:

«This Wiki-site is a compilation of many of my projects into a single body of work SM-201 was originally begun as a series of "monographs", class outlines and handouts, stories and first hand experiences on how to become a "professional dominatrix" and run your business. BDSM: Boundaries, Definitions and Sanity Management was originally started as a group of letters and lectures on how to cope with life. The BDSM Academy was originally a group of classes that were taught at the BackDrop club between 1975 and 2007. This has been expanded to include articles from "wikipedia.com" and other wiki sites. BDSM Legends Project - a place where we can honor those icons and pioneers[sm-201] of the BDSM community. Club History was originally begun as a combination of my own biography, a history of the BackDrop club[sm-201] and a history of the BDSM community in the Bay Area[wp]. Resource Guide - a place to find people of similiar interests begun in 1974 with "Ad-Ventures" and then it was expanded in 1996 when it was put "online" with BackDrop BBS. Recently I have added an entire section of articles on "JapaSex". Adult Entertainment Industry "Profiles" - because there is a large overlap between the BDSM film and magazine industry, the adult entertainment industry, and the porn industry, I have been keeping "profiles" on bondage models, pornstars, agencies, and film and magazine companies involved in many adult industries for years. (If I have missed yo, let me know -- it was probably an oversight and not a personal statement, or I just haven't gotten around to adding a page on you. <g>) Legal Information - Age of consent, prostitution laws, etc - a place to start your Q/A sessions your attorney. One of the major problems I had from the beginning was to find a way to write, edit, maintain this body of work. Short of a large staff of people to help with the project, I muddled along writing individual pages. With MediaWiki[wp], I found the tools to link all of these articles together without having to hire full time staff of composers, writers, editors, personal trainers and a personal psychiatrist for myself.»

Why not let Wikipedia do the work?

First of all, Wikipedia is a user-driven website just like SM-201. This means:

• people post what they think is important
• anyone can edit anyones posts (often by people who don't know anything about the original topic)
• the administrators delete anything they feel is unimportant or controversial.

In "my version" of a wiki site, I have tried to produce topics that are of interest to BDSM/FF people. Rather than provide a few articles to give an overview, I like the idea of fewer (but in depth) topics along with samples of their work. In order to handle the vast amount of server space used because of millions of articles, there are quite often no photographs to illustrate a given point or topic.

An example of this style are the articles on YANK^[sm-201] magazine. True, most of the pinups were movie stars and actresses or went on to stardom, and Wikipedia has quite a bit of information on them. A lot of those ladies retired or got married and little is known of them today. Wikipedia administrators don't feel they aren't important enough to have page space, but I have tried to give all of them a place in history within our wiki.

I will also allow controversial matter as long as it is not a personal attack on someone, and it is somehow germain to BDSM or alternative sexuality.

Why are there "Burlesque Star" pages?

Many Burlesque dancers of the 1950s also worked as photo models. Irving Klaw and many other photogs often hired these dancers for fetish and bondage photos and movies. It was easier to talk to them about "things sexual", and most were open to making a few extra dollars. The concept of having photos taken "in lingerie" was acceptable because that was often more clothing than they wore on stage.

Why are there "Men's Magazine" pages?

Many of the magazines of the 40s, 50s and 60s had drawings and photos of ladies in skimpy clothes who were posed in sexy positions. Sometimes their props were fetishistic, and occasionally even bondage. There was a lot of overlap between the people in burlesque, magazines and movies.

Why are there so many "Early Movie" articles?

The movies of the 30s and 40s were a major influence to those of us who were born before television and cell phones. The "westerns" showed the good guys usually won, despite the fact that their girl friends were often captured and tormented by the bad guys. The musicals (especially those by Busby Berkeley^[sm-201]) often showed tall ladies dressed in short dresses (or tap pants) and high-heels, with legs that were so long that they reached all the way to the floor. <g>

Why are there so many "personal history" articles?

This wiki project is actually a compilation of several monographic projects I have worked on over the years.

• The Macropedia^[sm-201] and Micropedia^[sm-201]

We try to show how BDSM things might or should be done. It also has information on what to do if things start going terribly wrong. (If in doubt, you can always type a keyword in the "search" window at the left)

• Life's Lessons^[sm-201]

For decades, people have asked how to solve some of their problems. I have put a lot of those answers to paper, and have posted them here.

• Alternative Sexuality Timeline, Club and Bay Area History^[sm-201]

A lot of the people who helped start the Bay Area BDSM scene are no longer with us. I thought that I should put together a repository for all of the "What it was we did when we were young". I have also added a wider-based "Alternative Sex Time Line".

• Personal History^[sm-201]

I wanted to put together "my family history" for people who will follow along behind me. Shortly after I began, my daughter (who I haven't seen in over thirty years) was able to find me by doing a Google search on my name, and then following the links to the SM-201 web site. We have been communicating ever since.

• "Icons" and "Legends" Projects^[sm-201]

A few years ago, a distant friend of mine (who was very involved in the professional side of BDSM) passed away. During the next few weeks, the Internet was filled with eulogies and praising her for her involvement. I thought it would nice to find a way to let some of our "community founders" know their works was appreciated BEFORE they died.

• The "Rest of the Stuff"

Believe it or not, I have actually tried to limit how much "stuff" has been included in this site. Unfortunately (as I describe it to my friends) this project has become a tar-baby. Once you pick it up, it is really difficult to put back down. I have included what might appear to be "fluff" to you, but I have added a lot of the "mortar" to hold the various blocks in this site together. So please be kind with your criticism until AFTER you have figured out how my brain works. <g>

Why do you archive information from other websites?

I am sure you have noticed that, over the years, many websites have opened and then, just as quickly, disappeared. I hope to prevent the loss of some of this information by archiving here. Being a Wiki formatted site, I expect people will copy information from SM-201 for their own sites. All that I ask is that you be polite and credit us, in the same way that I credit other people for their work.

External links

• Website: sm-201.org (Started under "www.backdrop.net/sm-201/")