FAQ is an abbreviation for "Frequently Asked Question(s)". The term refers to listed questions and answers, all supposed to be frequently asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic. Since the acronym originated in textual media, its pronunciation varies; both "fak" and "F.A.Q." are commonly heard (and therefore, when used with an indefinite article, it is either "a FAQ" or "an FAQ"). Depending on usage, the term may refer specifically to a single frequently-asked question, or to an assembled list of many questions and their answers. An alternative suggestion is that FAQ is actually a clumsily-constructed three letter acronym purported to have come from computer IT specialists, frustrated with answering over and over again the same, perceived stupid questions from computer users, and which secretly stands for the pronunciation "fah-queue". For example: "Please read the FAQ list to ensure your question has not already been answered before bothering the overworked IT department".

Origins

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While the name may be recent, the FAQ format itself is quite old. For instance, Matthew Hopkins wrote The Discovery of Witches in 1647 in FAQ format. He introduces it as "Certaine Queries answered," ... Many old catechisms are in a question and answer format.

More on [ FAQ ]

NYT > Music

LeRoi Moore, 46, Saxophone Player, Dies
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:26:19 -0000
Mr. Moore’s fevered riffs embroidered the distinctive music of the Dave Matthews Band with florets of jazz and funk.
Ronnie Drew, Folk Singer and Guitarist Who Founded the Dubliners, Dies at 73
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:30:17 -0000
Known for his distinctive long white beard and deep voice, Mr. Drew also sang with the Pogues and other rock bands.
Music Review: New Focus, New Home, Same Sonic Grandeur
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:20:36 -0000
The Walkmen showed perspective as well as purpose on Monday, in its first of two consecutive shows at the Bowery Ballroom.

NPR Topics: Music

Bernard Greenhouse: A Master And His Cello
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:34:00 -0400
Master cellist Bernard Greenhouse, 92, and his 300-year-old Stradivarius cello have been constant companions for the last half century. Greenhouse was a founding member of the legendary Beaux Arts Trio, which plays its final U.S. concert at the Tanglewood Festival in Massachusetts.
Mates Of State's Family Band Solution
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:24:00 -0400
Mates of State's music has only gotten richer and more rewarding since its members started a family: Their superb new album, Re-Arrange Us, finds it celebrating the tricky balancing act of marriage, parenthood and rock 'n' roll in a way that's undeniably uplifting and cheerful. Hear songs from that album in a session with World Cafe host David Dye.
Bon Iver: Songs From A 'Good Winter'
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:39:00 -0400
Two years ago, things weren't going well for Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. So he holed up in a cabin in the snowy Wisconsin northwoods, only to emerge with an album celebrated across the indie music community. Here, Vernon shares his story and performs in the studio.

www.tennessean.com - Rss-News-Music Industry news

Jackson, Montgomery Gentry give Sony reasons to celebrate
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:20:00 -0500
Music Row celebrated the successes of two Sony BMG Nashville artists this week: Montgomery Gentry earned two parties to honor No. 1 "Back When I Knew It All," and a massive gathering at Vanderbilt's Student Life Center feted Alan Jackson, who recently reached the milestone of 50 million records sold.
Briefs
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:12:00 -0500
Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group was sued for allegedly cheating members of The Allman Brothers Band out of some $10 million in royalties on music recorded from 1969 to 1980. Band members Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Butch Trucks and Jaimoe Johanson alleged Universal is paying only a "small fraction" of the royalties due them for digital downloads of their songs and is refusing to negotiate royalty rates for newly released digital configurations, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan. UMG spokesman Peter Lofrumento declined to comment.
Hip-hop's bible, 'The Source,' relaunches
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:19:00 -0500
NEW YORK — The Source, which was in bankruptcy last year, is relaunching with a 20th-anniversary issue and a new focus — a direction that its co-publisher says will restore the magazine, once known as hip-hop's bible, to prominence.

Rolling Stone: Features

How Bush Destroyed the Republican Party
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:58:32 -0700
A president driven by ideology. A Congress rife with corruption. A political party hellbent on a "permanent majority." A leading scholar examines the radicals who hijacked the GOP — and wrecked the longest conservative ascendancy in American history • Video: Five Ways Bush Sunk the GOP The failure of the administration of George W. Bush — and the accompanying crisis of the Republican Party — has caused a political meltdown of historic proportions. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, Bush enjoyed the greatest popularity ever recorded for a modern American president. Republicans on Capitol Hill, under the iron rule of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, fattened their coffers through a fearsome...
The Police Say Farewell With New York Blowout
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:17:03 -0700
The Trio end globe-trotting reunion tour with benefit gig • Smoking Section: The Police's Final Show After 150 shows spread out over five continents, the Police wrapped up their blockbuster 15-month reunion tour on August 7th with a bang: a freewheeling, occasionally silly two-hour show at New York's Madison Square Garden that was billed as the band's final performance ever. "It's been difficult, but we've actually navigated this thing together as mature males, and we've had a lot of fun doing it," Sting told Rolling Stone the day before the...
Artists to Watch
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:29:00 -0700
Six acts who are defining rock and pop in 2008 LOW VS DIAMOND West Coast quintet craft widescreen rock anthems built for stadium singalongs Click above to watch Low vs Diamond's Lucas Field and Anthony Polcino perform "Heart Attack" live Few young american bands attempt the unabashedly grand cinematic rock that L.A.'s Low Vs Diamond play on their eponymous debut — and frontman Lucas Field sees that as an opportunity. "I felt like there was a hole in American anthems," says Field, 28. "British bands do this big, melodic stuff...

Ultimate-Guitar.Com [News]

Flobots Talk Solar Powered Gig
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:12:19 -0000
In a nod towards the future, Flobots performed in San Diego on a solar powered stage courtesy of Sustainable Waves.
Suicide Silence Announces Headlining North American Tour
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:08:53 -0000
Suicide Silence will embark on a massive headlining tour this fall, dubbed the “Cleansing The Nation” tour.
Wolfmother Can Not Patch Up Member Split
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:00:13 -0000
With the break-up phase of Wolfmother apparently over, we asked bassist Chris Ross about the writing process with each other.

Y! Music Unlimited Top Songs

#1: Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal) - Fergie
Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:17 -0000
(C) 2006 Will I Am / A&M.
#2: Umbrella - Rihanna
Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:17 -0000
(C) 2007 Island Def Jam.
#3: Electric Worm - Beastie Boys
Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:17 -0000
(C) 2007 Capitol.
#4: Home - Daughtry
Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:17 -0000
(C) 2006 RCA.
#5: Icky Thump - The White Stripes
Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:17 -0000
(C) 2007 Third Man/Warner Bros..
#6: Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:43:17 -0000
(C) 2005 Fearless Records.

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