I think fanfiction.net is a perfect example of why it's risky to be okay with rules you don't like because you assume they'll never be enforced. They
can be enforced, and when they are, this stuff happens.
The site has a reputation for being inconsistent at best when it comes to doing stuff about rules violations, so I think a lot of people got complacent and assumed their stuff would remain under the radar.
Other fanfiction sites that allow hardcore erotica are, interestingly enough, less successful--so I am not sure FF is making the wrong call. I may not like it, but it is their site and it may be their best option.
That's really interesting. What makes you say that? This is the first I've heard of sites that allow erotica being less successful, maybe because my fandom corners have always been very accepting of it, and critical of any limitations. Of course, I tend to stick around Livejournal and Archive of Our Own.
Where are these other "better" fanfiction archive sites? I know of this one but would like to broaden my horizons. What I like about FF.net is that it's a one-stop shop for just about any fandom, and I don't have to seek out fandom-specific archives.
Archive of Our Own is pretty decent, and is a multi-fandom archive. Their biggest problem at the moment is that their servers can have trouble dealing with the load, but I find their archive a lot easier to navigate (and post fic to) than ff.net.
While on the subject of ff.net, you guys know what I'd like to see them crack down on? People using inactive sections for random stories that don't have anything to do with it.
For example, the section for George Orwell's
1984 has a lot of generic, original dystopian stories that have nothing to do with Orwell's novel. The
Jesus Christ, Superstar section is used for various religious stories and poems that have nothing to do with the musical. The section for the movie
A Cinderella Story used to be used for fan fic about the Jonas Brothers, even though I don't remember them having anything to do with that movie. Though the site did eventually crack down on that.
It's really annoying, and there are already sites where people can post their original fiction and poetry.