What's New and UFO-Free

FAQs About ghosts.org

Q1. Why aren't there more graphics/pictures on your page?

A1. I guess I am "old school" on this topic. I feel that graphics should only be used when necessary. Most of the information presented on the website doesn't need graphics. When I've found a pertinent picture, I have used it, but mostly I only add pictures to pages that need them, like the Haunted Places page.

I have received notes from a number of people who would like to see more ghostly photographs. Other than the photos I add to the Haunted Places page, you are not likely to see many new pictures on my pages. This is mainly for two reasons:

1. I don't feel comfortable using pictures from books or other web sites because of the copyright issue. Believe me, I don't need to be sued, and I feel guilty enough about the Ghostly GIFs page.
2. About 99.9% of the photos I receive from readers are of a dubious nature, either intentionally or unintentionally. If I ever get a terrific ghost photo, I will probably post it on the page. In the meanwhile, you can share your ghost photos with other ghosts.org members on our UFO-Free Message Board.

NOTE: The front page went under fairly major design revisions in June 1997, October 1997, September 1998, January 2001, and 2003.

Q2. When are you going to update the web page?

A2. Short answer: Whenever my children let me.
Long answer: I do try to update as much as possible. However, my computer time is pretty limited these days due to parenting two very active children. I realize that I can sometimes be really slow on adding stories, links, and other info... all I can tell you is, please be patient with me. I am usually dealing with my son and daughter at the same time I'm on the computer. Also, please keep in mind that there is quite a bit of "behind the scenes" work to be done before I can add things like stories and new features. Again, I beg your patience on this matter.

Q3. Why don't you put [insert haunted site here] on your Haunted Places page?

A3. You may have noticed that all the Haunted Places so far are in California. Well, there is a reason for that... that's where I lived for eight years. I only intend to add sites to the Haunted Places page that I have visited myself. It gives me the real "feel" of the place, plus I can take my own pictures. I have gotten many suggestions of places to add, and trust me, if I am ever in those areas I will check them out! I really do appreciate the suggestions.

Note: if you are interested in contributing information about a known haunted place, see the next question.

Q4. How do I contribute a story to the archives, or an article to the website?

A4. You can send stories and other contributions to obiwan@ghosts.org . Go to the Story Contribution page to find out more.

Q5. How can I tell when you add new stories? How often do you add new ones?

A5. I don't even attempt to answer this anymore. Sometimes it's once a year, other times every few months. When I add new stories, I always post a list on the front page. You can recognize new stories on the Stories Page by finding the ones with asterisks (*) next to them.

Note: I do read all submissions, although not all of them end up on the page. I was more lenient in the past, but I now pitch stories with poor grammar, extremely slim credibility, or some other factor that makes them unreadable by a general intelligent audience.

Q6. I love UFOs. Are you ever going to add UFOs and extraterrestrial topics to your page?

A6. No.

Q7. Why do you hate UFOs so much?

A7. I don't "hate" UFOs, I just don't believe they exist or have an interest in them, and thus I do not wish to spend valuable time and space devoting a section of my site to the topic. If you want to read about aliens, there are PLENTY of other sites to satisfy you in that regard.

Q8. How do I tell if I have a ghost in my house?

A8. Well, bleeding walls, skeletons in your uninstalled swimming pool mudpit, and symetrical book stacking are all probable indicators, but I imagine if you'd seen those types of things already you wouldn't be asking me this question. The fact is, unless irrefutable Weird Stuff (tm) is occurring on a regular basis in front of your face, there is no sure scientific way to determine whether your house is haunted or not. Basically, if you believe (or want to believe) that there is a strange power at work around you, then it's true (for you). Which leads us to the next question...

Q9. How do I get rid of the ghost in my house?

A9. I am not a psychic or a ghostbuster, so I generally don't give out that type of advice. That being said, one simple and common way I've heard often works is to have a "talk" out loud with your spirit and tell it politely you don't want it around anymore. If you are feeling seriously harrassed, I suggest you check the "Ghost Hunters" section of my Links Page and get in contact with someone who really knows what they are doing. So, to sum up:
Obiwan is: a stay-at-home mother, a writer, a website designer, an amateur with a great interest in the paranormal, and a huge movie buff.
Obiwan is not: a professional parapsychologist, a ghostbuster, or a psychic.

I hope this clears up some misconceptions.

Q10. Did I really contact Satan on my ouija board/at the seance I had last night/while playing Bloody Mary?

A10. Probably not. And if you did, there's not much I can do about it. I personally would recommend not deliberately calling up the forces of darkness for entertainment's sake, but who am I to judge? Please see question 9 for why I cannot get you out of your bind.

Q11. Pretty please, just one little section on UFOs? It would be so cool.

A11. Sorry, no.

If your particular concern was not addressed here, please send me email or Sign the Guestbook or post your question on the Message Board.

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