Is this comparable to the "difference" between Star Trek fans and Trekkies? Almost everyone uses pornography for the purposes of masturbation, but I wouldn't describe everyone who's ever jerked off to porn as a "fan". The word fan implies some degree of fanaticism. Any devotee who follows the industry and careers of the performers, producers, and directors is a fan. And as long as that person is able to indulge their avocation without it interfering in their lives, or the lives of others in a destructive way... I don't see one thing wrong with being a fan of anything. The word "fanboy", on the other hand, seems to be nothing more than an artificial label manufactured by self conscious, shamefaced fans as a way of drawing a distinction between themselves and other fans they're embarassed to be associated with. I hadn't even heard the word "fanboy" before I began posting to this forum... yet I was labeled a "fanboy" almost immediately. I certainly didn't take it as an insult. But I still fail to see the difference between my behavior, and that of the "fans" who labeled me a fanboy. I have a job, an apartment, a girlfriend who enjoys smut as much I do... and a pretty normal life ( so far as anyone's is ). I've never been to an industry convention... but I do talk to people in the industry who I consider genuine friends. There are certainly people on this board who follow the industry much closer than I do, and have closer relationships to the performers. So, besides the fact that I'm rarely in the mood for the board's ridiculous and tiresome poo-flinging... what behavior in particular would single me out as a fanboy?
Have at it.