I have to admit that I'm a little confused as to whether you're asking basic "how exchanges run this way on AO3 work" questions, or specific ones related to worldbuildingex (which, I will freely admit, is a particularly complicated example). I'm going to assume the former, but apologies if I'm wrong about that.
You have it exactly right that the tag set "the menu we can choose from while making requests" - the nominations stage currently ongoing is where people can add things to the tag set so that the things they want to request or offer are available to them.
The "sign ups" stage, during which you make your requests and offer the fandoms you want to offer, comes later (in this case, starting on Friday and running until Monday 27th). When that begins, this link (which currently won't work) will take you to the sign up form where you can provide all that detail.
If there are fandoms you'd like to request/offer that aren't yet in the tag set, then you do still have the chance to get them in by going here and entering them. But if there are plenty of fandoms you like the look of already there, getting involved in the nominations stage is entirely optional; I know that I didn't get involved in the tag set stage for my first several exchanges, just used the one that was created by other participants. (That said, please note that you will need at least three fandoms to request and four to offer; the sign up form won't let you sign up with fewer than that.)
The main "guidelines" post for this round is here and may answer at least some of your questions, but it mostly does start from a "you've done an AO3 exchange before" level. You're definitely right that the posts I'm currently putting up are very much geared towards the nitty gritty of sorting out the tag set; do feel free to email me at worldbuildingmod@gmx.com if you want to get into more detail about anything at all.
tl;dr: you haven't missed your chance to sign up, and unless all your fandoms are very niche you're probably fine to ignore all of what's currently going on if you want and come back on Friday when sign ups open.
ETA: I see anon above me has beaten me to replying; they're right about everything (and considerably more concise)
ETA2: it occurs to me to check that you do have an AO3 account! You won't be able to participate without one; requesting one through the queue should get to you in plenty of time before the close of sign ups, but I do have a few invitations lying around if you need one.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: i understand nothing
Date: 2020-01-14 09:23 pm (UTC)I have to admit that I'm a little confused as to whether you're asking basic "how exchanges run this way on AO3 work" questions, or specific ones related to worldbuildingex (which, I will freely admit, is a particularly complicated example). I'm going to assume the former, but apologies if I'm wrong about that.
You have it exactly right that the tag set "the menu we can choose from while making requests" - the nominations stage currently ongoing is where people can add things to the tag set so that the things they want to request or offer are available to them.
The "sign ups" stage, during which you make your requests and offer the fandoms you want to offer, comes later (in this case, starting on Friday and running until Monday 27th). When that begins, this link (which currently won't work) will take you to the sign up form where you can provide all that detail.
If there are fandoms you'd like to request/offer that aren't yet in the tag set, then you do still have the chance to get them in by going here and entering them. But if there are plenty of fandoms you like the look of already there, getting involved in the nominations stage is entirely optional; I know that I didn't get involved in the tag set stage for my first several exchanges, just used the one that was created by other participants. (That said, please note that you will need at least three fandoms to request and four to offer; the sign up form won't let you sign up with fewer than that.)
The main "guidelines" post for this round is here and may answer at least some of your questions, but it mostly does start from a "you've done an AO3 exchange before" level. You're definitely right that the posts I'm currently putting up are very much geared towards the nitty gritty of sorting out the tag set; do feel free to email me at worldbuildingmod@gmx.com if you want to get into more detail about anything at all.
tl;dr: you haven't missed your chance to sign up, and unless all your fandoms are very niche you're probably fine to ignore all of what's currently going on if you want and come back on Friday when sign ups open.
ETA: I see anon above me has beaten me to replying; they're right about everything (and considerably more concise)
ETA2: it occurs to me to check that you do have an AO3 account! You won't be able to participate without one; requesting one through the queue should get to you in plenty of time before the close of sign ups, but I do have a few invitations lying around if you need one.