On the poll: are " don't change anything" and "more threads will dilute" meant to be complementary or opposing positions? "Check one" implies, to me, that the three possible answers should be mutually exclusive, or at least clearly differentiated.

Should it be phrased so all three options are mutually exclusive?

Or should the first question be different? Or two questions?

Interesting! Thanks for posting, Ice. I lurk in other places and completely sympathize with the lurking urge. It's hard to start posting here. I think it's weird not to lurk in natter or bitches though-- it's public to all.

Anyway, as a lurker myself elsewhere, I don't think lurkers have cooties. I just think that the health of the board means if there's a difference of opinion between the people who post and the people who don't post, it's totally crazy to drive away the former in preference for the latter-- because there's no board for anyone then.

Thanks for the input, Ice. I think that really does cover the issue.

As long as you're registered you can vote. We made it that way a long time ago and that's not changing.

I said lurkers who post are usually cool peeps, and here's Ice proving my point!

Exactly. Thank you for posting that, Ice.

For example, Hec, I like the way the board is now, but I don't want to see a kajillion new TV threads either. So I don't know which I'd check. That's probably unhelpful, what with not actually having a suggestion...

We can't check more than one? I think it would be common to check "no change" and "no expansion."

Hec, I like the way the board is now, but I don't want to see a kajillion new TV threads either.

That's definitely the point -t was making.

Does it help to ask these questions:

Are you satisfied with the board as it currently works?

Are you dissatisfied with the board as it currently works?

Because I presume most people are going to say Mostly Satisfied. I could be wrong.

Maybe we just need to clarify the question about whether people think unchecked threads have a negative consequence or not.

Maybe two questions of the tickybox variety.

First a) The board is perfect as is and should not change
b) If we could just tweak a few things it could be a lot better
c) Everything's all messed up and needs sorting out, pronto
d) Other (with text box for explanation)

And then the question about more threads diluting or enhancing

Edited for formatting and to say I don't know if that first question needs to be asked, but if it does this might be a way to approach it.

Just to clarify, I never said that we should take lurkers who don't vote into account. My initial dismay was caused by people implying that majority wouldn't necessarily rule, because there were only 60-70 core members, and that their opinions mattered more. That if 40 people that lurked actually did vote on the poll, that we still only cared about the 60 or 70 regular posters anyway. If I was mistaken about people feeling that way, I apologize, but I don't think I am. I think some people are now backtracking and changing their stance on what they originally were saying.

I say we just go on with the poll and hash it out after we see what kind of numbers we're actually looking it.

I volunteered to work with anyone willing to to put together a poll tonight off-board. I stand by that and askye has volunteered to help. Hec, you want in on that?

I figure, we put something together we are happy with - throw it up for 24 hours of comment and then go with a probably revised poll.

good lord. NOT AN "I look down on you all" CRITICISM! I am you all, you know. I worked in all volunteer organizations and non-profits and large academic organizations, I KNOW from committee, believe me.