The one other thing I'd like clarified if possible is whether there's any restriction on when the casting change occurs.

This has been something almost everyone agreed on early on, before things got heated.

Giles not a regular, JAR and AA added, okay.

MB, SG, and GQ leaving, or AndyH added, not okay.

This would, based on most people's statements of support ONLY apply to between-seasons changes where the information comes from where Kristen said it should.

Jim, when come back, bring Advil. Also, since there have been about 1000 posts since your departure, I’d like to sum up and suggest that you consider rewording your proposal as follows:

"That major casting spoilers (to the main cast only, not recurring or guest), which are being advertised by Fox or the WB at their annual upfront presentation to advertisers, are no longer considered spoilers and may be discussed, within their respective show threads. This only includes cast additions or departures that occur over summer hiatus. Any plot points related to the character's (not the actor's) arrival or departure are to be treated as spoilers. The Main Cast are those characters who appear in the opening credits."

You're right, Plei. I just wanted to make sure, if we are going to give Jim some sort of synopsis to work from, that it was in there.

And if the spoiler policy broadens to include the website it would be more than two months.

Not really. The show premiers in 2 months. Or, 2 months and 2 weeks, something like that.

OK, I just caught up on 500+ posts, then I had this really great post, but then the internet ate it.

I would like to add, so it's on record, that I really did (and do)appreciate the cross-show whitefonting. I did not have an issue of tape delay. I (and many other Buffistas) had an issue of actual broadcast delay due to sporting events. I really appreciated the courtesy. I also appreciated the decision to stop white-fonting after a couple of week of air date so that it could free-up discussion.

If such courtesy had not existed, I simply would have unsubscribed from both threads until my air date. But I thank you all for the courtesy.

About 60 posts back, Cindy posted a helpful description:

the average poster, who is neither as spoiler houndish as say Plei, nor a spoiler virgin like you, and think how that person must feel about having to go into spoilers or spoilers lite and just to talk about stuff that they consider news, and that they consider it news is in part, because it's every bit as official as a televised promo

If this is a true and accurate definition of "the average poster" (and I know is describes me), then I believe a negative (as opposed to affirmative) resolution to this proposal would be detrimental to the board as whole. If "average" means "greatest number", then most people on the board would be frustrated because the needs of the few would be the decided course.

Of course, if the issue is brought to a vote, and the majority decides to keep things as they are, then the "average poster[s]" cannot complain. This is why I feel the issue should not be tabled or closed and should be brought to a vote.

Just my $.02.

Of course, if the issue is brought to a vote, and the majority decides to keep things as they are, then the "average poster[s]" cannot complain. This is why I feel the issue should not be tabled or closed and should be brought to a vote.

Yes, this. There is no way to know who is being put out of which thread for which reasons, without hiring John Ashcroft to oversee our interrogation. None of us wants that. But, by allowing everyone to vote should they choose, we'll get resolution.

Also - yes to Kristen's language (suggested language for the ballot, not the wart thing).

I have read as many posts as there are stars in the sky. I have read nothing that would work to any degree better or worse than the set-up we have now, if people would use the Spoiler Light thread more efectively, preferably without the white font. That way, those who only want to know the casting spoilers and hypothesize about the rest could go there, the hardcore can stay in hardcore, and the virgins can stay in NAFDA. If this means there's only two people chatting in the Angel thread, then there's only two people chatting in the Angel thread.

I can't help but feel that this whole, monolithic, bureucratic and sometimes ill-tempered discussion has less to do with spoilers and everything to do with people wanting everybody to be talking about the show in the same thread. Which, at this point, I don't believe is doable.

Love you all. Honestly. My heart is brimming with love. And when it comes to a vote, I fully intend to abstain, because I honestly don't care how it all turns out, but for the life of me, I can't see how this dicussion has gotten so... out of hand.

I've hit Elena and Kristen's highlights, and put them in a post for Jim and all in Press.

When does this go to a vote?

"That major casting spoilers (to the main cast only, not recurring or guest), which are being advertised by Fox or the WB at their annual upfront presentation to advertisers, are no longer considered spoilers and may be discussed, within their respective show threads. This only includes cast additions or departures that occur over summer hiatus. Any plot points related to the character's (not the actor's) arrival or departure are to be treated as spoilers. The Main Cast are those characters who appear in the opening credits."

if people would use the Spoiler Light thread more efectively, preferably without the white font. That way, those who only want to know the casting spoilers and hypothesize about the rest could go there, the hardcore can stay in hardcore, and the virgins can stay in NAFDA. If this means there's only two people chatting in the Angel thread, then there's only two people chatting in the Angel thread.

But it is a question of how the boards are used and respected. I know one casting spoiler and I don't think there is any way besides serious determination that I, personally, don't have to avoid it. But I want to remain as spoiler-free as I can this season for Angel.

And I won't probably vote cause this isn't a thread I have been in enough to feel comfortable doing that, but my .02 for the reading...