Yeah, I think I'd just as soon see the thread closure votes kept separate.

First, I am not unhappy with the aforementioned subtle shift. The board will, of course, grow and change, as the posters change, etc. I am happy with the wonderful Buffistas that have joined us with their interest in those new shows.

Secondly, it's definitely not that I don't want to see new posters coming in. I think it's great, and it's important for us as a community to continue to have new folks finding us and joining the fray.

Lastly, however, my concern was more towards feeling that the appeal of Buffistas comes from our friendships, which come from our common interests. It's a desire to see that the boards continue to be a place where we can find each other across a crowded internet. It's more about continuing to draw the people that have these same things in common with us, and together with whom we can enjoy each others' company, banter, snark and wisdom. Of course we want a diverse community. But we also want to have some commonality to build on.

Liese, I agree with everything you said, 100%.

This may or may not be an incentive, but I would actually return to regular posting if there was a Lost or an OC (or, actually, a Veronica Mars, although it's not as good) thread. I prefer, and only have time for, theme-based threads these days. Natter's too big and too fast for me.

Burrell, I think my issue with the header may need to be addressed as a seperate issue. I'll bring it up in Bureau.

If we are adding a thread that a large number of posters expressed interest in, then in theory, we are maintaining the discussion of things of common interest. The poll basically determined what shows would result in an approved vote. Once again, not an issue for me. I've never found that I have more chance of getting along with Buffy fans that I do people who hated the show.

I agree with Wolfram, that the major influx of people was a result of VIP postings. I do not think that a board called "Buffistas" will be a logical place for people to look for Lost discussions.

Finally, the board changes all the time. It changes with every brouhaha, it changed when pictures went up at WX, it changed when we added Natter, it changed when F2Fs started, it changed when BUffy ended. We can all list peope who have left and people we consider new. Some think it has changed to much, but too much is personal thing, too much is different for each one of us. And no matter what we do, people will leave and discover and post less and post more as their own personal relationship with the board changes. It's not that it is not important to discuss, it is, but the changes being suggested are not huge changes. At least not to my mind.

1. Should we add a Lost thread? _xx Yes _ No _ Abstain

2. Should we add a The O.C. thread? _ Yes _ No xx_ Abstain

3. Should we add a general reality TV thread? _ Yes _ No xx_ Abstain

4. Should we add a general TV spoilers thread? Whitefont policy is to be determined later. xx_ Yes _ No _ Abstain

To keep our post table and number of threads managable, one option is closing and archiving threads that are no longer in use.

5. Should we close and archive Previously on Angel? xx_ Yes _ No _ Abstain

6. Should we close and archive Angel Quotables, after the deathmatches finish? _ Yes xx_ No _ Abstain

7. Should we close and archive Angel Spoilers? xx_ Yes _ No _ Abstain

I guess,,,

There will be a voting form to vote on stuff. If you vote in this thread, it will not be counted.

When there is a ballot, I'd be happy to count the votes again.

Things got really busy this evening, and work tomorrow will likely be pretty crazy as well, so I probably won't get the ballot up until late afternoon / early evening.

ita -- can you point votes@... to Lee?

I'm pointing it to your profile address, Lee.

Cool.