My basic position is a desire for hard core yet whitefonted spoilers to have a thread.
However, if that's to be spoiler thread #3, nope, nosirree.
I approach the first from the opposite direction, plugging for a hardcore spoilers thread in which show creators' wives can post their pillow talk about future seasons in 24pt bold type. But I agree that 3 spoiler threads are too many no matter what the breakdown of specific needs addressed by each. I'd rather not have any spoiler threads at all than give people the headache of trying to choose between 3 active threads any time they hear a spoiler and then trying to figure out the type color rules for the thread it most nearly fits.
Cindy, I thought people might want to have an option to just have a white font thread for hard core spoiler seekers who only want spoilers for some shows, without worrying about the level of spoiler, i.e. Lite or Heavy.
This makes no sense to me, Wolfram (sincerely). I hope I'm not coming across as intentionally obtuse. If/when white font is used to mask spoilers, it is used because there is an assumption that some people don't want to read some stuff. If spoilers are in white font, but not labeled, how will people know what they want to read or avoid? We might as well not use white font, if we're not using labels.
Wolfram didn't say not to use labels. I think labelling is implied.
Then what's the difference between his suggestion and Cindy's? Saying if it's lite or not?
In all honesty, were I playing in that thread, I'd probably not label much lite, since the definition's a little subjective, and I'd not want to tarnish anyone's experience.
This in no way prevents anyone who does know what lite is from labelling theirs thusly, though.
We might as well not use white font, if we're not using labels.
Like Jon said, I meant there'd still be labels for particular shows, but not for level of spoiler. The only way I think Lite and Heavy Spoilers could reasonably co-exist is with Lite in plain font and Spoilers in whitefont. (Although for reasons previously stated, I think this negates the whitefonting purposes of the traditional Lite.)
In all honesty, were I playing in that thread, I'd probably not label much lite, since the definition's a little subjective, and I'd not want to tarnish anyone's experience.
This. Since lite is subjective, I don't know how many of us lite seekers will risk uncovering labels in a whitefont thread that contains hard core spoilers.
I don't know how many of us lite seekers will risk uncovering labels in a whitefont thread that contains hard core spoilers.
I'd think (hope?) the thread could contain everyone who missed the lite thread -- you guys know how to label, so you'd read Jon's posts without hesitation, right?
t slaps DCJ upside his numberslutting haid
... then. Then, comes the laughter.
I meant there'd still be labels for particular shows, but not for level of spoiler.
Okay. Sorry for the confusion, Wolfram. I think labeling a spoiler just with show title, with no kind of categorization of the spoilers, is less useful than having a label that gives information as to both show and contents. Granted it isn't useful to you, because you would choose not to use the thread, but your preference isn't typical of what I've seen in practice. I've used some really different boards, and have held (personally) basically every spoiler philosophy there is from
BAD!--VERY BAD,
to
GIVE ME MOOOOOOOOORE!
At a few (not spoiler community) boards where spoilers were posted in the regular show discussion forum, or even just the main forum, with either spoiler font, or spoiler space) including two linear boards (iow--one giant thread), I've found people are more comfortable when they have a clue as to what kind of information they're being offered. I don't think it's a hardship to type "Lost/Plot" instead of just typing "Lost", so I'm not going to add a sixth option. If you want, you can suggest le nubian add the sixth option. But seeing as you (and Jon) have both said you would't use a thread with anything heavier than traditional lite spoilers, my suggestion is to wait and let someone who wants that option suggest it.
If there is someone who wants a white font thread, but objects to labeling with type, they can advocate for it. I chose the categories for my suggested ballot, by going back through the thread, and seeing what people wanted. The only suggestion I did not include was simply a "Lost" hardcore spoilers thread, because I only saw one person advocating for that above a general thread, but saw a few advocating against it. I felt suggesting that, would again start moving this conversation towards adding two new (for a total of three) spoiler threads, and in general, people in this discussion have expressed they find that excessive.
The only way I think Lite and Heavy Spoilers could reasonably co-exist is with Lite in plain font and Spoilers in whitefont. (Although for reasons previously stated, I think this negates the whitefonting purposes of the traditional Lite.)
That's would be the mixed bag thread (I know you know that, but for people who haven't been playing along at home, I'm mentioning it here).
le nubian,
below is a new version of a ballot I think will work. How this voting process works, is that it is all up to you. You are free to use, or disregard any of the suggestions made by anyone in this thread, when finalizing your ballot. This proposal is your baby, so you get to design it your own way. I don't know if you know, but you have to finalize the language, before we can vote on it. At any rate, please feel free to take as is, take and modify, or completely ignore the following.
Updated Suggested Draft 2 of Spoiler Threads Ballot:
Item 1:
When
Spoilers 3: First Mutant Enemy, Now the World
was opened, it was done so, with the understanding that the white font rules for it, and its successors, would be decided later.
Proposed--the rules should be as follows:
The rules are, there are no rules. All hardcore spoilage, all the time. No white font. No apologies.
(choose one)
____ Yes
____ No
____ No Preference
_________________________________________
Item 2:
Proposed--We open a more restrained spoiler thread, to accomodate those who want to discuss some spoilers, but not others.
(Choose ONE type)
a) Traditional Spoilers Lite Thread:
Guest stars, episode titles, writers, and preview speculation in
black font.
Exiting cast, TV Guide and other entertainment articles and their discussion
white-fonted.
b) All White Font+Good Labels:
All actual content must be in
white font.
Each item in a post must be labeled
(in black font)
with show name, and spoiler type.
Spoiler types are as follows:
* Lite (guest stars, episode titles, writers, and preview speculation)
* Plot Spoilers
* Casting Spoilers (regular cast comings and goings)
* Articles (interviews, entertainment press reports, and TV Guide level episode descriptions). When articles reveal other spoilers (typically, casting or plot spoilers) the label should note that, too. e.g. "Buffy/Article/Plot" rather than just "Buffy/Article"
c) Mixed Bag:
Lite spoilers (Guest stars, episode titles, writers, and preview speculation) will be posted
in black font.
All heavier spoilers will be
in white font,
and labeled with show name and spoiler type (see labels in item 2b).
d) No new thread.
e) No Preference.
