It's detailed, but since it's largely repetitive on the white front I think it's still accessible.

(four days of discussion, three days of voting)

Huh. I'm going to be out of town and possibly without Internet access during the voting period (and I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon, so depending on when the ballot is finalized, I may not see it). I'm only one person, but is there a way for me to vote ahead of time or vote by proxy (call a Buffista and have them send in my vote)?

We need a vote counter.

I can do it Jon. Seems I'll need to make a spreadsheet this time. In the past I just let my mail program do the sorting.

Summary:

The subject of how we handle TV discussion has been raised. Again. Some people want small bucket threads. Some people want to expand the buckets we have. Some people want to split the buckets we have. Some people want more dedicated show threads. Some people want a mix. Different people want different mixes. Some people want clear, bright lines. Other people want fuzzy water colors. Some people want no change. I want a pony.

Proposal:

Open temporary, TV-focused threads, so we can see if other shows inspire good discussion, in an environment somewhat more categorized and TV-focused than is Natter. They will only accommodate discussion of those shows which do not already have a TV thread home at Buffistas.org. These are not pilots for new threads; they're just space to experiment, so they are offered as a package deal. They are temporary and will be closed on June 1, 2007. White fonted TV talk will still be allowed in Natter.

When it's all over, if we choose, we can have a somewhat better-than-hypothetical conversation in Bureaucracy about how/if/whether we should try to accommodate a wider range of TV discussion, outside of Natter, and if that's even possible to do, in a way which respects and enhances our community.

Network Drama: for discussion of dramatic programming on those networks generally available, even to those viewers who do not have cable TV -- ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX, NBC, and PBS.

Cable Drama: for discussion of dramatic programming on cable TV outlets which are not currently covered in our Premium Cable thread. (Drama is split between Network and Cable for the duration of this experiment, because an all-inclusive drama thread might be too big, and not conducive for sustained discussion, and because people's viewing habits differ).

Comedy: for discussion of scripted, fictional shows (think The Office, Scrubs, HIMYM etc.).

Non-Fiction TV: for discussion of non-scripted (a.k.a. 'reality shows') programming, documentaries, and the like.

Item A: Should we establish the four temporary, experimental threads through June 1, 2007? Please Choose one:

YES
NO
NO PREFERENCE

Item B: NAFDA or White Font

1. Choose the rules for the Network Drama thread (please choose one)

NAFDA no future spoilers, no white font
WHITE FONT (with clear labels as to show being discussed)
NO PREFERENCE

If white font prevails for the Network Drama thread, how long should it be in effect (please choose one):

24 hours after an episode begins airing on the west coast 3 days after an episode begins airing west coast 1 week after an episode begins airing on the west coast NO PREFERENCE

2. Choose the rules for the Cable Drama thread (please choose one)

NAFDA no future spoilers, no white font
WHITE FONT (with clear labels as to show being discussed)
NO PREFERENCE

If white font prevails for the Cable Drama thread, how long should it be in effect (please choose one):

24 hours after an episode begins airing on the west coast 3 days after an episode begins airing west coast 1 week after an episode begins airing on the west coast NO PREFERENCE

3. Choose the rules for the Comedy thread (please choose one)

NAFDA no future spoilers, no white font
WHITE FONT (with clear labels as to show being discussed)
NO PREFERENCE

If white font prevails for the Comedy thread, how long should it be in effect (please choose one):

24 hours after an episode begins airing on the west coast 3 days after an episode begins airing west coast 1 week after an episode begins airing on the west coast NO PREFERENCE

4. Choose the rules for the Non-Fiction TV thread (please choose one)

NAFDA no future spoilers, no white font
WHITE FONT (with clear labels as to show being discussed)
NO PREFERENCE

If white font prevails for the Non-Fiction TV thread, how long should it be in effect (please choose one):

24 hours after an episode begins airing on the west coast 3 days after an episode begins airing west coast 1 week after an episode begins airing on the west coast NO PREFERENCE

Please note: On items with more than two choices, the options receiving the most votes will win.

I'm working up the ballot right now (AIFG) and something occurs to me. The "NAFTA" and WHITEFONT" options, as currently described, aren't mutually exclusive. If we vote for WHITEFONT, does that mean future spoilers are OK? I don't think that's the intention, and I'm going to alter the wording of the questions slightly to make that clear. If I'm mistaken Cindy, then let me know ASAP.

Also, ita, you need to have votes@... go to Laura.

Yeah. No future spoilers in any of them. We have spoiler threads. Good catch, Jon. Thank you.

eta... It's "NAFDA" though, not "NAFTA".

It's "NAFDA" though, not "NAFTA".

Caught that. Thanks.

North American Faux Truth Agreement.