I've come to think that it's more than two groups (though less than ten, possibly even less than five), and the lines are not as bright as you might think.

Oh, I agree with that. Once you throw the whitefont issue in the air, I think the groups splinter even more.

I just feel like we want a vote to be tabled because the people that don't want what is being voted for, are upset. But, the upset of the people that do want a new thread seems to be being disregarded, somehow.

I mean, isn't this what the voting procedure was established for? To find out what the majority of the board wants? And I say this having no real idea of whether this thread would pass or not.

But, the upset of the people that do want a new thread seems to be being disregarded, somehow.

Not at all, at least for me. I've tried to make that as clear as I can, and people with differing views about the threads (Hi SA sweetie) agreed with my suggestion. This is only to give us (all of us) some breathing room and time to reflect.

If it's a discussion of principles, then it is best to have a nice calming break before doing it, but that's unrelated to fall schedules and the like.

Whether or not this vote goes ahead, I think the discussion is worth having. If the vote goes ahead, we'll probably need more of a rest.

As for technical factors, since the upgrade we look okay response-time wise. There's still a pretty extensive back end redesign I'd like to do before the idea doesn't make the technical side of me flinch every time the topic comes up, though.

If it's a discussion of principles, then it is best to have a nice calming break before doing it, but that's unrelated to fall schedules and the like.

Yep, I should have said "plus", and not "because" here:

Longer might be good too, because then people would know more about the shows and the schedule etc.

I just feel like we want a vote to be tabled because the people that don't want what is being voted for, are upset. But, the upset of the people that do want a new thread seems to be being disregarded, somehow.

I disagree with this. While I think a Network Drama thread isn't the best solution, it would generally work for me, though I would rather have more genre-y bucket threads according to show type. So for me, I'd like five new threads or something. My feeling on the proposal Connie put forth has nothing to do with the reasons I would like to table discussion at this point. I think we have raised issues that are larger than the Network Drama proposal itself, and I think it would behoove us to collect out thoughts and our feelings and remember that we are a community of people, not antagonists, who generally do care about what this board does and how it does it. Unfortunately, we mostly all seem to be at cross-purposes at the moment, and I think a breather would beneficial not only on an individual basis, but also on a community health basis. I don't think I'm wrong when saying we all generally care about each other and our collective community--I don't think we would be raising hackles, such as they are, if we didn't. But I personally would like some down time from talking in Lightbulbs and B'crazy about these thread creation issues. Two weeks sounds right to me.

Also, whatever our longer, bigger discussion turns out to be, I think it's going to need longer than four days for us to really hash some things out, but it probably shouldn't be completely open-ended, either.

I agree. Some parameters should be set, by a poll, I think.

Such a poll would have to have many choices, and possibly also a "my preferences are not adequately represented by this poll" button. I think a poll is the only way to get everyone's input without someone going through all the posts and trying to tabulate what everyone said they wanted.

Oh, of course. I mean, the number of people who are lurking through this discussion--understandably--should be able to voice their opinion through the poll.

So, something like:

Do you want to table discussion of new thread creation at this time?

Yes, No, No Preference

How long should discussion be tabled?

One week

Two weeks

Until Labour Day

No Preference

Unless other time frames are suggested.

Of course, I do think this hinges also on Connie choosing to withdraw her proposal at this time; it is worth adhering to our own protocol here.

Of course, I do think this hinges also on Connie choosing to withdraw her proposal at this time; it is worth adhering to our own protocol here.

Yes. This. I'm not so sure that she's going to want to withdraw it. I think that we should wait for her to come back and table all discussion of tabling, until she has.

Edit: Above was not meant to sound as sarcastic as it came out. I just meant that it has to be Connie's decision to table or not. Poll could determine for how long.