Spoilers suggestion! :)

Hey gang,

I received a PM from forum member Catamountain who has suggested that it might be worth addressing the issue of threads in the 2011 Cartoon forum that contain spoilers - I think he's hit on a very good point! :)

Adam's (Catamountain's) suggestion was to have two separate forums for the 2011 cartoon, one containing spoiler-based threads and discussion and one without - I personally think this might be a bit extreme but I certainly think there's a very strong case for guidelines regarding threads containing spoilers, i.e. for any threads containing spoilers to be flagged as such, or perhaps a "child forum" of the 2011 cartoon forum where all spoiler-based discussion can be based. :)

I'd welcome your thoughts and opinions on this and, if we think this is a good idea, any suggestions you may have about how to implement it. Many thanks, everyone! :)

Take care... :)

Its tricky because all the new cartoon discussion is bound to contain spoilers to an extent...otherwise whats to discuss?

I agree that Spoilers warnings might be a good idea for the '9 minutes leaked' thread and for any future review type threads for when the episodes begin to air in the US.

Chris here...

"blackiecats, post: 44283" said:

Its tricky because all the new cartoon discussion is bound to contain spoilers to an extent...otherwise whats to discuss?

Yep, fair point! :)

"blackiecats, post: 44283" said:

I agree that Spoilers warnings might be a good idea for the '9 minutes leaked' thread and for any future review type threads for when the episodes begin to air in the US.

Yeah, I think this is probably the most sensible (and easiest) suggestion! :) What do the rest of you guys think? :)

Take care... :)

Chris here...

Adam's been in touch again to ask if we ever came to a decision about this... :)

I'd like to suggest that we post a friendly "sticky" in the 2011 Cartoon forum, suggesting that people post up in thread titles, etc., if their thread is going to contain spoilers, and also consider adding spoiler space where necessary. :)

I can understand the mentality behind this, as we UK fans don't get the new show until (allegedly) September, and so if someone from the UK or elsewhere wanted to avoid reading spoilers but wanted to go over to the new forum to post up "Just seen a trailer on the UK Cartoon Network!!!" (or something), that might be difficult for them. :)

I don't think it's something we should get "heavy-handed" over, and definitely don't think that it's worth creating a whole other child forum for - but, I think maybe mentioning about spoiler warnings on the forums might be worth doing. What do you guys think? :)

Take care... :)

I think if we just put a heavy emphasis on having a thread with spoilers use a basic format in the Thread Title, it may work. Two examples, first with the format I am talking about, second like people would normally post:

proposed format: Spoilers - Did Grune really just...
regular format: Did Grune really just sacrifice himself for Claudus?

First thing you read is "Spoilers" so you know if you want to continue or not. And don't put an actual spoiler in the title so those who read the titles anyway won't find out if they don't want to. No point using a Spoiler Warning if the spoiler is in the thread title.

Or, make one sticky thread for all spoiler discussion.

Not aimed at anyone here but sometimes I think folks over-think this stuff.

First I'm of the mind if you don't want to be spoiled for a show, don't read discussion forums about said show before you can see it yourself. We already have the new show in its own forum which in itself accomplishes the isolation spoilery discussion warrants. Anything else strikes me as redundant, and as blackiecats pointed out, what's to discuss then?

Otherwise, the normal internet common sense and graces apply. We can suggest an idea for this, but heavy-handed enforcement would just make us look like weenies imho. Trying to make too many "rules" or exert control over every last bit of conduct on a forum is not only tiring for mods but after a while, people may feel afraid to post for fear of some iron fist or ban hammer. Or maybe this heat is just making me crabby LOL

Actually already dealing with this a bit on my Voltron site/forum. New show is out for that franchise as well. Similarly I have a whole sub-forum just for the new show. But we also have a thread called SPOILERS within it, and the idea is for fans to post to it, generally after each new show airs, to post plot specific opinions, musings etc (all stuff like "omg do you believe what so and so did in tonight's episode? etc etc"). So it's all completely big time, immediate spoilers. Every post.
Otherwise I find most people are nice enough to warn in advance if they're really going to drop a huge twist etc in the middle of an otherwise benign thread. And in the cases where there's thoughtlessness, I refer back to the idea of stay out of new show discussion forums if ya don't wanna risk it. It's the internet, welcome to it.

So my advice in a nutshell would be maybe post a suggested guideline for threads that will contain immediate episode spoilers, but also a warning that if you're skittish about being spoiled read into the new show forums at your own peril. People are apt to discuss the show, and in the excitement, could forget to be kind. Wouldn't make it a hard and fast rule though - scope is just too much to control it either way.

/my two cents

PS Dumbledore dies! ;)

Chris here...

I agree with you to a large extent, Angie, insofar as that I definitely don't think we should make a "rule" about any of this, rather just make a suggestion - I agree that otherwise folks become too worried about posting anything. If you've ever posted on He-Man.Org, it can be a bit like that over there, and so I know exactly what you're talking about! ;)

I'll put together a carefully-worded post, putting forward the suggestions above, and make it a "sticky"! :)

Take care... :)
Merged Post:
EDIT:

I just put together the "sticky" thread, you'll see the tone I've gone for and suggestions I've made - hopefully this will keep any fans concerned about spoilers happy, whilst not making folks feel as though we're going to attack them with the ban hammer if they get excited and forget, LOL! :)

http://www.thundercatslair.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7137

Thanks everyone for your input on this, much appreciated! :thumbsup:

Take care... :)

If each episode was aired worldwide within a 24 hour window I don't think there'd be any issue. The problem is that for some parts of the world they will be waiting for the episodes to air for weeks after they air in other places.

I saw the sticky and sounds great.

Chris, that was exactly my concern. I love classic He-Man but I've avoided the He-Man.org forums like the plague precisely because it seems so anal, feels like the antithesis of fun to me lol Order and rules can be good, but yeah...some balance is cool too.

That said, your post is aces. Struck the perfect chord I think. Well done :)

I'm noticing people doing stuff to hide spoilers and asking for spoiler tags to be added. One person has already used the trick of changing text color to white so the spoiler only shows up if you highlight it.

Looks like everyone wants to be polite about spoilers for those who won't get to see the episodes at first.

"mcss aerocoupe, post: 45386" said:

I'm noticing people doing stuff to hide spoilers and asking for spoiler tags to be added. One person has already used the trick of changing text color to white so the spoiler only shows up if you highlight it.

Looks like everyone wants to be polite about spoilers for those who won't get to see the episodes at first.

Ive implemented a new feature that actually uses a button as spoilers. Pretty cool

This is your [spoiler]Cool new feature[/spoiler]

Cool. I gotta test it out for fun.

[spoiler] I know people will like this new feature. [/spoiler]

Chris here...

This is pretty damn awesome - great work MannyC! Does this come fitted with vBulletin or is this something of your own creation? :thumbsup:

[spoiler]Yes sir, it certainly is a great feature! :D[/spoiler]

Take care... :)

lol awesome!

I just did a bit of searching on Google and found the coding for it. Input it into the custom bb codes via the admin panel and worked like a charm