ADMIN: We'd Like to Pick Your Brains About TBAY

[msbeadsley]

This is my first post on Feedback (thanks, ADMIN, for making it 
available, and for doing all the hard things that keep HPfGU going).

> 1. We'd like to know how you perceive TBAY. How would you describe
> TBAY messages? What do you feel is the most important aspect of a 
> TBAY message? What does the term 'TBAY theory' mean to you? What, 
> if any, is the difference between a TBAY theory and a regular HPfGU 
> theory?

I like TBAY. TBAY messages are like puppet shows, little vignettes 
produced to illustrate ideas about HP in a whimsical format. Although 
it's somewhat campy and can be confusing, it's fun and adds freshness 
and creativity to the board (which has somewhat of a tendency to 
grind away in plodding, pedantic discussion now and then).

> 2. Do you read TBAY messages? Have you ever posted a TBAY message? 
> If you have, what prompted you to do so? Have you ever wanted to 
> respond to a TBAY thread but chose not to because of the format? 
> What about the TBAY format made you reluctant to post?

Yes, I read TBAY messages. After several weeks on HPfGU, I went 
sailing into the Bay (on the AIRSHIP FANCY), chock full of nervous 
excitement. I later realized (partly due to an ADMIN reminder sent to 
the membership around that time; coincidence?) that I had been pretty 
cavalier about it (no canon, just hot air) and decided I wasn't 
really doing it justice, so I stopped (avoiding getting into trouble 
with ADMIN possibly as well). But nobody shot at me (or wrote to say 
I was embarrassing myself) and it was great fun. It was also (I hope) 
a non-confrontational way to address SAD DENIAL (which hurts (at 
least me) more than actually losing Sirius did).

I responded (in TBAY format) to one TBAY post and was more nervous 
about that than my independent effort. Hmmm...TBAY is only somewhat 
about "knowing the (ADMIN) rules"; it's very much about understanding 
the characters and scenarios, as well as the theories.

> 3. How accessible do you find the TBAY format? Do you find 
> discussions of older theories (such as MAGIC DISHWASHER) on TBAY 
> more or less accessible then discussions of older theories in 
> regular posts (such as Evil!Lupin)? Do Hypothetic Alley (home of 
> several major TBAY theories) and Fantastic Posts help to make TBAY 
> posts more accessible? What can veteran TBAY-ers do to make newbies 
> feel more welcome?

{<[(Okay--very, very sorry, but this should say "more or less 
acceptable _than_," not "then". I see this in posts all time and just 
had to say something--here, finally.)]>}

The accessibility of ideas in the TBAY format varies with the 
theories and their proponents, just as it does in "regular" posts. I 
like both styles, and the mix of styles. (I really *don't* want to 
see TBAY become a "spin-off" like OT or Movies, and I don't think 
it's necessary or appropriate, either. TBAY is about the BOOKS every 
bit as much as the rest of the main board is, IMO.)

I read HA and FP. (Really I did. Along with the rest of the suggested 
reading material.) I pondered, feeling somewhat prepared, and then I 
got into the flow, reading and posting, and into the sur-reality of 
TBAY. And I found that somehow the knowledge just didn't transfer--
although yes, I'd read stuff about TBAY, once I "saw" it, I knew 
nothing. (I think a how-to is a great idea and will help very much.) 
Hey, maybe TBAY should have a VISITOR'S BUREAU!

> 4. What do you find confusing about TBAY? What would you like to 
> know before posting? What would make you more likely to post in a 
> TBAY style?

Maybe a *cast of characters* could be made available (along with the 
theories/ships they belong to, and their affiliations) somewhere. 
Hey, a TBAY telephone (email) directory! And/or how about a TBAY elf, 
an expert dedicated to answering questions (and not just from 
newbies)? Sort of a TBAY hotline, only via email.

All of this sounds like a LOT of work. But <wg> you *did* ask. Thanks 
again.

Sandy