[HPFGU-Feedback] ADMIN: We'd Like to Pick Your Brains About TBAY

[Anita Hillin]

abigailnus [mailto:abigailnus at ...]
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?

[Anita Hillin] When I first joined the group (shortly before June, 2003), I
tended to avoid the TBAY posts, in part because of their tendency to be
longer than the typical post.  After the June 21 moratorium was lifted,
given the huge influx of posts, I avoided TBAY altogether.  However, once
the deluge subsided, I began to read TBAYs on topics of interest to me.  I
find them to be more thoroughly fleshed-out theories, in part because of the
format, which requires some of the same skills fiction writing employs.

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?

[Anita Hillin] I find that I'm more likely to read a TBAY message from an
established writer (Kirstini, for example), than a new one.  The quality of
the TBAYS varies widely.  I've not posted a TBAY message, in part because
I'm not so much interested in leaping on a theory bandwagon as viewing the
"parade," and in part because I am critical of others' TBAYs, so I'd avoid
posting any but my best writing.

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?

[Anita Hillin]  Being old and forgetful, I have to admit the acronyms'
definitions slip my mind, and once that happens, the TBAY has less meaning
for me (MAGIC DISHWASHER is a biggie in this arena.  Huh???)  I have looked
them all up, but it slows down the reading considerably when I have to go
back to the source regularly.  It's easier to skip them, frankly.

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?

[Anita Hillin] The well-written TBAYS with enough references to remind me of
the acronyms' meanings are enjoyable and not at all confusing for me.  I
might be motivated to post a la TBAY if I had a pet theory and enough time
to construct it well.  At present, I'm lucky to write this without too many
typos. ;-)

akh



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