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

[arrowsmithbt]

--- In HPFGU-Feedback at yahoogroups.com, "abigailnus" <abigailnus at y...> wrote:
> Dear Everybody,
>  
> One of the reasons that we decided to establish -Feedback was to
> allow us to find out about the group's needs and opinions, and
> occasionally we'd like to ask for your thoughts about various subjects.


Could be setting a dangerous precedent, even with the best of intentions.

Evening, everybody. First post on Feedback. Just intended to browse, but
when someone actually solicits my views I can become positively garrulous.

I've done a speed scan of the posts so far, but not in fine detail. Lots of
interesting ideas and comments, but as a member of HPfGU with the
massive seniority of, ooh, six months, the one thing that is evident is
that you're not going to please everybody on the main site. Then what?
Would this Feedback site (has no-one come up with an acronym yet?) be
a wailing wall, a complaints desk or a safety valve? Or an umpire?

OK, it's on a temporary basis for now, but if it  helps Admin overcome
problems before they grow and fester then it should be made permanent.
But there are 11,000 members out  there and at  least some will be fully
paid up members of the awkward squad too. Once they learn that there's
a public forum where they can bend an Elf's ear and  demand satisfaction
for wrongs real or imaginary, you're going to have your hands full. Even
if that is not the way the site was intended to be used.
Can the Admin handle this on a continuing basis?


>  
> 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? 
 
TBAY can be a lot  of fun; one of the good things about them is that the
personality of the poster comes through, something that doesn't happen
often with regular posts. They allow more elbow room; you can be discursive,
test out wild theories, conduct ersatz feuds within civilised limits (something 
that might be misunderstood in a normal post), invent alter egos for yourself
and other participants in the thread. It's self indulgence.

Personally, I use them to cheat.

When I joined the site and read a few TBAYs I  had absolutely no idea what
the ground rules were. Couldn't find any guidelines anywhere. So I asked 
Kirstini "What gives?" She was kind enough to lay out the basics and with 
those, together with a few bits of history from Eloise, off I went.

I suspect that TBAYs are often written for the enjoyment of the writer more
than the fans; it's almost a form of expression, an exercise in form and
function. It's the borderline between fan fiction and canon. 
 
 
> 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 most, but not all. Just like ordinary posts they have to touch
on an aspect of the books or characters that interests me.

Yes. This is where I cheat. Most of those I've written are closer to FF than
TBAY. It means not only do I write about the canon characters, I get to
play with them as well.

The only reluctance I have in writing them is that they are hard work.
IMO much, much harder than even the most minutely researched, closely
argued analysis. It's very easy to fall flat on your face with a TBAY. Of the 
ones I write maybe a third get posted. Others may find it easier.

 
> 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?

Some of the older theories can be quite difficult to get to grips  with.
The idea is plain enough, but often you feel that you're missing something
critical; that there are unspoken assumptions that are important for full
understanding. Perhaps because the TBAY has been removed from its
context; the posts made at the same time that instigated or influenced it. 
For example, what is the real, critical difference between a TBAY and a
Flying Hedgehog? None that matters, so far as I  can see.

To make newbies welcome all that is needed are examples of the form.
If good examples are posted they will be followed up and emulated.

> 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?
> 

A map would be  nice.
 
Kneasy