ADMIN: HPfGU movie poll - reminder/reference notes

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 27621

Dear list members,

HPFGU MOVIE POLL.  NB: CLOSES 19th OCTOBER

We're still interested in hearing your preferences on where we should
discuss the Harry Potter movies, especially those of you who are recent
joiners.   A poll has been running for a couple of months now, but we
thought it was worth  going through some of the pros and cons.  Several of
you sent us messages explaining  the thinking behind your votes, so we've
incorporated some of those hopes and fears below.

The poll is here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPforGrownups/surveys?id=729738
(you may need to reconstruct the link)

GENERAL NOTES

*It's an advisory poll, which means the outcome will inform the decision.
*The poll will be closed on Friday 19th October, midnight UK time.
*You can change your vote until the poll is closed.
*Others can't see your vote or sell it to the highest bidder.
*A copy of this message will be linked from the poll intro.

Here are the four options and some notes on the thinking behind them...

(1) KEEP HP MOVIE DISCUSSION ON THE MAIN LIST

What does this mean?

We would continue to ask for a 'MOVIE:' prefix on the headers of all
movie-related posts and there would be a requirement for spoiler space until
it seemed appropriate to remove it.  It's worth pointing out that, because
release dates are staggered between November 2001 and May 2002 (see list,
here: http://www.hpgalleries.com/moviegallery3.htm), spoiler space would
continue for an extended period.

What is spoiler space?
D
R
A
C
O
I
N
L
E
A
T
H
E
R
With the juicy details placed much further down the page (note: do not use
blank lines or punctuation symbols, as they may get ignored or truncate
messages)

Pros:
*no further splitting up of the list - all book/movie discussion in one
place
*no additional lists to check

Cons:
*spoiler space to remember and contend with (see intro, above)
*huge increase in message volume, particularly around movie release dates
*influx to a literary discussion list of movie fans who may not have read
the books
*swamping of book-related threads around movie-release times.

(2) PERMANENT HP MOVIE LIST

What does this mean?

We would move all discussions related to the HP movies to a permanent,
separate list that would be complementary to the main book-oriented list.

Pros:
*clear-cut division
*no need for spoiler space (you would only join if you'd seen the film[s])
*reduced volume on the main list
*people could avoid movie discussions (and movie-only fans) easily

Note: *movie/book crossover posts would all go here (pro or con?).

Cons:
*another list to join
*divergence of membership on the two lists
*no more posting about the movie on the book discussion list

(3) TEMPORARY HP MOVIE LIST

What does this mean?

We would set up a list for discussion of the movies instead of introducing
spoiler space.  Rather than maintaining the list all the time, if the
message volume dropped (i.e. between films), discussion would return to the
main list with the 'MOVIE:' prefixes.

Pros:
*allows main list to maintain some continuity between book and movie
discussions
*reduced message volume on the main list only when needed
*people could avoid movie discussions more easily during the active periods.

Note: ultimately, this may end up being a permanent list.

Cons:
*rather vague (or flexible, from another viewpoint)
*a decision would be required about moves back and forth
*there would be some splitting of movie posts between two lists

(4) ALL HP MOVIE POSTS GO TO OT CHATTER

What does this mean?

We would move all movie discussion to our existing OT Chatter list and apply
the same rules that would apply on the main list (i.e. spoiler space for an
extended period).

Pros:
*movie, merchandise and casting chitchat would be on the same list as more
serious discussion
*no need to join another list (assuming members have joined OT Chatter)

Cons:
*it wouldn't have the same feel as the OT Chatter list we have now
*OT topics would be invaded by movie-specific discussion
*some of the same 'cons' as listed for the option (1)
*there would be posting rules on a list that is currently kept fairly free
of ADMIN

Thanks.
__________

Neil/Flying Ford Anglia

for the Moderator Team
hpforgrownups-owner at yahoogroups.com