ADMIN: Spoiler Policy

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 60520

Greetings from Hexquarters!

As we all count down the days until the release of OoP, the 
Administration Team has been huddled at Hexquarters, all of the 
entrances securely bolted and towels stuffed under the cracks 
beneath the doors. Nothing, we vowed, must disturb our careful 
deliberations and detailed preparations for This Blessed Event. 

Finally, the Admin Team have something to show for their hard work. 
We have decided how we will handle the issue of spoilers for the OoP 
release. 

Our view is that anyone who comes to a HP discussion group around 
the release of OoP really should expect to encounter spoilers. Lots 
and lots of spoilers. For that reason, we have decided *not* to 
require list members to use spoiler space at all. 

Instead, we are introducing a new prefix for subject headers, which 
will give members fair warning that the post contains OoP spoilers. 

Beginning today, we would like members to use the "OOP" prefix for 
any post to any of our lists that contains spoilers for OoP. Subject 
headers should not, of course, contain spoilers themselves --
"OOP: Sirius Dies At Azkaban!" rather defeats the point of the OoP 
prefix.

For example, an appropriate subject header might be, "OOP: Harry, 
Sirius." Harry and Sirius are so interconnected in previous books 
that this isn't a spoiler. "OOP: Harry, Lupin" on the other hand, 
*would* be a spoiler, as we don't know whether Lupin is in Book 
5. "OOP: Lupin" would be better (as for all we know, you might be 
posting on why Lupin isn't in the book).


Remember that a subject header which has *both* a chapter number and 
a subject is in itself a spoiler. 'OOP: Chapter 32 - Sirius' tells 
readers that Sirius turns up in Chapter 32. For a reader only on 
Chapter 7, where Harry is worried about his godfather, that's a 
spoiler. If you want to discuss a particular chapter, use chapter 
numbers *only*. 'OOP: Chapter 32' is fine.


Please begin using the new "OOP" prefix on all of our lists -- 
especially the main list and OT-Chatter -- beginning today. And 
remember, if you have any comments about any OoP release issues, 
holler at us at:

hpforgrownups-owner at yahoogroups.com 



"The truth." Dumbledore sighed.  "It is a beautiful and terrible 
thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." [PS/SS 
Chapter 17]


Be like Dumbledore. Tell people as little as possible. ;-)


Counting down to June 21st

The Administration Team