Spoiler Tags

Faith

Okay, when there is a thread that is clearly marker **SPOILERS**, the first post also indicates that there's spoilers, and it's clearly marked either US or IRL, what is the need for spoiler tags? I'm getting really sick of people commenting in threads clearly marked as having spoilers, "You should have spoilers tags in that". The US:3x05 Promo/Pre-Airing discussion thread is a perfect current example. Speculation is not a spoiler, and as far as I'm concerned, people who don't want to have any idea what happens shouldn't be reading those threads, and if they do, they shouldn't be complaining. It's very annoying having to highlight every second post.

Can we get an actual definition of what, where and when things needs to be spoiler-tagged?

Basq

The spoiler rule is tricky to generalise really.

I've always had the following rule to go by on spoiler tags:

- '** SPOILERS **' in a thread title generally means there'll be a plot detail for an upcoming episode spoiled in the thread and discussed in detail with no need for spoiler tags.

- But in an promo discussion thread, the items which require to be spoilered involve either stuff not directly mentioned in the promo or any plot details which may be revealed after the episode which is in the promo.

But it's quite a grey area..

abelard

Well for that particular thread, the way I thought of it was that it was for discussion of the promo. Any discussion or dissection of the promo was fine for not having spoiler tags as it was idicated in the thread title and first post.

However, basquille (or whatever your new name is, sorry!) came in with another piece of information which was gained from a renowned sourse of spoilery information from the internet. This wasn't really indicated in the promo, and people who just wanted to discuss the promo could have gotten an unwelcome surprise by reading it, or any of the follow up comments to it.

I think there's definitely a difference between wanting to discuss the promo, which is, after all, shown at the end of the episode, and wanting to find out the big spoilers floating aroud the internet. People who come in just to discuss the promo shouldn't be subject to spoilers unless they actually decide they want to know and highlight thw spoilers.

Anyway thats just my opinion though, maybe the general consesus is entirely different. It would be good alright, if we could get a solid idea of when spoiler tags are appropriate. It may be impractical to enforce though, as it will always just come down to the posters opinion.

Basq

Good thinking abelard.. it's my particular doings that sullied the latest promo thread so think i'll update the stickies regarding promos.

But it's difficult to draw the line when a spoiler tag should be used.

Should we just assume if a thread has the SPOILERS tag in the title that everything in it can be discussed spoiler free... where does a spoiler tag come in then.. possibly in a thread not marked with the spoiler tag i suppose.

Would like steveland's input on this and we'll hopefully get up a more concise rule on spoilers soon.

abelard

Maybe the best idea would be to define in the thread and title what exactly is being talked about, eg in the last case it was the promo.

Then you can safely assume that all talk of the promo can go on spoiler free as people can't really complain since it was blatantly stated what was being discussed.

Then if something like your big spoiler comes up, maybe it should get it's own thread, just titled "SPOILER FOR EPISODE X", "HUGE SPOILER READ AT YOUR OWN RISK" or something along those lines. Obviously it isnt a good idea to define what the spoiler even relates to in the title or opening post so as long as people know they're about to find out something big they can't complain no matter what.

Maybe better yet, a sticky could be made which all posts that involve internet speculation and/or leaks and spoilers so the boards isn't clogged up with numerous spoiler threads. Then the opening post could easily disclaim any responsibility for people getting parts of the show ruined whn they didn't want to.

Again, just my thoughts, hope the whole thing gets sorted either way.

steveland?

Well when I originally put the spoilers sticky together it was in the hopes that all threads marked "**Spoiler**" wouldn't require spoiler tags.

The only time spoiler tags would be necessary in these threads would be if discussing something from upcoming episodes... Like say in the case of someone referencing the promo for the next episode.

Of course some people prefer to have no discussion of upcoming episodes in the current episode thread. I know I prefer this but others don't...

The general rule used to be kind of that if the episode is being discussed only that episode and previous episodes could be discussed. Then people started discussing what they *thought* would happen in the upcoming episodes, some people take this as what's going to happen, some people view it as speculation...

In the promo threads I don't see a huge need for spoiler tags unless it's someone talking about something that's been revealed in an interview (such as who it is that's going to die in a certain episode)

The general guidelines are in place in the spoilers sticky but I'd like to leave the use of spoilers in other threads up to peoples common sense..

I may regret that comment later...