Compromise #1

It has become apparent to me that no definitive consensus exists in relation to the Spoiler Policy. If I am to take the votes as proof of the views of all persons using this wiki, the user base is evenly split into two groups: for "spoilers" and against "spoilers".

To begin, the question that needs to be answered first is "What constitutes as a spoiler?"

To those who haven't seen either Battlestar series before, everything is spoilerific.

However, since we are here to report and analyze all things in the BSG canon, the definition I am going with follows:

spoiler (noun). Information on an episode or potential entry into canon that has not been officially released yet, whether in the form of a "first airing" or final public release.

Now, in order to not alienate anybody, I am proposing this compromise policy. You may vote for or against it at your discretion, or even suggest amendments or changes to it. If people like the policy's direction, a "final draft" will be written up and subsequently voted upon. Yours truly, Joe Beaudoin 23:53, 13 September 2005 (EDT)

Policy (Draft)

Note: Major changes worth noting are in boldface, so that people can see the difference from the current policy.

Overview

As an episode guide and encyclopedia (and to a lesser extent, a dictionary), this wiki may use information considered "spoilerific" in nature. This policy goes over the placement and verification of such information, as well as how the viewer can be forewarned when visiting an article containing such information.

Definition of a "Spoiler"

In fandom parlance, a "spoiler" is one or more pieces of information that may spoil the user's interest in an ongoing series, such as divulging future plot points or introducing new facts about previously established characters into a series' canon.

To a new viewer of any Battlestar series, everything is considered a spoiler. However, since this wiki exists as an information reference, we are not here to protect new viewers from information.

The spoiler policy protects viewers familiar with the series who do not want to be exposed to information from episodes that have not had a first airing.

General Policy

This wiki recognizes that there are those who believe such information is detrimental to their viewing habits, while others are potentially apathetic to being "spoiled" as it does not affect their habits either way. Therefore, the following measures are to be adhered to:

Information on unaired episodes can be added to any article on this wiki, but shall be tagged with a spoiler warning message, {{spoiler}}.
- For articles completely relating to an unaired episode, the tag shall go on the first line of the article's text, before any other text and templates.
- For articles containing a mix of information from aired and unaired episodes, a spoiler section shall be added to the very bottom of the article. The spoiler section shall be tagged with the {{spoiler}} tag before any spoilerific text.
- All spoiler information must have a source, whether in the form of a URL or a printed publication text, on the talk page of the spoilerific article. For printed publication text, a copy must be scanned and uploaded to the wiki in the form of a JPG or PNG, and posted on the talk page of the article containing the spoilerific content.
- Failure to follow the above procedure(s) shall result in removal of spoiler information. Should the behavior persist, consequences outlined further in this policy text shall be implemented.
Information located on user or talk pages does not need to be tagged with {{spoiler}}. These are "neutral zones", though it is suggested that users keep in mind other users who may not feel the same way they do regarding spoilers when adding content to both talk and user pages.
Once the episode has been aired -- or is airing at the time of a user's editing -- information revealed in that aired or airing episode can no longer be considered "spoilerific". This is regardless of whether or not the episode has yet to air anywhere else. (i.e. Episode 2.11 has aired in the United States, but not in England; just because it hasn't aired in England doesn't make the episode "spoilerific", as it has already aired in the U.S.)

Enforcement of Policy

Repeated failure to obey this policy will result in the user being warned on his or her talk page. Dismissal of the warnings may result in short-term or long-term banning, depending on the circumstances.

Discussion

Please add your discussion points here. Thanks!

I like it, but two things nag me. 1) If there's some leak that something will happen to soem major character, we then mark the whole article about them as spoilerific? B) Should we give any thoughts to verifying the, ah, validity of the information? I think that's about it. --Day 00:28, 14 September 2005 (EDT)

1.) This also bothers me. I think perhaps on regular articles, we could have a section below everything else for spoiler content. Episode pages for unaired episodes could just be flagged at the top, though.

2.) A link to an online source or should be adequate. --Peter Farago 01:23, 14 September 2005 (EDT)

Great points. I believe that articles, such as character ones, should have a "spoiler" section to them added to the bottom with the appropriate warning before the spoilerific information. I'll clarify in the draft. -- Joe Beaudoin 01:38, 14 September 2005 (EDT)