01 May 1998: Alter uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 charter, create .tvonly, remove .misc
RESULT: uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 charter changes only
Author: Chris M Dickson
Email: b5vote@dickson.demon.co.uk
Date: 1998/05/01
Forums: uk.net.news.announce, uk.net.news.config, uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5, uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.misc
Message-ID: <result-uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5-980501-183000@usenet.org.uk>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
RESULT OF CALL FOR VOTES
Summary:
PART 1: Charter changes to permit posting all non-JMS-spoiler ep titles
PART 2: Charter changes to permit protected discussion of officially
released video material
PART 3: Charter changes to permit protected discussion of non-tv
material
as a reference to an existing discussion
PART 4: Charter changes to ban binaries and limit advertising
PART 5: Charter changes to include tagging scheme
PART 6: Option two beat option three in part three therefore
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.tvonly - not created
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.misc - not removed
======================================================================
Voting closed at 23:59:59 GMT, Friday 17 April 1998.
Proponent: alan@the-one.demon.co.uk (Alan Scobbie)
Votetaker: chris@dickson.demon.co.uk (Chris M. Dickson)
======================================================================
Distribution:
uk.net.news.announce, uk.net.news.config, uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5,
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.misc
======================================================================
Voter List
==========
Valid ballots were received from the following:
Sarah Baker sarah.simple-signshop@demon@co@uk
Mark Kennedy mark.itsilzha@demon@co@uk
Arwel Parry arwel.cartref@demon@co@uk
Barry Dorrans barry@dorrans.connect-2@co@uk
Alan Scobbie alan.the-one@demon@co@uk
Colin Wightman colin.kilroy@demon@co@uk
Maura McCoy jamccoy.maurabrid@win-uk@net
Andrew Wright andrew.stardock@u-net@com
Ruth Aidley elp95rjm.shef@ac@uk
Alex D Baxter a@baxter.ic@ac@uk
Paul Harper paul_harper.ici@com
David Howdon david@howdon.ccc@ox@ac@uk
James Nash J@Nash.mdx@ac@uk
Barry O'Neill boneil.cableinet@co@uk
Russell Marshall R@Marshall.lboro@ac@uk
Philip Hassall Philip@Hassall.cs@york@ac@uk
Pedro Ferreira ferreira.liverpool@ac@uk
Anthony Naggs amn.ubik@demon@co@uk
Timothy Fisken tim.rose-cottage@demon@co@uk
Tobias Erle Torex.snafu@de
Tony Blakeway Tony.aqualung@demon@co@uk
Will Sheward will.lcars@demon@co@uk
Khianna Hearson khianna.mindless@com
Adam Darcy afd.tinet@ie
Jon Turner jon.acme-labs@demon@co@uk
Natalie Ford N@G@Ford.surrey@ac@uk
Michael Sparks zathras.babblings@ml@org
Tim Gowen tim.equipoise@demon@co@uk
Victoria Latham k@latham.zen@co@uk
Tony Towers wibble.fishblanket@demon@co@uk
Alison Hodges alison.vacuum@demon@co@uk
Tim P Chadwick newsmaster.chadwickhouse@demon@co@uk
Malcolm Mladenovic mbm.acm@org
Ishtiaq Hussain ihuss.globalnet@co@uk
Margaret Hall mhall.baradel@demon@co@uk
Raj Rijhwani raj.courtfld@demon@co@uk
Chris Hayes Spanner.larrrrrd@demon@co@uk
Paul Bolchover pb10003.cus@cam@ac@uk
Philip Sumner phil-99.geocities@com
Angus Mainwaring angus.angusm@demon@co@uk
Chris Wheeler chris.terim@demon@co@uk
Bryan Morton bcmorton.bigfoot@com
Barbara Lee barbara.barley@u-net@com
John Robinson john.thebeard@demon@co@uk
Argyros George Argyrou argyros@argyrou.ukonline@co@uk
Joss O'Kelly josh.lichfield@prestel@co@uk
Pekka P Pirinen ppp.pirinen@demon@co@uk
Bruce Goatly bruce.goatly@demon@co@uk
Martin Garvin marvin.indigo@ie
Peter Card Peter@Card.jet@uk
Alex Glennie aglennie.netcomuk@co@uk
Simon Hopper hopper.ooh@dircon@co@uk
Ben Webb pmbjwebb.zetnet@co@uk
Shaun Gerrans Shaun.yedor@demon@co@uk
Invalid ballots were received from the following:
Mark Sinclair mark.rovanion@demon@co@uk
Name and address were missing from ballot form
Mark Rigby-Jones mark@rigby-jones.ox@compsoc@net
Name and address were missing from ballot form
Michael J Foy miock.mikefoy@demon@co@uk
Did not vote using ballot form
Stephen Watson stephen.kerofin@demon@co@uk
Name and address were missing from ballot form
As per the UKVoting statement, no correspondence will be entered
into regarding the contents of invalid ballots and what the effect
would have been of including them.
======================================================================
VOTING METHOD FOR PARTS 1, 2 AND 3
The method used to determine success or failure in AV ballots
has recently been the subject of some dispute. In advance of
changes to the guidelines to clarify this issue, the UK Usenet
Committee have published a 'stop-gap' method to be used and this
vote will be counted by it, as follows:
1. The ballot will be counted by the AV method, to produce
an AV winner, the "do not change the charter" option will
not be taken into account in this phase of the count.
2. The ballot will then be recounted, as a straight Yes/No
between the AV winner and "Do not change the charter".
The relative position of the two options will determine
whether each ballot is counted for or against. If either
the AV winner or "No Change" is not included in the
preferences, the ballot will be counted for the option
for which a preference was expressed. If neither option
is shown, but a vote for any other name is present the
ballot will be regarded as a vote for charter change in
this phase of the count. A twelve vote majority is
required at this stage to change the charter.
======================================================================
RATIONALE:
The newsgroup uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 was created to allow the
discussion of "Babylon 5" episodes that had already been shown in the
UK, and was intended as a "safe-haven" from the spoilers that are
abundant on international forums. The group allowed the discussion of
all aspects of "Babylon 5"; however this was changed with the creation
of the .misc group to cover material external to the TV series (seen
as an acceptable compromise at the time, as many believed that such
material has the potential to spoil the television series).
The current charter limits the main group to discussion of "Babylon
5", the TV series. It forbids the discussion of the series of novels
and comics published by Boxtree and Titan in this country, as well as
an increasing amount of what is being defined by the series creator as
correct and accurate story material.
This is not the creator's intention; indeed these many sources
serve to enhance the series arc and will continue to explore areas
of the arc that cannot be shown on TV, whilst remaining canonical,
being derived from story outlines by jms. The current arrangements on
the main group and .misc preclude the mainstream discussion of this
material alongside the TV series.
It has become apparent that .misc does not fulfill its role for
those able to use it and it is felt that it is time that the situation
regarding EXACTLY what constitutes the B5 Universe and where
it should be discussed be resolved as clearly as possible.
I therefore propose that you vote to change the charter on several
occassions; by including episode titles, TV movie titles and spin-off
titles; to allow protected discussion of the TV movies; to allow
protected *discussion* of non-tv material; to add clarify the
newsgroup's position on advertising and binary postings and to
implement a new tagging system.
In addition I propose that .misc be removed from the uk.* hierarchy
if my other proposals are passed, as the newsgroup would become
redundant and more under used. The proposal to create .tvonly was the
result of the RFD process. A number of people suggested that if my
proposals are implemented, they would be effectively isolated from
the main group, and, as such, wish to see the creation of a new
.tvonly group. Out of respect for their viewpoint, I have included
this as an option on the ballot paper.
There are six individual points to vote upon.
======================================================================
<*> -----------------------
<*> Part 1 : EPISODE TITLES
<*> -----------------------
There are 3 options here, because of the following paragraph:
BEGIN QUOTE
"All titles - of episodes from the TV series "Babylon 5" which have
not been aired by a major UK analogue terrestrial broadcaster - are
considered spoilers and their use is BANNED in the newsgroup."
END QUOTE
The options for modifying this are:
1) To keep the status quo, as defined by behaviour on the newsgroup.
This is currently governed by a Gentlemen's Agreement made after
a straw poll. This agreement requests that people do not post episode
titles to the newsgroup: however, titles of the B5 TV movies are
allowed, if posted under courtesy space.
Therefore, the Charter would require the addition of the following:
BEGIN QUOTE
"All episode titles from the TV series "Babylon 5", that have not
been aired by a major UK analogue terrestrial broadcaster, are
considered spoilers and their discussion is BANNED in the newsgroup.
This includes their usage in ALL Subject: lines. During broadcast
times the episode number should be used in the Subject: line instead.
Discussion of the titles of all spin offs, including but not limited
to TV movies & books, is acceptable provided courtesy space is used."
END QUOTE
The definition of "courtesy space" would then need to be added to the
Charter.
2) To keep the status quo, as defined by the Charter
The current charter allows episode titles to be discussed freely
unless jms states that an episode title is a spoiler. Historically,
this has proved to be problematic.
3) To allow all episode titles, including spin-offs.
The Charter would require the addition of the following:
BEGIN QUOTE
Episode titles that are defined by JMS as a potential spoiler
for future episodes (e.g., the title of 415 - "No Surrender, No
Retreat") are banned from the group until such time as the
episode in question is broadcast across the UK by a major
analogue terrestrial broadcaster.
ALL other future episode titles may be freely discussed at any
time, including but not limited to the titles of the spin-off
TV movies/series.
END QUOTE.
Ballots
=======
The ballots for each voter were are follows:
Option 1: ga: Gentleman's Agreement
Option 2: sq: Status Quo as defined by current charter
Option 3: fd: Free Discussion
O1 O2 O3
Voter Name ga sq fd Preference order
==============================================
Sarah: - - 1 fd
Mark: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Arwel: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Barry D.: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Alan: - 2 1 fd sq
Colin: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Maura: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Andrew: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Ruth: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Alex B.: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Paul H.: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
David: 2 - 1 fd ga
James: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Barry O': 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Russell: 1 2 3 ga sq fd
Philip H.: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Pedro: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Anthony: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Timothy: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Tobias: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Tony B.: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Will: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Khianna: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Adam: 2 - 1 fd ga
Jon: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Natalie: - - 1 fd
Michael: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Tim G.: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Victoria: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Tony T.: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Alison: - 2 1 fd sq
Tim C.: - 2 1 fd sq
Malcolm: - - -
Ishtiaq: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Margaret: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Raj: - - X fd
Chris H.: 2 - 1 fd ga
Paul B.: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Philip S.: 1 3 2 ga fd sq
Angus: 2 1 3 sq ga fd
Chris W.: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Bryan: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Barbara: 1 2 3 ga sq fd
John: 2 3 1 fd ga sq
Argyros: - 2 1 fd sq
Joss: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Pekka: 3 2 1 fd sq ga
Bruce: - - 1 fd
Martin: 1 2 3 ga sq fd
Peter: 2 - 1 fd ga
Alex: 1 - - ga
Simon: - - 1 fd
Ben: 1 2 3 ga sq fd
Shaun: 2 3 1 fd gq sq
Count
=====
This vote was counted using the 'stop-gap' procedure specified
by the UK Usenet Committee.
PASS 1: Alternative vote, ignoring status quo option
AV count: round 1 [status quo is ignored in pass 1]
Ballots: 54, abstentions 1, quota 27
Option 1: ga: Gentleman's Agreement: 13
Option 3: fd: Free Discussion : 40
Option 3, free discussion, with 40 reaches quota (27)
PASS 2: Comparison of PASS 1 winner with status quo option
Yes/No for Free Discussion:
YES: 47
NO: 5
ABS: 2
Result: Option 3, free discussion, wins AV and passes +12 (42) v status
quo
======================================================================
<*> -------------------------
<*> Part 2: SEQUEL AND MOVIES
<*> -------------------------
At some point in 1998, the two Babylon 5 TV movies will be released on
video and (probably) broadcast by Channel Four. It is most likely that
the movies will be released on commercial video prior to C4 broadcast.
Inevitably (as has been demonstrated previously) someone will post
about these movies once they are released in the UK, thus potentially
spoiling them for the rest of the group who haven't seen them unless
pre-set guidelines are in place for this eventuality.
There are therefore 3 proposals to choose from:
1) To prohibit such material until broadcast by a terrestrial UK
broadcaster.
This involves the addition of the following to the charter:
BEGIN QUOTE
"Discussion of B5 televisual material that has not been aired by an
analogue terrestrial UK broadcaster is BANNED. In the event that the
material airs in one part of the UK and not another, protection in the
form of tagging & courtesy space - see below - must be used.
This protection must remain until such time as it has been
aired throughout the UK."
END QUOTE
Note this includes the S4C problem and also covers the eventuality
that C5 airs the telemovies first.
2) To keep the status quo
The current charter would leave this to prohibit discussion of the
contents of all videos that contain any B5 televisual material that
has not aired on Channel 4.
3) Free, but protected, discussion of Video material.
It is proposed to keep discussion of all relevant televisual B5
material on the main group and allow discussion of the videos of
B5 material before terrestrial broadcast under (VIDEO) space.
This would operate under the same principle as (SC4!) space
(see Part 5).
This tag would cover the sequel, telemovies and any S5 episodes
released on video prior to their broadcast on terrestrial, as well as
any possible further spin offs of the B5 saga that may be produced.
Therefore addition of this following text would be required:
BEGIN QUOTE
"Discussion of all B5 televisual material that has been broadcast by
an analogue terrestrial UK broadcaster is encouraged. In the event
that the material airs in one part of the UK and not another
protection in the form of tagging & courtesy space - see below -
must be used.
Discussion of B5 televisual material (eg episodes/films) that has
not been transmitted by an analogue terrestrial broadcaster is
prohibited, unless it has been released in the UK on commercial video.
If the material has been released in this form, it may ONLY be
discussed with the use of protection, in the form of tagging &
courtesy space, as discussed below.
NOTE: In effect this specifically prohibits using material from
illegal pirate videos as a source of information."
END QUOTE
Ballots
=======
The ballots for each voter were are follows:
Option 1: bb: Ban discussion until Broadcast
Option 2: sq: Status Quo
Option 3: pd: Protected Discussion of released material
O1 O2 O3
Voter Name bb sq pd Preference order
==============================================
Sarah: - - 1 pd
Mark: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Arwel: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Barry D.: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Alan: - 2 1 pd sq
Colin: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Maura: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Andrew: 1 3 2 bb pd sq
Ruth: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Alex B.: 1 2 3 bb sq pd
Paul H.: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
David: 1 2 - bb sq
James: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Barry O': 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Russell: 2 1 3 sq bb pd
Philip H.: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Pedro: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Anthony: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Timothy: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Tobias: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Tony B.: 1 2 3 bb sq pd
Will: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Khianna: 1 3 2 bb pd sq
Adam: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Jon: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Natalie: - - 1 pd
Michael: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Tim G.: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Victoria: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Tony T.: 1 2 3 bb sq pd
Alison: 1 2 - bb sq
Tim C.: - 2 1 pd sq
Malcolm: - - -
Ishtiaq: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Margaret: 1 2 3 bb sq pd
Raj: - X - sq
Chris H.: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Paul B.: 1 3 2 bb pd sq
Philip S.: 1 3 2 bb pd sq
Angus: 2 1 3 sq bb pd
Chris W.: 1 2 3 bb sq pd
Bryan: 3 2 1 pd sq bb
Barbara: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
John: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Argyros: 2 - 1 pd bb
Joss: - - 1 pd
Pekka: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Bruce: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Martin: 1 2 3 bb sq pd
Peter: 2 - 1 pd bb
Alex: - - -
Simon: 1 - 2 bb pd
Ben: 1 3 2 bb pd sq
Shaun: 2 3 1 pd bb sq
Count
=====
This vote was counted using the 'stop-gap' procedure specified
by the UK Usenet Committee.
PASS 1: Alternative vote, ignoring status quo option
AV count: round 1 [status quo is ignored in pass 1]
Ballots: 54, abstentions 3, quota 26
Option 1: bb: Ban discussion until Broadcast : 16
Option 3: pd: Protected Discussion of released material: 35
Option 3, Protected Discussion of released material,
with 35 reaches quota (26)
PASS 2: Comparison of PASS 1 winner with status quo option
Yes/No for Free Discussion:
YES: 41
NO: 11
ABS: 2
Result: Option 3, Protected Discussion of released material,
wins AV and passes +12 (30) v status quo
======================================================================
<*> -----------------------
<*> Part 3: NON-TV MATERIAL
<*> -----------------------
[This banner title includes such items as the books, comics, role
playing games, CD-ROMS, magazines, trading cards and indeed
anything that uses B5 as a basis for it's construction]
Much of the story of B5 is spread across the non-televisual material
widely available to purchase, and is exemplified by the novel "To
Dream in the City of Sorrows" which contains the following note:
"An official, authorised chapter in the Babylon 5 story line...and
should be considered as authentic as any episode in the regular
series."
J. Michael Straczynski
Preface to "To Dream in the City of Sorrows"
Since some of the current novels and many of those to come are also
to be considered in the same light by the creator of Babylon 5 -
J. Michael Straczynski. In theory .misc was designed to cover this,
but in practice Charter restrictions mean this is impractical (.misc
outright bans tv only discussion, and the main group prohibits
discussion of any non-tv material)
Again, there are 3 options:
1) Keep the status quo
This would involve no changes to the charter which forbids discussion
of ALL non-tv material.
2) Allow limited, protected, discussion of non-tv material as a
reference to an existing discussion.
This would involve modifying the charter in the following manner:
BEGIN QUOTE
"Non-Televisual (specifically printed) material that is commercially
available throughout the UK may only be used as a REFERENCE. It is not
to be used as the starting point of a discussion; any such discussion
belongs on .misc."
N.B. (i) A "commercially available" item is defined as an item that is
published in the UK or one that is widely available in the UK through a
number of companies or locales.
N.B.(ii) Any information which would act as a spoiler to unbroadcast
episodes of the TV series is obviously banned.
N.B.(iii) Common sense must be used to decide which parts of the
material are considered "REFERENCE" and therefore allowed. As a guide,
large chunks of plotline are definitely not considered reference
whereas minor details of characters (such as names) definitely are.
A REFERENCE is only acceptable when it is RELEVANT to an on-going
discussion of the TV series, and is suitably protected, by including
tagging & courtesy space for all such material; see below.
ANY Item which contains references to ANY B5 TV programme (for
instance, the novelisation of any B5 TV Movie) which has
not been transmitted by a terrestrial broadcaster is prohibited,
unless it has been released in the UK on commercial video If the
material has been released in this form, it may ONLY be discussed
with the use of protection, in the form of tagging & courtesy
space."
END QUOTE
3) Allow free, but protected, discussion of all non-tv story material.
This would involve adding the following to the charter, and removing
the paragraph banning such material.
BEGIN QUOTE
"Discussion of canon non-tv story material as described above is
allowed IF protection in the form of tagging & courtesy space
is used as described below. Tagging & protection for such material
is to be used permanently due to the fact that some do not wish (or
cannot etc) to purchase such material.
ANY Item which contains references to ANY B5 TV programme (for
instance, the novelisation of any B5 TV Movie) which has
not been transmitted by a terrestrial broadcaster is prohibited,
unless it has been released in the UK on commercial video. If the
material has been released in this form, it may ONLY be discussed
with the use of protection, in the form of tagging & courtesy
space."
END QUOTE
Ballots
=======
The ballots for each voter were are follows:
Option 1: sq: Status Quo
Option 2: pr: Protected Reference to non-tv material
Option 3: pd: Protected Discussion of non-tv material
O1 O2 O3
Voter Name sq pr pd Preference order
==============================================
Sarah: - - 1 pd
Mark: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Arwel: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Barry D.: 2 1 3 pr sq pd
Alan: - 2 1 pd pr
Colin: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Maura: 2 1 3 pr sq pd
Andrew: 2 3 1 pd sq pr
Ruth: 1 3 2 sq pd pr
Alex B.: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Paul H.: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
David: 1 2 - sq pr
James: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Barry O': 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Russell: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Philip H.: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Pedro: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Anthony: 2 3 1 pd sq pr
Timothy: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Tobias: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Tony B.: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Will: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Khianna: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Adam: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Jon: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Natalie: - 1 2 pr pd
Michael: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Tim G.: 1 - - sq
Victoria: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Tony T.: - 1 - pr
Alison: 2 1 - pr sq
Tim C.: - 2 1 pd pr
Malcolm: - - -
Ishtiaq: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Margaret: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Raj: X - - sq
Chris H.: 2 1 - pr sq
Paul B.: 1 3 2 sq pd pr
Philip S.: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Angus: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Chris W.: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Bryan: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Barbara: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
John: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Argyros: 1 - - sq
Joss: - 1 - pr
Pekka: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Bruce: 2 1 3 pr sq pd
Martin: 1 2 3 sq pr pd
Peter: - 2 1 pd pr
Alex: - - -
Simon: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Ben: 3 1 2 pr pd sq
Shaun: 3 2 1 pd pr sq
Count
=====
This vote was counted using the 'stop-gap' procedure specified
by the UK Usenet Committee.
PASS 1: Alternative vote, ignoring status quo option
AV count: round 1 [status quo is ignored in pass 1]
Ballots: 54, abstentions 5, quota 25
Option 2: pr: Protected Reference to non-tv material : 27
Option 3: pd: Protected Discussion of non-tv material: 22
Option 2, Protected Reference to non-tv material,
with 27 reaches quota (25)
PASS 2: Comparison of PASS 1 winner with status quo option
Yes/No for Protected Reference to non-tv material:
YES: 32
NO: 19
ABS: 3
Result: Option 2, Protected Reference to non-tv material,
wins AV and passes +12 (13) v status quo
Note that due to option 2 succeeding in part 3, the votes taken as
part 6 about whether to create .tvonly and remove .misc immediately
get ignored; .misc is not removed and .tvonly is not created. This
is as a direct result of the criterion specified on the ballot paper.
======================================================================
<*> -------------------------------------
<*> Part 4: ADVERTISING & BINARY POSTINGS
<*> -------------------------------------
The current charter lacks a section on such posts. To bring umtsb5's
charter in line with it's companion groups, I propose to add the
following paragraphs to the charter, taken directly from the charters
of umtsb5.misc and umtsb5.social.
BEGIN QUOTE
"Binary postings are FORBIDDEN.
Advertising is only acceptable when it is short, when it is relevant
to the primary topic of the newsgroup (ie Babylon 5), & when what is
advertised is reasonably available to the UK readership of the group."
END QUOTE
Ballots
=======
No individual list of each voter's preference is appropriate here.
All fifty-four voters, as named in the "Valid Ballots received
from" list, voted "yes".
Count
=====
Should the charter be changed as described to prohibit binaries and
restrict advertising?
Yes = 54
Abstain = 0
No = 0
Result: as Yes >= No + 12 (54 is greater than 0 + 12, which is 12)
then the charter changes as described.
======================================================================
<*> --------------------------------
<*> Part 5: TAGGING & COURTESY SPACE
<*> --------------------------------
Tagging & courtesy space for SC4 users have become a standard
feature of this newsgroup. It has become clear that extending this
idea has strong potential to "confuse" both new and old posters alike,
therefore it is hoped that the following forms a sensible solution to
the problem. I propose to add the following text to the charter:
BEGIN QUOTE
"In this section, courtesy space is defined as:
25 lines of text where each line contains a single non-blank
character and a carriage return followed by a single ^L (page
break character) where possible.
NOTE: courtesy space may be used at any time, and is wise to use
when you go near the limits of the Charter to avoid upsetting
anyone, and especially if you think that any member of the news
group will find your post contentious.
Erring on the side of CAUTION is recommended under ALL
circumstances.
USE OF TAGGING:
A tag would be used by placing it as the *first* part of a subject
line: for instance:
Subject: (S4C!) 404 Squids!
The brackets are important, as this clearly defines where the tag ends
and the Subject: line begins.
The ratified set of tags is as follows:
(S4C!)
This tag would be used if terrestrial transmitted material has not
aired in Wales. This is a common situation if Channel Four is airing
Babylon 5.
(C5!)
This tag would be used if any "Babylon 5" televisual material is
broadcast on
Channel Five. This is due to the limited reception of this terrestrial
broadcaster in the UK.
(VID)
This tag is proposed for a post containing any reference to material
that is only available in the UK on commercial video - as laid down by
part 2.
(NONTV)
This tag is proposed for a post contains a reference/ discussion of
non-tv story material widely available in the UK. (NOTE this only
allows CANON material) This tag must be used as outlined in part 3.
(BOLOX)
This tag is proposed for items which can be defined as a "scenery" in
the B5 Universe (for instance Micro Machines, Action Figures, models
etc) and any non-story related merchandise that is not covered by any
of the 3 tags above.
Discussion on this type of material would remain on .misc if it were
not removed, and the tag would then simply apply to any item not
covered by the other 3 tags, but which would require Courtesy space."
END QUOTE
Having the minimum number of tags should keep things reasonably
simple. It would be clear, for instance that posts entitled:
Subject: (NONTV) Book 9 Comments
or
Subject: (NONTV) Observations on Latest B5 Comic Strip
were about the Book and Comic respectively.
Ballots
=======
The ballots for each voter were are follows:
Y: Yes, change charter as described
A: Abstain
N: No, do not change charter
Voter Name Vote
========================
Sarah: Y
Mark: Y
Arwel: Y
Barry D.: Y
Alan: Y
Colin: Y
Maura: Y
Andrew: Y
Ruth: Y
Alex B.: Y
Paul H.: Y
David: A
James: Y
Barry O': Y
Russell: N
Philip H.: Y
Pedro: Y
Anthony: N
Timothy: Y
Tobias: Y
Tony B.: Y
Will: Y
Khianna: N
Adam: Y
Jon: Y
Natalie: Y
Michael: Y
Tim G.: Y
Victoria: Y
Tony T.: Y
Alison: N
Tim C.: N
Malcolm: N
Ishtiaq: Y
Margaret: Y
Raj: N
Chris H.: N
Paul B.: Y
Philip S.: Y
Angus: N
Chris W.: Y
Bryan: A
Barbara: Y
John: Y
Argyros: A
Joss: A
Pekka: N
Bruce: Y
Martin: N
Peter: Y
Alex: A
Simon: A
Ben: N
Shaun: Y
Count
=====
Should the text with the proposed list of tags as described be
added to the charter?
Yes = 36
Abstain = 6
No = 12
Result: as Yes >= No + 12 (36 is greater than 12 + 12, which is 24)
then the charter changes as described.
======================================================================
<*> ----------------------------------------------
<*> PART 6: Future of uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.misc
<*> ----------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT NOTE: The ballot paper specified that option three must
succeed in both part two and part three for part six votes to take
effect. Option two succeeded in part three, so these votes do not
take effect; no newsgroups are created or removed.
If some or all of the above changes are passed then some people have
expressed a desire to see .misc removed as there will be no need for
it. However others have stated that it could be useful for discussion
of non-story related merchandise such as the models. We are not sure
and have no strong opinions for either option so will include the
question:
"Should the newsgroup uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.misc be removed if the
above changes are passed, or be kept to discuss non-story related
merchandise?"
It has also been suggested that a TV ONLY group should be created
allowing those who have a wish to ONLY discuss B5 as a TV
Programme. Therefore the following question will be included:
"Should a new newsgroup uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.tvonly be created
to allow exclusive discussion of the TV aspects of B5?"
If created, the new newsgroup would have the charter as below.
======================================================================
Charter:
Newsgroup Line:
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.tvonly Discussion of the B5 TV show only
Unmoderated newsgroup.
Purpose of the news group
The purpose of uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.tvonly is to facilitate
discussion about the science fiction television programme Babylon 5
from a UK perspective. It was created as there was a significant need
for a newsgroup to discuss only the television series, with no
reference or discussion of its non-tv aspects.
Spoiler Policy
ABSOLUTELY NO discussion is permitted in the newsgroup of any episodes
that have not been broadcast by Channel 4. If you have seen an episode
in advance of the Channel 4 broadcast & wish to talk about it, then
the places to do such a thing are the international forums like
rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5, or the CompuServe forums. Similarly,
ABSOLUTELY NO story information gleaned from sources such as magazine
articles or other newsgroups in advance of the UK TV broadcast is
permitted. ABSOLUTELY NO discussion is permitted in the newsgroup of
sources of plot information which have not been derived by viewing
the television programme as broadcast in the UK by C4 or S4C which
may constitute a spoiler to those who are only following the television
programme. Such sources of information include (but are not limited to)
the textual & graphical novels, the role playing games, attendance at
conventions etc. One appropriate place for such discussion is the
uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5 newsgroup.
For your guidance, here are a couple of comments on what defines a
spoiler:
"A spoiler is any piece of information which has the potential to
adversely affect an individual's enjoyment of a previously unseen
episode. You will note the phrase 'has the potential to adversely
affect' and not 'adversely affects'. The reason is simple:
different people are of different sensitivities, and have
different ideas on what marres their enjoyment. It is not for any
one of us to tell the other how to enjoy it, but courtesy merits
consideration of the most flexible definition that accomodates
the most tastes.
In addition, an illegal spoiler is any piece of information (such
as the title of episode 322 - Z'Ha'Dum) which the story's creator
jms has expressly stated that advanced knowledge of which is
going to be a spoiler, until such time as jms states that it is
no longer a spoiler for UK viewers."
All episodes broadcast by Channel 4 in England, Scotland, & Northern
Ireland shall remain 'protected' for the sake of the Welsh who do not
get to see the programme on S4C for some time after the rest of the
UK - typically between 1 & 2 weeks. The nature of this protection shall
be as follows:
The word 'S4C!:' shall precede the episode title (or a meaningful
abbreviation) at the start of the subject line.
The body text of the post shall be preceded by approximately 25 lines of
carriage return characters, followed by a ^L character. This 'spoiler
space' shall not significantly exceed 30 lines, & neither shall it be
filled with 'ascii-art'. You may quote other peoples' spoiler space.
Ballots
=======
IMPORTANT NOTE: The ballot paper specified that option three must
succeed in both part two and part three for part six votes to take
effect. Option two succeeded in part three, so these votes do not
take effect; no newsgroups are created or removed.
The ballots for each voter were are follows:
Ballot R: Y: Yes, remove the .misc newsgroup
A: Abstain
N: No, do not remove the .misc newsgroup
Ballot C: Y: Yes, create the .tvonly newsgroup
A: Abstain
N: No, do not create the .tvonly newsgroup
Voter Name R C
==========================
Sarah: Y N
Mark: Y N
Arwel: Y Y
Barry D.: N N
Alan: A N
Colin: N Y
Maura: Y Y
Andrew: N A
Ruth: Y Y
Alex B.: A A
Paul H.: N Y
David: Y Y
James: Y Y
Barry O': A A
Russell: N Y
Philip H.: A A
Pedro: N Y
Anthony: N A
Timothy: A A
Tobias: N N
Tony B.: N Y
Will: Y A
Khianna: N N
Adam: Y Y
Jon: Y N
Natalie: A A
Michael: Y Y
Tim G.: N -
Victoria: A A
Tony T.: A A
Alison: Y Y
Tim C.: N Y
Malcolm: A A
Ishtiaq: Y N
Margaret: Y A
Raj: - -
Chris H.: N N
Paul B.: Y N
Philip S.: N Y
Angus: Y Y
Chris W.: Y Y
Bryan: A A
Barbara: A A
John: Y Y
Argyros: A Y
Joss: N A
Pekka: Y N
Bruce: A A
Martin: A Y
Peter: N Y
Alex: A A
Simon: Y Y
Ben: Y Y
Shaun: Y Y
Count
=====
IMPORTANT NOTE: The ballot paper specified that option three must
succeed in both part two and part three for part six votes to take
effect. Option two succeeded in part three, so these votes do not
take effect; no newsgroups are created or removed.
Should the uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.misc newsgroup be removed?
Yes = 22
Abstain = 15
No = 16
Result: as No + 12 >= Yes (16 + 12, which is 28, is greater than 22)
then the newsgroup would not have been removed even if option three
had succeeded in part three.
Should the uk.media.tv.sf.babylon5.tvonly newsgroup be created?
Yes = 24
Abstain = 17
No = 11
Result: as Yes >= No + 12 (24 is greater than 11 + 12, which is 23)
then the newsgroup would have been created if option three had
succeeded in part three.
======================================================================
This vote was conducted by a neutral third party member of UKVoting.
UKVoting is a group of independent votetakers who count votes on CFVs in
the uk hierarchy. The rules under which this vote is taken are posted
regularly to uk.net.news.announce or can be found at the following URL:
ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/usenet/news-info/news.answers/uk/voting
There is a five day discussion period after these results are posted to
uk.net.news.announce. Allegations of irregularity should be sent to
control@usenet.org.uk as soon as possible.
- --
Chris M Dickson
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