*what a spoiler is
*length of time an item is a spoiler
*what can be said in a spoiler
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"Should have changed that stupid lock. Should have thrown away the key. No no, not I, I will survive, right down here on my knees."
--
They Might Be Giants
I'm not clear on what you mean when you say the info about the new ship was revealed in early May. Are you referring to the info that was on the web, or the hint given on the show by Ross when he says he'll get Sisko a new ship? Either way, it's still spoiler material because it doesn't become fact until "Dogs of War," which has yet to be broadcast in many places.
As for a definition of spoilers, I'd say *anything*, in some cases even a title of an episode, that has yet to be broadcast should be considered spoiler material.
How long should spoilers last? It's a difficult question because this is an international forum, and how far behind some countries are from North America varies greatly. This is probably an issue best decided by those living outside North America.
What can be said in a spoiler? I'd say anything can be said, even giving a way the ending of an episode (although that might not be the smartest thing for a person to do) so long as there are appropriate spoiler warnings and as long as it's in an appropriate forum.
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"Since you put me down
It seems
I've been very gloomy
You may laugh
But pretty girls look right through me" -In The Darkest Place
[This message was edited by LB4747 on May 26, 1999.]
Now, again there are spoilers ahead. People in other countries will not get to see these episodes for months or years. They may not wish to know that the Defiant gets destroyed, since it's a central event of the Ds9 Final Chapter arc. So to come along and quite blithely say "oh, now that (whatever) has happened, what does everyone think about. . ?" is deeply insensitive.
I've complained, I've asked, I've threatened, all to no avail. The most common response I've had is "don't come here then." PLEASE say that to me, I haven't made anybody's life a misery in, ooh, weeks, and that's AGES, isn't it?. 8)
Just. . . think before you post, OK? If in doubt, warn of spoilers!
You can say anything in the spoiler. As long as everyone has been warned, go for it. Our use of bad langue here has been on the rise. 1st one slowed the tide, we do that because of so many kids comming in, at least they used to.
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WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE
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"It seems strange that I, Kudos, a doubter, should be given this luxurious window seat whilst you.... AGEING with age, rot away in that disgrace of an aisle seat. Ha, Hah!
Where is your God now old woman?!"
"Jesus, I'm sorry I asked...!"
- THE BIG BUS
My two cents. Again.
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Garak: "I do apologize. You must be incensed. In fact, if I were in your shoes, I'd... grab a bottle of champagne and shoot me." (DS9: "Our Man Bashir")
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"A screaming comes across the sky..."
Now I know I speak for only a small group of people, but some of us won't see an episode until about a year after it is shown in the US.
I agree with Garak on this.
my 0.02 Euro
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"Isn't Y2K year 2048?? I mean last time I checked 1K was 1024.
Now that Y1.953125K, that's where the real problem lies..."