A spoiler is something that will air on the show at some point. It is an actual event or photo from the show that has yet to air in all U.S. time zones that the show is seen in. Speculation about a particular event that has nothing to back it up other than it is what you think will happen should be posted in the Spoiler Theories (for spoilers) and General Theories (for nonspoilers) sections.
It is ok to post theories about an actual spoiler in the post about that spoiler but all threads should begin with an actual NEW confirmed spoiler. You should cite the source. (An example would be the TV Guide ad for the ep to air in 2 weeks). Promos for the next new ep should also be considered a spoiler until the forum for that ep is opened and that info can be posted there. When you post a new spoiler thread in the spoiler section, the title should be as descriptive as posible. The title should tell the reader which episode it is about, the source name with date, etc. This is to help prevent duplicates.
But the preview for next week aired with the ep. Why is that a spoiler?
Because the ep that the preview pertains to has NOT aired. Even though it aired with the current ep, it is still considered a spoiler. We do have a Previews board to post discussions about previews in and all preview discussion should take place there or be spoiler fonted.
How long should information be considered a spoiler after it airs?
On the linear board the information is considered a spoiler for three days, until 12 noon (EST) on the Friday after a new episode airs. Spoiler font should be used until that time.
On the threaded board it is a spoiler until after the episode airs. Previews are considered spoilers until the ep they pertain to airs.
What is this spoiler font I keep hearing about?
The spoiler font hides info from general viewing until the user elects to see it and highlights the material. Keep in mind the spoiler font does not work for thread titles. Pleas don't post spoilery information there unless it is in the spoiler board. The spoiler font is your friend. Use it. If there is any doubt, spoiler font the information to be posted. On the linear board if you see a post with a large area of blank space in it, there is probably a spoiler there. On the threaded board you should see something like
Spoiler Ahead, Highlight to Read:Spoilery Info Here
On the linear board the spoiler font should be in the format of <spoiler>Spoilery Info Here</spoiler>
On the threaded board look for the Highlight the material you wish to hide from view and click the spoiler button. Or click the spoiler button and type your material between the tags.
Revised Spoiler Rules 3/25/10
THE END IS NEAR - FINAL SEASON SPOILER POLICY
To protect our posters from spoilers in future episodes, including the Series Finale, from today on we will have a new rules for all spoilers.
Linear Board
Any use of spoiler-font for newly-aired-episodes (the 3-day rule) must clearly label any spoilerfont with the relevant episode title.
All uses of spoiler-font for unaired episodes must clealy state the episode number that the spoiler information it pertains to (if episode number unknown, "uniared episodes" will be satisfactory), but tags must still be labeled.
Threaded Board
Posting of spoilers in any section other than the Spoilers and Spoiler Theory boards will now be prohibited. Spoilers, even if spoilerfonted, may not be posted in other sections of the board.
Any posts not following this new rule will be deleted in their entirety. This includes any posts which quote posts containing spoilers which have not yet been deleted.
General Information
Please review the definition of spoilers before posting (note that this new rule supersedes the previous rules on spoilerfonting found in the FAQ). All information on the content of future episodes is to be considered a spoiler, including information from the previews (such information can only be discussed in the Previews section). The only information that is not to be considered spoilers is information derived from events in episodes that have aired.
Highlight the material you wish to hide from view and click the spoiler button. Or click the spoiler button and type your material between the tags.
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