Poll - (S)pacing the CbC discussions - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-19-2005, 04:10 AM

A slowdown or break has been requested on the Chapter-by-Chapter discussions. I'd like as many opinions as possible in order to continue so that as many members as possible can participate.

Bêthberry · 05-19-2005, 04:44 AM

An excellent use of the poll function, Estelyn.

I was the first to vote! C'mon everyone. Vote early! Vote often! (okay, that last part's a joke, but do vote.)

What might be particularly interesting is the opinion of people who have never posted in the Chapter by Chapter discussions, but who read the discussions. So, everyone, let Estelyn know your thoughts on how to proceed.

davem · 05-19-2005, 06:36 AM

I've gone for the one chapter every two weeks option. I think its probably the best alternative. We've been at this project for about 11 months & I'd hate to see it collapse with only RotK to go.

Of course, there are about 20 chapters (including Aragorn & Arwen & excluding - assuming we do - the rest of the appendices) left to go. What this means is that if we go for the two week per chapter option it will take us 40 weeks - 10 months - to complete the project, & that's almost as long again as we've been at it so far. In other words its the difference between finishing this October & finishing next February! That's why I made my (only half joking) request that those who are requesting a slow down so they can catch up & contribute offer some kind of guarantee that they will do so - circumstances permitting of course.

Lalwendë · 05-19-2005, 08:17 AM

I'd favour two weekly intervals, certainly over the summer when folks are likely to be taking holidays. I don't think there is any guarantee that people will catch up if we take a longer break, but to be honest, nobody should worry about 'catching up' if it's a chore to do so; it's better to drop in at the current chapter than to be altogether daunted by the prospect of so much work!

Hilde Bracegirdle · 05-19-2005, 10:16 AM

Stating the obvious I know, but it would appear that everyone who voted so far favors a slow down of some sort or the other. And I am pleased to see people voting who haven't posted for awhile but still appear to be interested in it.

Formendacil · 05-19-2005, 10:24 AM

Biweekly intervals- for now.

It's possible that, come autumn, it might be possible/advantageous to return to a per week system. It can come under review then. And then December, not February, would become the more approximate date of finishing.

Aldarion Elf-Friend · 05-20-2005, 08:56 AM

My vote is to play it by ear. I believe that the chapter material is what has caused the slow-down in postings, lately. Look at the most recent chapter - The Choices of Master Samwise - the thread is going nuts. I believe that all the way through RotK it will be the same.

So, how about this. Decide about opening a new thread by how many posts are on the last one. If it's more than, say, twenty, pop the next chapter open. If not, let it slide for a week.

To close, let me say that while I haven't posted much on the threads (which I primarily attribute to my not reading the chapters while they are being discussed

), I have thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and taken much away from it.

Whatever the choice, I will continue reading and occasionally posting.

Child of the 7th Age · 05-20-2005, 06:11 PM

I actually would have liked the option to vote for both the slow down and the break.

Child

Boromir88 · 05-20-2005, 07:08 PM

I would prefer to take a brief break before we start ROTK (maybe another week). I haven't had time for posting very often, especially in the CbC threads. Just for myself it would be easier to take a break, to get caught up a bit.

Then I like the 2-week interval idea.

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-22-2005, 01:18 PM

OK, here's my attempt at a Solomonic solution - we will extend the break for another week or two before beginning with the RotK discussions, then continue biweekly for the summer months. After that, I would like to try getting back to a weekly pace so that we can finish the LotR discussions by the end of the year, approximately.

Hookbill the Goomba · 05-22-2005, 01:51 PM

I'd love to get back into the discussions. I stopped when I stopped reading it as other books demanded attention. Also, more recently, exams have been looming large and evil. But as soon as I get back into the swing of things, I'd love to get back into the Chapter by chapter.
A longer time to discus the chapters will also give us a better chance to absorb the work and really think about it, that way we may get more detailed discussions of each chapter.

View Poll Results: How should the CbC discussions continue?
Slow down to one chapter every two weeks	21	77.78%
Take a longer break before beginning RotK	6	22.22%
Keep going with a new thread every week	0	0%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

05-19-2005, 04:10 AM	#1
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,535	Poll - (S)pacing the CbC discussions A slowdown or break has been requested on the Chapter-by-Chapter discussions. I'd like as many opinions as possible in order to continue so that as many members as possible can participate. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

05-19-2005, 04:44 AM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,046	One for the money An excellent use of the poll function, Estelyn. I was the first to vote! C'mon everyone. Vote early! Vote often! (okay, that last part's a joke, but do vote.) What might be particularly interesting is the opinion of people who have never posted in the Chapter by Chapter discussions, but who read the discussions. So, everyone, let Estelyn know your thoughts on how to proceed. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-19-2005, 06:36 AM	#3
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	I've gone for the one chapter every two weeks option. I think its probably the best alternative. We've been at this project for about 11 months & I'd hate to see it collapse with only RotK to go. Of course, there are about 20 chapters (including Aragorn & Arwen & excluding - assuming we do - the rest of the appendices) left to go. What this means is that if we go for the two week per chapter option it will take us 40 weeks - 10 months - to complete the project, & that's almost as long again as we've been at it so far. In other words its the difference between finishing this October & finishing next February! That's why I made my (only half joking) request that those who are requesting a slow down so they can catch up & contribute offer some kind of guarantee that they will do so - circumstances permitting of course. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

05-19-2005, 08:17 AM	#4
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,750	I'd favour two weekly intervals, certainly over the summer when folks are likely to be taking holidays. I don't think there is any guarantee that people will catch up if we take a longer break, but to be honest, nobody should worry about 'catching up' if it's a chore to do so; it's better to drop in at the current chapter than to be altogether daunted by the prospect of so much work! __________________ Gordon's alive!

05-19-2005, 10:16 AM	#5
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,484	Stating the obvious I know, but it would appear that everyone who voted so far favors a slow down of some sort or the other. And I am pleased to see people voting who haven't posted for awhile but still appear to be interested in it.

05-19-2005, 10:24 AM	#6
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,317	Biweekly intervals- for now. It's possible that, come autumn, it might be possible/advantageous to return to a per week system. It can come under review then. And then December, not February, would become the more approximate date of finishing. __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

05-20-2005, 08:56 AM	#7
Aldarion Elf-Friend Animated Skeleton Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Playing in Peoria Posts: 35	Play by Ear My vote is to play it by ear. I believe that the chapter material is what has caused the slow-down in postings, lately. Look at the most recent chapter - The Choices of Master Samwise - the thread is going nuts. I believe that all the way through RotK it will be the same. So, how about this. Decide about opening a new thread by how many posts are on the last one. If it's more than, say, twenty, pop the next chapter open. If not, let it slide for a week. To close, let me say that while I haven't posted much on the threads (which I primarily attribute to my not reading the chapters while they are being discussed), I have thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and taken much away from it. Whatever the choice, I will continue reading and occasionally posting. __________________ Bado go Eru, Aldarion

05-20-2005, 06:11 PM	#8
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	I actually would have liked the option to vote for both the slow down and the break. Child __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

05-20-2005, 07:08 PM	#9
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,511	I would prefer to take a brief break before we start ROTK (maybe another week). I haven't had time for posting very often, especially in the CbC threads. Just for myself it would be easier to take a break, to get caught up a bit. Then I like the 2-week interval idea. __________________ Fenris Penguin

05-22-2005, 01:18 PM	#10
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,535	OK, here's my attempt at a Solomonic solution - we will extend the break for another week or two before beginning with the RotK discussions, then continue biweekly for the summer months. After that, I would like to try getting back to a weekly pace so that we can finish the LotR discussions by the end of the year, approximately. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

05-22-2005, 01:51 PM	#11
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 6,015	I'd love to get back into the discussions. I stopped when I stopped reading it as other books demanded attention. Also, more recently, exams have been looming large and evil. But as soon as I get back into the swing of things, I'd love to get back into the Chapter by chapter. A longer time to discus the chapters will also give us a better chance to absorb the work and really think about it, that way we may get more detailed discussions of each chapter. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...