User:Gtrmp/TV draft poll

The poll it not yet finalized; do not vote yet. When the poll is finalized, it will be located at Wikipedia:Naming conventions (television)/poll. For the time being, add your comments to this draft's talk page.

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This straw poll is to determine the naming conventions for articles on television programming, particularly in cases where disambiguation with other topics may be required. This poll begins on whenever it starts and ends on 3-4 weeks from then.

The goal of this poll is to achieve consensus, or at least a sizeable majority vote, in as harmonious a manner as possible. In the case of a tie or a slight majority, there will be a run-off poll. If the runoff is also a tie or if no option receives a sufficient amount of support, the poll may need to be reworked, extended or declared void.

Options (pro and con)

1. Television or TV

This section deals with the usage of the word "television" or the abbreviation "TV" in the titles of articles. Note that the results of this poll will not affect proper nouns. The options for the preferred usage of the term in article titles include:

Use "television" in all article titles, including disambiguation.

Examples: [[television series]], [[Dallas (television series)]]

Pro: looks more professional.

Con: takes longer to type.

Use "television" in article titles but "TV" in parenthetical disambiguation.

Examples: [[television series]], [[Dallas (TV series)]]

Pro: retains more professional usage in proper article titles while making disambugators simple.

Con: using acronyms in article titles (including disambiguators) is perceived by some as unprofessional, unencyclopedic or jargonistic; naming convention is not completely uniform.

Use "TV" in article titles except for the actual article on television.

Examples: [[TV series]], [[Dallas (TV series)]]

Pro: simple and easy to type.

Con: using abbreviations in actual article titles is perceived by some as unprofessional, unencyclopedic or jargonistic.

No fixed standard

Pro: allows for flexibility on the part of Wikipedia's editors.

Con: will inevitably lead to the creation of numerous duplicate articles and non-functional links.

No preference (abstain)

2. Disambiguator

This section deals with the parenthetical disambiguator used in the titles of article on television productions. Where applicable, either television or TV chosen from the above section will be used, along with the these. (For example, if "show" is chosen from this section and "TV" from the above section, the naming convention will use "TV show".) The options for the disambiguator for television productions in general currently include:

either [[Title (program)]] or [[Title (programme)]], used interchangeably, based primarily on region of origin

Pro: simple and concise; no inherent national linguistic bias.

Con: ambiguous (could also refer to computer programs or any other kind of program); not all articles will be given the proper disambiguator, and users accustomed to one term may not think to look under the other; with two official disambiguators, many red links, broken redirects and duplicate articles may be created; program is a disambiguation page and programme is a redirect to said page.

[[Title ((programming)]]

Pro: simple and concise.

Con: ambiguous (could also refer to computer programming or any other kind of programming); programming is a redirect to an unrelated topic; long to type.

[[Title (series)]]

Pro: simple and concise.

Con: ambiguous (could also refer to a series of books, films, radio serials, comic books or any number of other kinds of series); not all television programming in is series format; series is a disambiguation page.

[[Title (show)]]

Pro: simple and concise.

Con: ambiguous (could also refer to theatre, art showings, animal shows, or any other kind of show); show is a disambiguation page.

[[Title (television or TV)]] (television or TV used as chosen from section #1 above)

Pro: simple and concise; intuitive.

Con: highly ambiguous (could also refer to a television manufacturer, television actor, television broadcaster, television component, television terminology, et cetera).

Either [[Title (TV or television programme)]] or [[Title (TV or television program)]], used interchangeably, based primarily on region of origin

Pro: simple and concise; agrees with other editing guidelines, no inherent national linguistic bias.

Con: not all articles will be placed at the proper disambiguator, and users accustomed to one term may not think to look under the other; with two official disambiguators, many red links, broken redirects and duplicate articles may be created.

[[Title (TV or television programming)]]

Pro: simple and concise.

Con: American English should not take precedent over British English.

[[Title (TV or television series)]] for all relevant articles

Pro: simple and concise; already supported by the category system (Category:Television series).

Con: ambiguous (British sometimes use "series" as Americans use "season"); does not apply to one-time airings or specials.

[[Title (TV or television series)]] for episodic series only

Pro: simple and concise; already supported by the category system (Category:Television series).

Con: ambiguous (British sometimes use "series" as Americans use "season").

[[Title (TV or television show)]]

Pro: simple and concise.

Con: TV show and television show are redirects.

No fixed standard

Pro: allows for flexibility on the part of the authors.

Con: will inevitably lead to the creation of numerous duplicate articles and non-functional links.

No preference (abstain)

No fixed standard

Pro: allows for flexibility on the part of the authors.

Con: will inevitably lead to the creation of numerous duplicate articles and non-functional links.

No preference (abstain)

Votes

By signing your name to this poll while it is in progress, you agree to abide by these conditions.

Votes go below under the appropriate subheader and should be numbered, signed and dated (# ~~~~) for ease of tallying and confirmation. Each voter may cast one vote in section 1 (Television or TV) and up to two votes in section 2 (Primary disambiguator). Only signed and timestamped votes by registered users made between the beginning and ending date and time stated above will be counted. If you wish to change your vote, you must do so before the poll ends or it will be counted as whatever it was when the poll ended.

Please limit all comments other than votes to the "Comments" section below.

The vote has not begun yet and will not begin until the community has agreed that it is ready. Do not vote yet.

Comments

See also Wikipedia talk:Naming conventions (television).