OK, rough idea, needs polishing, which is why I'm posting here, and asking for input from the community. AFAICT, it works, but I need peoples opinions on it (note, all this is non-binding).
Now, I think the above works, because there is one very important addendum. Any lurker that is spoiled by more than one team (ie those lurkers not dedicated to a single team) can ask any of the above questions in the No Players thread (ie here).
Those lurkers that dedicated to single teams, and are not privy to any other information sources, are to be considered for the intents and purposes of the lurker code of conduct, as team mebers and not lurkers. They will have the option to become fully fledged lurkers if they choose, and sbject to the lurker rules of conduct.
If lurkers must post that they agree to follow whatever rules are decided, or they are banned from posting in any spoiler thread except the the No players thread; any posts that they do make will be deleted by the forum mods and the incident be passed up to the admins. I think this bit is basically what already happens, but I'm posting it explicitly so everyone understands it.
Ruff, with some edits by Krill Wrote:1) Lurkers can respond to civ4 mechanics questions (eg how many turns for a worker to chop a forest? Why didn't my cottage grow? How does the AP work?)
2) Lurkers can congratulate players on achieving a goal (eg Well done on getting that city spot)
2a) However, don't reveal unnecessary information on your comment (eg Well done on getting that city spot - I really thought that Greece was going to get it)
3) Lurkers can participate in option discussions but only after the player has articulated the options and only to the extent of pointing out additional strengths / weaknesses of options that the player might have missed.
3a) Lurkers can NOT suggest additional options that the play might have missed
3b) Lurkers can NOT express opinions about various options
3c) Lurkers can NOT ask questions regarding player decisions, until they have been posted and checked in the No Players thread by at least 2 other lurkers.
4) Lurkers can express opinions on player agreed rules, but should also point out that rules agreed by the players should be discussed by the players
5) Lurkers can ask a team to explain their opinion about ingame situations and developments, but must do this without writing leading questions, or implying information gained from other spoiler threads.
6) Lurkers cannot ask sequence questions.
7) Lurkers can ask for screenshots
Now, I think the above works, because there is one very important addendum. Any lurker that is spoiled by more than one team (ie those lurkers not dedicated to a single team) can ask any of the above questions in the No Players thread (ie here).
Those lurkers that dedicated to single teams, and are not privy to any other information sources, are to be considered for the intents and purposes of the lurker code of conduct, as team mebers and not lurkers. They will have the option to become fully fledged lurkers if they choose, and sbject to the lurker rules of conduct.
If lurkers must post that they agree to follow whatever rules are decided, or they are banned from posting in any spoiler thread except the the No players thread; any posts that they do make will be deleted by the forum mods and the incident be passed up to the admins. I think this bit is basically what already happens, but I'm posting it explicitly so everyone understands it.