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|   | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 25, 2011 by Isa Newlands | | Post: 1
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Recently having joined this website, I read that it's no longer under the control of the Beeb. I have to ask - what in the good grief is happening & why?
I realise you may not be 'THE' person to ask, but you should be able to point me in the direction of those who do know. This is most definitely not a slight to you, and I hope you do not take that as such, rather it is an enquiry about what is going on.
Absolutely no offence meant,
Yours
Isa
Hi Isa, nice to have you back 
yes much is changing but it's looking pretty good news for the site. The bbc decided in January to get rid of the site. Fortunately (and thanks to some of the bbc bods who love the site) they decided to sell us rather than just shut us down. Some hootooers got together and came up with a proposal to either bid for the site ourselves (community run) or to join with other suitable bidders. After quite a wait we've just found out that the bbc is selling to a trust that consists of Robbie Stamp (one of the founders of h2g2 originally), Douglas Adam's family, and a representative from the h2g2 Community Consortium. The site will be largely run by the community itself (initially on a volunteer basis) with the help of Noesis (who were also part of the bid and will provide servers and moderation support) and Robbie.
There's all sorts of exciting things going to come from all that, mostly based around fulfilling Douglas Adams' original vision.
You can read more about all that here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F77636?thread=8243991
and here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F77636?thread=8244180
There is a huge amount of activity going on currently preparing for the transition. The h2g2 Community Consortium Interim Committee (c3 for short) is spearheading that. They're also now posting under the name h2g2 Future. Lots of other community researchers are also involved. There's a bit of thread overload happening, so please stick around and ask any more questions if you need to.
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|  | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 25, 2011 by Happy Nerd
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 3
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Hi, Isa Newlands.
I'll echo what Kea posted, especially the links. If you subscribe to this page, you'll get announcements hot off the press:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A85834173
You've joined at an amazing time.
HN
| | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 25, 2011 by Isa Newlands
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 4
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Thanks to both of you for your prompt replies. I'm still trying to understand what is/will be happening, but I'll get there.
| | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 25, 2011 by Mrs Zen
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 5
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Very very briefly
Almost a dot.bomb.
The Beeb: rescue then neglect.
Freedom and new hope.
In more than 17 syllables then:
We were created in 1999 by a bunch of visionaries in a firm called The Digital Village which ran out of money in 2000/2001 but the site was rescued and bought by the BBC. They ran the site under a regime of benign neglect for ten years because they never really wanted what we had to offer them. Now, a bunch of folks have put together a bid to buy the site from the BBC, and these folks are Robbie Stamp who was the chairman of the original dot com company, Noesis Ltd who run a huge online chat service, and the Community - ie the actual users of the site.
It's an amazing time to join.
Ben
| | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 25, 2011 by Haragai
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 6
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Hello Isa.
In a way h2g2 is 'going south'... 
... but in a very good way and definitely to a sunnier and better place. 
You have joined h2g2 at the time when we are busy like bees in a disturbed hive so you can encounter both positive and extremely critical opinions in the discussions and fora.
 In the end it will all work out for the best, so hang in there, stay with us and we're glad to have you aboard for the Great Journey Home  .
| | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 27, 2011 by Isa Newlands
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 7
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Thank you for your replies Mrs Ben & Haragai.
It looks like the site is going through a major change of hands at the minute & I've landed in the middle of it. Please will you keep me informed (or point me in the direction of info that will keep me informed?).
It actually sounds like a time for excitement &/or change - either of which can cause enthusiasm or dismay. I hope for the site's sake it becomes enthusiasm. Having been on other sites, at first look, this loooks like a very civilised site. (Am I wrong?)
| | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 27, 2011 by Isa Newlands
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 8
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Of course, I meant Mrs Zen. Why is there not an edit function here (at least, as far as I can see). Getting names wrong is not the way to make friends & influence people, but forgive me because I'm an old bird who is up far too early
|  | Subject: Have I joined when it;'s going south??
Posted Jun 27, 2011 by Isa Newlands
This is a reply to this Posting.
| | Post: 9
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'benign neglect'
Unfortunately, that describes a wealth of companies/public companies nowadays.
Thank you for the potted history & the effort some members here have put into the site's conservation - (I have been reading about it from other member's links & other readings - often known as 'lurking', I believe). It definitely sounds like a job well done, off the back of love for this site. For that, you & the other committee members have to be highly commended.
So I believe that a huge vote of thanks is due - thank you
Isa
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