Tick tock (Sep 4, 2009)
Only a few hours left to go for me as Producer of h2g2. It's very strange indeed and quite emotional.

Just been chatting to h2g2 legend Jimster and am thinking of doing something rash as a last act, like perhaps banning myself from the site. Or at least sending myself a few warnings. Nighthoover will be given Editor status first, obviously. The possibilities are endless!

In the meantime I want to thank all you lovely folk for being the best online Community in the world and for being such a joy to work with. It's been an absolute blast!

Now, please look after Sam.
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(23 replies, Latest reply: Sep 9, 2009)

h2g2 Redesign: Your Views Needed! (May 15, 2009)
In case you've missed it...where have you been?

We're asking people to give their feedback on the *proposed positional layout* of the forthcoming redesign at this week's Talking Point: A51277773. This wireframe is *not* the redesign and...I've been repeating myself a lot at various junctures (nothing new there) so let's just say that the Talking Point itself explains the point of the wireframe and that we're at a very early stage.

We want to make the site more accessible to new users *and* make it comply with BBC guidelines but it's massively important that we keep our Community happy while we're doing so so your opinions really do count. That's not just lip service - we really mean it.

We might not be able to give you the answers you want, and we have to manage expectations at all points along this process (as much as anything, or own expectations, as we'd obviously love as many improvements as we can get our hands on) but...even if we don't implement your suggestions, we always want to know what you think so...please do let us know.

And to all of you who have joined in so far.
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(7 replies, Latest reply: May 18, 2009)

Meet-up (May 14, 2009)
It's been such a busy week here that I didn't have time to say how much I enjoyed the h2g2 Meet-up last Saturday. The lovely B'Elana has written a report about the whole weekend for The Post this week at A51274587.

I really do recommend the h2g2 meet-ups, but if you weren't lucky enough to get there then there are lots of photos in her write-up. Thanks also to 2Legs for getting everyone together again.

Time flew and it was a real pleasure to meet everyone - I didn't even change my mind when I finally got off a bus near my home at 3am! (I forgot to check my watch).
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(13 replies, Latest reply: Jun 3, 2009)

Embedded Video on h2g2 (May 7, 2009)
You may have seen on our <./>Announcements</.> page that we now have embedded content in some Edited Entries on h2g2. Content is drawn from the fabulous h2g2 AViators group at A13264670. Currently, access to actually add the content is limited to Editor-created content - Edited Entries and Help Pages.

So - we'd like to thank the h2g2 AViators for their amazing work, especially Skankyrich and TRiG. Long before this looked like a possibility they kept the idea of h2g2 AV content going by setting up their own site at www.h2g2aviators.com, which also offers sound clips and the legendary Beeblecast. So far, DNA can only support embedded links to Youtube and the EMP Player; however, in time we hope to have more flexibility.

We're also very excited that this gives us the option to have embedded links as the main picture promo on our front page. So...if you fancy adding AV content to the Guide then please do join the AViators. For more info, please visit A13264670.

We hope you'll like this change - but please do feel free to post any feedback here.

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(No replies)

media literacy (May 6, 2009)
We've been thinking about the role h2g2 plays in facilitating the BBC's remit to develop media literacy skills. We feel as if we see examples of it every day on the site and in the volunteer groups, but some really thoughtful examples have been posted in the thread in Ask h2g2: F19585?thread=6536971&skip=20&show=20

It's astonishing that some of you who appear to be super-users now had never encountered the Internet before h2g2! (Where's the smiley?)

Anyway...we hope you don't mind that we've made it the subject for this week's Talking Point at A50692683.

In fact, it probably makes sense to move the thread to the Entry. I wonder whether people *mind* being uprooted from one thread to another... I think it might be preferable to feeling they're being asked the same things all over again. Hmmm...
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(3 replies, Latest reply: May 6, 2009)

Ten years and counting... (May 1, 2009)
This week has been amazing, but busy. I mainly wished everyone Happy Birthday with my h2g2Editors hat on, but belated congratulations to everyone! Just wanted to recap on what has been a very busy but fun week.

The smileys worked (eventually)...and they're absolutely fabulous (A155909) I might be wrong, but Ican't think of any other site with a or smiley. Certainly there can't be many s kicking around elsewhere on the Internet. What I do know is that our Community are the most talented users around - in this case Malabarista, Dr Anthea, King Bomba and Fluffylump were responsible and we are so grateful to them. (Not to mention in awe).

We're getting some excellent postings in the Talking Point, which was meant to be out-and-out nostalgia but has turned out to be very instructive and enlightening to us. Thanks, and please do post if you get the chance: A50368313

Finally - our Announcement was sort of drowned out by the sound of our party poppers, but you should see some changes around these parts soon(ish), as h2g2 is getting a 'sympathetic refresh.' We're going to consult you and ask for your help as we go along so please

Anyway - it's lovely to be here, even after all this time! Thanks to all for making it such a pleasure.
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(12 replies, Latest reply: May 6, 2009)

what a week... (Nov 18, 2005)
I can't help but think I should record this as it was rather memorable.

I bought a theremin, made from a Marmite jar, on eBay.

('What's a theremin?' the investigator asked. 'Are you familiar with the track 'Good Vibrations', by the Beach Boys? It's the bit that goes oooOOOOOoooooOOOOoooo').

On Wednesday it got intercepted by Gateshead CID (who were naturally quite concerned about unearthing a parcel containing a Marmite jar with a switch, full of wires and a circuit board) and was taken apart by an army bomb disposal squad. It was looking a bit touch-and-go for a while. At one stage the anti-terrorist squad were going to come round and look at all my emails. That would have been interesting for them, I'm sure.

I felt very very scared. Then very silly.

But thankfully it's all sorted now, which I'm glad about as my whole life was started to look pretty dodgy (though I was looking forward to appearing in court with Brian Wilson as the first expert witness). I felt particular regret about my recent decision to start flying lessons.

The poor bloke making them had his house under surveillance and has now been banned from making theremins. All very sad. I only wanted to rock 'n' roll...


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(19 replies, Latest reply: Nov 23, 2005)

On Reflection: (Sep 16, 2005)
'Totally Wired' was a mistake. Luckily managed to restore order with ELO.
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(2 replies, Latest reply: Sep 16, 2005)

It's... (Sep 15, 2005)
Paully's birthday today and we're all a-gathering to celebrate in a marvellous pub where we all get to choose five tracks to play. But which?

I mean, which is the danciest Fall track? Is it 'Totally Wired' or 'How I Wrote Elastic Man'? Or could '15 Ways' steal it?

That's without mentioning the dreaded ELO minefield...
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(7 replies, Latest reply: Sep 16, 2005)

h2g2 journals (Sep 6, 2005)
...are such a lovely thing, and I'm ashamed that mine is still a tribute to Christmas 2003. I mean, what was wrong with the last festive season?

Lived a lot since:

Rediscovered Cheddars.

...er.

Went to a writing class last night and was plotting my escape from the minute I was forced to free-write about 'races.' One lady explained that her grandad ran in the 1936 Olympics... in contrast, I was forced to recount the permanent mental scarring experienced when my hair bobble anchored me to the net on the 1982 North Walney Primary School obstacle course (natural home of the irreversibly obese and inept).

I was baring my soul yet all seemed rather trivial in comparison. Initially I was convinced that the two-hour ordeal would have a toilet break and that was when I was going to make good my escape...but the interlude never materialised.

I began to entertain ideas of setting my phone alarm off and theatrically dropping everything in order to attend to one of my patients. I then remembered that only BBC employee/doctor I've encountered was a faintly terrifying physiotherapist. Dashing off to attend to a chronic case of RSI...unconvincing. So I was forced to tackle my fears head on and write and...read it in front of a group. URGH.

Currently I'm thinking I'll be brave and go back next week, but I would like to have a stack of excuses at hand in case I feel the need to make myself scarce again.
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(26 replies, Latest reply: Sep 16, 2005)

'Time - it's a flyer...' (Mar 11, 2004)
...as Pilot so memorably sang in their 1975 number one hit, 'January.' But somehow I've been here two years today.

However, that's meaningless personal trivia - the important thing about today is that it marks the 52nd anniversary of Douglas Adams's birth.
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(26 replies, Latest reply: May 4, 2005)

So long, Semple (Jan 15, 2004)
Sam left h2g2 today. We'll still see him from time to time (often, we're hoping) - and of course you can all keep track of his gigs at www.samsemple.com (I strongly recommend you listen to some of the tracks or, better still, go and see one of his gigs). However, both Jim and I are very sad. Although other ex-h2g2ers moved on to exciting jobs elsewhere in the BBC (and many of us work alongside one another), Sam decided to leave Auntie proper to go and pursue his dream of being a musician full-time. Anyway - please be gentle with us...it's not going to be the same without him!
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(6 replies, Latest reply: Jan 16, 2004)

festive malarkey (Dec 23, 2003)
Terribly unoriginal I know but...Merry Christmas everyone!



I've got everything sorted out now - including me roast veg (thanks Ask h2g2) and am gloating quietly about it in a very unpleasant way. Hooray!


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(5 replies, Latest reply: Dec 23, 2003)

I Will Survive (Oct 15, 2003)
I survived Single Sign-On.

Actually, that's probably a bit premature, since I'm still receiving the phone calls. But still. Wahey!

Anyway, I've got a badge to prove it (I'm wearing it like a battle scar). You can have one as well: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F19585?thread=330242


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(11 replies, Latest reply: Oct 16, 2003)

It's... (Oct 3, 2003)
gluten-free biscuit Friday! Wahey!
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(5 replies, Latest reply: Oct 3, 2003)

Mirror Mirror (Jan 2, 2003)
In my quest to sweep up the odds and ends from last year, I've finally completed my universally long-awaited Entry on shiny '80s duo Dollar at A913231. Hooray!

I'm not a great fan of the band (Abi provided the inspiration here) and am sad to say that it's reinforced the conclusion I drew when I used to review records; I find it much easier (more enjoyable, even) to write about things I don't like than things I do like. I don't like this, as it indicates that I'm negative. (Which is why I'm writing about it of course...agh vicious circle!)


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( 1 reply, Latest reply: Jan 15, 2003)

Farewell, 2002... (Dec 31, 2002)
Well, it's New Year's Eve; time to look back, in a Clive James-without-the-sarcasm stylee.

2002: You weren't half bad really, were you?

Memorable moments: Well a lot of them involved this whole h2g2 experience, really. The marvellous meet-up (looking forward to 25th January) and, of course, becoming acquainted with the wonderful h2g2 team and their very special ways...

2002, I'll remember you for, amongst other things: Abi's generous donation of 3000 tons of gradvalax for the festive soiree, Anna's ruthless but masterful acquisition of drinking vessels, Ashley's 'Security Cross-check,' Jimster's analysis of Alison Moyet's 'Love Resurrection', That Time Mina Got Shocked and Sam Zen.

2003, you've got a lot to live up to!

Anyway - time to go and try and make myself look presentable. I somehow fear the three hours I've put aside aren't quite enough.

Have an absolute belter of a 2003, everybody!
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(2 replies, Latest reply: Dec 31, 2002)

41st week sort of...merrily bobs along (Dec 30, 2002)
I'm working from home today.

This is good, because it means I am freed from administrative stuff and can actually...update my journal at long last! Before I end up claiming for an 'accident that wasn't my fault.'

Ahhh...I look at that first entry and just have to laugh at the youthful naivety of it all. I had a full head of hair and was a lot more easily shocked in those days. Then they put me opposite Ashley. Anyway, those all-important updates:

Canteen: Very disappointing recently, though festive meal a treat.

Christmas: If you can remember it then you obviously weren't there.

Fancy dress: I went as an .

New Year: Er...much of the same, probably.

Happy sort-of-twilight-zone-between-Christmas-and-New-Year, everybody!

Quick! Get those festive smileys out before it's too late:
(Awww)
(Seasonal red light for lecherous folk)
(Bought too many of these than is sensible for one-person/two-armed household, so smiley will probably still be topical in June, when, depending on your social demographic, demand for portable sewing kits and/or plastic moustaches at annual high)


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(3 replies, Latest reply: Dec 30, 2002)

first week ends (Mar 15, 2002)
Well it's been a lovely first week here at h2g2. Everybody has been shockingly nice and friendly and charming. Most of all, I'm absolutely stunned by the amount of trivia flying around. It's a joy to be here!

I'm also learning, fast. Today's lesson: Don't run up four flights of stairs having chosen the budget option in the canteen (generally two carbohydrates and a load of fat). I'm hoping you can learn from my mistakes, reader.
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(6 replies, Latest reply: Dec 2, 2002)