I would like to thank you all for coming to this press conference -- even if many of you really came for the party!

This is an exciting time for h2g2, and as one who truly lives here, I feel honored to be a part of it all. I wanted to take this time to unveil a few new initiatives in our campaign and also be available to answer any questions you might have.

1. 
   We are proud to announce the official unveiling of the new h2g2 Fish Sanctuary and Playground to provide another needed place for some of h2g2's most beloved creations. Dolores and I are firm about supporting the rights of h2g2 creations and despite the efforts of a number of groups, there are many h2g2 fish in need of a safe place to swim. They also need an actively supported place where other beings will come to visit them. At the playground, researchers may adopt a fish, or bring one of their own where it can swim with its friends, and all the fish will receive frequent visits. In fact, one of the fish -- Princess Sugarfoot -- has already offered to hold parties and dances for the other fish. Thanks to all those who have supported and helped in this effort.
   

2. Part of the duties of Virtual Prez is to write an occasional column for the Post. While that is important, if I am elected, I will take that responsibility much further. Dolores and I will create a Virtual Prez Home with a complete open-door policy. All researchers and h2g2 creations will be welcome to stop by any time for a drink or a cup of coffee, and to chat with us. We will welcome all to air their h2g2-related concerns, real or imagined, and discuss their problems and suggestions. We will then work to help them find the answers, or to promote solutions, and if we can't help them directly, we'll use our forum in the Post to bring their concerns to the rest of the community.

3. Oh, yes... as you know, Dolores loves to dance. So we decided that the Virtual Prez Home will also have a room with a non-stop dance floor, hosted by Dolores. Regardless of your time zone, or day of the week, you'll be able to get a workout on the dance floor, and maybe meet someone interesting!

Finally, I'd like to once again mention those platform issues that we have brought to the public eye so far, including:

• promoting Pan-Culturalism and Universality

• defending the rights of h2g2 creations

• fighting for stricter regulations on temperature

• protecting continuity

• encouraging good manners

• supporting h2g2 efforts to improve communications

• opposing the blatant pandering by most politicians

• believing in the power of imagination

More on these issues is available at our campaign page.

I'd like to thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to listen to my remarks, and hope you will consider them as you make your important voting decision this month. I have to run now over to the dinner and party to greet the guests, but please feel free to ask any questions you might have, and one of my capable staff will handle them, or find me to get the answer.

Make sure you stop by the party -- there's food, drink, music, and dancing, and, if you have an invitation -- Ah yes, I see some in formal wear over there -- stop by the supporter's dinner for a great meal!

Thanks again!

-- The Celery

The Celery and Dolores A. Webjello,
candidates in the Virtual Prez race,
have announced a combination Press Conference,
party, and black-tie supporters' dinner.

The Press Conference marks the kick-off of the final stage of the campaign, now that the full slate of candidates has been announced. Sources close to The Celery indicated that some of the initiatives he will announce include:

• the unveiling of a new h2g2 Fish Sanctuary and Playground to provide another needed place for some of h2g2's most beloved creations.

• his plans for a Virtual Prez office if he is elected, and details of how that office will be run.

• further expansion on earlier platform issues.

As part of the event, Ms. Webjello will be hosting a party and dance to celebrate the start of the last leg of the campaign with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Finally, there will be a black-tie gourmet dinner for campaign supporters.

Everyone is invited to attend the Press Conference and Party. Since the purpose of the dinner is to thank people for their campaign efforts, invitation to the dinner is limited to announced supporters, although credentialed press and opposition candidates are also welcome to attend. Formal attire is requested for the dinner.

If you have further questions, visit The Celery's Campaign Headquarters.

Read the article

The Celery/Webjello campaign today released the following letter of support from Ranger Triff of the Space Centre Biome.

My name is Triff, and I am a triffid living at the Space Centre Biome. I grew up
there, under the benevolent rule of the Celery. Due to his careful guidance,
the Biome was an ideal place to sprout and grow. Despite the presence of
some dangerous plants, the Biome was a safe place and the plant
community was harmonious. It could easily have been otherwise, turning into
a jungle, but the policies and gentle encouragement of the Celery kept it
orderly and running smoothly. He was always ready to champion the cause
of the less fortunate plants and worked hard to make conditions agreeable to
everyone. Many were saddened by his departure from the Biome, but they all
acknowledged his integrity in doing so. I, myself, regret the part I played in the
whole scandal issue and just hope that this testimonial can help undo some
of the damage I did. I truly believe that the Celery is the best candidate for
h2g2 president and that a vote for the Celery is a vote for h2g2.

The Celery announced today that he fully supports the upcoming changes to h2g2 forum structure scheduled for next week.

In his statement, he repeated the information that Jim Lynn posted in the Feedback Forum earlier today:

The features that are appearing in the next release (scheduled for next week) are:

1. All links to forum conversations will have an extra link to take you to the latest block of posts. So you have a choice what you read.
2. The 'Most Recent Forum Posts' list on your home page will have *3* links. One to the start of the thread (as before), one to the last posting you made (so you'll be able to read any specific replies), and one to take you to the latest block of posts.
3. In the left hand frame with the forum view we're adding 'Move to earliest' and 'Move to latest' buttons to the current conversation.
4. Also for the current conversation, we're adding a visual representation of the size of the conversation, which allows you to go to any page of posts with one click.
5. Each of the 'Other conversations' below the current conversation will have a 'Show latest' link added, again giving you the choice of reading the whole conversation or just the newest block ¹.

According to The Celery, "These changes will go a long way toward aiding and encouraging open communication between all entities. This is particularly important in such a richly diverse place as h2g2. My platform of Pan-Culturalism and Universality is aimed at bridging the gap between entities of all nationalities, cultures, galaxies, and dimensions, and the new forum structure is an important tool in achieving these goals. I applaud Jim Lynn and the h2g2 staff for their excellent work in this area, and we wish them the best of luck in achieving a smooth transition to the new structure."