Posted: 22^th March 2010

Burst Bubble

Do you live in a bubble? I do, at least most of the time. Until something happens that makes my bubble burst. When joined h2g2 about seven years ago, I was new to the internet and even new to using a PC. I browsed the site for a while. I liked what I saw. I read the house rules and Terms of Use. I signed up. The community soon felt like home. It felt safe. It still does, which is why I tend to forget that there is nothing like 'safe' on the world wide web. I was reminded of this a few days ago when I browsed the web for my h2g2 user name. I couldn't believe all the hits I got: my journals, various photos... Now Rich is certainly right when he says that this is what the internet is all about: that you can find things/persons, information. And yet, I can't say I feel at ease with that. It's one thing to share my thoughts and photos with the wonderful community of hootoo, but do I want to share it with anybody who accidentally stumbles upon my name while searching for the Star Trek character I based my nickname on. You wouldn't believe how many people aren't aware of the correct spelling of said character. So for now (until I change my mind), I've changed my name to Bel. Most people call me Bel anyway, so it's not a drastic change.

In Post matters, another bubble burst. We had just settled down after Malabarista had left the team, when Terran sent me an email that his PC died and he's working from a laptop. But that wasn't all: he had to find that RL was getting very much in the way of his Post activities, and he felt that he didn't contribute enough to be a full member. Now I don't want to do without his valuable input, so we agreed that he'll remain in the team as a guest editor, helping us if we're in dire straits and contributing as and when. All in all, things aren't too bad in hootooland, and now please enjoy the current issue of the Post.

Bel

• 
  A Day to Remember


Who cares for safety if there's money at stake?

• 
  Smudger Snippets


Open your mouth wide...

• 
  A Life on the Ocean Wave
  


A non-event

• 
  Murder on the Dance Floor


Beatrice on Stage

• 
  Nigel's Gardening Hints and Tips


Sweet Peas

• 
  Absolutely Plumb
  


From the Archive to tune you in to the new Cricket Season

HILARIOUS

• 
  A Trip to the Market


An encounter with the Deli Girl

• 
  The h2g2 Poem


Herlock Sholmes

• 
  Platypus Dancing
  


Meanwhile, the trend toward arrogance continues...

EDIFYING

• 
  Musical Notes


Quiz Solution

• 
  Gheorgheniplex


History Lesson

• 
  The Sacred Act of Statistics


A Decennial Reflection

• 
  Picture Quiz in ASCII Code


Squint a bit...

• 
  Announcements
  


Meets, sites, events etc

• 
  Email the Post Team
  


For submissions and editorial feedback

• 
  The Post Readers' Forum
  


Chat about The Post with other readers and the Team