h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm a pretty new scout (since May), but I'll tell you what I think.

"can make a newbie very happy. " I suggest you change this to 'Can make someone very happy'. I was rather happy when you suggested I put two of my entries into PR, even about a month ago.

You don't mention that you can give your picks to someone else or trade. This worried me as a newbie scout, actually. I thought I'd get thrown out if I didn't make every single pick! (<./>Scouts-What</.> isn't very clear)

Personally, if there are a couple (not a lot) unresolved format problems (GuideML) I find it easier to let an experienced sub handle it rather than explaining headers and footnotes to newbies. It's the sub's job- we can't make every entry perfect

If an entry is purely about opinion, don't debate ethics or your opinions in Peer Review or the conversation becames basically useless for PR. Encourage others not to discuss opinions in Peer Review. PR is about fact, content, style, grammar and format

It's okay to have a sense of humor about things! I don't know how many times I've claimed to be an extremely corrupt scout

Whoo! This is rather like Peer Reviewing

Oh, and write a few entries for yourself. It helps *infinitely* You can only learn so much by reading

I do agree with the majority of this and with Jodan's suggestions, Z.

It is worth mentioning that if you're not sure whether the entry is complete - *ask the author*. Now I can see that if you are keen on picking an entry and the author says yes, it could be the green light for another scout to pick it and you miss out. However, no picks are sacrosanct. Have you mentioned this in the piece? Mmm, might be worth saying!

It's also worth mentioning that however gentle you are with your comments you will occasionally get a Researcher who takes them very personally and who is rude back to you, never to take this kind of thing personally. If you can't handle personal comments, then back off - no use getting into a flame war. Someone else will no doubt react. Post to the e-group to alert others, if need be. Help will arrive soon enough.

It might also be worth mentioning keeping in touch with what's in PR. I found it difficult making my last set of picks as I'd been away on holiday and so didn't know what the new stuff was. By regularly dipping in and out of PR and helping entries along, it makes it so much easier.

I know that Bossel keeps notes on entries meticulously and always has a choice. That means if someone beats him to the button on a particular entry, there's always others to look at.

Oh yes, - never assume that an entry will be boring just by the title. There have been plenty of times when I've not really wanted to look at an entry because of the title and then when I've had a look, it's been a real gem. It's easy to overlook entries in this way - it's a sort of prejudice. I have to confess I'm not terribly interested in entries about computer games or pop groups, so if a title looks like referring to one of these, I might be less than eager to have a look. Again, some have turned out not to be on these topics and some have been really interesting even if they were on, say a computer game.

On the mention of there being shortages of good picks from time to time - I can honestly say that this only happened once - I think around January 2002 - and I resorted to 'stalking' good entries. At that time, good entries were being recommended within about five minutes of being recommendable.

I think I've made all the suggested changes and I've added you both to the authours list! Thanks a lot for you help guys.

Anything else I should add guys. This is just like Peer Reviewing! I'm hoping to get it up to EG quality anyway.

OK, Z - more suggestions.

This bit "suggested Guide MLing an entry and the author doesn't want to" could be expanded to say 'or isn't capable of' - not all Researchers can manage GuideML.

Typo - 'Is their already an entry' > should read 'Is there already ...'

And another 'that said their are many new writers ' > 'there'

It's looking better, Z!

Might it be worth saying a bit more about the Under Guide?

Yes, it always helps to introduce people to the creative sides of h2g2 so that they don't keep submitting to PR. Tell them about The Post , The UnderGuide, AGG/GAG/CAC and the AWW I do it ridiculously often

Thanks I've taken you both up on your suggestions. Thanks for taking the trouble. Jodan, is their a useful help page explaining the Underguide that I could post a link to?

A1103329 - It's not done yet, but it will be soon

Thanks! I've added that as well, what's happening with the UG now Ben's taking a break from H2G2 for a few weeks? and you've resigned as well?

Glad you're curious

Well for the past few months, a lot of people have taken breaks over the summer, and now it's Ben and Jodan's turn Someone will take over my position shortly (and temporarily)

I am a silent supporter of the UG I can't wait to see it get off the ground, if you need my help then I'm more than happy to give it, but due to having a little thing called a degree to do, then I can't make a regular committment. Also I'm never quite sure how to respond to very personal entries in Peer Review, if someone has written badly about the death of their baby daughter how do you encourage them to improve it without appearing heartless?

Thank you for the support Z. It'll be off the ground *extremely* soon. Early September

As for the question - That's one of the difficult things about being a miner, and it can make the job sometimes more difficult than being a scout (from my experience, as I'm the only scout/miner) We've accepted two pieces about the death of a child, one poetry one prose. I don't think a piece that is emotional and sensitive can be badly written, because everyone has their own style and a sensitive piece would be worth reading, perhaps especially in a raw form. But I've been proved wrong before...

eek maybe I'm just a hardened cynic here, a flick through certain womens magaizines will reveal very very badly written accounts of personal tradegy.

The reason I haven't got involved in the UG is because I don't think I could do it. And now I have to go and do some studying though writting this has made me itching to get back to Peer Review. But I've promised to go out with some friends this evening, so I'd better do some today.

You're right. That's why I don't read woman's magazines

Typos to amend for EG quality type entry (sorry for nitpicking ):

Keep everything friendly and fluffy, complement any parts of the entry that are good.
> complement > compliment

When something like this happens it's usually because a new author hasn't understood the system, though it could be due to the way that you critised them not being quite 'fluffy' enough
> critised > criticised

low and behold > lo and behold (I think)

footnote 5: if you are unsure you can always reccomend it > if you are unsure you can always recommend it

submite it to the Underguide > submit it to the Underguide

Pimmsaloonie (locked out of Personal Space)

Thank you Pimms, they're all fixed! more importantly do you agree with the general thrust of the entry.