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

Started to put together an entry on historical research I think the members might find of interest.
It is located at A1314389 . Any and all input, suggestions and other ideas most welcome.

Nice topic!

A few things- I don't think you need to not include untrue stories. Just make it clear that either historians aren't sure or that it's not true. I include phrases like 'The old story that Columbus couldn't get financing because people thought the world was flat is not true...' So that readers still have interesting stories (if fictional) and so that you are (for lack of a better word) educating the reader that the story isn't true

Would it be useful to include some links to consistently reliable online sources for examples? I find Wikipedia is usually pretty good, but the fact that anyone can edit a page is a bit unnerving. It should be clear however, that simply getting the number one hit off of google doesn't assure facts. Also, a website with a .org or .edu ending can be misleading, as teachers sometimes publish unreliable content on it, which is pretty easy to detect, because of a ~name in the URL

By the way - a 'cheery tree'?

>Nice topic!<

Thanks, you inspired me. I thought that if we want to encourage historical writing it be a good idea to give those new to the genre a few hints on how to get started.

>A few things- I don't think you need to not include untrue stories. Just make it clear that either historians aren't sure or that it's not true. I include phrases like 'The old story that Columbus couldn't get financing because people thought the world was flat is not true...' So that readers still have interesting stories (if fictional) and so that you are (for lack of a better word) educating the reader that the story isn't true <

I agree 100% I only meant that they should not be presented as true. I will try to clarify.

>Would it be useful to include some links to consistently reliable online sources for examples? I find Wikipedia is usually pretty good, but the fact that anyone can edit a page is a bit unnerving. It should be clear however, that simply getting the number one hit off of google doesn't assure facts.<

I dislike linking to the web in general because so many sights disappear or change addresses that they demand constant updating. One site I just found is AltaVista's Babel Fish, used it to translate an entire page that was written in Portuguese for my General Armstrong entry. My knowledge of Portuguese is just enough to tell it had a lot of info I wanted.

I tried to point out that no single source should be trusted earlier in the post, but it wouldn't hurt to reenforce that here.

>Also, a website with a .org or .edu ending can be misleading, as teachers sometimes publish unreliable content on it, which is pretty easy to detect, because of a ~name in the URL<

Good point I will try to clarify, although I believe the .org and .edu are US specific.

>By the way - a 'cheery tree'? <
YES the tree was very happy until George chopped it down, then it became a very sad tree.

BTW did anybody ever tell you why they don't send donkeys of college?

Ah - right, US specific. That's a major problem I have when writing entries. I think that it's .edu.uk, or something like that for .edu, but I'm not sure about .org

About researching. (hope you don’t mind me jumping in) I often find it useful to site your source. It covers you in a lawsuit as well. Especially if you use a quotation.

Ebert – why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. Silly.

Excellent birds' eye view of the topic. I'm sure it will help researchers new to the field. Thanks.

H

>About researching. (hope you don't mind me jumping in) I often find it useful to site your source. It covers you in a lawsuit as well. Especially if you use a quotation. <

By all means jump in, that's why I put in the link.

Good point, persoally I usually try not to quote, other than actual dialouge. Added a section on "what to do with your research."

Why wouldn't you like to quote? I find it adds a bit of color to the entry. I generally add a relevant quote at the top of each of my entries - usually funny ones

I meant quoting passages from other works on the same topic within the text. I know that it is often done, but I just prefer to re-phrase in my own words. I enjoy your opening quotes, they make a good hook. My style is perhaps a bit more bland, but is is my style.

Thank you I usually use a quote because I don't know how to start an entry, and a quote generally does well. I hate writing intros- mine are usually quite short

I like your style too! Just the facts, ma'am

Just to clear up something mentioned earlier - .org is definately not US specific. I know this for sure, being the owner of www.70wildmiles.org

Wildman