Original Version of UG HQ
Created | Updated Jul 1, 2004
*This was the original UG HQ, but it was superceded by the newer UG HQ at the UG named entry*
The UnderGuide is a form of alternative guide giving home to exceptional entries outside of the Edited Guide's Guidelines. Of course this idea is very familiar. Agg/Gag/CAC has
done this, along with The Post, Fiction Central and most recently the Spaced Out Guide.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The UnderGuide is the most progressive movement to help nurture the creative side of h2g2. It was created by a number of founder miners, listed below as-
- a broad called Ben
- Deidzoeb
- friendlywithteeth
- GTBacchus
- Hypatia
- Jodan
- Kiltedjedi
- Sir Mort
- Spiff
- Sprout
- Tube
- Vercingetorix
- Waz
The scheme puts entries on the front page by selecting them from the Alternative Writing Workshop. The intricate processes are not important, but miners make a couple of votes every month and when an entry has received two votes, it is selected. Then, the UG Editors read it over, checking to see it has no obvious quality problems. Then they email it to an h2g2 inhouse editor, who checks to make sure that it does not have questionable content. If it is okay, the UG Editors post to the Alternative Writing Workshop conversation forum to let the author know it is accepted.
It is then sent to the gem polisher. The polisher tries to communicate with the author and gives the entry a light polish. When it is done, they send it back to the editors, who set the date for when it will appear on the front page, and then it does.
Historical UG Pages
- The Early MSN Offsite Group - Graciously provided by Ben. This shows some of the earliest picks and the discussion. Feel free to read the old posts.
- Proposals for an Underguide Scheme
- Underguide Scheme Plan D
- UnderGuidelines
- UnderGuide Introduction
- UG Processes Draft
Be a Miner
Miners are like the Scouts for the UnderGuide. They comment on entries in the AWW, they clean it out and place votes for exceptional entries. The early miners will also influence policy, process and procedure decisions made by the Editors.
Miners Below (Alphabetical Order)a broad called BenArwenfriendlywithteethKiltedjediMadentNoggin the NogSir MortSproutVercingetorixWazunguNote- the Editors, GTBacchus and
Jodan may vote but do not have quotas. They can vote as regular miners if they choose.
Links
- Miner Homepage - 'Mineshaft'
- Why be a Miner?
- What do Miners Do?
- Miner Code of Conduct
- Volunteer to be a Miner
Be a Gem Polisher
Gem Polishers are the equivalent of a Sub-editor for the UG. They polish mined entries by making grammar, style or formatting changes. The Gem Polishers are very important to the scheme and are allocated appropriate (entries that a certain polisher might be better at) entries as they feel like doing them.
Polishers (Alphabetical Order)a broad called BenDeidzoebSir MortUG Editors PersonaHypatiaLinks
- Gem Polisher Home Page
- Why be a Gem Polisher?
- What do the Gem Polishers Do?
- Gem Polisher Code of Conduct
- Volunteer to be a Gem Polisher
Other Ways to Help
Submit Entries
Please contribute entries into the AWW. This is the most important factor of our scheme. If you don't help add entries for us, then we don't exist. The UnderGuide is intended to showcase exceptional writing: this may be first person travel-writing; personal reminiscences of someone famous or infamous; theorising on the nature of life, the universe and everything, etc. We will consider poetry, fiction, personal experiences or just about anything that isn't suitable for the Edited Guide. The quality standards are particularly high, but the only formal guidelines are as follows.
- It can't be suitable for the EG
- It must adhere to the House Rules
- It must be original.
Generally, these rules can't be bended, but they are very easy to abide by really. There are also no quality guidelines, but it's helpful to write a good entry.
Links
Comment on Entries
You can comment on any of the threads below, express opinions, relate impressions, constructively imagine alternative idioms of expression, or otherwise riff off whatever you've read... hoping in the process to help produce the best possible entry. If the comments on an entry are generally positive, it may eventually be chosen for inclusion in one of our alternative publications (see further down this page for more information on commenting in Alternative Review).
Commenting tips-
- Try to be nice!
- See if this is the author's first entry. If so, be especially nice and introduce them to the concept of the forum.
- People can be sensitive about emotional works. Take that into consideration
- If you like the entry, let the author know!
More tips can be found at the Review Forum Page.
Archives
The UnderGuide Archives record all the wonderful entries and authors to pass through the UG. They can be found at:
