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

Ha! Hers, Ancient and Modern?

New guests! At least, one new acquaintance, an an old friend who's not ever been here that I can recollect.... *looks meaningfully at BB*

Hallo wumbeevil. Charming, the cupcakes. Don't let anybody see you or they'll all be wanting their own. Slaves to fashion, the lot.

*rescues the ginger ale from Wumbeevil's celebratory grasp and puts it on the table next to Styx*

My nephew told me he liked your modelling best, Amy, I mean the ones of you in the green dress and wedding gown. I actually felt a bit jealous.

Matina! Time to bring out the chocolate-dipped strawberries!

More like Justdyed and Ancient. No that didn't work, well not for two Chers. I suppose it works for Ginger and Cher tho.

Hmm, I'll need to think about this. I'll just have another little for inspiration before aspiration.

Whoops!

Hi Lil

*wonders why he's been left with two Chers and looks suspiciously at Amy*

Did you know you do not have exclusivity to your username ?

Did you know others on-site can readily copy ALL the information on your homepage, guide entries and journals ? Indeed, the editors have a facility whereby they actively encourage it.

Someone else can effectively set themselves up as you and go around besmirching your good name if they so desire under the current site policy, and because the site holds copyright over EVERYTHING you have even posted from approved guide entries, user guide entries, journals, forums, your username to your homepage. You have no substantive grounds to complain…

Did you know if you use some of your ideas developed here off-site you run the risk of being sued for breach of copyright ?

Did you know that the 'non-exclusive' copyright they you may have thought protected your copyright rights, in fact means that no other potential publisher is likely to accept your work because most only accept material which they can have 'exclusive' copyright over ?

So if you wish to some day use some of your ideas generated here you effectively have to think years ahead. Otherwise you might end up like Douglas Adams who has some of his Doctor Who material in a state of limbo because he re-interrupted some of the ideas in later work.

Did you know the editors have the right to sell your material in any form whatsoever ?

The fact is they have to right to use your material in any form they desire. In the terms they have the ability to 'modify' your work. Meaning you could well be misrepresented as a matter of course without an effective method to complain. In fact, the H2G2 copyright holders have the ability to make money off your works long after you are gone.

Did you know the editors reserve the right to change site policy ?

The fact is at any time the editors can effectively ban you by making up whatever rules they so desire to exclude you, you have no recourse whatsoever.

Did you know that homepages, forums and journals are widely available elsewhere on the web absolutely free of charge and without such restrictive copyright clauses ?

The simple fact is that H2G2 operates on the goodwill the works of Douglas Adam's creates. There are many other communities on the web that don't place such all pervasive restrictions upon your work.

Did you know there are many places on the web who value your hard work and creative skills ?

The fact is that if you look hard enough, there are organisations on the web that will pay you for your research and writing skills, even if you fall into the amateur class.

SO, IN SUMMING UP…

Why don't you have any rights ?

Because you were never asked, or included in the process. So they set the criteria solely for there own exclusive benefit.

What's in it for me you may well ask ?

At the moment, kudos of writing for the guide… and stuff you would get elsewhere for nothing anyway.

All is not lost however, you do have some power. The power of numbers.

Please make sure you sign the 'Right to Have Rights Petition over at…

http://www.h2g2.com/A469578

…and see if we can change the guide for the benefit of all.

Thankyou.
M.K*

I can't think of anything more rude than someone who spams right into the middle of a party or a conversation without taking ANY trouble to see what it is they are blundering into. It says, straightout on the atelier page, that we will make mean and spiteful remarks about anyone who spams.

Nyah, Mathew Kershaw, you rude and thoughtless entity!

*is about to send a detail of bots after the spammer when Matina comes down the steps with a tray full of strawberries dipped in white and dark chocolate*

Ooh...

People in the third world would be quite happy for spam, Lil...

Besides people should be informed.

M.K*

Maybe you should put up a "No Soliciting" sign.

*grabs a strawberry*
heh heh thinks he is god almighty
*with strawberry in teeth, jumps off table and vanishes into ground fog*

*watching black rat disappear into the ground mist*
*reaches for a strawberry*
Excellent.

Hey, everybody, Dr. Vibenstein is running a poll on the US Election -- not to be missed! http://www.h2g2.com/A218819 !

*looks at drink and wonders why someone supposes he can't read. Decides to make the most of the intrusion and tries to get rid of the Chers by pointing them towards 45 hoping they'll be aroused by the sight. Unfortunately they're about as interested as he is.*

Takes a strawberry and soaks it in his

Mmmmmm

*Arrives from viewing the Fashion Show, wearing a simple blue silk dress.*

Lovely! Everything and everyone were just lovely! Thank you for inviting me. I especially like 'Nonnie's outfit.

May I have a glass of ?

I do apologise for that unseemly intrusion. A fashion event is supposed to be all serenity and legs, innit, not political rant time. What's that you're drinking? It goes to your head rather fast doesn't it? -- or have you been practising all day?

Me? Practicing? I don't know whatever you can mean by that.

mari-rae! We must have simulposted! I was talking to Wumbeevil. I agree with you, I thought Nonnie's outfit was to die for.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see you here; I thought you might still be at home filling out a long survey.

Oh, glad I caught that post. I was about to hand over a purely to aid understanding. I've been drinking in the underwater cafe as well, Lil.

Nice dress, this one gets a bit chilly in the breeze.

*Tries over a certain singer to mari-rae*

Well you know the saying, Cher and Cher alike

Tries again to HAND OVER a certain singer

*looks in disgust at his liver*

*Laughs and accepts the from Wumbeevil.*

Oh! Lil! ~guilty expression goes over her face~ Um, you know, I um...well. Haven't been back to my mailbox yet?

*Laughs and accepts the from Wumbeevil.*

Oh! Lil! ~guilty expression goes over her face~ Um, you know, I um...well. Haven't been back to my mailbox yet?

*Comes back to the party after a close call with a torpedo at the Cafe*

I got your beep at the Cafe, Amy.

Favorite cartoonist--Bill Watterson. Kay Thompson is a close second with her Eloise books.