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

Does anyone know if there's an acknowledged precedent for naming PR thread commenters as joint authors in an Entry?

I've never done so except in cases where text has been contributed (churl that I am), but it occurs to me that observations that significantly shape and improve the final piece should maybe be acknowledged in this way, even if all the writing is due to the original author.

Or maybe it's good form to go further, and include everyone whose suggestions were incorporated.

Any suggestions would be welcomed. I think I probably have a reputation to live up from.

Pin

I don't think many PR reviewers/commenters would expect to be credited in an author’s Entry. (Though I guess it would depend how much was added due to them) I would imagine most make comments/suggestions for the good of the Guide, rather than self-acknowledgement.

I have refused a couple of times, and removed my name from one, as I didn't feel one paragraph in the whole Entry was deserving of such credit.

My as they say

Emmily

There are dozens (maybe hundreds) of precedents for it, but whether it should be made official policy (if that's what you're suggesting)? I don't thinnk so - it would be much too hard to to decide where to draw the line on how much a commenter should contribute to an entry in order to get a credit.

If an author wants to do it and the commenter has no objection, they should be allowed to decide between themselves.

Definitely not suggesting official policy

Just trying to make sure I'm following the established courtesies.

Thanks for the tips!

I reckon if there's a fact that gets mentioned by someone in PR, and it makes it into an entry and it otherwise wouldn't have been mentioned, then it's a nice gesture to credit the researcher that helped. So I usually do

But some people do it, some don't - and although most researchers like it, one or two have said they didn't do enough to warrant a credit and ask not to be credited. So you pays your money and takes your choice

Thanks.
It must be nice to be nice without thinking about it
Pin (who had to think about that one)