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

We can do either cash or merchandise prizes. A first and second in each category with honorable mentions?

Again, the prizes can't be extravagant. I can't afford it. But they have to be something worth winning.

Someone suggested books- I like that idea.

Could we maybe get the hootoo eds on board and score some h2g2 t-shirts?

I'll give it some thought and see what else I can come up with. If I were a "crafty" sort of person, I'd offer to make something.

rather tahn books i would say vouchers easyer to send and less likly to get complants. just my opinion obvasly

I just heard from Rev Nick. He is willing to contribute cash toward the prizes. So, between us we now have $600 to spend on prizes.

Nick e-mailed me with another suggestion concerning prizes. Amazon gift certificates. Since Amazon does business all over the world, it would be easy for the winners to select something they really like.

I like this idea.

I think that's a good idea.

Sounds good to me, too.

I feel it ought to be pointed out that there's a potential flaw here re prizes.
The assumption is being made that everyone has access to Amazon.com, which you would obviously need if you were to recieve a gift voucher. I got such a voucher last year and when I went to the site before I could use the voucher I was asked to register all my personal details including bank details before I could use said voucher or I had to use normal mail methods. There was no way I was registering all my details on Amazon. There are very few site's I do that, for obvious reasons.
Secondly, how are you going to get the vouchers to the winners anyway? Surely you're not going to ask new researchers to pass on their home address details to another researcher? It's one thing the BBC having someones personal address for sending stuff out but unless you know the researcher personally, (ie. real life friends or met through a meet for example) then I don't think it's the place of any researcher, regardless of title, to be asking new people for personal details. What about security of keeping such details? You run the risk of falling foul of data protection laws here for a start.
Just my for what it's worth.

ST.

My thinking had been to arrange a gift account with the appropriate Amazon. Once winners have been determined. Provide that particular Amazon with an e-mail address that the winner would be comfortable with, and then let Amazon call on them with access codes and passwords and what-evers ... Once in their hands, no one from here would have any involvement nor need to know any financial details.

Far simpler than cutting a postal money order in a useful currency, or shipping something tangible across a portion of the world.

Well, I think most people are not actually paranoid.
First of all, Amazon is a very good site, and I happen to think it is trustworthy. Second, the terms of the contest will presumably be laid out for prospective entrants before they compose their pieces. If they see that they will have to give home address details or will have to register an Amazon account (and I don't think that the prize plans are necessarily totally firm yet, though everything I've seen looks great) then if they find this objectionable, that's their issue. I would advise them to simply not enter the contest (or, if they don't want the prizes, ask that it be given to someone else or something). Is there any practical way to send a prize without the recipient giving up some sliver of anonymity (whether to the sender or to a third-party website)? I don't think so. Should the idea of prizes be nixed because one person in a thousand (my estimation) would be too paranoid to give up some details? No, I don't think so.

And also, I would be *very* surprised if there isn't a way to send an Amazon voucher electronically.

Incidentally, I don't really have any spare money , but I have plenty of great books that a DNA enthusiast might like. I have two copies of a PG Wodehouse collection (don't ask why), one of which had sat on a bookshelf for years. I could also happily part with my (one-watched) DVD copy of the HHGG movie (signed by the Vice President of h2g2! What's that? It decrease the value? Okay, I'll put the marker away.).

Simulpost. I thought so, Nick.

That's still based on an assumption that everyone has access to Amazon and is happy for Amazon to have their details, which they'll still require. Can you really see Amazon taking on the role of offering such a service in the first place? I think any prize giving-sending has to be from the BBC, bearing in mind you're dealing with newcomers to H2 in the first instance. Unless you are certain that newbies are completely 'net savvy' then the last thing we need to happen is to put someone's details at risk.

Just as an aside, has anyone asked the Eds for their views on this? I saw mention elsewhere of a site being set up outside of H2 in order to promote this idea.

ST.

Ah I see, so I'm paranoid now am I? Fair enough, get on with it. I thought I was just being sensible about peoples security online, however, knowing the track record of a certain individual involved here guess that's me being silly then?

Rich pointed out that the BBC isn't allowed to give out prizes (which is why they had to stop the h2g2 t-shirt challenge), so there can't be any BBC involvement in this.

Personally, I don't see a problem with Amazon or giving your home address if it is mentioned in the guidelines - a bit like with the BBC house rules we agreed to when we signed up here. If you don't like it, don't sign up.

It's still very early days of ideas and planning. If anyone at all has reasonably met ideas of awards, and how to convey them to a winner, I'm sure they can be tossed about and worked out.

And just off the cuff, perhaps the winner need only contact one trusted and respected person ... with a safe-to-themselves e-mail. As this is essentially Hypatia's idea, I'm sure that she could set up a short-term e-mail account just for the occassion.

I'm still in agreement that Amazon gift vouchers are a fantastic idea.

Obviously most people would be perfectly comfortable registering an email address and mailing address with a reputable company with a secure web site. Heck, I'd be more comfortable using an electronic voucher sent to my email address, than providing my physical address to another hootooer to mail me a prize.

Most people have anonymous email addresses for various purposes- I have one that I share on hootoo, for example. Can't see anyone finding that much of a hindrance, either.

One would assume that someone willing to participate in a web-based writing contest would be fairly comfortable and experienced with email , etc, anyway.

So, basically, I like the original idea and agree with the Rev and Jordan that most people are unlikely to be so paranoid as to enter a contest and then refuse the prize afterward on the grounds that they don't want to register their email and mailing address with a web store.

We knew that there would be objections to any idea we come up with. That's fine. Some of those objections may be valid points we will want to consider.

I am --we are-- just trying to do something to promote h2g2 and encourage people to write for the site. If any of you want to question the method, that is your perogative and fair game. But please don't question the motive. Let's make this a positive event.

Concerning Amazon, this is a highly reputable company. I have personally done business with them for years. I also have a library account with them. They have my address and phone number and have never sold this information to other companies. I have also received everything I've ever ordered from them in good condition and in a timely manner. They have such a wide variety of items that it would seem impossible for a prize winner to not find something they truly wanted.

I order merchandise online all the time. I know some people don't trust online vendors, but I have never had any problems.

As Bel and Rich have both pointed out, the prizes need to come from the community. I offered to fund the prizes because I sincerely believe this is a good idea and will benefit h2g2. I can afford it easier than some of you. I also thought it was unfair for me to propose a contest and then ask people to send money to help finance it. I am not surprised that some of you are offering to help. I'll gratefully accept your offers. Thanks.

I think if people know what the prize is to begin with (and it would be silly not to advertise this), they will be happy to accept it if they win. If anyone was worried about submitting their details with amazon, then I'm pretty sure they wouldn't enter the competition in the first place.

Amazon vouchers great idea. Writing for writing. Nice.
Also, whole concept of compo brilliant. Community, as esteemed president reminds us, is us.

Prize for Hypatia:

So wheres the Unofficial book thread???

Vogonpoet, are you volunteering to help?