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

(in response to EMR's post 31 for those who ignore the little tree things)

OK, I've added the bullet to the list at the beginning, describing the range of topics involved -- and have put out a call in the post above asking for entries that would be good to link to. The entries definitely don't have to be ones that would fit the text that's already there -- if there's a perfect entry to use as an example, I can probably come up with some suitable text.

The section on non-EG stuff isn't focused just on writing -- if anything, it's more about finding entries to read. I think it's pretty clear throughout this entry that h2g2 isn't just about writing -- there's a reason I start off with a section on reading entries. I really would like to avoid going into what h2g2 is or isn't in general -- that's really beyond the scope of what this entry is for.

I did take a shot at making a do's/don'ts list for the Writing section -- but there just wasn't a way I could find that wouldn't add unnecessary length -- if anything, I really think that section needs to be shortened, not elongated. After I go through taking into account Gnomon's comments, I will give this another shot -- I may actually end up rewriting this section from scratch, because I'm just not happy with how wordy it is.


Mikey

OK, have addressed a few of Gnomon's comments -- namely, the ones that were quick and easy to take care of.

For now, though, I must get back to the housecleaning -- but I will come back and work on this soon, I promise!

with the housecleaning.

I've got pages and pages of backlog to read after coming back from out of town last night, but when I get some time to sit down and think (and God knows when that will be) I'll gather together some good links for you. Looking good, Mikey!

Do you want types of entries?

So, for example, geographical ones?

Historical?

Phrasebooks with lots of pretty tables?

Hmm, that didn't work.

A2766459
A4094624
A2465435

> Do you want types of entries?

I would like a pretty broad range of entry types -- after all, I don't think it would help to link to only entries about the Isles of Wight -- or even only geographical entries. Overall, though, I'm mostly just looking for exemplary entries -- if we can come up with a nice and diverse sample, I will find ways to plug them into the entry accordingly.

"Then we'll look at how that's working and then, I expect, we'll redesign it again."

Let's not forget - A550955

I'm not sure I get your point here, Ancient Brit. Our goal here isn't to debate what the EG should be at some point in the future -- it's to explain what it is and how it works *now* for people who are wanting to know more.

How does *now* fit in with *evolution* ?
Isn't the notion of an *Edited Guide* somewhat finite ?

<>

If everything in the Guide is Edited, or if all the Edited entries are in the Guide, there's still room for more. New things are invented every day. New movies come out. New books are written. New events occur - because oddly enough, time keeps on going. There will always be stuff to write about in the EG.

It goes without saying that there will always be something to write in an unconventional Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything. Finality comes with the concept that any one subject can be concluded in an edited form.

Ancient Brit, if you want to argue whether the concept of the Edited Guide is valid or not, the Community Soapbox would be a better place for it than this CWW thread, I think.

Point taken - I guess it's all been said before.
A link to this wouldn't go amiss. - A317521

OK, after a nice hiatus, I've now gone through and addressed all of the issues Gnomon raised -- admittedly, not all in the manner he suggested, but I believe I've addressed the intent throughout.

Anything else?


Mikey

That looks very good now, Mikey.

Two typos:

You have both encyclopedia and encyclopaedia. I believe that encyclopaedia is the British English spelling.

In the Underguide section you have 'experiencces' with two c's.

One comment on choice of words:

'you can specify if you're only interested in Edited Guide entries'

I think this would be better with 'that' instead of 'if'.

G

All fixed.

Now go to bed.

good plan!

Hi Mikey, apologies for being late in the thread with this.

There's a lot being said about the problem of unsuitable entries being submitted to PR. It could help to reduce these to give a clearer picture of what the non EG areas cater for?

AGG/GAG/CAC, for example, isn't all humorous. They've featured accounts of very personal experiences in the past which the italics couldn't let the UG feature on the front page. They've also featured some pretty cool, and serious poetry along with the experimental and the outlandish. Their unique chaotic manner is part of what might make them the ideal home for researchers who find the EG difficult to fit into.

Trying to bear in mind you don't want this to be too long, and that a balance needs to be struck between giving clear information and actually advertising non EG forums, I put these together, mostly from the wording on the Alternative Writing Workshop page and AGG/GAG/CAC's home page, for consideration.

The UnderGuide - a collection of good quality writing selected by the UnderGuide volunteers from the Alternative Writing Workshop that doesn't fit into the Edited Guide writing guidelines. This includes stories, true or fictional, opinions, plays and poetry, in fact anything at all. Picked entries are featured weekly on the front page.

AGG/GAG/CAC - run by a posse of personae dedicated to giving all voices a chance to be heard and for which the only criteria should be wit and wisdom features a selection of entries in The Post when the fancy takes them.

The Post - h2g2's own weekly newspaper. The Post's editors feature just about anything that appeals to them. This includes weekly columns, cartoons, reviews, fiction, poetry, competitions, anything.

The clearer the picture we can give of how the various bits of h2 fit together, the less frustration and disappointment there'll be is my worth.
Waz

I do think giving people more info on what each forum is good for is important, but I don't think this is the place for that -- I think the place for that is the Contribute page, which definitely needs updating.

We already have an official page on the EG Writing Guidelines, as well as an official page on how to Contribute writing to h2g2 -- I'm not looking to replace either of those with this entry here, I'm looking to fill a hole that hasn't been filled at all yet, and create an entry that is solely about the Edited Guide.

If someone wants to start a project here in the CWW updating the Contribute page, I'm sure I'd be more than willing to pitch in and help, though.


Mikey