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

Sorry about that TR! The title is a bit of hint, though. I agree that, if you'll pardon the expression, this is not one to walk into blindly.

Sp

Hi,
It's me jwf. As you can see I am now logged on and posting here as AGGGAG.
I've opened the AGGGAG homepage and posted =X's latest version as the intro.
Take a look. Don't worry you will retain your own ID and can post there as yourselves.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U187783
The ID (nickname/username/signature) is AGG/GAG. We can change it later. The BBC-account-ID and response e-mail cannot be readily changed, but I'll handle that end of it.

The password is available by e-mailing me via the e-mail link at the bottom of my (jwf) homepage.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U162344

When you have the password you can log on as AGGGAG, post as AGGGAG or edit the AGGGAG homepage. Just don't forget when you are AGGGAG you speak for all of us. Oh, and make sure you have your own ID and password written down somewhere, because your computer may forget it and re-cookie you as AGGGAG for this site if you chose the 'always remember me on this computer' option for your own ID login. If you don't want the hassle of logging in and out and in to change IDs then just post at AGGGAG as yourself. AGGGAG just gives you anonymity for editing and critiquing other people's writing.

Again may I suggest you download a free program called Gator at the dotcom of the same name or some similar software for managing multiple IDs and passwords so you don't lose track of who you are logged on as, and so you don't forget your own password and lock yourself out of your own account.

peace
jwf

Spiff,

AGG/GAG is pretty weird, but I love how it exemplifies how we're so scatter-brained/anarchic, we can't even agree on a name. Not that we *can't*, exactly, but that we REFUSE! To further perpetuate this absurdity, we could use totally conflicting names, whatever you feel like calling the group at any given moment. Instead of reaching an agreement on the name, we'll be in a constant state of brainstorming. (As long as it's silly enough, people will know who you're talking about.)

I think I can safely say that =X has again expressed articulately a perfect synthesis/synopsis/precis/amalgam/conscensuality of our thoughts. We all have different ideas what AGGGAG means. It is in a state of becoming. Literal conscensus among is most likely impossible, but we seem to agree on some first principles of what this place ought to be.

Yes the letters AGGGAG can mean any of the options proposed here-to-fore. Or other variables yet to come. Feel free. Because it is freedom of thought and expression that we hold dear.

The Galactic Anomalies Group, a group dedicated to anomalies in the galactic concordance, can be so much more than just literary researchers and scouts and editors.

We were born out of a need to let the light shine in the AWW. Our mission is to give hope to those whose primal principles at h2g2 were born of the wit and wisdom of Douglas Adams, not the corporate lawyers of the BBC.

Today we abandon The Order of the Edited Guide. Who knows what tomorrow has always brought us.

..and a good Friday nite all,
~jwf~

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

Zorro? Is that you?

zzzzzzzzzzz-Mmpfh? yes, dear, I'll take out the garbagefffrt- z z z z z zzzzzzzzzz-Mrrfft? yes, dear, I'll let the air out of the doggrpp-zzzzzzz-plup-yes,dear, your mother? okay, your motherspllt-zz zz zz z z zzzzzzzzzz................

I have been acosted by a member of your gang about something I have written, I've popped over to have a look and I'm still a little bit confused. Just so have got all this straight in my mind:

You scout for stuff in the un-edited guide and in particular in the AWW and then you take this stuff and put it into a column on The Post which links back to the original.

If I have something I want to pass to you directly, would I post to the AGG/GAG page (by the way I think this sounds like Popeye's laugh)?

If it is, excellent idea, I want to play.

By George, I think you've got it.

For all the foo-for-all and hot-air expended in this forum, it really does just come down to promoting and shamelessly plugging writers who create anything good that doesn't fit the 'Edited Guide' rules and regs.
Good writers should be encouraged, not told to limit themselves to a format. H2g2 does attract some pretty bright people and I have seen too many of them leave or get discouraged, unnecessarily. As long we stay inside the House Rules, we should be OK.

jwf

Thinks:

If someone would proffer a tiny list of subjects they think should be written about for the (insert Popeye laugh), I am feeling like doing a little improv.

Unthinks.

Pop stars in heaven.
How to make love underwater.
Converting the Mini from right to left hand drive.
Grammar, is it essential?
The New Age Religions.
Why television can't survive too much choice.
Where Are We Going, Part One: Millions of new cars, but no new highways.

Any helpo there at all, at all?
peace
jwf

Oh and besides Lucinda's 'laughter' what are we recommending for Issue #2?

Bored in the Library Games.

OK tonsil, write an introduction. All I could say about it is 'a promising young writer' and 'gleefully anti-social'.

That's two down unless I hear objection.

Now, who wants to nominate the third one and write an intro.

I'll take a crack at promoting Lucinda and a general comment about how we need reader suggestions and feedback or we die with issue #2.

peace
jwf

Okay. There it is in my entry sidebar. Suggestions, please.

Hmmm... What happened to 'promising young writer' and 'gleefully anti-social' ?
Sorry, but you hardly mentioned the article. ..and I am NOT saying throw it all out, just a little less of you and a little more about the Entry. You will have your chance to talk about your life story another time. In fact maybe next week (Issue #3) we can all plug ourselves if we don't get any feedback from Post readers. And that can be our parting shot.

I have written a cover page and a review for Lucinda at my homepage Entries with the title AGG/GAG #2. Check it out.
Maybe =X will cut and paste it to his/her work area and add the links and stuff.

Is anybody else still with us?
peace
jwf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A666623

Just my suggestion for how the page will look every week after the initial introductory item (Imagine a nice logo at the top... it hasn't arrived yet!) ... see what you think.

shazz

Very nice semicolon in the opening Quote. Gandalf, did you put that there or are the Post Tootsies getting creative?

I'll go back and beat the poor intro up.
Have you ever read any of Harlan Ellison's anthologies of other people's stuff. A little bio in the intro tells the reader that you have a connection to what you're introing instead oaf being a soulless droid.
Or how about Bill Pronzini or Roger Zelazney or Martin Greenberg's anthologies.

Good Work ,Post!

And stop saying 'we'll die with issue two'.

"I've got plenty of nothin'
And nothin's plenty for me"

*Holds hands up*

I added the semi-colon, I admit it!

I do think you need the opening speil every week though... catch the ones who didn't read the first explanatory entry!

Harlan eh? Great writer

shazz