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

It appears that the Middlesex University Philosophy Society (U1306482) has decided to use h2g2 as its online base, e.g. with A3818324. As far as I can tell they're not-for-profit, but they have a membership fee.

Having recently got the job of overhauling the Durham University Philosophical Society's website following an unpleasant incident with MS Frontpage, I can understand why they're doing this, but this does look like a case of hijacking...

Hmmm... I wonder what DNA would have made of this? I'd hazard a guess that he'd have approved.

Whatever the answer to that question, I'll bet the BBC never thought their servers would be used this way.

Alas, what the BBC will make of this is a rather more pressing question than what DNA would have made of it.

I'm pretty relaxed about it. They've set out quite clearly why they are squatting, and have also set up some links back to the main h2g2 intro stuff, plus an explanation of the h2g2 project.

I reckon if MUPS members start signing up as h2g2 researchers then that's no bad thing.

Could be some interesting new PR entries in the forseeable future?

Probably their best bet if they want to look respectable.

So long as the organisation remains respectful of the House Rules we don't feel there's too much to worry about here.

Hi guys,

I'm the president of MUPS and thought I'd let you know about what we do. The society, simply put, organises lectures from external scholars and aims to encourage psuedo-philosophical-banter amongst students.

I haven't told the society about the h2g2 section of it yet - it's all a bit of a secret until I get it sorted!

I thought h2g2 would be a great platform for the society - students would be able to chat using, well, using this chat system, and also share philosophical writings of their own for peer review.

I can't vouch for a member's adherence to the h2g2 house rules as they would be responsible for their own postings. However, the society itself is strictly non-profit and persues the educational, intellectual and artistic enhancement of a user's university experience.

h2g2 is not being used to advertise the society at all - it is, however, being used as a resource for information and communication. Something that I hope may, depending on whether it all comes together, be mutual.

I have had an h2g2 lull over my Easter break - but if anyone would like any further information, please leave me a message and I should get back to you within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, I need some

Yours,

Discus.

One quick note; if MUPS is in breach of the h2g2 house rules - which I admit to not being intimately familiar with - please let me know and I will adjust in any way requested.

See you around,

Discus.

I'm not sure why no-one replied here, but just to let you know, we're happy to welcome you all to h2g2. We have basic House Rules that it'd be handy to draw your members' attentiosn to, and maybe some of them would consider contributing to our Edited Guide - they can find out how by following the links to Peer Review.

All the best,

Jimster
Assistant Producer, h2g2