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

Of course, it's rather difficult to do this since we aren't told when something is moderated. I might say something hugely witty and thrilly elsewhere, then log off h2g2. It gets failed while I sleep, and I never realise. I might even see the failed post, and wonder who it was that got failed.

We intend to moderate everything that's put up within an hour of you doing so. Also, if something is failed, you will receive an email saying why. So you *will* know... assuming you are registered with a valid email address, of course.

Please note that the email thing is not implemented quite yet, but it will be very soon (and definitely before launch).

Splendid!

...but there is no right of appeal, the censors decision will be final....or will it be possible to contest a ruling? Who will 'moderate' the censors?

TPTB from the sounds of things. Specifically, Peta.

Now the woman from Auntie is a lady I do trust implicitly. But will there actually be a right of appeal? You see the problem is that it could quickly become unmanageable. If the Beeb really wants to understand 'what makes an online community work' it needs to trust the members of that community to self-regulate. That IS a key element and one that certainly Mark and Peta have tried hard to adhere to. I know this is not of their making, but I fear it is going to prove a dog's dinner.

Your fear will, I hope, be unfounded, unless h2g2 suddenly falls into the hands of people who don't understand how communities work. We're getting rather better at it than most, and we make the final decisions, as we always have.

Please don't worry - we're here to help!

IS it just me of did Mark just sound like a cirius cybernetics butler robot that's fun to be with.

I'm not plastic, though.

(Don't go there... )

"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help" - the stuff of nightmares

;^)#

Hey I am from the government....oh yeah I see what you mean.

(Mark I deliberately didn't bring Plastic into it )

In the first instance, Researchers should contact me if they think that something has been unfairly moderated. I'm totally happy to explain our decisions and discuss moderation policy.

If we can't reach agreement, then I'll involve a third party, depending on the nature of the complaint, but I don't suppose it will get to that often, I'm reasonable and so are you guys, and most of the issues are pretty straightforward.