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

You're probably aware of the recent launch of the DNA project within the BBC... but if not, DNA is the new name for the system that runs h2g2, and it's now available to anyone in the BBC who wants to set up a community/content website like h2g2.

As part of the development of this new project, we've made some changes to the structure of the team behind DNA and h2g2, which you can find reflected on the <./>Team</.> page.

Basically Mark (U13), Peta (U24) and Jim (U6) now form the all-new DNA Team, which is responsible for the editorial, community and technical aspects of the DNA project. This means that they're going to be spending a fair amount of time talking to potential and existing DNA clients, providing consultancy to new DNA sites, and ensuring that h2g2 maintains its place at the forefront of DNA development.

However it also means that, for Mark and Peta in particular, they won't be able to spend quite as much time on h2g2 as before. Fear not, though, because the new recruits on the h2g2 team are going to make sure that customer support is as top-notch as ever. Mark remains as Editor of h2g2, but you'll see Natalie (U190181) and her team taking on much more responsibility for keeping the wonderful h2g2 Community as happy as happy can be, and for driving forward the future of h2g2.

Meanwhile, the DNA Team will make sure that development of DNA and h2g2 continues on apace. There's no shortage of plans!

That all sounds very important and grand but can we be sure this isn't just another step in Mad Moxon's step by step conquest of the planet?

Seriously, good luck to you guys in the new endeavours.

Is this a promotion, boss?

shall we have to start referin' to the the free beer tokens at the meet-ups as 'johnson's' in future?



*waves to natalie, if she's watching*

You'll confuse and upset people if you start fiddling with their...oh, you know the rest...

"Is this a promotion, boss?"

Interesting question. The BBC cannot promote its staff, as this is seen to be unfair, and if there's one thing the BBC is, it's as fair as it can possibly be (a consequence of being publicly-funded).

For me and Jim, our remit has expanded a bit, but it's still within the confines of our job descriptions, as those were written to be pretty flexible. However Peta's new job is a completely new role, and is quite a step up from her position as Community Editor of h2g2. She had to apply for the job, which was advertised, and she had to have an interview with an interview panel in exactly the same way that everyone does when applying for a job at the BBC. She got the job, and it was rubber-stamped yesterday.

So Jim and I are at the same level as before, but Peta has applied for and got a more senior job. Good for her!

No! You don't mess with things like that! They will forever be known as Moxons...

Nah it just means MArk is away on an intergalatic cruise, in his office.

"They will forever be known as Moxons"



The last proper career I had was editor of a computer magazine, and when I handed the editorship to my deputy, he was asked whether he'd change the name of the back page, which was known as The Moxon Interview. He said it forever be known as The Moxon Interview.

First issue he ran entirely on his own, he changed the name to The Regan Files, after the girl who took over the column. Just happened to be his girlfriend, too...

can volenteers get higher in chain of command?

oh I think I know answer?

The BBC cannot promote its staff?
That sounds scary, sounds like the ultimate dead end job.

So no rising throught the ranks to be DG then?

Congrats to Peta!

B.

DD: "Nah it just means MArk is away on an intergalatic cruise, in his office."

Great minds must think alike!

See U13

aye.

Either that or we both get told off for reciting the unabridged version of the books being read by U42 by those nearest and dearest to us.

nah. It's coincidence.

On the promotion point, Orcus, I'd guess the BBC is like the Civil Service. You can't automatically promote people into the next grade because some ing CLOWN decided that Government bodies (which includes the BeeB) had to be seen as 'equal opportunities employers'.
That means that every vacant job has to be advertised. Which is how the GM of Tesco's came to be Chief Executive of the CPS for a while...rather than somebody who actually knew something about the law and what the CPS did.

I didn't know this. Sounds ridiculous.

... but then we all have to put up with ridiculous rules at work I guess.

Well, it was done because the people in charge decided that 'closed' promotions weren't helping to get those that were felt to be discriminated against-either by reason of colour, religion, disabilty etc into the work place.
So like most idiotic rules, it was done with the best of intentions.

Thanks Bogie, and everyone else.

It really doesn't matter that much if you have to apply for the job, I quite like interviews really. I was winding everyone up for ages that I was going to wear a gold lame catsuit to mine!