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

Dear all,

Just a quick note to say thank you very much indeed for your feedback to the H2G2 Read Only Beta site, which we are logging and working through. The overall response to the look and feel of the redesign, both on site and internally here at the Beeb, has been very positive indeed. There are two bits of great feedback we'd like to draw your attention to. The first is from Sean D Solle, one of the very, very original creators of H2G2 (his user number is U7!) and a former friend and colleague of Douglas Adams. We could not have been happier with what he had to say about the re-fresh:

"Absolutely delighted by this re-design - fantastic to finally see h2g2 fully integrated into the BBC site, while simultaneously doing a better job of showcasing the original concept than any previous reboot. The 'Welcome to H2G2/Douglas Adams/Featured Conversation/Useless Facts' tabbed info box is splendid, and the whole page - from graduated fade at the top to cloud-covered earth at the bottom - simply oozes graphical class. Congratulations to everyone involved in on a job well done!"

Also, bearing in mind that we need to attract new blood to the site we are delighted to hear this sort of feedback from a newbie called 'rafmarham':

"I totally agree with what everyone else has said. It is BY FAR easier to navigate, is easier on the eye and easier for newbies, like myself, to get going. I LOVE IT."

Thank you again everyone. There's a lot of work still left to do before the full launch, but we'll keep you posted along the way.

Sam and Chris
The H2G2 Editors

Thanks for that Eds

I think those most happy with the redesign are Alabaster fans, as it's similar to Alabaster but better, and once we get the full version (I assume) we'll have the technical advances of Brunel that we previously missed out on

I still don't like h2g2 in Caps, and never will, but then all letters in caps is a petty hate of mine.

Emmily

What Emmily said.

Just one last rant :- F77636?thread=7874056&post=103131054#p103131054

I suppose that's it then. We seem to have approved it. Wonder what would have happened if we didn't.

no mention of the fact that this page, at least, is still called "h2g2 Announcements"

Still think It needs more cowbell... and ham[p]sters...

Ho they would, would'ent they

I don't like all caps either, Emmily. Maybe there's a reason for it. We have a few researchers who get very upset and anxious whenever there are big changes. I hope someone can be available to walk them through it.

Back in my day it were all fields round here... Just ham[p]sters frolicking in the long grass... then they built this internet thinggy...

And a couple of years after it was built the pirates arrived
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/beta/entry/A579684
they are still a bit miffed that the drink smileys don't work in their forums, but I bet by the time the final rollout occurs that will no longer be a problem.

Ooo! Oooo! a new feature I just noticed after clicking on that link to the page on the beta site; the bit after the convo list on the A entry, saying 'X number more conversations' : I think* normally at the moment we just get somethign like 'click here to see more conversations', but that actually saying how many more there are is I'm easily excited

But... where is the bit for the date the entry was created?: Its not anymore down the bottom after the entery number, and the author/credits/editer bits

It's at the top, above the title: it says Created Jun 19, 2001 | Updated Apr 25, 2009

Oo so it is Just used to it being with the other info about the entry towards the bottom Makes more sense at teh top really; if your reading an entry..... sorry article then one of the key things you need to know is when it dates too; depending what the article is on, its not necessarily that* useful unless you can put it into context as regards when it was written

True - that's why I like the 'last updated' date being there, too.

it's h2g2 not H2G2, change it now (stampsfoot)

If wanted to dream he could do it here on a BBC dna site
http://bbc.co.uk/dna/memoryshare/radio4writingthecentury/A76874061

I love it when the BBC tell us how wonderful they are

It reminds me of my favourite Not the Nine O'Clock News sketch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lzS8yW8INA

"...I think the BBC is a load of crap..."

I thought the point of a beta was to figure out what doesn't work, not to praise it. That's what I'd consider "good" feedback, the stuff that helps solve problems.