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

Oh, dear BoB, No.... if we lumped all this anxiety, fear, vitriol, confusion, worry and vexation in one thread it would go China Syndrome... a great glowing gopher... critical... kablooie!

/Means I think! Occasionally/

That's how I know your not!

Well, it was first discussed sometime around October 2000. I believe Douglas met Ashley Highfield, then the new head of BBC Online, at an event, and they got talking, and Douglas mentioned that h2g2 wasn't doing too well raising money. Ashley saw potential in the site (and the underlying technology we'd built) and started trying to make a deal to buy the site, the tech and some of the people running it.

The deal was signed on 25th Jan 2001.

This was a deal that took place over Christmas (which knocks out a month, practically speaking) and all told took around three months from start to finish. During which time those of us working for h2g2 weren't getting paid (the BBC promised to pay us if the deal happened).

I've since learned that it takes longer to order stationery at the BBC. That deal should have been impossible to do in that time. But Ashley Highfield was new to the BBC so no-one had told him it was impossible.

I fear it couldn't happen today. Luckily, though, this time h2g2 is going in the opposite direction, which I hope is an easier prospect.

It must have been an interesting journey you've had over the years with h2g2, Jim.

/if we lumped all this anxiety, fear, vitriol, confusion, worry and vexation in one thread it would go China Syndrome/

Oh dearie me! we wouldn't want that now, would we? Perhaps we should just accept that Auntie Beeb knows what's best for us and let hootoo be quietly 'disposed off'.

If you think that's what I was saying, you are just wrong.

hi jim

' Luckily, though, this time h2g2 is going in the opposite direction, which I hope is an easier prospect.'

It might be. Presumably the capitalisation and running costs cost might be considerably less as an independent operation than they are at the BBC?

Just seen this thread and read the backlog.

Quelle surprise? I have had the suspicion that h2g2 was slated for 'disposal', as Nick said, for some time now - call it a gut feeling.

The efforts of the team to renew and revitalise the site seem a bit pointless and the bugs that now need ironing out seem less of a surprise given the probable haste with which the whole thing was exercised to try and prove its worth and justify its continued BBC hosting to no avail.

I will hang around and see whither h2g2 in the next few weeks or months if Jim Lynn's comments about early history are anything to go by.

t. (now sad)

I frequently am but it was intended more a riff to your theme

I was also quite taken with the notion of a China Syndrome event in Portland Place.

I wish Mark Moxon were still here, he'd know what to do.

MMF, had to at your comment -

"I don't want to spam, but could someone link them all together to make one logical, sensible thread that makes it seem as though we know what we are aiming for, rather than a scatological random approach?"

Billy, that is far too sensible for hootoo

You are not the only one confused with the amount of similar threads though; I asked a question earlier, and was told it was answered in another thread and when I found it, that thread was from the Eds, with an almost identical first post as this thread, but had been closed for some strange reason.
Emmily

Oh, I don't think we're doing so bad, either. Since we've known for only half a day or so...

'Nick' is the Beeching of the BBC when he appears you know the axe will be wielded.

Emmily.

I am just reaching the point where I don't know where to post, so I'll stop posting, and we'll wither and die due to apathy.

And this is only day 1!

That really Me!!!



MMF

o'~

Save h2g2 - join the community consortium

http://www.bbc.co.uk/entry/A80173361

>> Could we just have one 'h2g2 demise' thread I can follow? <<

The point, as I understand it, is to choose one or two and let
others run around spamming every thread. The threads you
choose to participate in may or may not survive, but soon
it will boil down to a half dozen or so and it then becomes
a qualitative issue rather than quantitative. Often easier on
the brain but increasing stressing to the soul. The great life-
time-ban debates of '03 come top mind.

With issues like this one, a life and death question - such as the
Single Sign On and BBC/ID diaspora - the frustration levels get
pretty high, repetition sets in and the value is put moron (sic)
qualitative input.

The resolutions to the current crisis will have serious practical
implications for a lot of very sensitive and intelligent people of
all ages, in many places.

Personally, I got off a few hours ago when someone linked to a
couple of reports recognising the need for archival systems on
the web.

The British Library, godbless'em, was deeply concerned for the
loss of internet legacy.

And then Nick and the EDs promised to save the database.
And Jim Lynn has the keys.
So... I says to myself, Case closed Sheelock!


~jwf~

Already signed, but how about a bit of 'direct action' ?

F19585?thread=8020378

Just want to help!

MMF

MMF I understand it might be a bit confusing to have so many threads..but it kind of relects the total splintering car crash of the way this thing has been done..and the the total disregard for the kind of people here, ie a mixture.

I do understand Sort of!

Only I've been here before, and it is tiring flitting between posts.



MMF