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

Okay, looks like the towers have given it the brush off in the nicest possible way.

The first thing i would say is that you are going to need a rather large publicity campaign so that people are aware you exist. Otherwise you won't be receiving too many invitations to any flame wars in the forseeable future.

(Let's just hope there aren't any flame wars anytime soon...) (Oy! Such a headache in the tokhes that would be...)

I have this odd feeling that they want us to make this work. I caught a reference by them several weeks ago that included the Arbiters as one of the "good ideas generated by the community." Call me naive, but heck - maybe I'm right. One of our arguments has been that we'd be helping the Italics *and* the Aces with some of the sticky stuff (sticky bad, not sticky good), and that it would be in their best interests to give us a chance.

Well, ok: maybe not their *best* interests, but certainly among their *better* interests.

Assuming I'm right, and we have their benign neglect, I don't think it would be too hard to get an announcement in the h2g2 post; maybe even an article, since Tube has recently established excellent credentials in that area. (Can 'Minister of Propaganda' be far behind?) At the very least, I'm figuring on us posting an announcement in the "Ask the..." forum: I'd just like to get the new 'Home Page' polished a bit more (add an FAQ section; tweak some of what's there already; you know, the usual.) I actually e-mailed the development team this morning regarding a couple of peripheral ideas, so the ball is definitely rolling.

Let's just hope there's something soft at the bottom of the incline...

And I would like to thank you, Linus, for your continued interest and thoughts. Keep 'em coming.

No, actually I didn't expect you to do that.
That'd be boring!

Shazz wants me to write another piece for The Post, so I might give this venture an airing...

I agree that you should put it in the post etc. Not a huge amount else you can do, although if you can get the towers to make it an announcement it would at least go out to all those people subscribed to that forum.

As for it being in their best interests, yes id say that it will certainly help in some instances. The issue for me is how you retain your independance. This is a matter more of perception rather than anything else. By that i mean that i don't doubt your independence, but how will the people involved in a flame war see it, especially if they dont like what you are telling them.

The people involved in a flame war are to chose the Arbiters. If they don't like what I'm telling them after that.... well, stiff bikkie. Same as IRL.
On the other hand (and seeing that the scheme runs as a mix of conciliation and arbitration) I don't really think that there'll be need to step on people's toes heavily.

which brings me to the other problem, how will they be able to pick/agree on arbiters. Lets face it most of these things involve at least one newbie. what is the chances of them coming across an arbiter before this, otherwise they will just be picking from a list of names

Stiff bisquit I'd say. There should be some descriptions about the individual Arbiter on the list page. I don't think that there's much more we can do for a newbie...?

no, i agree with you there. The only problem being that it will give them a good excuse not to accept any decision they don't like.

I'd be interested to see your suggested arbiters spiel


Linus: enjoys drinking, rugby and taking himself seriously, although not all of the above is neccesarily true. Offers group discounts for large flame wars but be warned: has a habit of burning the sausages as he is more used to cooking on a gas bbq