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

~jwf~

Puppies and kittens and lambs?

Blog the twenty-first. Thursday 28th April 2011 First but not least a huge shout out for all the proofreaders who have been working on the h2g2 collection the last few weeks. The first two proof copies of the book have been delivered, and everyone who's seen them really likes them. It was well worth doing, because it answered some questions about images, page layout, fonts and so on. Milla, Montague Trout, PaulH, Rod and the Rudest Elf have been through the master version with a fine toothed comb and the next run has been ordered. The final for-sale version is scheduled for mid May, but that date is still to be confirmed. It's looking good though... Researchers� willingness to pitch in and help with this project bodes well for the future of a hootooizen-run site. As we all know, it is our intention to replace the current editors (hi guys!) with elected members of our merry band, as well as continuing to rely on all the volunteer groups we have now, without whom this site would not exist currently. Of course, this raises the issue of how we will organise the voting for such prestigious posts (hi to the current eds again!). If you thought the stushi over FPTP and AV* presently raging across the UK was the electoral issue of the decade, think again. And come to Magrathea�s Workshop where we are discussing the mechanisms whereby we can make sure that Nighthoover is not unanimously voted in year after year after year by a bevy of mysterious badger researchers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F20484619?thread=8156407 Another topical event is the Royal Wedding**. We very much hope that you have not spent all your money on souvenir teatowels, as the h2g2c2 shop is nearly, very very nearly, almost as nearly as that, close to beginning to start to think about trading. We would very much appreciate your support in our efforts to raise some money to cover the costs of the bid. Watch this space for an imminent announcement of the Grand Opening. And by imminant, I mean that by the time you've had a cup of tea, there may be another blog up. There are badger badges. But sadly no towels as yet. There�s still time to sign up for the h2g2 London meet, taking place on Saturday 14th May and show off your purchases. The plans so far include a gentle stroll through the centre of London in the afternoon, led by MMF, which guarantees a good time judging by his past successes in organising afternoon events, followed by the usual drinking session at the Shakespeare�s Head in Holborn, almost certainly led by 2legs***. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F20055272?thread=7997391 Some lucky person will win a copy - an advance copy mark you - of the h2g2 collection at the meet and there may be other merchandise from the shop up for grabs too. See you there! * First Past the Post vs Alternative Voting (ranking the candidates in order of preference) for the Britanically-challenged among us. **Taking place tomorrow. But you knew that. ***Which also guarantees its own brand of success. And if it doesn�t, you know who to blame.

Well that sounds very promising

3 cheers for the Hootooligans

So, how are the books being *allocated*, again?

Did Z and I pop the shop's cherry? Did we? Did we?

Tav's designs are AWESOME!

Books.... the initial run of 42 will be used to promote the site, so we'll give copies to people who have influence over our destiny or who can promote hootooey goodness.

We'll also be putting copies up for sale mid-May or thereabouts. Price is still to be determined, but it is looking to be about a tenner, UK-money, but about half of that will go towards defraying the cost of the free ones. Did I mention those will go to people who have influence over our destiny or can promote hootooey goodness?

Ben

Thursday 28th April 2011

The h2g2c2 shop is…

… finally…

…and you’ll like it…

…yes, you will…

open!

It can be found at either zazzle.co.uk/h2g2c2 or zazzle.com/h2g2c2 depending on which would be more convenient for shipping.

We have T-shirts! Mugs! And badges!

You can customise the T-shirts in a style and colour that suits you. You can customise the mugs in a style and colour that suits you. The badges are a little difficult to customise, but you can certainly choose where you wear them.

We were not able to source a range of towels at this time. The problem was finding a supplier that would be able to make individual items to order. It is our intention to include towels at a later date, and to try to bring costs down by ordering in bulk and mailing out orders ourselves. We also have plans to add more designs too.

But we’ll only really be able to do that when we win the site!

In the meantime, whist we think that the items on sale are the coolest things since Zaphod, this is, of course, a fundraising exercise to support the h2g2c2 bid for h2g2. In the interests of being totally up front, here is an indication of what we will actually get if you buy any of the products:

The badges make us 20 - 40p. The basic mugs make us around £1.75. The T-shirts make us around £2 for the standard men’s to £2.40 for the standard women’s.

Support the bid! Buy a T-shirt or twenty! Only 241 shopping days until Christmas!

Tav has done us proud on the designs. And she's not done by any means...

Those links again:

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/h2g2c2 or http://www.zazzle.com/h2g2c2

Well I like the stock and there are ... badger badges

Of course there are badger badges.

Horrayyyy well done there whats next I wonder

We win the bid and take over the world.

No smileys, Mrs Zen, no smileys.

The books for sale - bags I a copy

... for my copy, the 'ell with
>>... about a tenner, UK-money, but
**about half of that will go towards defraying the cost of the free ones**.
<<
...Make it All.

Did I say "Bags I a copy?"

I mean, Up the price, to me, to cover the whole cost of one free one

Rod

It's getting late here. I'll take a closer look at the merchandize in the morning.