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

Hi Cloviscat,
A fascinating insight into scouting that made the whole process clearer, thanks. In the spirit of the guide (as well as shameless self-publicity!!) I would like to invite you to look at an entry on the book To Serve Them All My Days which is in PR. It has had a lot of very positive feedback, but it has not been picked up yet. If you would like to investigate this entry, or my guide history further please go to my personal space. I have two entries in the Edited guide so far, so I'm learning the ropes. If this is not the way to publicise my work please tell me, but it is meant in the right spirit.
Many thanks , David (summerbayexile)

Dear Summerbayexile

Thank you for your very positive comments about my scouting page - I'm glad it was of use to you!

I doubt that I'm going to be able to help directly with your entry, ie by picking it, because I'm all out of picks right now, and I'm certain that by the next time my allocation comes round, your entry will be well on its way to the Edited Guide. So let's see what I can say that might be of indirect help.

It is frustrating when your entry isn't picked - I know, I've been there! - especially when, as in this case, there's no clear rason. I've had a quick look at the PR thread and it's been well received by a group of researcher who I, for one, respect for their opinions: Jimster, Demon Drawer, Gosho, Gnomon and McKay. I've never read the book in question (or watched the adaptation) so this wouldn't be the first entry in PR that I would look at as a Scout. However, in cases where the Scout is not that familiar with the entry subject, the PR thread is just as important as the entry itself, and in this case, the PR thread couldn't be any better. So - have patience, I'm sure it will go in!

There's been a bit of a gap in picking recently - as sometimes happens when old Scout leave and new ones arrive. Sometimes this means that there's not been as many picks done as expected, which can lead to a log jam in PR - it does seem rather full at the mo' but hopefully that will clear in the next few weeks,and take your entry with it.

In the meantime, there are things you can do to keep up your entry's profile:
The trick to getting people to visit it is to use the entry's A number (A957143) *everywhere* - so no-one is more than one click away. For instance, you *didn't* use it in the posting to me, which meant that I had to click on your name, get your page to load, scroll down to find the entry and/or PR tred ad then wait for that to load - some people jusyt mightn't bother. So - if you're posting anywhere on hootoo, trying signing your name "summerbayexile - please PR my entry at A957143" or something like that. You can also change your name to read like that, using your 'preferences' option. You might not get a direct result, but if there's a Scout with picks due son, they might remember it!
It's a moot point whether bumping your entry up PR actually works, but I confess that I do it. Try posting to the PR thread every couple of days, just to bring the entry to the surface.But do try to say something pertinent, not just "no-one around then?" Reread the entry - you'll almost certainly find a minor change or correction, or a place you can add a link and post that you've made that improvement. That way it also shows that you really have conscientiously dotted the i's and crossed the t's.
Your posting to my scouting page was OK, because you made it quite clear that it wasn't spam. We have had problems in the past with researchers who have gone to every Scout's page and written 'Pick me!' That is spam, and you would rightly get jumped on for it. But you could visit any Scout who has commented on your entry (such as Gosho U147203) if you do want some genuuine advice - don't just 'lobby' though - it won't make you popular!

Hope that helps sbe. Good luck

Many thanks for the in-depth advice. It helped enormously. Hope to catch up with you in the near future. BTW you're more than welcome to put any of your articles in my direction when I become a scout!!
Regards sbe

Hi Cloviscat,
You're a genius!!!! I did a little tidying-up and hey presto To Serve Them All My Days is heading towards the edited guide!! I can't thank you enough for your forbearance and excellent advice.
Regards David (sbe)

There you go - and tro make sure you know that it really was your own work, I solemnly swear that I didn't wave any flags behind the scenes!

Really pleased sbe

Hi Cloviscat,
Just to let you know that I received an e-mail on Friday inviting me to become a scout. Your page, and your feedback was my main reason for offering my services. Hope I learn the ropes quickly, but I reserve the right to come running to you with queries if you don't mind.
Regards sbe

I'm delighted, flattered and honoured - not necessarily in that order!

Congratulations, and I do hope that you enjoy being a Scout.

btw, your courtesy and thanks when you've had articles picked has been noted and very much appreciated

And I've been meaning to ask: re the tagline line on your name: if you're a bit of a Steinman/meatloaf fan?

Yes, I'm a great fan of Meatloaf. The other tagline choice was "a wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
sbe

Yes, I'm a great fan of Meatloaf. The other tagline choice was "a wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
sbe

Yes, I'm a great fan of Meatloaf. The other tagline choice was "a wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
sbe