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

A901036

When this was edited, an over-zealous sub-editor (can't remember who) made two changes that I find embarrassing.

> They put a dictionary definition of 'fairing' into a footnote. I would prefer to leave readers to look it up themselves, but if they are to be spoonfed, a simple definition, not in quotes, and not citing 'The Concise Oxford Dictionary' would do. Aerodynamic shell.

> They put 'bent' in quotes (under subheader 'Main Disadvantages') quite unnecessarily.

If these could be rectified, I would be happier than you can imagine.

What would make me dance and sing would be, if you could simultaneously rectify an oversight of my own. I would like to add at the end of the paragraph under the subheader 'Main Disadvantages' the extra paragraph:

How grave are these disadvantages? Not one bit. They are outweighed a thousandfold by the recumbent's serious advantages.

Forgot to mention: the sub-ed also embarrassingly and unnecessarily put bumlet in quotes, destroying the intended deadpan delivery (end of paragraph under 'Safety').

Curious. The reference to the COED has gone. Thanks for that.

If I have a chance of the other changes being made, could I also request the reversal of order of the two sections 'Main Advantages' and 'Main Disadvantages'? The code should then be:

Main Disadvantages

Recumbents are not great over bumps – you can't stand on the pedals and let the wheels shuttle under you. It's manageable, but your appearance may be less than cool as you bounce over ramps. Small wheels slip more easily, making gravel a hazard, and it's hard to imagine a 'bent' (as they are called) bunny-hopping onto kerbs. Nor can you scoot with any semblance of cred. Wheelies are out, and so is 'look-ma-no-hands'.

How important are these disadvantages? Not one bit. They are outweighed a thousandfold by the recumbent's serious advantages.

Main Advantages

Comfort, safety and speed.

Or better still:

Main Disadvantages

Recumbents are not great over bumps — you can't stand on the pedals and let the wheels shuttle under you. It's manageable, but your appearance may be less than cool as you bounce over ramps. Small wheels slip a tad more easily, making gravel a hazard, and it's hard to imagine a bent (as they are called) bunny-hopping onto kerbs. Nor can you scoot with any semblance of cred. Wheelies are out, and so is 'look-ma-no-hands'.

How important are these disadvantages? Not one bit. They are outweighed a thousandfold by the recumbent's serious advantages.

Main Advantages

Comfort, safety and speed.

Hi Recumbentman

I've fixed all those for you

GB

Thank you so much, GB! You're a !

While checking I noticed that the link to the Velocar article in the last paragraph is dead. If you could change it to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velocar then life would indeed be better than we have a right to dream of. It should read:

Velocar

Though without the 'winning forbidden' title.

Velocar

done

Thank you again!