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

Deciding to explore as much of the Hootoo lore and functionality as possible, I'm embarking on an intermittent record of how it's all going.
For brief background here's a few facts:
1) My real name is Chris Jones, I used to be Senior Producer at BBC Music online and was subsequently the commissioning Editor for the album reviews service, located here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews
2) I'm here for aprroximately four weeks to help do a little proofing, subbing, polishing and general housework
3) I'm married, have an ancient cat and a ridiculously large record collection.
That's probably quite enough for now, but I thought it would be good to jot down my impressions about this wonder called Hootoo as I go along. My first impression is that the BBC have something weird and quite wonderful on their hands here. Like a science experiment in a jar that has been left in a corner for ages, the scientists return to find the jar teaming with life! And what life it is. My real-life welcome from ACE Lil was a pleasant start to my day and as I trawl the various permutations I'm getting more and more of a fuzzy warm feeling about all of this. The adventure begins...

*lil quietly turns the key, locking the door permanently.*

*Shouts down the corridor.....*


SAAA'AM!!! WE'VE NABBED ANOTHER VICC.... .... A nice Newbie

LOL. May I add my welcome to Chris (GarudaJones). He's here to explore the site a bit, see what goes on, and hopefully he'll get stuck in to the various forums etc. Now be gentle on him...

I'm *always* gentle, darling. Don't you remember?


Now I'm off to announce the news. We simply must have a paaarrrtttaaayyy! *hic*

Welcome aboard Chris. Be warned, that there lilitus is seriously contagious.

I yaven't dun out, yet


Don't just stand there, get the drinks ready Yay, that's mine! *hic*

and for the allocated driver

welcome to hootoo!
I hope your time here will be as great as ours.

*... takes some , as she isn't quite well*

Aww.. poor thing

Would you like some or biscuits with your ?


*fusses around Tav. Plumping up cushions and finding a stool for her footsies*

aaaaannnndddd ...... here comes ......... Warm Greetings from Colombo !!!!!

thanks lil, biscuits wuld be nice.

Just help yourself if you get peckish

Ooooh, welcome, GarudaJones!

Here, have one of these, it's quite harmless

And let me be the first to say that I really envy you for being paid to be here, not like the majority of us who merely hang around hootoo during working hours. A subtle difference.

Welcome, Garuda, or is it Chris, or is it Derek?

Mind if we call you just 'Jonesey'?

<"Like a science experiment in a jar that has been left in a corner for ages">

Yes, that's a fairly accurate assessment

Look forward to seeing you around the place.

If you want all the gossip on the previous italics, then ask Lil.

*places out nibbles*




We are just waiting on Queenie turning up to start the BBQ

Now, where did we put the Wow-Wow sauce?

That's what we usually say to newbies.

But since (a) you're an italic, and (b) lil has got hold of you, I'm not entirely sure that advice is appropriate in your case.

TRiG.

Here it is.

So, Garuda, come here often?

I liked the science experiment thing, too.

We might be the next penicillin.

Or we might be the disgusting thing your mum makes you throw out when she finds it

...like your dad?