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

You'll notice if you read PR that I've been submitted a rather dull string of Entries about the South West Coast Path and, just to add to the horror, have been fleshing out the towns in between as well.

I had no plans to do this; it was the last thing I thought people would be interested in. I started for myself really, because I was bored with the guidebooks I've read, which tell you that a particular town is medium sized and has ATMs, restaurants and accommodation (don't they all?) and wanted to think I could do better. Then I got thinking... hang on. Say I do the whole thing from Minehead to Poole, the UK's longest LDP. Without a guidebook, someone could actually do the whole walk - all 630 odd miles - and pick up the next day in an Internet cafe. They could read about all their stops the day before on h2g2 and perhaps - just perhaps - send in details like 'the pub you suggest with the great real ales has closed and is now a trendy wine bar'. So a load of dissociated, disinterested Entries suddenly has a context, a place; a reason far beyond anything I anticipated. It can be updated in a moment or two. I'd like to think I'd finish writing every mile and town, and then go and do it as it was intended in its entirety, stage after stage. Well, you never know.

Anyway, all of a sudden, the Coast Path became a huge part of h2g2 for me. It fitted in with the spirit of it. This is what it's designed for. This is what we have over Wiki and EB and those others; passion. We all have our own visions of this thing that - you never know - might just come about. If I forget that at any point, you will come here and remind me, won't you?

*looks over the edge*

<>

Well, I was reminded today of just what the EG is about. Someone read an Entry I'd written via the IID button and made a point of coming back and saying so because they'd enjoyed it *that* much. They particularly loved the footnotes, which if you remember Rich, we both worked hard to get correct.

I was *SO* pleased. That's what I'm here for. For people to read and enjoy my efforts. And that's what so many of us are here for. Strangely enough, the Entry was written with a bit of this - and a fair rub of factual just to back it up. And some argue that particular method doesn't work? It did in this case and many more before and after...

We have passion!

What? Even passions concerning chocolate and royalty and railroads?

Mate, I actually punched the air when I read that

(Though I'm not entirely sure I'd take the opinion of someone who complimented the footnotes on a winch Entry seriously )

The passion makes the difference, I'm sure of that. Just as it takes a few people to be cross about this and that and bring down morale, I'm sure it can only take just as few to remind people what's great about this site.

What I've realised is that we all aspire to different things. Yes, Leo; write about Royalty or chocolate or railway lines [sic ]. What proportion of people here are interested in every step of the SW Coast Path? Less than a percent. How much of it fits in the spirit? 100%, I reckon. So why not?

*awaits 'you did this on my thread' accusations*

Yes, we're really bad at this and that, and we can't say , and blah blah blah. Anyone ever thought about what we're good at, and encouraging people? Let's get a dynamic where all the Scouts comment in PR as often as possible on all the Entries. Let's make the authors feel good and want to submit again. Let's get to the point where the 'nasty' reviewers are appreciated, simply because they're part of a body of opinion - a voice that's heard. I'd love to see Felonious Monk, Gosho and EMR back in PR full-time. I'm not hankering after the good ole days or anything, but we need as many voices and as many diverse ones as possible. They're probably liked in ascending order here, but all believe just as strongly in the EG - and all were fantastic Scouts. If you're reading this, I count you as a fantastic Scout too - official or not, your view in PR is appreciated.

I digress. This is a thread for positivity; DDD's experience is a good one for us all to remember.

*steps down from soapbox*

*cringes and ducks*

*hopes this is positive for a change*

Hi Rich. I agree 100%, lets get more people in pr commenting, helping and advising but lets keep it positive where possible. Even those with a reputation for being harsh and yes, cruel even, can do some good but they need to offer alternatives rather than just negativity. That way writers will accept critique and be more prepared to work better in PR and on their articles.

I've learnt some hard lessons including from those who seem to act in a manner that frankly borders on just sheer nasty for the sake of it, thats why I've taken up writing again albeit not in any big way. I like most folk will accept genuine criticism or having errors highlighted but also prefer the same people to make positive suggestions on how to improve something.

As for your coast path articles, I have enjoyed reading them. it's one area I have done no walking in at all in last 25 plus years. i've done walks like the Highland Way and coast to coast across Yorkshire.

ST.

This is weird. I'd been lying awake, irritated by some stuff that's been happening on HooToo lately, finding myself wondering exactly what HooToo is, what it used to be and what it was intended to be.

A lot of people seem to think it should aspire to be the ultimate guide, a first port of call for all researchers on the Net. Well, it isn't and Wiki has ensured that it never will be.

So what should it be? Why do we even need to ask the question when DNA provided the blueprint? The Hitchikers Guide showed exactly what was intended, something that told real people what they actually needed to know.

DNA was an entertainer who produced thought-provoking work. Without the entertainment, no-one would have been provoked into thinking. It is this element that must be preserved if the Guide is to have any real future IMO. If I want to know the facts and figures about HMS Hood, I'll Google or use Wiki. If I want to know that HMS Hood was a big ship with a propensity for sinking at the first sight of the enemy, I wouldn't be surprised to find that out in the Guide.

I think DNA would be saddened at the self-righteous Vogons that have taken over his baby, pontificating and adjudicating with self-important pomposity. Then he would have peed himself laughing at the inevitability of it.

I feel guilty that I have only found time to write two Guide Entries so far. But I am extremely proud of them and confident that they would not look out of place in Arthur Dent's copy.

*hears name; perks up ears*

That was a great soapbox, Rich.

Though one of the reasons I'm not in PR full-time these days is because I have no RL time, I would like to see entries that sparked my interest enough that I'd want to drop all my RL obligations to read them. I have seen a few of those recently - Mikey's nuns one springs to mind.

I said I would write an entry yesterday and then realised I had no idea what to write about. When I do I will. But until then, best luck on the SW coast path!

Nice one, Rich.
Good to hear that it's not all as meak and bleak as is pointed out elsewhere.

Yes, I will.

I've added a link on my personal space to the first posting of this conversation. It's that important!

Hey I've got loads of piccies of the south west. Now, I assume you have too, seems as you live there, but do you want to have a look at them? See if any are good enough to go with your entries?

Nice one Rich


* If I forget that at any point, you will come here and remind me, won't you?*

Oh absolutely! you may rest assured in the knowledge

Rich, I have been watching 'Coast' on BBC2 and the new series looks to be even more interesting than the first, digging out all sorts of out of the way facts and places to visit that no guide book (certainly not a modern one) would feature.

I am sure you have local knowledge that would come as a revelation even to those who live in the South West, since most people only see what they can glimpse through their car windows

I don't get out much, so as soon as I get a break from RL I am coming on a trip with you to see what I am missing, so keep up the good work. Don't foprget there are lots of people on HooToo who can't get about as they once did and your ability to create pictures with words is of huge value.

I have never figured out why criticism has to be put nastily - it suggests to me an element of jealousy from pedants who haven't that 'passion' or the ability to convey it.

Back later. The lawn needs cutting and I really must drag myself away from my second home!! ......


Wesailor

*ahem* yes, great thread, sorry

Very inspirational, Rich. Almost Churchillian...

Think I may subscribe to the EG again and see what's up these days...

*feels inspired but doesn't know what to do*

Well Alex, I'm sure you'll think of something soon.

I read all of these articles Rich, though I don't think I got round to commenting on any in PR Surely the next article for you to write in a simular 'travel log/guide' fashion would be the scenic walk from Camden to Kings cross?

Great post, Rich, and I love the idea of the walks entries.

That's *exactly* what should be in the guide - but not, in my opinion, exclusively what should be in the guide. Maybe I just say that because that's not the style of entries I write, but I like to think that all entries have a place as long as they are interesting and true.

(Not accusing anyone here of saying that that is the only type of entry that should be in the guide, by the way).