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

Firstly, I'll admit to reading about three pages of this thread only... the first three, funnily enough.

Secondly, having someone's PS linked to the front page is interesting and all, but theres really not enough incentive to click on them... its sort of small and there... This has probably already been suggested, due to me being half asleep and not reading backlog, but if you're going to have community links why not make something more of it? Think: MMI ?

I'll get back in my box now.

Traveller in Time too many options
"MMI More Moral Information ?
MMI Many Motivating Incentives ?
MMI ? "

2001 - A Space Odyssey?

Ah, sorry, Meet Mr Inquisitor

Well, they did do the bit a week or so back with a flag and researchers from that country. I remember thinking that if there were researchers featured there from my region I'd definitely check them out. Wasn't there a pic the other day from the Queen Fan group? I'd be more inclined to check out pages of people who shared an interest. (I am a queen fan, but don't belong to the group and didn't have time to check them out, either).

So, do researchers definitely have to give permission for their page to be featured? If I gave you three active members from the Midwest US Researcher group, could we get a mention?

The group can get a mention, just post the name and the A number here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F27584?thread=3909484&latest=1

I think they're supposed to leave a message here A192791 , Bel

That's not what I meant, I'm sure there was a thread asking for links to groups to be promoted, but it looks as if I found the wrong one.

Can I just say that being linked to the Front Page has been a nightmare for me. I've never had a week where so many of my posts have been yikesed. Even my original version of a Guide Entry got yikesed. Even people speaking to me get yikesed, (really sorry Az). I've lost my temper, got frustrated, thrown e-mails back and forward to the Eds...

Can I return to being my shy, retiring, unassuming self please? It was nice under my mushroom. No-one knew I was there. Now I think I've picked up some stalkers.

Traveller in Time on his head
"I did not notice a thing.

Think you will have to do your time, office hours are only back in two days.

Unless the italics manage to change the frontpage from the pub tomorrow. "

I liked the idea of groups, or "country of the week" or something

and I love the idea of a sort of IID for PSs...

oh and I wouldn't mind my PS on the FP - even though it is dreadfully boring!

>>> oh and I wouldn't mind my PS on the FP - even though it is dreadfully boring! <<<

Said with tongue in cheek... What! The <./>FrontPage</.> dreadfully boring? You can't say that!



Well I'm on the FP (07-May-07) with HonestIago U215204 and Trillian's Child U154942 their spaces look massive compared to mine, even if I did add a few more links pronto.

From my were I'm looking, only good has come of it.

no.... my PS is dreadfully boring.

The FP isn't boring, although I don't like it that much

Are we still ayeing? I had all sorts of aye related jokes lined up....

Yes, you can still 'Aye'.. I think DelBoy likes it!

The front page is boring?!!!!

Well, that's fair enough of course. Can you think of anything you'd like to see on it though?

It's also interesting to hear both sides on the 'People won't click on it' and 'My life's been made a misery!' front. (Sorry about that, SWL!)

Please do all keep sharing your experiences of front page exposure with us though. (And yes, please still do 'aye'!)

Re: <./>FrontPage</.> I don't think it boring. The tongue in cheek was to Sho about the way Sho was saying...

Mmm, now you mention it... Maybe drag the main "h2g2 Community Bookmarks" from the margin to the body of the page. Big shiny, letters too. for noobs to follow?





*wonders what HonestIago U215204 and Trillian's Child U154942 are making of this week on the <./>FrontPage</.>?*





But I'd say to people pondering saying "Aye." Give it a go!

Re: the Front Page is boring.

I actually think it's much better than it was. For example, I now check in to see the Quote of the Day.

But one suggestion might be to bring back the 'Five Busiest Conversations' and I also think there was another one about the most recent Guide Entries (not edited ones, just ones people have written).

Also, and I realise I may have to for cover for saying this, is there any way to make Peer Review a bit more user friendy? Especially for newcomers.

People often complain about The Forum being unfriendly and cliquey, or full of people with their minds already made up, etc. But I actually feel quite comfortable posting there. I don't expect everyone to agree with my comments, and if anyone ever gets rude I just tell them they're being rude. I do feel that The Forum has suffered from 'bad press' from a few very vocal people who haven't liked how they felt they've been treated there. Fair enough, except that isn't actually the case in most threads. As anyone who contributes there regularly will know.

Meanwhile, I'd be very hesitant to put anything into Peer Review myself. Simply because it doesn't feel like a 'Peer' review. It actually feels way more cliquey than The Forum to me. The same people are there all the time, which is good in one sense - that they are very familiar with the Guidelines. But this might be intimidating for someone new who wants to put in their - I know I've tried at times and either got ignored or blown out of the water.

So perhaps there could also be little workshop thing on the Front Page, telling people how to become not only contributors but also how to participate as Peers who help out when someone submits a new entry. This is probably written somewhere, but it's not something you see straight off. And if The Guide is the most important thing about this site, then maybe that might be something worth thinking about. To make everyone feel welcome.

Noggin has suggested that this be called 'How To Survive Peer Review', which is quite funny - and also could be fun. But I think it would need to be treated in both a lighthearted and informative manner. Which I am sure you italics would be quite capable of doing.

Just to say that I almost left here awhile ago, even made my PS all minimalist, but the recent changes have brought me back again. And heck, I even contributed to recently, something I've never done before.

Anyhow, shutting up now as this post is already too long.

az

I agree with all of that, az.

Participation has dropped all over the site, authors, reviewers, volunteers, everyone. They used to talk about the site being 'sticky' didn't they? I wonder if anyone's measured the viscosity lately?

I've started to write a few very basic things on my PS about writing for the Edited Guide, just in case any newcomer stumbles upon it. We do have a lot of official pages, linked from the <./>Contribute</.> page, but it's a lot to trawl through for the newcomer, and it would probably benefit from a fresh look - in the manner you describe.

Icy