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

Mine is through the roof. I don't think I have ever been so angry... certainly not at something online. Here's a recap for those who don't know the full story...

I am a big fan of the X Files. Through the BBCi message boards and chats, I have made some great friends. Truly terrific people... some of the nicest I have ever met. Chat and messages from regular users were always fun and courteous. One day, June 2001, due to an inconsistent and clueless host, an XF chat got rather heated and *one* person completely lost their temper. Abruptly, and without discussion or explanation, all further XF chats were cancelled.

For months, XPhiles requested the reinstatement of their chats, and an explanation at the very least. Nothing was ever forthcoming. Finally, the restart of the chats was *promised* this spring, to coincide with the showing of The X Files Season 8 on BBC2 (yes, XF used to be on BBC1, but has been relegated). Finally, the oft disappointed XPhiles had something to look forward to. Maybe the BBC would even update their ludicrously untouched XF pages too (still showing 'Season 7 Spoilers'!)?

However, this turned out to be an outright lie... suddenly we were told that we would not be getting our chats back, even on a trial basis, because 'them upstairs' have put a 'freeze on all new chatrooms'. The fact that the Cult chatroom is still there and is not new seems to have been overlooked. To say we were disappointed after months of waiting and being ignored is an understatement.

At this point, I felt I could no longer contribute to h2g2. As part of the BBC, h2g2 claims rights to anything I post here, and to contribute my time and knowledge to one part of BBCi, whilst another part treats me and my friends without any respect, seems absurd. After some discussion between the h2g2 team (who I have every respect for) and the other side of the BBCi community, an 'apology' was forthcoming (to myself only, as far as I am aware) from the BBCi community representative, for our treament (with an assurance we are not being victimised), but still no explanations. That seems rather insincere to me... a mere word, followed by the continuation of the same treatment.

Tonight, I discovered that the 'rumours' are true - there is going to be a new Film chat on Friday nights, 8-10pm. A couple of weeks ago, some film fans started asking for an evening chat slot. There are already two Film chats, on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes at 12-2pm. Their wish has now been granted... despite the 'ban on all new chats'. This slot (which clearly cannot be covered by the lunchtime moderator at the same time!) is therefore at least as new as letting the XPhiles, who have been asking for months, have that Friday night slot. The XPhiles, who currently have no chats at all. The XPhiles whom the 'BBC are not victimising'. Does this seem just to anyone?

I do not want to be exiled from h2g2. Although 'things ain't what they used to be' before the Beeb took over, the community is still full of intelligent writing, vibrant conversation, and wonderful people, like nowhere else on the Net. The people especially... much like the XPhiles I am defending. But as I have already explained, contributing here whilst things remain unresolved there, is not a situation I feel at ease with. So please, don't tell me the reasons I shouldn't leave. If you want to tell someone, tell the BBC!

Sus

Oh, Sus! The news of a "new" chat is a stake-in-the-heart! Now, I am sure that further discussion with the peeps upstairs is a waste of time! Like the Moderator said on the Cult X Files Board yesterday..."SIGH". That's the attitude. All we can do is enjoy each others viewpoints and company and make the best of it! Thank goodness for Yahoo and MSN! See ya later, Sus, Monica (NOT REYES, LOL!)

Well i can totally understand your point of view Sus. I`m very proud of you for standing up for yourself. We`ll still miss you though. Keep in touch though. You`ve got my e-mail.

Special Agent Armani..over & out

Sus,

I'm glas you have given an explanation. I had assumed it was something about h2g2. Now I understand.

Lots of love and s.

It's just SO damn annoying!!!

We had a supposed explaination on the spoiler board (of all places) from the host about the chat!! But tchnically it answered nothing!!

We are not being victimised HA!! How can they say that?? Taking away our chat without telling us why and when they do it's a lame excuse about freezing all chats which turned out to be faulse!!!

The Host said they are not trying to *P* us off and they have no control over the chats and have passed some of the posts to the peeps that do.....so yeah then what?? Are they finally going to explain why after almost a year?? I dont think so....what do they do with our posts?? Use them as toilet paper???

They've tried to get on our good side by actually updating the site after like 2 years lol....sure they've done a good job on it BUT are you suprised they have?? It took like 2 years lmao!!!

I think they just want us have our own conspiracy theory like mulder and the government lol they just want to be clever lmao!!

I've seen the way they've treat you sus and also ASS and a few others and it isnt fair!!!

Down with the bbc up with the x-philes lmao ....what do u think?

OK cooling down now lol

*IAN*

Ian.

Judging by last night's chat, there is far more demand for an XF chat than a film one on a Friday night. At least three-quarters of those present were XPhiles, although they were well-behaved and stuck to the subject of films. Didn't stop people, including myself, being booted without warning though, which just goes to show the biased attitude of the BBC against XPhiles. If my nickname hadn't been Dana_Scully, would they have booted me for simply agreeing with someone about a film?

This isn't some petty disagreement... we have been treated in a humiliating and grossly unfair way, and it was my understanding that people round here didn't abide injustice. It seems that some are more equal (to justice) than others.

Sus

s Sus.. So it still goes on. *sigh* ... Makes me wonder just what the beeb has against X-Files. Maybe they're jealous? No matter, there's no excuse. The place hasn't been the same since they took over . But I still miss you. I repeat a line that was mentioned above.. "You have my email"

Your blood pressure must have been hitting the roof just to type all that in again! But on a lighter note, only a week to go...!

til what
Ooooh.. the final episode?

The Scottish Meet! Yay!

It`s gonna be a good one. Have the final arrangements been made?

Kinda....as long as I get to play rounders and get drunk, I'll be happy!

In this crowd, I'd think the latter is all that mattered.

Absolutely

Sounds good to me. I used to love rounders when i was young. It was easier then than it would be now. Think i`ll wear a sports bra just in case.

Actually, that's not a bad idea! Although, mine looks like something not even my granny would wear, lol.

I know what you mean but at least they do the job.

Absolutely! I'm really looking forward to this, I don't really get much proper exercise at the moment...

Let`s hope the weather is okay for it then.