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

Hello Everyone . This is my welcome piece, please could you edit it for me before I go live . I am going to do some work in my personal space which will make it easier for newbies to find their way around.

I know that this welcome piece will be altered to 'personalize' it to the newbie, but hope this is a good starting point.

Thanks a lot.

Nigel


My Ace Introduction To New Researchers

Welcome to the wonderful world of H2G2 . My name is Nigel and I am an ACE (Assistant Community Editor). This is not an automated reply to newbies, I am a real life person sending you a friendly welcome .

H2G2 is the friendliest site I have ever been on. It gives lots of in-depth information on the living breathing guide to life and the universe, which was first started by the famous "Douglas Adams". It also has lots of friendly community chat on lots of exciting and interesting subjects .

You, the researcher, can write entries on almost any subject, and if you are pleased with it, you could put it into Peer review where it will be edited by others, and could even appear in the Main Edited Guide . Take a look at the writing-guidelines for more help and advice . Click on the following link for advice on writing for the edited guide: A53209

Your space is an important part of H2G2. It is the nerve centre where you write your introduction, access your conversations you have joined into, see your journals (new conversations you have started), and where you can see your friends list. It is important to write something in your personal space as other researchers can have a look and learn more about yourself. You can also click into other researchers personal space and read about them, and see what they have been doing on H2G2.

To go to your personal space, click on 'My Space', which you do by clicking on the 'My Space' button at the top of the screen. When you look at the top of the page, you will notice that there are various buttons to enable you to find your way around H2G2. Click on each and have a look. If you see any words in blue within that particular guide, you can click on these which will bring up further guides regarding the highlighted subject, just like the blue links I have put into this page .

However, the first and most important place to start is to write an introduction in your personal space. To do this, go to your personal space, look to your right and you will see a button called ‘Edit Page’. Click on this and write a few words about yourself, remembering to put a jazzy title in the subject line . You can even use Guideml but I would recommend that you write in plain text until you have got used to the site and using Guideml. For information about what to include and how to write your personal space - click this link A308215.

Once you have had a go at filling in your personal space, why not have a look at the front page. You get to it by clicking 'The Front Page' button which again is situated at the top of the page. It has a wealth of information including ‘The Post’, which is H2G2's newspaper which comes out once every fortnight. It includes articles and poems from researchers on H2G2, as well as important site information.

H2G2 is improving its site all of the time and new on the scene is ‘Beeblecast’ which is a video/audio site giving handy hints and tips on various different subjects, as well as poems, photos and an amazing array of information. Click the following link for our new ‘Beeblecast’ site http://www.h2g2aviators.com/player/?v=8ZlxuMzk5Pk&title=The+Beeblecast.

Have a look around, pop into my space where you will find some further helpful advice about H2G2 . Just click the following link to reach my personal space - U6250245.

Within my space you will see on the left hand side, some of the conversations that I have been responding to or just looking at, you can just lurk and not say anything, but remember, do not be shy, if you see a conversation you would like to get involved with, just jump right in . The other researchers will not mind.

Most Importantly, always remember that I am here to help and please do not be afraid to ask any questions or even for general help. If you click ‘Reply’ at the bottom of this thread, you can leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can .

Remember, ‘Don’t Panic’, enjoy yourself in the wonderful world of H2G2. You will soon get used to finding your way around, I will look forward to seeing you about! .

Nigel

Traveller in Time with some comments
"h2g2 should be written h2g2 not with capitals.

Just mentioning < <./>ThePost</.> > should be enough, we do not want new Researchers drawn away to an external website, even if it is the Aviators site.

Well, perhaps do not mention but take care of the other skins as well:
< F27584?thread=5218324&skin=Classic >
< F27584?thread=5218324&skin=Alabaster >
< F27584?thread=5218324&skin=brunel >
< F27584?thread=5218324&skin=plain >

(these do not require the named entry tags anymore )"

Thanks Traveller in Time .

I will change them things on my welcome page .

Take care,

Nigel

Traveller in Time forgotten something obvious
"Pointing to a certain area on the page can be confusing as the links are on different places (if at all) on the different skins. "

me!.

Thanks for pointing this out Traveller in Time, I never gave that a thought and are glad you spotted it .

Nigel

Hi Nigel

Firstly, it's entirely up to you as to whether you accept any advice given by anyone. At the end of the day it's your welcome message, so your decision.

Most of us use Ace linked <./>ACE</.> to find out how to do that, and many other links like it, take a look at <./>NamedEntries</.> but when using these, be aware that <./>anything</.> can look like a link, but may not be one.

'This is not an automated reply to newbies,'

The word 'reply' seems a bit strange, as your welcome message will be an opening post - maybe replace reply with 'message'

living breathing guide to life and the universe,

maybe 'living breathing guide to life, the universe and everything'

started by the famous "Douglas Adams".

You could use a link here ie (A157349) for those who've never heard of Douglas Adams.

You, the researcher, can write entries on almost any subject, and if you are pleased with it, you could put it into Peer review where it will be edited by others, and could even appear in the Main Edited Guide

Nigel, I'm going to really pick this bit apart

It's not about the author being pleased with their entry, it has to be suitable for PeerReview. Entries don't really get edited in PR, they get reviewed. There's no main Edited Guide, it's just the Edited Guide.

again Nigel, the rest is, in my humble opinion, just too long winded, without useful links for newbies to use.

I'll wait and see if you throw anything at me before I criticize or advise anymore...

*I'm off to nick some scones, as lil doesn't seem to be around to stop me *

Emmily

G'day Nigel,

My turn now

I agree that it is a little long - too much information can be a little scary to start with. Sometimes the need to have something explained will elicit a response and that's where you can really start explaining stuff and making friends

I like the paragraph that starts "Your space is an important part of...."

Perhaps you could drop the next 2 paragraphs, if they need help - they will ask. Just skip straight to "For information about what to include and how to write your personal space - click this link A308215."

"Once you have had a go at filling in your personal space, why not have a look at the front page. You get to it by clicking 'The Front Page' button which again is situated at the top of the page. It has a wealth of information including ‘The Post’, which is H2G2's newspaper which comes out once every fortnight. It includes articles and poems from researchers on H2G2, as well as important site information."

try this

"Once you have had a go at filling in your personal space, why not have a look at the <./>FrontPage</.> (there's also a link to it on your page) It has a wealth of information including <./>ThePost</.>, which is h2g2's newspaper which comes out once every fortnight. It includes articles and poems from researchers on H2G2, as well as important site information."

I agree that the paragraph about the Beeblecast should go - they'll find it from the Post

Also, if you are directing them to your Personal Space, you probably need a few more "help" links on your space, even if it's just (WARNING: Blatant plug!) my New Researchers page (or someone else's help page, )

Hope this helps - why not rework it when you have time and repost it here so we can pick mote holes in it We really are trying to help

Thanks for bringing this up Nigel I'll be updating my own welcome ...... but I'll wait to see all the comments here first.

Wowzers! I'll be updating mine as well. Welcome!

I would like to thank everybody for going through my Welcome Piece . I appreciate the advice given and will be working on it to make improvements, before re-posting on here for any other helpful idea's you can give me.

Again.

Nigel

Two good links you could use are -

'Hints and Links for New Researchers' - A719840

'h2g2 in a nutshell' - A8468742

both were created with newbies in mind

If there's one thing that freaks out newbies more than anything else, it's seeing their username on someone else's page, and not knowing that it's just the tag, and only they can see their name. So maybe a brief mention of the tag and what it does.

Emmily

I am going to re-design my space before going live, the big green writing at the start of my space makes my eyes frizzy so I must 'lower the tone' .

Thanks Emilly.

Nigel

Emmily, not Emily .

Nigel

No worries about the spelling my name Nigel , it's spelt with two 'm's coz that's the way I thought Emily was spelt. Emma has two 'm's so it seemed logical to me that Emily had two too, wrong

I didn't correct my error as there are loads of Emily's on hootoo, but only one Emmily (and believe me, you wouldn't want another Emmily)

Oh, and a lot of people just call me Em

Emmily

Traveller in Time viewing many pages
"Thought it is the tag (pedantic)

However you should then also mention
< A1014625 > 'The Viewer-Tag Annoyance League (ViTAL)'
and
< A1015084 > 'ViSA - In support of the tag'

"

no TiT, newbies just need to be aware of the tag, if they want to know anymore they can ask

Emmily

Traveller in Time applying for membership on both
"This is just one set of societies proving HooToo has a club or society or group for everyone (and one for the rest) "

Hello peeps nigel from a former <./>ACE</.> your welcome message is looking good but try and keep your message fairly short, from the newbies point of view it can be a bit daunting who took that let me guess

I am back with my newly designed 'Welcome Page', which I have designed in accordance to your helpful advice. Please could you edit it and tell me what you think, and anything I need to include or take out .

Emmily, I am thinking about covering the tag when re-designing my personal space - Do you think I should cover the tag in my welcome page or the beginning of my personal space?.

Anyway, here goes, sitting comfortably? .


Nigel's Welcome Message

Welcome to the wonderful world of h2g2 . My name is Nigel and I am an <./>ACE</.> (Assistant Community Editor). This is not an automated message, I am a real-life person sending you a friendly welcome .

H2g2 has lots of information on the ‘living breathing guide to life, the universe and everything’, started by the famous ‘Douglas Adams’ (click A157349 for more info) many light years ago. There is also lots of friendly community chat which is worth joining in .

Firstly, your space: This is where your personal introduction can be viewed by other members of the community. It enables them to find out a bit about you before posting to your conversations. You can write a few lines to begin with if you prefer, until you get used to the site . Your space is also where you access your conversations, write new journals, as well as doing lots of other things. Click A308215 for further advice on creating your personal space and ‘setting the wheels in motion’ as they say .

Okay, you have filled in your introduction, now you are saying “Where do I go from here?”. The best place to start is <./>FrontPage</.>, (there is also a link to it from your space) which has a wealth of information including <./>ThePost</.> which is h2g2’s fortnightly newspaper, a recommended read .

Enjoy looking around and do not be afraid to click on anything, it is the best way to learn . It is daunting to begin with, but , you will soon get used to h2g2 and find your way around. A useful link is A719840 which has lots more useful information.

Another good place to visit is A8468742 which does what it says in the title ‘h2g2 in a nutshell’.

If you click U6250245, it will direct you to my space. Here, you will find information about your <./>ACE</.> (Me!) and other useful tips and advice for newbies (You!).

Remember I am here to help!. Ask any questions by clicking on the reply button and write away. If you fancy just a chat , do the same, I will get back to you shortly .

A word of 'Warning'. h2g2 is very addictive .

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

youngsuper_Nigel

Hi Nigel,

As you already cover the Tag in A719840

I think a comment at the beginning of your PS would be sufficient.

Maybe I should put my explanation back...



lil xx