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

Let's assume I have a topic I wish to discuss. AIUI, I create a journal entry, then wait for someone to investigate my home page, and hope they will be interested enough to read my entry.

Is it possible to be a bit more proactive? I'd like to raise this topic (whatever it is) in a forum where other researchers will see it, and hopefully respond. How do I do this, or can't it be done within h2g2?

I offer this fish in return for an answer:

Pattern-chaser

*hurriedly responds in hope of getting the fish*

Hi again, Pattern-chaser!

You journal entries are a place to jot down whatever you wish for yourself that are also available to others to read. However, you're right, to begin with it's a long shot that many others wishing to discuss that topic will happen by your page and read it.

Your best bet is to first see if there are existing forums dealing with that topic and post there. Finding them can be a trick. The quick reference guide http://www.h2g2.com/A344756 has a list of some, and the Overwhelmingly huge guide to clubs http://www.h2g2.com/A270325 has some with descriptions. If you can't find what you're looking for, go to the Miscellaneous Chat Forum http://www.h2g2.com/A121096 which allows just about any discussion.

So let's say your topic is about books. You could go to the Irving Washington Book Nook http://www.h2g2.com/A229943, read the conversation (the recent threads at the bottom of the page) and join in, or if they're discussing Science Fiction and your interest is Biographies, you could start a new thread there with your question or issue.

If your topic is particularly 'important' or 'interesting' for ongoing conversations, and nobody else has set up a page for that topic, you may wish to start one. Essentially create a new page (like creating a Guide Entry, but without submitting it for review) with info on your topic and start a thread at the bottom. Let people with similar interests know about your page (try not to walk into the Zen Gardens with a signboard advertising your page, though... it could disrupt their meditation ). You can then let the world know by announcing it at 'Tell us about the world of h2g2' http://www.h2g2.com/A192791 and if the Powers That Be are sufficiently impressed/amused, they may actually put a link on the front page for a couple of days.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Redbeard

-- Do I get the fish? Do I get the fish? --
*jumps up and down in anticipation*

Loremaster Redbeard wrote:

> *hurriedly responds in hope of getting the fish*
>
> Hi again, Pattern-chaser!

Hello again!

8< [scissors = snip: hah, hah.]

> -- Do I get the fish? Do I get the fish? --
> *jumps up and down in anticipation*

OK, you can stop jumping now! Since I can hardly imagine a more complete or helpful answer, the fish is yours. Catch! > > >

Pattern-chaser