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

This is in response to certain postings i've read, in particular, part of one by zachsmind ('field critic' thread, article named 'field critic' concerning H2G2 HTML 'secrets'. I'm not against zachsmind in any way, and have him to thank for postings on HTML that opened up the path for me to learn how to put pics on my user pages.

Okay, I've noticed a few people on H2G2.com are a bit resentful of those of us who know how to make the 'referenced researchers' in the margin, and the blue dividers. I can see why this would lead to loathing, so I'd just like to say my piece, and explain the situation. I may like the fact that i can do something that others can't (but that's not the point, well, maybe it is...) but the fact is, I've done a fair share of helping in H2G2, and I resent being told that I just hold up the system. When i learned the 'secret' i said i wouldn't tell anyone, and I personally take promises VERY seriously. I certainly did not keep Smiley's a secret, and when i found out about the Index and who's on thingy, i was answering any body who asked, and telling them how to implement them.

I am firmly against the idea that people who keep certain things to themselves are against the community, and that they only help their friends, or in order to gain something for themselves. This is ENTIRELY UNTRUE!!!! I helped people who i'd never met on here before, for no reason other than they asked, and I'm a helping sort of person. I didn't gain anything, other than friendship, and i don't expect any sort of 'reward' for being helpful. I'm not a mercenary.

As well as this, the references are coming into circulation as an addition to the interface anyway. And you don't see any of the powers-that-be divulging any information about how to use them using the XML, so personally I don't think they want many people knowing how just yet, and i'm not one to go against the powers that be.
I am NOT elite, and never claimed to be, and i am happy to help ANYONE and EVERYONE with whatever help they need, but I'm keeping the references firmly under my belt for now.

Lastly, I'd just like to say that Zach's idea of 'field critics' is a highly commendable, and well thought out plan. Although i (probably) won't be going for a position as 'field critic'(partly because i probably won't be wisely accepted, because of my 'referenced researchers thing, but mostly because I'm really not very good at Critiqueing....), i strongly encourage others to do so. It is the way forward, and WILL increase the quality of entries being submitted to the guide.
Thanx for your time, although you probably havn't read it all...

Yes I did.

Well, that's put me straight then....

Well.......As straight as you get!!!!!!!!..................

what do you mean not read it all????? of course we read it all!!!!!!!
i mean, hey!, what else have we got to do?, besides, what kind of friends would we be expecting you to read our yammerings yet not reading yours??
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p.s. you go right on keeping some of the neat information to yourself, it keeps things interesting around here
as you said you share just about everything you learn with anyone who asks so they should not be upset if you keep a little of it to yourself for your own use. let them figure it out the same way you did then they will appreciate the knowledge more than if it was just handed to them. there is after all more pride in doing some things for yourself instead of depending on someone else to hand it to you on a silver platter. not saying i would not LOVE to know the secrets but if you choose to keep it in confidence then so be it, i am not going to be upset about it or think bad thoughts about you.

Hey MadMunk-ey (Affectionately said) - Take that chip of your shoulder. or even better fry an egg to put on the other shoulder - so you won't go walking around lopsided.

Assuming that no-one is going to read all that you said or they hold it against you for wanting to be individualistic is not the kinda thing you want to let get you down or upset. Make a joke of it and others will laugh with you.

Shim has his blue fish which only he can post on forums - FMM fought back in her own style. You and a few others have your link.

Why should every house in the street have the same colour door?

The only gripe I have against you - AND - you have heard it many times before - WHEN I COME TO YOUR PAGE - I HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG FOR IT TO DOWNLOAD. Even if you have supplied funky music to listen to while I wait.

If I wanted to get this link - I would look at the source and work it out as you have.

Oh BTW Have you read it up to here. -

GOOD - NOW GIVE ME A PAGE on my experiment so others can really give you an earful. On thread SIX VOLUNTEERS PLEASE at:
http://www.h2g2.com/addnewthread.cgi?forum=15685&article=118397
vegiman

Fairly Strange: what do'ya mean? as straight as i can be... I'm prefectly straight.....

Monshari: no, you've got me wrong, if i had the option, and i had tried hard to work out the code, and done it all myself, then I would be more than happy to share it with all who asked, especially you guys, but my MAIN point was, i was let in on the secret by someone else, and since they asked me to not tell anyone, i said that i wouldn't, and my word is my bond (well, pretty much).

vegiman: I havn't got a chip on my shoulder, in fact, i only wrote it coz i've noticed some other people who do have a chip on their shoulder.... I can certainly make a joke of it, and have noticed others have too (I'm refering to GIRR here, now that's the spirit...). And sorry about the long loading time.... sorry.... but you wouldn't want me to take anything off now would you?...
I would volunteer a page for your experiment, but i fear my that my pages arn't really all that good... If you 'really' want one off me, then you choose which one you want (because I'm really not that confident about them...), and i'll put it forward.

Thanx for all your support guys!!!!!

you are welcome madmunk.
i knew from your note up there that you had been given the code by someone and sworn to secrecy, what i was saying was that if we wanted it instead of getting upset that you would not give it to us we should work to figure it out on our own, after all you help us out on so much we need to do some things for ourselves and we would not want you to break your word now would we??

Thanx for your understanding monshari, and yes, it does help if people work things out for themselves (i wish i had, it would have given me more satisfaction). However, i've not stopped wanting to help, and am still here to rescue anyone in a bit of a pickle....
I had to write a response of some sort though, for fear of becoming the object of all hate and jealousy....

Oh yeah, and something i forgot to put in my reply to vegimn: I was gonna say, you cannot obtain the code from merely looking up the source code, the XML interpreter changes it into more complex code, and puts it in a place where it's unavailable to put into the edit box...or something.... Nice try though, but a few people have already tried, and failed, on that one....sorry....

yea, tell me about it, whole pages being turned into links to some strange other place or worse yet loads of jumbled mess that used to be something reasonably sane.
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i would not know from personal experience though, only from what i have heard......yea, that's it, what i heard

If you made a promise not to devulge that information, only a true cad would insist you do!

What a pack of trouble for all of us. I have nothing but respect for MadMunk keeping his word.

More on this increasingly sticky situation can be read
http://www.h2g2.com/A113158
, pay special attention to
http://www.h2g2.com/forumframe.cgi?thread=13007&forum=14989
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Thanks, and accept my apologies if I have offended, or caused others to offend.

RSBohn/U37566

Sounds like some people are taking this place waaaayyyy too seriously! Your game actually sounds fun....if only I had time to play! Afraid I'll have to wait for the official version.

Cummon folks......lighten up! Goodness! It's only a little thing. It ain't gonna' kill ya! Stop the temper tantrums, children!!!

Hi to everyone!

I've already attempted to make peace with Madmunk and RSBohn, but just to keep everyone informed, I agreed in principle with Zach's position on keeping HTML secrets, and even started a little protest group called GIRR. If you like, you can join GIRR at:

http://www.h2g2.com/p120493

HOWEVER, having said all that, I'm not trying to pick fights or cause problems. GIRR is meant to be fun - I'm don't really care about forcing secrets into the open (especially if the editors reveal this particular secret sometime soon). I respect RSBohn's right to keep a secret, and I especially respect Madmunk's right to keep a secret, since by doing so he is keeping a promise. Basically I just like signing people up for stuff. It isn't meant to be too serious.

No offense intended!

Yes you do!!!Keep up the good work!!

Hey Fairly Strange - long time.

I'm confused by your comment. Do you mean I really do mean offense? Honestly I don't....

No no no.......I was afraid, after I posted, it might be confusing. I meant you really enjoy signing people up for stuff!

I love it! I'll sign up for almost anything!(especially a protest!....got a soft spot in my heart for those things!)

Hi MadMunk
Soorree for not returning sooner, but as you know I have been busy on the critique idea.

I haven't yet looked for the source of the links - Ant said he had worked it out, so I thought he had looked at the source code.

People like a grumble & fight - don't they - look what you created in this forum.

As for using one of your pages - I havn't had the time to look, sooorree again.

The whole idea is the writer should choose a page to submit - Good Bad or Ugly. The citique idea is to help writers improve their semi-demi masterpiece.

To bad you havn't got a chip on your shoulder - I was looking forward to egg & chips.

vegiman

I'm sure i wrote a reply to before... where did it go? i sure hope i didn't post it in the wrong forum, coz that would have been a bit embarassing.... I'm sure whatever it was I said, it scintilating, forthright, and purple...

Why doesn't everyone stop moaning about who can do what jazzy tricks and worry about producing pages with great content instead. I tend to not write very much, but if i was as talented as some of you guys i'd be churning out user pages at a rate of knots - with or without referenced authors or whatever.