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

I have a few ideas which I think would be interesting/useful:

There should be a system for replacing entries with longer/more accurate/more detailed ones. That way if you find an entry that misses something out, you can sumbit an improved entry and if it is considered better, it will replace the old one. This'll mean things are constantly being updated and improved.

There could be some sort of hierarchical (did I spell that right?) system to ease the load put on the current editors. Once you've had, say, twenty articles accepted as official guide material you could be promoted to executive-editor or something, and you'd be allowed to review entries... although maybe this would cause some poor stuff to be let through, so it could be better just to let these people reject entries... their decisions could be reviewed by the editors and if they're accepted they could be promoted to full editor status. this way, things would run themselves after a while.

I'm interested in what people think about this.

I was also wondering about how one could re-submit or revise an entry. Actually, it's because I wrote an article then inadvertently clicked on submit before I posted to my home page ... wouldn't you know that was the only time this site has worked at the speed of light ... and a blank page was whisked off to the Editors! I've rewritten the text of the article but there seems to be no way of resubmitting once the editorial receipt message appears.

Also, how do you know if your submission has been rejected or accepted and about how long does that take??

The system has been designed to cope with articles superceding older articles. When this happens (it hasn't happened yet) you'll be able to see a history of how the article was created - which older articles it was based on, which researchers contributed information.

We're only scratching the surface with the site as it is.

1. Does this mean that if we have submitted a site (perhaps a few pages) it might be replaced eventually by someone else who decides to name their site the same?

2. Also, I submitted a page for rejection (I hope not) but later while editing it I changed the title name. Originally Space Trekker, changed to SOL Star System. Will this affect the outcome of what is entered into the guide (assuming that it is)?

3. Observation --- I have noticed that the language used in the forums has begun to deteriorate rapidly. Please don't let it become like so many other forums on the internet. Most seem to be virtual dung heaps of petty, childish bickering.

Excellent idea, this guide. Well done to Mr. Adams and all those who have helped set it up. Thanks!

how about indexing user pages and forums in a yahoo sort of method ?

There seems to be two completely separate and different entries for "Pantomimes"... I guess that's not how it's meant to work?

I think multiple entries are ok as they will give contrary points of view and let people make up their own minds. Just so long as everyone doesn't all write articles with the same info as that would be pointless!

But shouldn't the editors combine them into one page type thing? Or at least have a link from one to the other!

In my humble opinion, guide entries should stay objective so the hitchhiker themself can form an opinion on the subject. In this respect, it shouldn't be hard to combine entries.

I did have an idea I wanted to contribute - when the handheld consoles are getting designed, may I suggest a videophone feature that allows one to communicate with other researchers by their user number? Expensive, but highly useful! Also, I wouldn't object to paying a fee to have a personalized researcher ID card with a little clip i could put on my coat. =D

I think you might have to wait a while for the handheld consoles! In the mean time, there's plenty to do... busy busy... I guess when it comes to the entries we'll get some more guidance from the editors if things are going a bif off track...