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

Pardon, but I couldn't help over reading what has been posted. The first time Pandora was MODERATED I freaked a bit. But it was just 'no thang'. Know what I mean? Pandora is a Sister Zap. but first and foremost she really loves her bbc/h2g2 family. That said, whenever I write something that might be something that a MODERATOR may want to check out...I always post my sign of the MODERATOR...feel free to use my red flag...some of the PTB have a very differant sense of humor, than that some of us, esp. the tarts. Know what I mean?*wink*
(STILL REFUSING TO USE THE WINKIE EYE WHAT'S BEEN STABBED IN THE EYE WIFF A FORK)

Here's a link to the conversation that got the [Link removed to avoid confusion, Sorry] it explains everything http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F80058?thread=152617

Thank you. But I don't care to go there. Already seen an exploding collar where a past Hiker got the boot...so to speak.
AAhhh, crap, I knew I should have kept quiet. But I don't like 'shoulding' on myself.

When something, very little really, ticks me off about bbc/h2g2, I
stop for a moment & remember this is free. Also, I've made so many friends here...people who E me, call me, send me postcards, etc.. I'll be the last one to pitch a fit about anything.

Two dear Hikers who I am close to are re-starting their lives together. Surely you know of, or have heard of others falling in love, etc. because of h2g2.

So, perhaps you might start a movement to have me tossed out of the Zaps...

Hope you're not taking this personally, I post for all to read. So, anyone who wants to scold me, is more than welcome. Because
when I'm in someone else's arena...I try to stick by their rules. Just as I would want to be respected in my space.

Pandora, don't sweat it - the Zaphodistas hold a wide range of views; I think our common cause could best be described as "The Guide is really good, but it used to be better!"

You're so understanding...I just love that in a man!
(or whatever you are)

Close enough!

Pandora,

FREE? h2g2 is FREE? Well that's news to me! Part of my television licence fee goes into running this site (you'll notice it's on the bbc.co.uk site NOT the commercially run bbc.com one).

You may be outside of the uk or may not be a licence fee payer but remember every household in the uk that pays a licence free contributes money to the central funds that run this site.

As a licence payer I expect the right to make comments about the policies and running of a site and complain where I feel it is necessary. Before h2g2 was taken over by the bbc it *was* free, but no longer. Before h2g2 was taken over by the bbc there was more freedom, more open political discussion, and more useful information (I cannot complete an article about edible flowers because I can't post pictures I've taken to aid identification, therefore rendering the article fairly useless without all the readers having comprehensive, accurate referance material.)

I am now *forced* to pay for a site that was previously free (Unless I give watching television completely and don't pay the compulsory licence fee to do so.) and that no longer provides the quality of service that it did. Is it any wonder that I'm not happy?

bgs

Oh myhell...like I said...I shoud have just kept quiet. Okay, so you pay a fee...are you forced in some way to post here? Because if you are I will be on the next plane there & kick some serious butt for you! Don't make me come over there!
I pay an internet fee each month=$20, plus $20 fee for the phone line. But nobody forces me to post here...well, except for freinds that seem to panic when Pandora isn't posting.
I REFUSE to eat crow on New Years Eve. Besides, I'm right... I'm ALWAYS right...just ask Pierce-
*bangs her head on the key-pad...I knew I shouldn't have said anything...everyone wants exact words...that's just not possible when mass quanities of wine are involved...continues to bash her head on the key-pad*

...and one more thing...candied rose petals are my favorite...

no-one forces us to post here but as I am forced to pay for it I might as well.

Happy New Year!

There, now that's the spirit!
AAAAAHHHAAAHHHH!That's not the kind of 'spirit' I was after......Not even close!!

IRL time to go...E you all next year...I just hate to say that every year...*wonders if intensive therapy might break her of the habit...doesn't care...*

Hi! I seem to have wandered in on a heated discussion forum, but I will remain true to the topic. I'd just like to say that, even though I never saw the pre-BBC site, I feel that the editing policies are oppressive, the aristocratic "Edited Guide" thing is a bunch of bull, and that some things need to be changed. My name is Captain Venom and my number is 187723.

Hi Captain Venom,

Aside from the issue of whether h2g2 was better before or after the BBC, could you give us an opinion on how h2g2 compares to other websites or online communities? Have you posted messages on many other sites? Do you find h2g2's rules different from other places you've tried?

If you don't like the "aristocracy" of the Edited Guide, be sure to check out the Alternative Writing Workshop at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A608799 and AGG/GAG (Alt Galaxial Guide) at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U187783
...a couple of places/groups which exist specifically for developing and publicizing worthy h2g2 articles that don't meet the criteria for the Edited Guide. If you're interested in developing a more democratic or anarchic Guide within the hidden bowels of h2g2, these would be the ideal places to start.

Also I encourage everyone dissatisfied with the selections of aristocratic editors to become your own editor! If you don't enjoy the selections that are fed to you, then you must be willing to search through the slushpile for those gems hiding underneath. Search the guide for terms that interest you, or rely on serendipity by using the Random Normal Entry search http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/randomnormalentry

But how do we *kmow* it's truly random? Isn't likely, at best, to be a pseudorandomnormalentry?

I have been to other online communities, and I have found their people to be a lot less, shall we say, overbearing, and they ONLY HAVE ONE FREAKIN DISCLAIMER, in the Terms of Service, when you sign up. However, over here I'm looking at one now, and will be when I post,and when I go to my personal space, or the Cathouse, or wherever.H2G2 is a great community, and the people I've found here are so nice, and it's a great site, but it's more to put up with than other sites.

Don't you find it amusing that even the Help pages and even the h2g2 House Rules have these same disclaimers? As if the House Rules might have something wrong that might merit censoring if it offends someone?

I know they would kind of spin this idea to show how flexible h2g2 is, but it shows how trigger-happy they are with disclaimers, even after admitting in several discussions that those disclaimers would not hold up in courts of law or public opinion.

Oh well. Disclaimers are a very minor cosmetic issue. The really disgusting rules are the ones about censoring languages other than English and is it German now? because they are not able to judge our words as easily without translation, and the blatant excuses for censoring political discussions during "crises" (translation: the times when political discussion is most necessary).

True. I have never, ever, ever seen a site that censors languages. Ever. It's almost seeming taboo on the internet, even though english is the dominant language. TV and Radio, newspaper, etc none have the potential for freedom like the Web, and it really pains me to see somebody hack down such a promising and even active medium like that. BTW, I'm American, and I've heard a lot of refferences to 'net censorship possibilities on the other side of the pond (UK). What exactly is going on over there?

There are a lot of sites which censor languages, but they're mostly French...

As I don't speak French that would be why I didn't know. Sorry 4 error.

Hey!

Codpiece Man at # U173759

I know the First Amendment doesn't apply over in the UK, but, g*ldurn*t, being American it applies to me!

Sign me up.

Codpiece Man