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

Hi George, I like the article
I can only reiterate what someone else said on the Prions thread, you should think about submitting this for Peer Review, I'm sure it would get into the Guide.

I'm not exactly sure how to go about doing that. I reed the literature, but got all muddled. Can you help me out?

George, go and have a look at this page http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A395589

At the bottom of the page, you'll find some threads. Click on the most recent. Have a look at the first message in some of the threads to see how other people have recommended their entries.

The subject line should be: A532135 - Loving Bonsai

You have to use that format or it'll be removed. Then the first line of the recommendation message must include the article's URL. So you'd say something like:

"I would like to recommend my article http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A532135 about the care and training of bonsai trees"

Then write a couple of brief sentences explaining a bit about the article.

If it's all too intimidating, you don't have to recommend your own entry. One of your friends could do it for you. I'm sure any of us would be happy to oblige.

Sal

Oh could you? I'm so nervous. I think it would be better, also, if you or Orcus recommended it. I don't want to sound pompus or impetious in front of the management. Mention that the letter gives the article a soul, like the gallery section of the SimCity 2000 Manual. That letter was sent to me at my old page when I first regestered.

I'll be delighted but you'll need to tell me what the SimCity 2000 Manual is if you want me to explain about it. I could say:

"I would like to recommend this entry http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A532135 about the care and training of bonsai trees", written by George (the babbling) Brooke. It's beautifully written, moving and informative. George explains the origins, development and meaning of the bonsai tradition and provides advice on how to proceed with selecting and training your own tree."

You only need to give a very brief explanation - just enough to whet the reader's appetite. I'll put that in if you're happy with it. If you want to alter it in any way or put something entirely different just let me know and I'll comply with whatever you want.

Sal

That's perfect! A marvelous summary. I would be honoured for you to recommend me with that piece. As an afternote (and certanly something that should NOT be included because it would anger the Moderators) the SimCity 2000 Manual was a book that was encluded in the Maxis software product of the same name that allowed a person to build and run a metropolis. At the end of the User's Manual, there was a section of poems, stories, and artwork portraying peoples' different views of city life, known as the Gallery. If you consider the technical information as the body of the book, then the Gallery would be considered the soul. Again, thank you.

Ok. Job done. Now you need to go over to this thread: http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F48874?thread=106161&post=890255 of the peer review forum and subscribe to the conversation by clicking on the text below the "New Conversation" button, so you'll know when someone has commented on your article. You need to respond to people's comments and questions and wait for a scout to notice your article. I don't think it'll take very long for a nice article like this one to get spotted. Sal :)

I wonder if it would be prudent to post that address in the conversations I frequent.

I think that would be a good idea.

I like the way your entry reads as it is. I also think it may need some changes to fit "Edited Entry" requirements. For example the letter might be considered too personal. You could keep a copy of it as it is as an unedited entry until you see what changes are suggested in getting it into the Edited Guide. Then you can have both if you want!
Waz

That's a very good idea. Thank you.

Couldn't you just put the rest of the entry into the 3rd person and leave the letter saying, "this letter was sent to the researcher" or something like that? I think that would probably satisfy the editorial requirements.

Sal

That's a great Idea, and I'll spend my vacation (starting Wednesday) learning the GuideML.

Oh that is so wonderful, George; thank you for pointing this out to me! Off to Peer review to tell them how wonderful it is (you might want to put the peer review thread link in forums instead of the page link, as people will find the entry from the peer review thread, but not necessarily the peer review from the entry.

Good luck with getting it recommended!

... and I LIKED the bit about your mother; it's probably too 'first person' for the edited guide, but I hope you can keep it.

I have edited my page! How do you like it now?

To the Recommendation Forum! http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F48874?thread=106161 And a funny thing happened on the way...

I edited my page again with more ML and a new section on History.

I think that's great! You might want to put the letter in italics, but that's really up to you.

I have a question for you: Why are you Saint Sad, Mad, or Bad? Are you a Manic Depressive Kleptomaniac with PMS and moodswings?

Hello?

Sorry; there are all these conversations I've missed....

Anyway, you must be one of the few people to ask me that.

It all stems from my roleplaying days, when I categorised my characters into "sad" -- tragic "mad" - insane or "bad" (no explanation needed there); I kinda liked it. And it rhymes.