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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A585911

I saw that there was 0 entries having to do anything with weed eating. So, I wrote the principles of Weed Eating, which describes the basic mechanics of, and operation of of weed eating. I like that entry alot, but I need to know what others think.

Well, you've come to precisely the right place, friend.

I was hoping it would be a hugley contraversial piece on making hash cake, which would then be banned and spark a lengthy and heated debate - but this is good too!

A couple of things you could mention: where do you buy them, and how much do they cost? Any maintenance tips?

I have updated the formentioned ideas, added purchase information. Ready for more feedback...and maybe acceptance in the EG

Ah, good stuff. But how's this for coincidence! Check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F48874?thread=124892 ...

It's a well written entry. There s the right amount of content which is well written and presented (though a little more on that later). I like the tone of the article and particularly the last paragraph.

They're known as Strimmers in the UK and, given the editorial guidelines, that's probably how they should be referred to in the article, with a footnote noting that they are called weed eaters the other side of the pond. I think that the convention is to quote prices in £stg as well (if at all. If -- well, when -- this makes it to the edited guide you have to remember it's likely to be hanging around for years and the prices might change)

Though it will really be up to the sub-editor to decide on, the use of colour for the parts of the machine is awkward. The darkgreen doesn't pick up very clearly in Classic Goo and the grey is a little pale in Alabaster (though it's clearer when in bold). Personally I'd leave the words in plain text and use separate headers and subheaders. I see you've formatted the font yourself but it's quicker and easier to use and tags (The Guide uses its own Mark-up language, not HTML) and it means you don't have to keep looking up the approximate colour names or hex-codes -- Everything is explained in the GuideMl Clinic:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/GuideML-Clinic for future reference

As I said, it just needs a little tweaking, but certainly has a great chance of making it in as an edited entry

Very interesting... and right up my alley.

The colours will be be removed when the article is edited. But I wouldn't remove them yourself, because the original will be returned to you after the Edited version makes its debut.

I was a little confused by the title, which suggested to me that the entry is about the whole range of mono-filament trimmers and how to operate them. You should perhaps establish that you are writing about a specific product in an introductory paragraph. Maybe you should include the brand name in the title.

You could also mention personal safety equipment, such as goggles, and something about the fuel mix.

As one who spends a fair amount of time repacking broken starter/recoils each summer, can I suggest that a short, sharp tug is much better than pulling as hard as you can.

JTG

Around here (in Germany, that is) the cutting piece is almost always a nylon thread, comparable to a fishing line but much thicker.


Nice article, and it sure will go into the Edited Guide -- The only drawback is that this may take its time. There are awful lots of good entries around here, and us Scouts pick them for inclusion at a rate of 25 per week, such that on every working day 5 new ones will appear on the front page.


Bossel (Scout)

Oh, that reminds me...

A section on how to reload the trimmer spool would be useful. It's painful watching people getting tangled up. I once saw a poor hapless summer student so tangled that he had to be cut free... honest.

JTG

Good start.

You might mention that the "handle" is also the housing for the drive shaft. A cheaper machine typically has a curved (flexible) shaft. A more expensive, heavy duty one will be straight with a small gearbox in the bend at the bottom. I've never seen the waxed wire type. I only know about the monofilament nylon. There's after-market square section that seems like a good idea since aquare section has sharp corners.

You could mention the sophisticated mechanism for advancing the line when it has worn down ("tap and go"?) and the little knife that makes sure it doesn't become too long (unless the model you're refering to doesn't have that).

How about its pros? Access to akward corners, can be used where there are rocks and stones that would damage a conventional mower. Cons. Not good for large areas. hard to control cutting height.


Someone already said to add a section on safety. I wear ear defenders as well.

Everything has been added, updated, replaced, and enhanced. More feed back is recommended, strongly encouraged, highly important, and much appreciated!

ok, then!
debris is spelled incorrectly near the beginning.

Hi again,

Is this waht you meant to say?

There are many parts to the mower but only 2 are used: The Primer and the Pulley.

Or should that be "motor" or "engine" instead of mower?

Awu

Updated the entry, made the typo fixed, thanks.

*sobs*

Is my entry boring all of you that much?...actually, I am just wondering what is the next rung on the ladder wit this entry, it seems to be up to that standards...and in my opinion beyond...the EG. Of course that is my opinion, let me hear YOURS...PLEASE...I BEG YOU...ESPECIALLY YOU SCOUTS...SAY THE MAGIC WORDS...PLEASE...I BEG YOU

Here's a Scout, and sometimes also a big-mouthed Scout, but err... I can't speak the magic words yet

My turn is still weeks away, and even then I only can make three researchers happy, and I'm going to take them rather from the bottom, and I know you will be unhappy with it, and you should know that I am unhappy with that, and, err.. best you have your eyes rest on this one for an insight into my situation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A584246 A View from A Scout



Bossel (Scout without 'picking' arrows to shoot at entries)

Hi,
here's another scout. We are out here - and scouting.
A Bossel indicated, the process can take a while - and we only get three picks per month.

While you are waiting, just a couple of suggestions. If your machine came with a detailed manual it probably has one of those exploded diagrams naming all of the parts. You could double check that you have used the correct terminology. I'm not a mechanical eng., but, for example - a pulley is a wheel that a belt runs over. It's not what you pull to start the engine. I think that's the starter rope. (I just checked my Stihl manual - that's what they call it in North America). I noticed a few other little things that I couldn't exactly put my finger on.

Brilliance, I'll get straight to it...(followed by a maniacal laugh as a lone and bored child runs cackling out the doors into the darkness toward the shed where the trimmer is stored)

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'Peer Review' to 'The Principles of Weed Trimmers'.

This thread has been moved out of the Peer Review Forum because your entry has now been recommended for the Edited Guide.

You can find out what will happen to your entry here: http://www.h2g2.com/SubEditors-Process

Congratulations!

Oh well. Too late.

Congratulations! This entry has passed the rigorous process of Peer Review and has graduated to being a recommended entry. It will be passed to a sub-editor, and then it will be....AN EDITED GUIDE ENTRY!

*Michael Notforyou*
Official Scout, h2g2
Researcher U113408