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

You've probably noticed by now, I'm hanging around your pages. I'm glad you enjoy the Guide, and I can testify, your enjoyment can go even farther. Since you asked for feedback, I'll tell you how.

The Guide selects five articles per weekday to be edited and advertised on their front page. It's really not difficult to get an article there. I've done it several times. You basically just need to follow some style guidelines, which are publicly available if you follow links that say, "Submit an article".

For your Wal-Mart article, these guidelines would tell you: (1) Just talk about Wal-Mart, not other cool web sites. (2) Avoid the use of first person. If you must absolutely mention yourself in your article (and sometimes one must), the acceptable phrase is, "This researcher".

Naturally, since you haven't actually submitted your article for review, you can feel free to tell me where to stick my comments. But I think you'd enjoy the full process of Edited Guide authorship, particulary peer review. The peers around here are quite decent folk, who are a lot like the people Douglas Adams wrote about in his fiction, only more dedicated.

Sorry I've been away, I just posted a comment which helps to explain my absence (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/F28103?thread=121846&post=1894675). Time heals all wounds, and while I was frustrated and disappointed by the overzealous and not entirely justified moderating done to my Journal Entry, your remarks as to my potential as a Researcher has gotten the creative juices feeling underutilized! I'll be taking your feedback and editing the Walmart piece -- if I feel good about it I'll submit it, if I'm in doubt I'll wait for more feedback. Thanks for the encouragement, and sorry for being away for so long! -Dent