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

As we have mentioned on the site elsewhere (F47997?thread=6849976&skip=20#pi29), we've been having a think about the h2g2 Front Page recently.

A couple of factors have influenced this. There is a headcount issue at the moment which means that h2g2 will, at least temporarily, have just one member of staff at the helm. As well as running the site, Sam will have to oversee a lot of off-site stuff in order to ensure h2g2's long-term survival - in addition to training up a new member of staff. It is simply not possible to do all this and publish a new front page every day.

Secondly, the new designs - as sketched on the basic positional layout (http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/blobs/new_design_wireframe_1.jpg) feature four large promos (which appear if you click on the tabs beneath the main promo picture – it's a bit like an index card system). We envisage using these to promote new Entries, but also other areas of the site, including the Post and the Underguide. Although we won't be shifting to the new designs for a while, it's now time to change the focus of the page.

As a result, from 7 September, 2009 we will be having a front page that changes weekly, rather than daily. Obviously there'll be more Entries on that page than there are currently - however, it'll mean that they (and the art) will get a longer exposure time. The redesigned version of the homepage is such an improvement in terms of general dynamism that we believe that the overall effect on h2g2 will be extremely positive. However, as with all periods of adjustment, it might be difficult to begin with.

Above all, we would like to stress again that this not any indication of our own Powers That Be making any decisions to scale back h2g2. As we have stated, the redesign process is ongoing and our MOT went extremely well: and we are expecting to see positive things coming from both in the future.