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

Entry: What To Do When Your Air Conditioner Dies - A798636
Author: Amber. 20 to 30 million years old. Insect included. - U199662

Is the future tense just too annoying here?

I wonder if you're talking from experience here Amber

I think this one is borderline whether it's suitable for the Guide. If someone's a/c dies, and they go to this entry hoping for some good practical tips, they're going to be disappointed.

They should get a laugh out of it though because it's a very well-written and funny piece

Maybe it's better in AGG/GAG? What does everyone else think?

I think what might nudge it towards the Edited Guide is if you put in some factual stuff about how to keep as cool as possible without a/c, what people did before they had a/c, that sort of thing.

Lovely article and I think it contains the full truth - although perhaps the second step is to start fiddling around with buttons and dials, looking for fuses that might have blown, knocking on displays and kicking anything that appears to be in need of a good smash

As to the proceedings, it's a greaaaaat read for AggGag or the Post but you might go and try slipping it into the Edited Guide as a 'personal experience' thing (however, this may or may not work).

Anyway, I enjoyed it very much!

Does anyone read the comic strip Fox Trot?
OK in this strip there is mom, dad, and three kids. The youngest kid is a sort of genius kid. Dad is not too technically accomplished.

Anyway, Dad says to youngest kid: "How DO I get the VCR to record?"

Kid says: "well, you look at it strangely for a few minutes, then you randomly hit a bunch of buttons before you unplug it and kick it a few times."

Dad:"I MEAN, how SHOULD I get the VCR to record."

This piece can go into the edited guide as "How SHOULD I?" and would be great for AAG/GAG as "How DO I?"

For the edited Guide, another ste of points with helpful tips should preceed the story of "A typical AC death".
1) Find your warrantee
2) If no warrantee, find neighbor with good AC repair person (who might even be a relative of some kind willing to work for a little extra $$ on the weekend)
3) If warrantee is still in effect, call and get name for 24 hour service (which is going to be REALLY expensive).
4) If no warrantee just do #2 (heh heh heh)
5) Get EVERYONE'S name you speak with on the phone and ONLY talk to the same person each time.

OK, well, just my thoughts.

Friar