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

Thanks for the kind words, az (on the previous page - this thing moves so fast!)

Previous of the previous, actually.

So Aina, do you still hope tha not many newbies read this conversation ? It's very frindly and informative, IMHO

Oh, you are quite welcome, Aïna - just do me a favour and remember my kind words the next time someone tries to tell you I'm a *total bitch from hell*


az

Will do.

>>do you still hope that not many newbies read this conversation?<<
I'm having trouble deciding. You're right, this thread does also show some of the better sides of hootoo.

You only have to stick to it long enough, and you'll probably see all facettes

And also take everything with a huge grain of salt and a healthy dose of humour . . .

az

Has anyone ever attempted an ettiquette for h2g2?On remembering that everone was a newcomer on h2g2 once and that it should be the case that one is absolutely polite when someone makes a contribution.

Maybe all the new researchers should wear a badge for the first 6 months rather like a learner driver.

What a pity the smiley page is closed and they are making no more smileys because I reckon that an Lplate smiley is just what newecomers could do with.

finally got through all the "59 new posts"

Ivan, sorry I didn't say anything about your post 176, which I read and agreed with. So I didn't post any reply, as, in that very post, you said you didn't see a lot of point in posting "I agree". I can't make any comment about what you said about the time zone,but I can imagine it must be slightly frustrating, not being able to join in a thread moving almost in real time as this one is.

I am glad Ivan and Teasswill - two of my favourite people - settled their little dispute. I didn't understand what it was about - seemed a storm in a teacup to me. (Whoops, please excuse pun!)

Someone mentioned that they sometimes felt a bit at a loss when nothing was happening in the conversations on their space. In this situation, I do the same and first go and look at what's new in askh2g2, but you could also click on a name that takes your fancy in any conversation, and see what conversations they're in. Or just try the PS of anyone on your Friends' list for the same effect.

I think there is somewhere an entry on general netiquette and likewise an entry (written by Mina?) listing the H2G2-specific jargon.

Hi TC. *waves*

This is where I put in a quick apology to Teasswill, for having overreacted. English grammar got in the way. The word 'you' was used, when the same statement would have been innocuous if Teasswill had used 'one' instead.

(English is my language of daily use, but it's not my mother tongue - I do have to wrestle with it a bit, sometimes.)

It always fascinates me to see which threads sink like stones and which ones fly.

There is so much which is incredibly depressing to read in this thread, and so much which is hopeful. It saddens me very much that hootoo should have such bad nettiquette. I have a lot more to say, (natch!) and more questions to ask, (of course), but just now I am .



B

buenas noches!

az

Thank you B'Elana, that makes me feel proud for having managed to do it! Because guide entries have to be done in GuideML & so many people have got fancy personal spaces, I felt a bit inadequate for having had such a struggle to use it. It's like many things, it gets easier with practice.

In some ways it might be helpful for new researchers to be identifiable, but I think it would have to be optional. Might also be useful to know if English is not their first language. It's not always obvious, even when visiting someone's PS.
I think it might be useful if everyone had some part of their displayed identity that is permanent. I get used to seeing certain names in threads then see a new one, only to discover belatedly that it's just a changed nickname.

B, do you think the netiquette here is better or worse than other places? I get the impression that many people consider h2g2 one of the friendlier & more polite sites.

I do not think this would be a bad thread to read for newbies.

When I saw newbies being treated harshly at times I would tell them to say they are a newbie when they introduce themselves, then they will find most people very willing to be friendly and helpful.
This is a big place ranging from the silly to serious.


I had to form a visual picture in my mind to get a grip on the layout.
I imagine a large highrise - with confident and capable people in the towers There are stores and bars and clubs and meetings on the lower street level floors. There are apartments above where the personal spaces are which people use in all forms that are normal or homey to them. You can stick close to home, or easedrop (lurk) to get to know people or you can go to parties or special events.

You can can write which is a big part of the original meaning of the site that is important but appreciative readers are always needed too!

*************
When I visited newbies I would tell them to keep at it.
I would point to the help/newbies/stats links page which has been mentioned as valuable.

They do not need Guide ml to start getting familiar, post or do smilies. You do for articles or pictures on their personal space and a few other bonus things like viewer tags - tell you who has you on their friends list. I tell them there is a clinic if they would like to learn it.

You can have links to other places on your page without GML
I do. Some are pleasantly surprised I do not use it. You can have smilies and give directions around the site through links on your introduction. You can have a friends list. You can do most everything.

**********

When newbies ask how to start talking I say read ask or forums or go to and find a special interest group or games. If you see somebody interesting you can go to their space and say hello. It is easier to click on a name and introduce themselves in the message area of their personal page. Say hello from a newbie and maybe you liked what they said.

Hard for most to resist a compliment right off

StrangeLittleGirl, are you a phlebotomist?

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azahar, speaking as someone who in RL is *very* quiet, I can tell you (having been on the receiving end of what those who *like* them call the 'Della' wars) that it matters a lot!



Noto bene: I don't like, don't willingly participate in, and assertions to the contrary notwithstanding *do not* 'enjoy' the 'Della' wars.

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It does! When I had first registered, I did just that, and had to unsubscribe to Ask because I was swamped - I couldn't get on more than once a week in those days...

I like to read good debates.
I joined h2 because it was more civil.
A site self moderated I thought surely said a lot good about the people involved.

I have skipped many threads once they headed towards the Della war. Whatever it is and however it got started it is a stale and mean waste of time.

What more can come of it?
More harm?
Losing posters and newbies.
Losing friends and chances to make them.
Losing growth, creativity and new solutions.
Losing the point to conversations.

I loose hopes when this small, fairly well educated mini-world cannot get out of its own way at times. It can move towards its purpose or its downfall. If it takes a a village to raise a child may well take a village to raise a killer, an idiot or a gravely depressed person.

We are the village.

"Because guide entries have to be done in GuideML"

*Edited* guide entries have to be in GuideML. But you can write an entry and not know any GuideML - it can still be picked in plain text, and then the Subed will put it in GuideML. It doesn't say anywhere that they have to be in GuideML to be able to submit it to PR.