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

Welcome to h2g2. My name is Vip, and I'm of of the Assistant Community Editors (known as ACEs (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A214796)). We try to speak to everyone who signs up to make sure they're OK, offer them a cup of tea , that kind of thing.

At the moment you'll have to excuse us, we have the decorators in so although you're probably in the new colour scheme (if you can see the dolphins, you're in it!) you may find that you have to refresh some pages, that you get told that your post has offensive content when it doesn't and some links don't work. They're working on it.

For now you may want to switch back to one of the 'old' skins:

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/plain/ (not official supported)

At the moment these are still bug-free, but display some funny characters when users of the new skin (called Barlesque) use apostrophes. Again, they're working on it. For now I am trying to write the message so it will work in both old and new styles, which is why none of the links are clickable - that really throws the new skin and makes it unreadable. I'm afraid you'll have to make do with copying it into your browser for now - sorry about that. I really do recommend using one of the old skins until we've got the go-ahead from the Editors (the guys that look after the site).

There is also the news that h2g2 is being sold off by the BBC, as their new BBC Online vision doesn't include any community-based projects. It is definitely not the end of h2g2 - in fact, you may have joined at about the most exciting point in its 11 year history! If you would like a quick summary of what is going on, head to www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A80427071.


So! h2g2! What can I tell you?

Firstly, you probably joined up here because you were reading an article and wanted to write a comment on it. Brilliant. We need comments like that to keep the Entries up to date, or even just feedback for the writers so that they know their work is being appreciated.

You may have joined up so that you could write - again, brilliant. We always need more contributors. We have plenty of places for you to show off your writing skills:

1. Anyone can create an Entry. It's your Guide, you can write about anything!

2. The Approved (formerly known as Edited) Guide showcases the best of h2g2's factual writing (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/C889). In order to contribute to the Approved Guide, you will need to put up your work for scrutiny by your peers. It's not a scary thing to do, don't worry! It's there to make sure that your writing meets the guidelines for the Approved Guide and that your writing is the best it can be.

The action happens in Peer Review (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/PeerReview). I highly recommend reading that page and the guidelines that it links to to make sure that you have an idea of the process before you leap right in. If nothing else we always need new reviewers and it's good to have additional opinions - all h2g2 members are encouraged to join in the Peer Review process.

3. The UnderGuide (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1103329). Named because they break the Approved Guide rules but still exist underground, the UG publishes the best fiction, not-quite-fact and opinion pieces that h2g2 has to offer. It's a bit quiet at the moment over there but we'd just love someone to go down there are wake them up.

4. The Post (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A79167757). Our very own newspaper! Have a read and see if it can bring out the budding journalist in you! Feel free to comment on any of the articles - there's nothing better than having someone comment on something that you wrote.

5. The Community. What a small word for such a big thing. The main place to go for conversation, questions and answers is Ask h2g2 (www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A148907). From there you can read, start or join in conversations on pretty much anything. Be warned though, the 'cancel' thread is not for the faint-hearted!


h2g2 is big, but please don't let it put you off. It's full of friendly people and creative sorts. If you're finding it hard to navigate, tricky to create an Entry, or anything at all - just reply. I'm subscribed to this thread so I will be here next time I'm online to sort you out. Promise.

All the best,

Vip