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

Hello and welcome to h2g2. I'm Magwitch and I'm one of the Assistant Community Editors (known as ACEs ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A214796 ). We try to speak to everyone who signs up to make sure they're OK and to show them around.

If you are looking at a screen that is light blue and white, then you are looking as the new site, known as Barlesque. Unfortunately it's not quite working properly. For now I recommend you switch back to the old skin by going to www .bbc.co.uk /dna/h2g2. I'm afriad you'll have to type that web address (minus the spaces) as links aren't working in the new skin at the moment. They will fix them, they've promised!

You can get back here by clicking on the 'My Space' button which will return you to your own home page.

If your screen is made of coloured boxes, there's no need to click the link as you already using the site that works. You can also choose a different skin by clicking on the Preferences button.

What do you want to do?

You may have come here as a result of were reading an article or conversation and wanted to write a comment. 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 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! (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/Contribute )

2. The Approved (formerly known as Edited) Guide showcases the best of h2g2's factual writing (http://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 it meets the guidelines for the Approved Guide and that your writing is the best it can be.

The action happens in Peer Review (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/PeerReview ). I highly recommend you read that page and its guidelines before you leap right in. If nothing else we always need new reviewers and it's very useful to have additional opinions. All h2g2 members are encouraged to join in the Peer Review process.

3. The UnderGuide (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1103329 ). Named because they break the Approved Guide guidelines 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 and wake them up.

4. The Post (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A79167757 ). Our very own newspaper! Feel free to comment on any of the articles - there's nothing better than having someone comment on something that you wrote. If you want to become a columnist, just contact the Post Team from that page - they are always interested in new contributors.

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 (http://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 huge, 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.

Enjoy your time on this little corner of the interwebs

As you may be aware we're moving soon, but we are putting measures into place whereby no researcher old or new will be left behind. Have a look here for details (and more links, I'm afraid ) U14914070

Enjoy your time on this little corner of the interwebs now and the exciting new future

Mags