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

I just read the one that arrived yesterday, that as far as I can tell is saying that anyone that doesn't register on noohootoo using their bbcID details within a certain timeframe will have their details deleted once the transition is complete.

The way that reads obviously raises some serious issues. I think tech and/or business really need to give us a headsup on what is going on and how that fits with the no researcher left behind project.

Sorry, I've been unwell and haven't talked looked on noesis for the past week or so. I do think this needs to be addresssed on site though. I thought there was a thread on Ask about this but can't find it, so thought I would check here first to see what's what.


>>Where a user tells us not to, their details will not be passed on. Otherwise, we propose to provide the new owners with an encrypted list of email addresses and user IDs. If you choose to register with the new H2G2 website and you enter the email address we have used here, this will enable the new owners to link your BBC user ID with your username and your email address. This means that if you were a contributor to H2G2, the new owners will be able to link your past activity/posts with any future activity on the new website.

This means that anyone who has not opted out of the process will receive an email after the sale has been concluded with a link to the new H2G2 website and its terms and conditions of use. They can then choose whether or not to register with the new H2G2 website. If they use the same email address as they used for their BBC ID this will unlock the email address and user ID in the encrypted list we have provided.

If you do not choose to register with the new H2G2 your personal information will remain encrypted and therefore inaccessible to the new owners, and will be deleted at the end of the transition process.

If, however, you would prefer not to be part of this process and would like us to remove your email address and ID from the encrypted list, then please email us at [email protected].
<<

I *think* all it means is that anyone who hasn't actively signed into the new site by the end of the grace period won't be able to do so, and that the Beeb is assuming a lack of response within that time period means a person doesn't *want* to be on the new site. In short, we won't lose any pre-existing site content, we'll just lose future contributions from those people unless they create new accounts. At least, I think that's what it means.

(That being said, I think the second email is an appallingly-writen piece of dross. I've seen more intelligible draft legislation, for crying out loud. Hell, I've even edited draft legislation that's better written than that email... </rant&gt

The general consensus seems to be

a) "Do nothing now and your details will be passed"

b) "Tell us (not to) now and your details will be withheld"

- - - -

My opinion:

The third part. I read as:
"When your details are passed, you'll need to register with the new owners."

So, if you do not register with the new owners, your (BBC) details (those held within the BBC) will remain encrypted. At the end of the transition, the BBC will delete **their own** copy of your details.

Now, at transition time, if your details have been passed over, they'll be in possession of the new owners and therefore outwith the BBC's influence - they will still exist.

The only case where your details will disappear is if you tell the BBC to withhold them, upon which, at the end of the transition, they'll be deleted/destroyed/lost.

... and I cannot imagine the new owners removing your details without lots and lots and lots of warnings and time, Shirley. If ever?

The way I read it is that if you don't register on noohootoo with your BBCiD details within a certain time frame (and I'll guess that's weeks, perhaps a few months) then you will lose access to your account (remember that's what happened with BBCiD). Noohootoo will have the details but they won't be able to use them because they're encrypted.

I trust Pastey and co have a work around on that, but I like some reassurance.

Where's the other thread on this?

>>... and I cannot imagine the new owners removing your details without lots and lots and lots of warnings and time, Shirley. If ever?

Detials, being login details? All content will transfer, but people may lose access to accounts.

For heavens' sake, what on earth would be the point of passing over details that the new owners cannot use?

Encryption is for (external) security. Why would the new owners have to beseech the BBC for decryption data when, on transition, the *new owners* (note that) actually own the data?

Or do you think there'll be a joining-up levy?

Rather than duplicate what's already been posted, I'll point you here.

F19585?thread=8256345

Ben

the new powers that be should tell us something
tell us what is going on
clearly
and now

or is it that they think only folks who went outside of hootoo
to work on hootoos move
deserve to know whats going on?

it seems almost like we are trading one sullen and silent parental figure for another


i think this is stupid and that everyone should stop,
read whats been said,
stop starting new confusing threads,
band together
and think...
and find out whats going on

i have tried to help over here in hootoo
but everyone running in circles is just stupid
i give up

Thanks for the link Ben. It'll be good to have a read of the discussion. It'd also be good to know if tech or business have clarified in that thread. I can probably wait until the next Announcement, but a brief headsup wouldn't hurt either.

Fluffy I share some of your concerns and frustrations. IMO there are conversations happening on noesis that could (and probably should) be happening on site as well or instead. I've made my opinion on this clear at times but in a limited way, and I also respect that other people work in different ways (some people feel that it's better to develop policy in smaller groups and then bring proposals to the community).

If I had the time and energy I would bring some of the conversations back onsite myself and/or ask the community what they would like to have input on, but I'm not able to at the moment because of RL stuff.

>>For heavens' sake, what on earth would be the point of passing over details that the new owners cannot use?

I think it's a privacy issue - we gave our emails to the bbc, but they might not be able to sell them.

Well, ... OK.

Two steps back & shurrup, Rod.

The fact that h2g2 future hadn't published an update in the Announcements forum is a bit of a clue that we haven't actually published an update anywhere else, either, I'd have thought.

The Tech and Comms teams have drafted a "translation" of the BBC's email but it caught us on the hop, they'd notified us of the first one but not the second one.

We don't want it to be misleading or to contain half-truths, guesses or speculation and that is one of the reasons we've not put up anything now.

To be fair to the beeb, h2g2support posted at midnight in the "Eh" thread.

fkf you say:

>> the new powers that be should tell us something
>> tell us what is going on
>> clearly
>> and now

>> or is it that they think only folks who went outside of hootoo
>> to work on hootoos move
>> deserve to know whats going on?

>> it seems almost like we are trading one sullen and silent parental >> figure for another

The volunteers - let me stress that to you - the volunteers who have stepped forward to help save the site are committted to keeping everyone informed.

To do this we have regular updates in a single place, and we work hard to make sure they are easy to understand as well as being easy to find.

If you feel we've been sullen and silent, then that is of course up to you. I cannot deny the validity of your feelings on that or any matter.

Ben

oh i see
its not okay for me to criticize silence?
its not okay for me to address fears?
am i the only person on this site who is concerned about the nonclarity of what is happening?

if i am i will walk away

i have never been welcomed in here anyway

This post has been removed.

Oh, fluffy, stop it!

Everything has happened at the weekend, and there isn't anyone around with the answers.

Have a bit of patience and give them a chance to find out what is going on.

first of all auntie its not about that
its beyond that

and second of all
i find it interesting how you only pop into my presence here
when you want to say 'stop it' to me

four times

in four years

so now i will say... you stop it

>> its not okay for me to criticize silence?

Of course it is.

And I responded. ie - I wasn't silent! More than that, I explained the constraints we're working under and said where and how to find the latest information.

fkf, I am trying really *really* hard not to find your post very funny for the sheer illogicallity of what you've said there. Watch me not post a < biggrin > smiley.

To be completely serious, please let me say again that I cannot challenge the validity of your feelings. They are your feelings, and just as valid as mine or anyone else's.

Now, sad puppy that I am, I am working on this delicious summer Sunday morning and I really must get back to the grindstone.

I'm sorry that you feel so distressed, but there's nothing more I can do to help you this morning. It's late where you are, isn't it? I hope you sleep well.

Ben

I suppose this is where I differ in approach Ben (and I'm not saying you/c3 are wrong either). I think that what would have been good is an Announcement or even a thread in Ask (and a thread with the title 'eh?' doesn't count I'm afraid) saying something like this would have been helpful:

"We're aware that the bbc has sent a second email about transition of account details to noohootoo. We weren't informed ahead of time about this email and the Tech and Business teams are working on sorting out what it means. We will keep you updated as soon as we know what is happening."

As it is, because I haven't been onsite much I've just picked up bits and pieces and realised that yet again there is mass speculation going on where people are being left to figure things out themselves. I *really* hope we can learn how to not do that. I also appreciate that it may also be a matter of time for the volunteers (esp given it's the weekend). But it also looks like policy.

IMO absence of information is not as bad as misinformation but it's still not good and is often avoidable.

I haven't read the full eh? thread, but the h2g2 Support post doesn't really say much.

>>
The fact that h2g2 future hadn't published an update in the Announcements forum is a bit of a clue that we haven't actually published an update anywhere else, either, I'd have thought.
<<

On the contrary, Pastey has been very good in the past at giving people a heads up in various places. I know that you've not been happy about that, but I personally have really appreciated it. Of course it's a problem if I now expect it and he's not available.

Oops, just saw all those other posts...

Ben, please don't feel like you have to reply to me just because it's Sunday evening here and snowing and I finally got enough time and energy to be on site