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

Hi, Lex! I'm Elly, Muse of Care, a fellow-researcher-and-book-lover. Just wanted to let you know I'm here to help, if needed. Cheers!

Hi, thought I'd drop by, see if you were fitting in ok

And I'm sitting next to you

Hi Ermine! Want some Ice Cream?

Yes please

Have they got smileys yet?

(Sorry for the delay I'm trying to catch up on quite a large backlog of postings )

Good news people, I am working on my first article: Pubs and clubs in Bath. So would welcome your crytisisms; good or bad.

They say that it is best to right about something that you know about so it is either Pubs or Biochemisty.

Lex, I like the sound of that

*gravely voice* "Hi I'm Lex."
Sounds akin to Neo fron The Matix,nice.

Although thinking about it, is there not a carcter on channel 5 with that name?

You watch channel 5? Dodgy!

Be right along to look at the article

Critisism is my middle name! I'd love to read your article. I'm happy that you like my pet-name, LLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXX!;-D

ooh! Sorry, Ermine- yes, I think they do have an Ice-cream smiley, I'll go check(can't manage without them, can I? Cheers!

Looks like they don't

Maybe you should go and suggest one

Well Lady Elly, Muse of Care, article critique and Guardian of Ice Cream Stands,

your wish is my comand. I shall post what I have writen to the bottom of my space, although be warned that it is in its infancy so I have not cheaked all the grammer and spelling yet. Also would the Dancing ermine give me the wisdome of his experiance?

Lex.
P.S. *defensive* No I do not whach CH5. I was just channel hopping when I hapend to notice...

Oh, but we all sin at times, Lex! Anyway- there I go to your page!

Oh! Just come back from the dentist. All is well in the Lexicon mouthhold. So I feel fully justified by having some chocolate.

Um nice, Double decker. But is it better to eat them with the tofu side up or the biscuit side up?

Lex

Biscuit down. Definitely.

And Biscuit last as well

I strongly disagree. Biscuit first and tofu last in one big, jucy mouthfull. Um.

There is just no talking to some people

What is that thing you argue so passionately about? Anyway- never found your entry, Lex. But you can read mine (please!!!) and tell me what you think.

By by all I am off home then to a party.

enjoy

Ok some thoughts, though all my guide entries were accepted/rejected while there was still a queue system so I'm not used to peer review but anyway...

Lex: Best place to write these things is in a guide entry on their own(use the add guide entry button). The scouts who look for potential entries tend not to look so in depth at user pages you shouldn't get the problem with apostrophes either. This also lets people comment directly on the entry and possibly suggest more things to go in it. Avoid personal comments or references to good times you had there as much as possible and try to stick to facts and general opinions of the places.

The layout is fine but if you want to start putting in things like footnotes and titles it's best to use GuideML which is the computer language these things are written and edited in. It's not that difficult to pick up and just takes a little bit longer to write things but the over-all look of the thing is better. For hints on all the tricks try the guide-ml clinic at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/GuideML-Clinic

Lady Elly: I see you have tried to use GuideML but there appears to be some problem. Have you hit the Change Type button? (previewing is very useful as it spots any guideml errors) Use headings to break up those paragraphs, say the Origin, the history, current kibbutzim, it gives people an idea what you're tlaking about. Also rather than you writing in the numbers for the two reasons to set up kibbutzism it would be better to give them different subheadings.

Again try to minimise references to yourself. For example you referred to growing up in Gilgal. Rather than referring to your own experiences it may be better to write it as a 'typical day' showing what people generally do on a kibbutz. It depends on how you want it to read, but at the moment it would likely be ripped apart by a sub-editor.

Generally, stick to facts and general opinions (I know I'm repeating myself but it's an important point). Try and put a lighthearted or irreverent tone in there somewhere (early guide entries are prime examples, or even some of mine) and people will be happier to read through it. There are guidelines for how to write and how to edit guide entries on the Help pages, if you read through them and try to stick to the rules, the editors are less likely to butcher your work(it has happened) and more likely to try and get it approved.

Hope it helps.

Some people know too much for their own good.

Bu seriousely DE thaks for you advice I will polish up said article when I have the cance.

Neither of you apear to be online at the moment but I will be her for what ever pert of the morning remains, if you wish to chat.

Lex