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

Welcome to the Guide!

You may find this place a bit daunting at first - there's really quite a lot going on at any one time. Don't feel you need to do it all or see it all at once.

If you want to find some of the most recent conversations, check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/info and join in. Or if you'd rather start writing entries for the Guide right away, do check out the 'deciding what to write' page at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A53209

In case you were wondering why I'm here, I serve as one of h2g2's ACEs (Assistant Community Editors) who are essentially the meeters and greeters on-site. I'm here to help and if you find you have any questions, feel free to ask away in this forum.

What kind of lab do you work in? We've got a fair group of scientist-types on-site already. Some of their entries are rather intense. I'll be looking forward to yours.

Other than that, have fun and again, welcome to the Guide!


- Jimi X

I work in a whiskey research / testing laboratory doing chemical analysis and thinking.
I do get a bit intense sometimes, especially when I see misrepresentations or other wrongs but apart from that I'm just a fun-loving guy.
I like some of the entries in here, they are light hearted with sideways view, in the spirit of the original guide I think.
Speak to U later
Rab

I work in a whisky research / testing laboratory doing chemical analysis and thinking.
I do get a bit intense sometimes, especially when I see misrepresentations or other wrongs but apart from that I'm just a fun-loving guy.
I like some of the entries in here, they are light hearted with sideways view, in the spirit of the original guide I think.
Speak to U later
Rab

Whiskey research?!?

What major do you need in college to get into that line of work?

Hi, I made an error in the spelling. Its whisky not whiskey. (Whiskey can be made anywhere but you can only make whisky in Scotland) Thats why I posted twice. I thought I stopped the first one but obviously not.
I did BSc.(hons) food science and microbiology, final year project (major?) in fermentability of raw materials. I made a decision after studying a chemistry & biology degree for 2 years that it was too broad and needed to specialise. Since you are a long time working I thought 'Why not get into something I enjoy and find interesting?'.
So here I am!
Trouble is the job doesn't pay as well as I thought it would (because people would volunteer to do what I'm doing) so I'm now seriously considering doing a masters in IT software development. I wanna get into Java programming. I've heard that there's money to be made there.
I've read your bio - sounds as if you've been around a bit. Good material for an editor!
Rab

I've often wondered about the 'e' in whiskey. In the US, I don't believe we make the distinction.

And as for being an editor, I think living a full and varied life is *the* best training for the job. Unfortunately, too many feel that it should be all about grammar and spelling and not about understanding life and living.

Cheers!

- X

Hiya Jimi,
I've noticed a mistake in the entry for Newmilns, Ayrshire. I've told the guy who posted it but I don't think he know how to correct it. You should know though, eh? Here's the message I sent:

"Newmilns is not situated in the Loudoun Valley. It is in the Irvine Valley, so called because the river Irvine runs through it, technnically it is the Upper Irvine Valley (because the source is at Loudoun Hill - the start of the valley) but is more commonly known as the Irvine Valley. There is a Loudoun Valley Boys Club but I think they are so called because they didn't want to be associated with Irvine town.
I know this because I was born and bred there. Also, why no mention of the lace industry in Newmilns? it was/is just as strong as in Darvel. Also made there as excellent crucibles and refactories."

cheers

Rab