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

Hi!

H2G2 has two sorts of welcomers- you get ACEs to help you with links and other stuff, whereas Guardian Angels like myself are more unofficial and are there whenever you need one.
I could show you some good conversations or entries to look into if you want, just reply to this message...

I should have brought my s link with me, but I can't seem to find it...

Oh well,
See u around

Inky

hi inky, thanx for getting in touch. it's a really good system you've got here, i feel really welcome already!

just a couple of queries : first off, how do i create a guide entry? i mean, i get the whole writing concept, but in the 'title' box do i just fill in something easily referenceable (like 'bolton, lancashire, uk') or can i call it anything? and does someone else then come along and catalogue my entry (linking it to other entries, adding it to the search engine etc) or does whatever title i've given it count as its cataloguing title?

and secondly, do you have any suggestions about how to get started? so many of the topics have been covered in such depth that there's not much i can think of to start a whole new entry on (and even if i could i'd quite like to warm up a bit first!!). so what's the procedure for adding bits to other people's stuff? do i just post to the 'conversation' section? or should i write a separate entry and get them to link to it?
and is there any other good stuff to do as a beginner to help me settle in?

thanx again, really useful to have someone there to help me through the making-mistakes stage!!

trinity

Hi!
Happy to be able to help.

For guide entry titles it is best to have something easily referencable. The H2G2 guide is intended to be fully user-friendly, just like the original in the books. So "Bolton, Lancashire, UK" would be perfect.
Before writing one it's best to search for the topic and see if an entry already exists. There are many unarticled places left in the UK and elsewhere, so those are always good to start yourself off with. Also, stick to what you know about- I guess that goes without saying

To get your entry added to the guide you have to submit it at Peer Review (http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/PeerReview), and be sure to follow the guidelines on that page to make a successful bid. Note that even entries which aren't edited after Peer Review can still be accessed by the search engines.

As for adding bits to other people's stuff, that's where I've always felt the process lacks a little something. The way to add is to make a conversation underneath, which can then be read by anyone who wants to (so make the conversation title relevant). In an unedited entry the researcher can make alterations themselves if they think you have a valid point. In an edited entry it's up to the editors, who are busy people and I don't think I've ever seen additions make it in afterwards. Maybe I'm wrong, (between you and me, there's one or two things even I don't understand)

Phew! Time for a after all that!
Hope that was useful!

yeah cheers for that, i'll let you know when i submit my first piece for peer review!!

till then, i'm off to read a few entries to get the hang of it all ...

Here is THE list of all guide entries on-site, edited and not edited to help you in your search for a topic.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/index

Me is an ACE to so welcome!
Good luck writng your first guide entry. It's not a bad idea to practice first on your personal spae to get the hang of your writing style, layout and to practice using GuideML. However, as soon as you feel ready you can begin writing and they can be about absolutly *anything* here are some useful places to get you started.

All of these and more can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/Contribute
-----------------------
Beginners Writing Workshop. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/Writing-Beginners

The Writing Worksop is the place to discuss what you are writing after you got an idea what you want to do, look at this place as fine tuning what you have contributed...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/Writing-Workshop

Then put it up to the community for suggestions and constructive critical comment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/PeerReview

Have fun contributing to the Real Life Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Clive