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

Well, H, the UnderGuide isn't a library, but let's go with your metaphor. One part of the UG is the library, one part is the publishing house. You can't have one without the other. We need both.

It is actually quite a bit about the authors. That's why the polishers and miners are told to be extremely sensitive with authors about their work - we could get it done more efficiently for the readers, but we like to think of the people.

Do you know why we have to, as you put it, stroke an author's ego? We want more entries. Ben did a survey of the AWW a long time ago - the time when the most entries were put into the AWW was the time when the AWW was busiest - when the authors saw that they would get some comments. Without authors, we have nothing for the reader to read and he ceases to be a reader - he just becomes some guy. Without readers, the author will see no reason to write and will cease to be an author.

Does anyone remember the SOG? Spook's Spaced Out Guide. That was purely for the ego of the writer. During the spook wars, it became clear that the UG would strike a delicate balance between concentrating on writers and readers. I think it's been successful.

It's not an ego trip for me, by the way. How am I supposed to get potential UG authors excited about submitted to the AWW by saying 'AND! It'll be featured for a week in a small inconsequential box that no one will see!' I'm a pretty good salesman, but even if I dress that up, it won't work as well.

*coughs and pulls himself out of bed*

How hard is it to just reorganise the Front Page a little and move the 'Community Activites' section to underneath the 'Talking Point' section? Surely not that difficult, and that's all that being asked for, to benefit the other parts of h2g2 aside from the EG.

(after all, I reorganise my Personal Space frequently, and it takes all of two minutes...)

That's not all I'm asking for But I'm in the minority on that, I believe.

Do feel better, Frood. But if you need to sacrifice your body for the sake of the UG, I expect you to do that

Get well soon, Frood. The Poo-Bah needs you.

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You're trying to confuse me again, aren't you?

So, have you spoken to Reefgirl? Is she going to help you storm the castle?

No, the placement on the front page isn't an ego trip for me. The entire UG is definitely all for my ego. And then some.

I have spoken with Reefgirl. You can talk to me about it via email (The gmail address, not hotmail.) if you'd like, because it all very secretive. We used codenames and everything in case something was intercepted. Hyp - you were Tooth Infection. Go on, ask me why

Next thing you know, you'll be making me wear the damn ferret beard again.

Ok. Why am I a tooth infection? (Why do I let myself in for these things?)

I'm glad you asked!
Because you cause me pain


I've been knitting... it's not just a beard anymore... it's a full body jumpsuit.
(this is about where we lose everyone else, I suspect)

If they're lucky.

Well, you know we're very good at losing people.

What can I say? It's a curse. At least this was one of your conversations.

That's true.

Speaking of me (and we never do! ) I think I'm burned out on biographies for a while. I'm seriously considering a third nipple article for a lighter touch.

"To Ring or Not to Ring, That is the Question."

A little levity would be nice for you and everyone else. Biographies are a dime a dozen. Articles about third nipples are harder to find.

Well it's down in my journal for people who read the UG and what they think about the new positioning. Is there any point opening it up at the soap box?

I agree with H in that the UG is for readers. It's where authors can get their pieces more publicity and the readers don't have to trawl through the AWW to find something good. Without readers...nobody cares how many good pieces go up in the UG.

Reefgirl's opened up an Editorial Feedback conversation on it, I think. You might air your grievances htere, Kat

Without authors, no good pieces will go into the UG. I'll keep saying that until I stop.

H-
I like the ring of 'To ring or not to ring'

Yes but the people who submit to the AWW will keep doing it because the AWW is *there* for fiction etc.

People don't read the UG if it's not bouncing infront of them.

Well, some people will. Not as many.
I did mention Ben's survey, right? She took a look at the entries in the AWW and when they were submitted. This as back in the early days of yore, but they showed that two months - I think March and June - had a very significant bump in the number of entries submitted. Any miner who was around back then would've said that March and June were the busiest months for miners.

So a good deal of the AWW submissions happen because they saw and liked the AWW and hoped to get the recognition they see other writers getting.

We've seen people in AWW threads say that they hope to see the entry on the front page.

Luckily for us, we can use ego for the good of creative writing on h2g2 Using author's egos isn't a bad thing at all. It's productive.

Odd ideas here
Readers and writers?
There's no precedence; they're two sides of the same thing.
Yin and Yang. A harmonious circle.

Only editors are unnatural.

See, he's agreeing with me here in his way!
And insulting me at the same time.

Oh well, I'll take it.

You better had. It's the best you're gonna get.

I'm adding that to the plaques.