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

Thought I'd ACE you anyways, just to get you off the list!

Thanks. But I have no idea what ACE means. I'm mostly TLA (Three-Letter Acronym) illiterate, I'm afraid!

Assistant Community Editor.

Thought you'd been here before....? I'm all confused!

Naw, mate. This is my first week here. Haven't had much time to explore yet, but it looks like the kind of place I could settle in and like.

You can tell I'm having a great week, huh?

In that case, welcome to h2g2! If you're still unsure about anything at all - I'd give you the official welcome, but I've done everything all back-to-front so far....!

Thanks, mate. It takes me a little while to catch onto things when I've just joined up with a place, but . . . what list? There's a LIST?! This ain't helping my paranoia. };D

And how d'you get those emoticons, by the way?

My fault too!

Anyways, it'll probably make things easier if I give you *my* ACE welcome. Ahem...

Hi there, and welcome to h2g2! I'm fords, one of the ACEs (Assistant Community Editors) around here, and it's my job to welcome you to the livliest online community you'll ever wish to find!

First up, your Personal Space. Use this space to tell everyone else about you and what you like. There's also the Journal at the bottom of the page to let everyone know what you've been up to. You can have anything you like on your Personal Space, but keep it clean! You can create your page using plain text or GuideML, which is this site's very own markup language. More information can be found at the <./>GuideML-clinic</.>.

Secondly, if you're not sure where to get started - what to see and do - I've compiled a list of links on this here page - A811874. There are also my own interests over on my Personal Space. If you fancy having a look, you can get there by clicking on my name above, and it saves bogging you down with loads of links here.

Thirdly, your Preferences. If you click on the Preferences tab whilst on your Personal Space, you can muck around with your settings - which skin to use, your display preferences, and of course to change that number into a lovely username!

Finally, any questions or queries? Don't Panic! Simply reply to this message and I will be more than happy to help. Oh yeah, one last thing - I am also a Guru, so if you need any technical help I'm your girl

Oh yeah, you asked about the <./>Smiley</.> - if using the Brunel skin, when you're typing a message there are a selection of smileys at the bottom of the screen you can click on and - hey presto! - they're added to the message. But if you click on the link above, it will take you to the full smiley index.

Have fun!

Thanks for the help! I'll get around to checking all that out over the coming week. Typing strains on my arms at the moment, so I won't be getting really into this place for a bit.

Just one, question though: What list?

Thanks again!

What's wrong with your arms?

Ah, don't worry about the 'list' - there's a NewUsers list where we ACEs find out who to welcome. But we know all about you, of course....!

The problem with my arms is that I've spent a LOT of time over the past couple of weeks typing and online, so my forearm and hand tendons are practically creaking. I'm going to spend as little time as possible before the keyboard over the next couple of days in order to recuperate. But, no fear, I'll be back. Should be right as rain by Friday.

Sounds like you have Repetitive Strain Injury. If you get it a lot, I'd suggest you invest in some ergonomic equipment, and a wristpad, which sits on your desk in front of the keyboard. I type a lot, but I'm careful in the way I take frequent rests away from the PC itself and I make sure I'm totally comfortable too.