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

Good afternoon, OG

Hope you are doing well.

OG, I might be running around, but I am not hiding. Honest! I NEVER tampered with my screen name. In fact, I had no idea about it when I was replying to one of Anglo’s messages. I was in the process of sending some stories by email, when I read this mail by the BBC learning English team saying that my nickname has been changed from ‘ ’ to my user ID. I am also advised to change it (the ID) to some appropriate nickname.

The whole thing baffles me, OG. I know the question sounds pretty silly, but do you have any idea what’s wrong here? I’m changing the ID to ‘Blue Pearl’ once again, but I have doubts about its acceptability. Or should I just write to the BBC staff explaining the matter? What do you suggest? Kindly let me know. Oh, something crossed my mind just now---I’m quite irregular on the LE board. Do you think that could be one of the reasons for making changes in my nickname? (though this sounds nonsensical to me).

And, by the way, who is this “Researcher 7000320”? Did you and Anglo give me a new name? I decided not to post this message on the ‘Ask a Q’ board because that’s not the right place. I hope you won’t mind getting disturbed here by a “nameless” person.


Looking forward to your reply,

Warm regards.

PS Sorry for that melodramatic title in the subject field.

Nothing to do with me. I don't see how anyone other than BBC has anything to do with this.. Everything was fine for months, when it was 'bluepearl'. Now, just a few days after you capitalized it and made it two words, BBC has some opposition. My guess is that it is some outfit's trade name.

Certainly nothing sinister or for you to worry about.

Researcher 7000320 is simply your member number you've always had; it usually has a 'U' in front of it.

Why don't you call yourself like 'short wavelength oyster thing'

Thank you very much for the help, OG. I have changed it back to 'Blue Pearl'. Unless I'm given some plausible explanation I'm not going to find any "appropriate" nickname for myself.



Hmmm...It's turning out to be a barrel of fun for you, isn't it?

Hello researcher number aka to be determined,



I've been around long enough to know we pass this way but once...

...get it while it's going because only one thing is certain...

it IS going...

Here, sit and have a narcecuppateaand (I wish we had some biscuits!

I searched Internet for Blue Pearl and returned more than a million hits: everything from quarry tile through music groups to photographic studio. I'm sure that was the cause and I'm equally sure no flesh and blood people were involved. Some bit of program found a match between your ID and an entry in a huge database and executed a subroutine. You won't beat it.

We don't see enough of you these days. Mind you, I'm finding time pressing more these days and it will soon get very short indeed.