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

... and welcome to h2g2.

I'm one of the <./>ACEs</.> (Assistant Community Editors). We are a team of volunteers who try to help new researchers for the guide find their way around. You can click on the link I made with that acronym in order to find out more. To find out more about anyone, click on the link made by their nickname (eg at the top of any conversation postings) to go to their personal space. Lurking is quite acceptable on h2g2.

One thing h2g2 has a lot of, as well as researchers, is these <./>Smileys</.>. You can use them in your personal space and other articles, conversations and journal entries. You just type the shortcut text and they appear as if by magic on preview or posting. For example: < vampire > without the spaces becomes - probably the closest thing to a lawyer smiley we have round here.

You expressed a particular interest in Douglas Adams. If you look at the URL in your browser, you will see a small tribute to him in the naming of this area of the BBC's site as DNA. You probably won't be surprised to find his personal space at U42 (just click on the link made by that number) - though it has been updated since his death. However, he left a welcome message of his own on the site here: <./>Welcome-DNA</.>.

Here are a few more links you might like to try. A660340 is a list of "Clubs and Societies" on h2g2. <./>Askh2g2</.> and <./>MiscChat</.> are good places to start or join a random conversation. If you don't understand the local terminology, have a look at A632431 "h2 Jargon" and A901829 "h2g2 Glossary". You could use the infinite improbability drive on the "Front Page" if you don't know where you want to go or <./>search</.> if you do. If you change your mind about not having any talent and want to <./>Contribute</.> something more formal to the guide, you should read the Writing-Guidelines first. See other guide entries too important to be merely a number at <./>NamedEntries</.>.

Above all, have fun and don't panic. If you do find yourself tempted to panic, click the "h2g2 Help" link. It may help.

Now, if you'll excuse me, there are probably other things I should be doing, but I'll be back if you call for help (ie reply to this message).

Thanks very much for your message. It was a surprise - I thought I'd get an automated welcome ! Instead its a real person. At least, that's what I'm assuming !

I'm assuming I'm a real person too. Of course if I was a very well programmed AI, then I would think/say that wouldn't I.