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

Hello FloridaSailor. I don't know if you know that I've taken over the <./>Scavengers</.> from Matt, and to promote rescuing articles from the <./>Writing-Fleamarket</.> I've started writing articles for <./>ThePost</.> promoting doing Flea Market rescues. Each month I plan to write an article about the Flea Market and also want to include interviews with the people involved in it (the first will be here: A87784258) and for the second interview I'd like to interview you, and find out your views on the Flea Market.

So far, you have one approved Flea Market Rescue - A2181719 The Sea and one coming up - A87782296 Night, and How to Cope with it
So can I ask you some questions about these:

What made you decide to rescue these?

Do you only rescue articles about subjects you know well?

Do you approach a Flea Market Rescue any differently to how you write an article from scratch - is it easier or more difficult?

How do you decide what to keep and what to edit, and how much of a right do you feel that you have in making decisions about the article?

Why did you rescue the articles you have, and would you recommend doing Flea Market rescues to other researchers?

Also, you were involved in an entry A1357472 - How to Draw a Regular Pentagram that itself was rescued by Gnomon - edited version here: A13083202
How do you feel about being on the other side? Of having something you wrote adapted by someone else, re-written and rescued?

<BB<

Hi BB

Thank you for your kind offer

Take a look at this A2105056 and let me know what you think.

I didn't want to post in the thread and spoil your fun.


FS

Thanks - that's excellent! Exactly the sort of thing I wanted to read.

If you think of anything more you'd like to add, or indeed any questions you think I should have asked, let me know! I'm not entirely sure when it'll appear in The Post, definitely not Monday's and probably not next week's either, but keep your eyes open.

<BB<

Hi >BB>

I revised a few of my remarks and added another section at the end.



FS

Hello Florida Sailor

Yes, my aim is to promote more rescues, but am happy to add or make changes to the interview - as long as you let me know before next Tuesday any changes made should be in time for the next edition. So I've added that question and your answer - thanks!

Don't be afraid to ask questions, if you don't ask questions, you won't get answers, and it is a very valid question.

As far as I am aware (and I'll admit that I know a little about what is going on, but I'm a volunteer so I don't get to know the behind-the-scenes stuff) the 'Mostly Harmless' stuff was a BBC idea and is now either on the back-burner or forgotten, and I don't think that it's come up since volunteers took over. Personally I strongly oppose the idea of any old articles being deleted - once you start going round deleting what volunteers have written, then how are you going to persuade volunteers to write anything? I wouldn't want to spend my time writing things for a site that might turn around and delete all my hard work. And as for the 'Mostly Harmless' entries, they are something which attracted many people to the site in the first place.

My view is that all writing on h2g2, whether fact or fiction, should be valued and preserved, but not neccesarily given Edited status. I've not heard any more on the subject, but personally I agree that a forum like the Flea Market to allow people to update entries would be a sensible approach. But first I would want to know who has the power to decide what articles are deemed 'Mostly Harmless', with the process transparent, open and allowing comment from the h2g2 community, and notification given to the original author's user space so that they have the first chance to amend their earlier work.

What I do know is that questions were asked last year about whether the Flea Market works, and if not, what, if anything, should be in its place. Personally I like the Flea Market, so I want to make sure that it works. That means I have to try to bring it to the attention of more people to promote more rescues, so if you have any ideas on a good way to do it, then I'm certainly open.

<BB<

Updated the file, removed all I considered 'background', feel free to use the rest as you see fit

>Personally I like the Flea Market, so I want to make sure that it works. That means I have to try to bring it to the attention of more people to promote more rescues, so if you have any ideas on a good way to do it, then I'm certainly open.

The one thing I can think of, it would be a massive undertaking at this time, but simple as time goes by is to construct a table of entry by subject - Life, the Universe and everything, or better still Biography, Place, Game or Hobby, recipe, Entertainment, Skill - etc.

Just a thought, or you could write an intro about the fun of fun of poking through the back room of a Curio Shoppe and finding that one special thing the others have overlooked; that is just right (or write) for you?

You could also have a 'sale' table for older neglected entries. This could find a space in The Post, or a corner of the Front Page, With a special mention for those who rescue a Entry.

You did ask!.



FS

PS I just noticed that a nautical Blog I follow has a print of a Clipper Ship, 'The Flying Cloud' off the Isle of Wight. For some reason I thought you might be interested.

http://paulinespiratesandprivateers.blogspot.com/


FS

I've sent this in now and it'll appear here: A87785365
So anything that happens to the <./>Writing-Fleamarket</.> now will have to wait until he next issue.

Still thinking about making a big table...

<BB<

Hi <BB<

I meant to write sooner, the link you supplied in my interview; listing the entire list of available entries
is the best tool I've seen for the Flea Market. Having to page through endless pages of entries has often discouraged me from reading through all the available entries. Could I suggest that you slip this into the front page of the Flea Market entry itself?


FS

I'm glad that you found that useful - I know that I've always found the Flea Market format annoying, and just want to be able to look up everything and not have to keep clicking on the next list button every minute.

Unfortunately I can't actually edit the <./>Writing-Fleamarket</.> page itself, but I'll certainly ask those who hopefully can to consider adding that.

The easier we make finding entries to rescue, the better.

<BB<

If you look at <./>writing-fleamarket</.> now, you'll see that we now have the 'All the Flea Market' tag added at the bottom - so thanks for that!

I'll make sure I mention that in April's edition of 'SuperMarket' in <./>ThePost</.> (I've already sent in March's, which will hopefully appear next week), giving you the credit for the idea.

Oh, and incidentally the possibility of an '"Update Edited Articles" forum along the lines of the Flea Market' is being discussed. I'll keep you informed should I hear more.

<BB<

That should help a lot.

You are the one who built the link, all I did was to try it out However you wish to promote it is fine with me.

Did you see my Buddy update looks to be headed for a Guide near us soon

Thanks

FS

Yes, I saw that - it's good news! If and when it replaces the original, I'll make sure it gets a mention in the April issue of SuperMarket. I'm not entirely sure how an update works, as it has been so long since I've seen one, but hopefully it makes the front page.

<BB<

We are in A695450 !

It appears we get a very nice 'thank you' and it is popped back on the shelf of the library, with a shiny new 'Update' header

Not complaining at all, it is the satisfaction of the finished product that is the reward. Still, it might be nice to mention to the rest of the community that they might like to take another look at this


FS

I spoke too soon, we are on the Front Page, boy are we on the Front Page - Buddy and Nelson too!



FS

You are the front page

<BB<

Would you believe that they don't have unrestricted use photographs of Buddy Holly in the Library of Congress Image Library? I had a look as I thought it would be nice if we could have a picture for your update...

<BB<

Thanks for your efforts

I wonder if we might get one of our Artists to sketch up a caricature? His features and horn rimmed glasses could be easily exaggerated with a large head on a small body with an over-size electric guitar.

nothing in bad taste of course, just a little fun with his image. There are plenty of on line photos for reference

F S

I can ask, but as there are only 4 artists (one of whom appears to be me despite being colour blind and lacking artistic ability, but owning a camera) they're trying to concentrate on new articles rather than updates.

If you have any artistic ability, artists are always wanted!

<BB<