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

Yes, I have seen your recent post in Ivan's journal. It's not a thread I would be welcomed into, partly due to participants but mostly as I have never made an effort to count him as a friend. My error, but there it is

As reguards your post though, the future home and laws, rules etc. To me it would make the most sense to base the site on the laws of the country that will host the site. If Noesis is essentially a UK or EU operated site, then that would be (in my opinion) the basis of what 'fundament-coverings' are required.

As to linguistics and terminology within entries, ... I like the idea that new entries be written in the base terms and spellings of the author. As you have no doubt seen, some idioms and expressions really do need to live in the context of the author to have meanings as intended.

Just my 2-pence. Sorry to intrude, but I just wanted to express an opinion ...

No worries. You agree with both my points, anyway.

I've always felt American English is about tone AND spelling. Years ago I read a Penguin version of "The Big Sleep" published in the 40s or early 50s, and jumped when I read "movie theatre". Not because of the use of the word "theatre" instead of "cinema", but because of the use of the word "theatre" instead of "theater". Bear in mind that I'd never even been to the US at that point.

Regarding which laws we abide by; not my choice. The servers belong to Noesis.

Morally, though, psychocandy raised a really interesting question.

B

I have chatted elsewhere with Psychocandy about many things, her entries included. Canada shares pretty much the same spellings as the UK, but I can see her point just as with Hypatia, Happy Nerd and maybe a dozen other US friends. And then you will find expressions that are very 'common' in some places (pressing thumbs, for instance) ... A more relaxed standard in those ways, though not necessarily the 'quality' aspect, would be a good thing in my opinion.

And yip, laws really will have to revolve around the host site. They are ultimately the ones that will have to answer to authorities if real transgressions occur.