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

Hullo there, Simon. Hope you are still around h2g2.

I just came from your SETI page and have joined the h2g2 Researchers SETI group. Thanks for making it easy for me to decide which SETI group to join. I wasnt able to decide until now.

I have one suggestion for your SETI page. Could you put a few paragraph breaks in? It would make it easier for folks to read the article. Great job and great idea!

Hullo, hullo, Simon!
Welcome back and alla that.
How do ya like what's happened while you were gone????
Didja ever think that DNA himself would join the group? Cool, huh?

Well, we are plugging away here, and if there's anything I can do to help you, please let me know. This could end up being a great effort, like all those professional scientists and folks who belong to SETI teams. It sure was a nice idea you had.

Lemme know if you've got any questions, or anything else you need.
Oh, and care for a brownie?
*munch, munch*
or some 'interesting' lemonade?
*slurp*
*hic*


blu
}:=8

Oh and the SETI page looks great with the paragraphs n' everything.



blu
}:=8

Hello!

Thanks for the offer.

The DNA thing has got me all in a dither!!

I did enjoy the Brownie but what flavor was the 'Lemonade' exactly! (I don't like whiskey flavor)

I will be working on the group page(s) (probably under the guidance of "The Mummy", who seems to has done all the work whilst I have been otherwise engaged) in the next few days, but please - ANY input is very very welcome. And yes WOW with a few of these (!!!!!!) DNA wow. But have you SEEN how many units he's done, keep work'in

Keep looking ~ there out there

Simon

blu,

Question.

I've just had a look at your Home page, it look's like you know what you are doing. I just praysed Mummy, who's put a lot of effort into his seti page, But I have been away for at least 9 weeks and he shouted loudest when I came back. I want to know what all the rest of you have been doing.

Any idea how do a role call and find out who's done what and what we all want do next.

With just the 53 of us we have reached over 13 years of processing time.

I am waiting for suggestions!

Simon

well, how nice to finally get to chat, Mr Simon, sir. This has turned into a pretty long note, hope you don't mind.

Yes, you have noticed two of my main addictions: HTML and h2g2
but just cause I can code, doesnt mean I know what I am doing. I just sorta stumbled around here until I started to get a feel for things. And I dont always keep up with the young folks either.

I suspect that when people notice that DNA has joined the 'team' there will be some additional interest in SETI. Actually, the reason it took off in the first place was when Peta put something about it on the main page. Then Researcher 97840 [mummy/skeleton/festival] wrote the additonal pages, and I think danielPR[ACE] and some others also helped 'talk it up'. There has been a slow 'ripple' effect since then, as researchers followed links from others' pages.

That's sorta how it seems to work around here. People put links on their pages to things they are interested in, and discuss them in forums, and pretty soon others go to find more about whatever it is. Thats how I got to be the Dragon Queen of Damogran [I'm not really the Queen of a whole country in RL ]--someone made a joke about me, so I made a page for Damogran and left messages on friends' pages about it. And pretty soon people were coming from far and wide, and the Royal Scribes were kept busy day and night, and we got an official flag, and national anthem, and alla these Quests to go on, an', an' *pant, pant*... Well you see what I mean?

So when you and Researcher 97840 [mummy/skeleton/festival] get your pages all updated and ready for company you might want to go to Peta's page http://www.h2g2.com/U24 and mention about how the group is growing and how many years we have contributed so far, and oh, yeah...you MIGHT also wanna mention that DNA has recently joined the group. [a few folks might find that interesting] And then maybe Peta would put it on the main page again, or the H2G2 Post http://www.h2g2.com/U54963 would do an article about the h2g2 SETI group [Daniel has written a history of SETI and is a Post Reporter: DanierPR http://www.h2g2.com/U52300]. And then you would probably get on TV and be asked to write a book, and become rich and famous and maybe you will remember the poor bludragon from way back when. *sniff*

ah...do you think I tend to the melodramatic??? others do. dunno why.

To find out what everyone is doing, just follow the links to their pages. mummy has made it easy by listing most everyone. And encourage everyone to put their h2g2 link on the SETI site when they join SETI. Then it's easy to find them: they will all be listed at the SETI site. They dont have to use their h2g2 name on SETI as long as the link is to their h2g2 page. Some may not want to do this, and they may not want to put a link to SETI on their h2g2 page either, but heck, that's really up to them. We still get credit for their time...

Something else you might consider is leaving a message on each of the SETI researchers h2g2 pages. You could let 'em know you are back and tell 'em DNA has joined the group. Although it would be sorta time consuming--maybe Peta would have a better idea of how to contact everyone. You are sorta like the 'father' of the h2g2 SETI Researchers, so we all look up to you--cause you had the idea!!!

Maybe you would like to start a SETI 'forum' where you could list all the h2g2 pages related to SETI, and for people to talk about the whole SETI thing. You wouldn't have to spend any more time there than you want to. [dunno how ofter you will be able to visit] But 'regulars' usually keep that kinda thing going. And people are writing new stuff alla time.

Anyway, those are just a couple of ideas to get you started. If I think of anything else I will let you know. Oh, and one more thing! Have fun! It's only a movie.

And I put 'secret ingredients' in my lemonade. You gotta have 'secret ingredients' for an old family recipe.
*hic*

yer friend,
blu
}:=8

PS. and you could think up a name for yourself if you want. ['Mr Simon, sir' is nice, but sorta formal, and Researcher 53909 is kinda plain] You can always change it if you dont like it. We will always know it's you, cause your Researcher number stays the same.

blu (or would you prefer 'Your Majesty' [bows in deference],

Thank you for the note (essay, book, trilogy!) It really is appreciated. I have thought of 'name' and updated my home page since you writ' me.

I have also considered my situation and 'daddy' is gona' have to hand over to the kids! The Seti@home project is something I strongly believe in, and I joined up very early on. That belief is also evident amongst the other members of the h2g2 group.

It would be unfair of me to continue 'holding the reins' when in all reality I could not commit the time that is required to make the group an even bigger success. Keeping things running at work, and one step ahead of the rest, is a very unpredictable process!! - The main reason I disappeared all those weeks ago was to try and learn to use Linux [I refuse to pay Microsoft damn near £1000 for server software when I can can get it for practically nothing - sorry rant over] and that sort of distraction happens a lot.

I am going to jot a note to The Mummy as well and hopefully we can work out between us who wants to 'run with the ball'. The only other option is a two or three headed beast (one for all and all for one)- please, let me know your thoughts.

Whatever, I will stay with the group (@ work & @ home) and will give as much support as is possible (just remember me in the book you write, the film you star in and whilst your sitting around the pool in Hollywood with DNA himself *sniff* *sniff* (see, your not the only dramatic one)).

Yer new pal

HardBack [Simon Owen (still prefer me own name, just call me old fashioned)]
)]

Oh Yeah,

U got any more "lemonade"!!

hullo, hullo Hardback/mr.simon, sir
[guess you will always be mr.simon, sir to me] but I love your nickname. Excellent!

What a nice new home page you have there!!!!
and thank you for the link and comment
*blush*
You share many of my interests. Down with electronic books! up with 'real' books--I am one of the weird ones who prefer hardbacks, too. [In a galaxy far, far away, I used to be a librarian.] And I also share your interest in Linux--and attitude toward Microsloth.
Hope you found my somewhat ponderous message above useful...at least some parts of it.

And here's another 'lemonade'
*hic*
blu
}:=8

PS some additional'thoughts' on SETI to follow
PPS. now that you have a name, you need to name your home page. no need to be original: Hardback's Home Page will do nicely.
PPSS. exactly what IS Stella??? beer????

Good evening your Majesty!

I trust I find you well. The gift of 'lemonade' went down a treat *hic* - I'll get the recipe out of you one day

And in reverse order;

Yep, Stella is a beer (lager), and I'm just taking a stab in the dark here, but if you don't the name you are either;

1. T-Total (which judging from your fine secret recipe, I doubt) or 2. you live outside England.

Stella is a mighty fine beer!

No sooner read than done, I am 'HardBack @ Home', I await the next Royal proclamation.

ALL of your message was very useful, and boy are you full of ideas. I will probably be handing over the h2g2 Researchers to Mummy later tonight or tomorrow (I hope he won't forget me *sniff* *hic* [puts on a brave face]) unless of course it's a job you want to take on, in which case I will just have to start a bidding war If it's Mummy can you let him have some 'lemonade' too? it amazing how it focuses the mind!

Whoever takes control I wouldn't mind just sort of hanging around and basking in some reflected limelight, popping up now and again with some invaluable pearl of wisdom (haven't thought of any yet mind).

Thanks for the thumbs up on the home page - it's amazing how much you can do when people tell you your boring!!

Now Linux, how you doin at it? I got RH6.1 about 10 weeks ago and I haven't actually managed to do anything productive yet! I am still using Micros***#@$ for almost everything like this). And here's a question for you -- I have 256Mb of RAM when I boot to Linux it only ever sees 64Mb even if I use the lilo command Ram= 256, you got any ideas?

What books do you like most (I hate it when I get asked what books I like - I like em all, just some better than others!) I tend to lean more towards the heavy SciFi, Greg Bear, Asimov, Hienlen and the like (Peter Hamilton's good too)

Wow I just read what I writ and it's just a little bit disjointed, apologies just spent about 10 hours in front the screen designing a sales catalogue for a Dentist's Supply company, and guess what my next biggest phobia after Spiders is!!!! What a day.

OK I'm off to finish my 'lemonade' and start my next little diversion, a little bedtime reading Javascript 101

Tatta

yer new pal

Hardback [emphasize the H say fast with a subtle emphasis to the b]

My thoughts on what to 'do' about SETI:
Prob'ly the only thing you really need to 'do' is to check the Group's SETI page [at SETI, I mean] occasionally, cause you're the only person who can 'Edit' the page display there. But I suspect you do that anyway. *hee hee*

And it is nice to know that you check in here occasionally. So people can drop in and say 'hi' now and then. Gee...maybe even 'himself' might leave a note on your page. [hint, hint to the PTB]

festival/skeleton/mummy's page is nice, especially when people havent given a link to their h2g2 page on the SETI page, or the name they used there is different than their h2g2 name. but some may prefer it that way.

The page on the SETI site automatically gives all the stats, so if mummy's page isnt updated it really isnt all that terrible. So dont feel like you have to 'do something' to update SETI pages in the Guide. At least that's the way I look at it.

The only thing I am a little confused about is alla the SETI pages in the Guide right now, and where your home page link goes. I mean there are Guide Researchers and SETI Researchers an' SETI Groups an' The SETI h2h2 Researchers' Group an' the SETI@home page, an' your home page, an', an'...
See what I mean? I'm gettin a headache already.

The link in your main page says 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Researchers Home Page (phew!)' but the page it actually links to is mummy's page which is called 'Meet the H2G2 Researchers for SETI@home'. I think you meant to say the 'h2g2 -SETI- Researchers Home page'? Right?

The 'referenced entry' 'Meet the H2G2 Researchers for SETI@home' in the right margin, is the accurate name of the link you referenced, and they actually go to the same place! This confused me too, so it would probably confuse others. I would simply change the name within the link INSIDE your home page so it is the same as the name of the actual entry.

I would also include a reference to your own, original SETI page [A148835] where you announced that you had created a Group on SETI for h2g2 Researchers. You might want to change that article, and explain more about why you are interested in SETI and why you created a SETI Group for us folks on h2g2 to join. You could change the name too, so it is different than mummy's page. Maybe something like 'The History of the Creation of the h2g2 Researchers SETI Group'--or maybe you can think up something more catchy.

Your original page is sorta a momentus event in the history of h2g2, especially now that we have 'distinguished researcher' #42 joining our group. I would not want it to be left out. People might like to know more about how the Group was formed. And besides, the names of many of us who joined in the beginning are in the forum for that page, too.

And then there's DanielPR's History of SETI article http://www.h2g2.com/A193466 . Maybe you would want to add a link to that one, too. And maybe we could encourage him to finish the article. *hee hee* Those interested in SETI might find all three links on your home page interesting:
1. Why you created a SETI Group for h2g2 Researchers[your article]
2. How to join, who is there, etc., etc[mummy's article]
3. The background of SETI[DanielPr's article]

Daniel has a link to his own history of SETI article, and Skeleton's[mummy] article from his home page, too. And didja know there are 33 Guide entries that contain SETI info at the moment. Maybe we need a compiled entry of all the SETI pages on h2g2. hmmmm...maybe that's a dragonly job???

Anyway, if you change the link wording on your home page, and add the other two [if you want], and change your original article a little [again if you want--only a suggestion], you could go off and let it all 'ferment' for a while. Maybe when you check back again, there would be all kinda conversation and stuff on your pages!!!! To say nothing about the number of hours of SETI research we might rack up.


Well, there I go, writing a 5 part trilogy again. But at least I'm in good company.

Good luck, and have a fish!

}:=8

There are definitely things goin on here, aren't there, Your Majesty?

I was just thinking of asking 'Mr. simon, Sir' to remove the items that were in fact copied from my pages by Peta, because it becomes confusing indeed if more pages keep showing up, especially if the content is largely the same. We must NEVER, EVER forget that Simon is the 'father' of this group, but that is taken care of on my pages by the footnotes and the link to his original page, which now looks much different. I'll have to edit my pages to mention the work he has been doing recently.

I also notice that Simon has Submitted the new page for an Official Guide Entry. If he wants to go through with that, he'd better remove all the stuff that came from my page originally. The members list would need to be changed every time a new member appeared, and Simon would have to ask the Editor holding that page to update it every time, because Simon won't have control over the OFFICIAL page.

But I like the rest of what he has been doing recently, and will make new links to his work, links that use the original titles of his pages, as you suggested here to Simon, and as I normally already did.

You talk to Simon about people maybe wishing to stay secret, and I respect that. I only tell them that they CAN change their info if they wish, and also HOW, in case they wish to be mentioned. If they don't, then hey, who am I to argue? Recently, Mr.Cynic, the former PsyDuck, requested to be REMOVED from my list of links, even his name had to disappear. So I did as he requested, and even suggested he altered his name with Seti so I couldn't trace him back (just to make sure I would not forget his request in the future). Now he's on Simon's list!

Things are complicated indeed... And now simon wishes to step out of the maintainance business altogether. If he really finds a way to do it, I would love to take over for him, although I think the group NEEDS their original 'daddy'

Thanks for all the good comments everyone.

An approved seti home page would need to remain constant, as you say Mummy. A user entry can be updated. The easiest way for us to edit Simon's page if it were to be approved would be to take out that part of the page and insert a link to the user page.

I copied the pages over to myself, you said you'd left the site, Mummy and it seemed the most practical thing to do. If you're unhappy about this, I'll rewrite them and give a new page to Simon.

I'm pleased that you're maintaining your page Mummy, as you know I linked to it lately.

I'm pleased the project is going well.

Thanks for being so helpful to everyone bludragon..

hi Peta, good of you to join in...

As a matter of fact you are right, I intended not to come back. However, your message to all the SETI@home participants (intended to make us aware of DNA's presence) changed all that. At that moment I realised I couldn't just leave it at that, not maintining the page and denying new members a line or link on the page. So I returned.

I would indeed feel better if the copy was removed again, because it might become complicated if people found two pages with different lists of participants for the same group. I will stay on now, even if only to maintain the H2G2 Researchers pages that I created. I owe that to all the participants in our group, and I take such an obligation seriously. I merely forgot that for a short while.

I'm glad that you agree about the problem with an approved SETI page. It should only contain stuff that doesn't need to be updated every time. My page at A195879 and any eventual copy of it just wouldn't be good approved material.

I should add that I *do* understand, why you originally made a copy. Maybe I would have done the same thing if I were in your seat. But I'll now take the responsibility that I loaded upon myself when originally creating those pages, and will not fail my duties again.

I see now!!!
It's taken me a while to get to grips with the structure of the guide and what makes good Approval material. I have spent a good bit of time just flitting around now and I agree with you both. Neither A148835 (history page) nor A281558 (copy of Mummy’s page) will make good Approved entries - too much dynamic material.

This is what I propose (comments welcome!)

A148835 was my original post and therefore logically makes a good History page.

We will want an Approved Guide Entry that people can use as a 'stepping stone' into the group, fixed content, never changes. So I will strip down A281558 and write an 'Approval friendly' page that links through to The History page and The Mummy's page (if you are willing and wish to maintain that page). Then changing information and/or additional links can be added to those pages.
Regards HardBack (Simon)

Hi Simon!

Perfect! We appear to come to some sort of agreement

As you may have read in my posts, it IS my intention to stay on and maintain my page again and its contents and location are unlikely to change (apart from adding new members, ofcourse), so you can link to them safely. An extensive list of all articles on SETI is already available on blu's new page, so you don't need to do that either, unless you are to add a bit more information to the links, such as "which SETI group do they mention?", "what kind of info do they give on SETI?", "are they well-written?", "are good links available?"
I expect that this information is not likely to change much soon, so that could be quite useful info for an approved item.

A good description of what SETI is, and how to download and run it, is also already available on my page A193231, "The SETI@home project", so that may also help keeping your SETI-information down a bit. You're welcome to copy the description on what SETI is and does from there, if you remember to mention where you took it from -"The Seti@home project" (linked to A193231)- and that I wrote it (linked to U97840)

Ofcourse A193231 also links to my other page (A195879), and each of my pages on the SETI@home subject will ofcourse link back to your "approval-friendly guide to SETI@home articles" (and later to the real approved entry) once you have decided on the ultimate title for that page

I also suggest you carefully check out all the info that Daniel (U52300) has produced on several pages. However, you won't need to copy information on the Drake Equation from him, because that is already an approved item, which you could simply refer to: "The Drake Equation" at A257212

Daniels "SETI-history" on the history of the SETI-research in general might also prove informative.

I expect that if you copy from us, the editor maintaining the eventual "approved entry" will mention all of us as "researchers" for it as well, since that seems to be the general practice. Between us we have quite a vast amount of SETI-material, and combining it in a good approval-friendly item is the only thing that appears to be missing. That might indeed be a nice task for you to see to

I hope you will be able to work with some of these ideas. Any help needed? Just gimme a howl, you know where to find me

Regards,
The Mummy.

Peta wrote:
> I'm pleased that you're maintaining your page Mummy, as you know I linked to it lately.

Hmmm, maybe it's just me, but I can't find *where* you linked to it. Could you please elaborate on that topic, Peta?

Mummy,

Brilliant!! Thanks for the input. I have just had six of THE most bizarre days - I will explain - sometime, so have done very little. I am working on the 'AF' Page and appreciate the help ----- expect something soon.

All the best
HardBack

PS I did get very very very P####ed! Cheers

Simon,

You're most welcome. This 41 year old geezer gladly shares ideas of his own free will And you may rest assured that I will keep tabs on your pages; you are watched

Bizarre days? You got *that* shitfaced? Wanna hear all about it, so by all means, *do* tell