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

Hallo Paul,

I'm sub-editing your Entry on the Spandau Citadel for inclusion in the Edited Guide.

If you go here; A30652805 you will see what I have done.

If you are happy with this final print I will send it back to the h2g2 Editors for inclusion in the Edited Guide.

Just a query for you too - do you happen to have your own digital photograph of the Citadel? If so, I could get it added to the Entry. Just send me a copy to my email:

pan_galactic_hoopy_froodAThotmailDOT.com

(substitute AT and DOT for @ and .)

Matt

Dear Matt,

To be honest, what you did with my Spandau Citadel entry makes me sad.

Would you mind to reverse your changes, please?

No, I don`t have a photography and I don`t want use any in this entry.
I think, there are so many links with photographies about the Spandau Citadel in the net that a photography isn`t neccessary.

With kind regards,

Thomas

Thomas,

I'm sorry you feel that way.

The reasons I made the changes I have is due in the most part to the fact that as a sub-editor, my job is to bring Entries that are submitted for inclusion into the Edited Guide in line with BBC and on-site editorial guidelines and style. It's all part of the EditedGuide-Process.

You can read more about the process here: <./>Subeditors-What</.> (particularly the section under 'What to Look for When Subbing Entries)

Each Edited Guide Entry, while original in voice, needs to comply to this loose type of conformity.

In no way was it, or is it, my intention to change and alter your own voice and writing so much so it is unrecognisable from the original, but there is much to be said for reader accessibility, thus you'll find that most Edited Guide Entries will, after being through the sub-editing process, be quite different from the original version first selected by a Scout from the Peer Review forum.

If you like, let me know exactly what it is about what I have done that you found saddening, and hopefully we can come to a happy compromise. If need be, point out specific things you found not to your liking, and I'll amend them if I can.

It's also disappointing from my perspective too, so I would encourage you to have a bit of a think about contributing one of your own photographs of the citadel for the Entry, as it is obviously something you have a keen interest in.

Please take your time think over the reasons for the changes made to your Entry, and hopefully we can make it an enjoyable process.

Matt

Dear Matt,

Well, you got your guidelines to do your job. This is an unchangeable fact but how you apply this instructions can alter.
I mean, I would like to write and supply an entry about an very old fortress with a special flair. I aim to leave out everything uneccessary and everything which could disturb this flair, especially the mention of a busy main road.

Everybody knows where Berlin is situated and I think to write more than the name of the citadel in the headline would degrade the beautiful
citadel to a mere marketing object.

Surely, I thought about to place a photography but due to my descriptive comments and to exalt the imagination of the reader I left out. Freely adapted from 'if in doubt leave it out.'

I would agree if you reversed the queried alterations above because the other changes you made are acceptable for me.

Thomas

Thomas,

That's no problem, I've complied with what you have asked

I disagree about everyone knowing where Berlin is however, as there are many other Berlin's in the world. Anyway, I've removed the Berlin, Germany section from the header, however as a word of warning this may be reapplied by the h2g2 Italics (Editors) before it gets onto the Front Page (as it's something they do for most geographical Entries in the Edited Guide). I understand your reasoning for keeping the title as purposeful as possible - but 'the powers that be' may alter things again.

Just to warn you.

I understand your reason for leaving out a photo, and agree to a certain extent, there are links for people to follow if they really want to see it too

Thank you for being so understanding about the processes, and making your foray into the Edited Guide a pleasant one.

Hopefully we'll see more of your ideas and writing in the future!

Matt

Matt,

I wonder a bit.

Can you tell me, please how long will it takes until my 'Spandau Citadel' becomes an Edited Guide?

Thomas

If you go here ComingUp you'll see your Entry is now 'pending'. So hopefully it will get onto the Front Page of h2g2 next week, all being well!

Thank you, Matt I will let me surprise willingly.