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

So I've decided to put this spare space to some use, hopefully it will help those who wish to know more how DNA in general, & h2g2 in particular, work.

It's been inspired by the air of Panic in ML, over the now inevitable transition to a new version of TB etc, and it has to be said that the conversion of POV from old to new does not inspire confidence.

Still Mr Keri has given some solid re-assurances and Peta tried to answer questions. Peet and Katy have been absolute Trojans too, but some people have seemed critical of these efforts - though hopefully it was not their intention to be so.

I think the BBC are handling this badly, obviously not well versed in change management! The nature of a message board, and especially one like the current set up, where posts simply go after a short time, means informative threads about this soon slip off the radar. Thus as people find out, the same questions get asked. This then annoys those who've read it all before, revs up those who are already worried and infuriates those who don't want to discuss it at all! The BBC should have set up a FAQ and feedback board for all users, as all the Boards are going to be transitioned. Obviously ML would like it's own one of those.

Another confusion seems to be about h2g2 and the new ML. It seems to me that they will not be remotely comparable. Technology aside, h2g2 is a wide ranging community, with it's hub being the anchor of your home space. ML/TB etc is a message board that has developed a sense of community - the difference is massive. TB etc has it's hub a central list of questions and debate and no real side alleys, off shoots and personal space, precisely because it's single real purpose is as a message board. So people coming here are better off enjoying it for what it is and not expecting it will be anything like TB2 - it has quite different strenghts and weaknesses. That said, if they can master this world they will find the new set up easier to understand, but I still think POV is the closest we've yet seen to what we will get.

Actually there's an important point there as people need to understand the weaknesses over at POV, (of which there are plenty ,) to make sure it does not happen in ML.

Anyway this Q&A/FAQ site should help thos people who want to know more and may become the place to store comments & questions that will help ML 2 be as we want it. I hope too it helps other boards from the BBC who find themselves going through the same thing. Many are nowhere near as robust and well organised as ML and we should offer them the hand of friendship.


LP

"Peet and Katy have been absolute Trojans too..."



You realise, that to Americans, that's equivalent to "Peet and Katy have been absolute Durex too..." Of course, in Australia, Durex = Sellotape, so I've just confused another continent...

Hey what could be higher praise & on 3 continents? In Europe you work hard, in America you offer the necessary protection and in Aus you stick to it!

LP