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

Even though I missed the pre-BBC h2g2 by a couple of years, I still have a strong sense that with this morning's announcement, we are going home.

I'm really proud to have witnessed this process, and to have been involved in some small way. I'll save it for wiser heads to impart the story of the bid (if that's possible), but I suppose I can say that I was not as heavily involved in the bid process as several other froods, whose hard work has quite literally saved h2g2 - not just as a website, but as an idea.

However, I am excited to get to work on building the Guide, by writing, reading and editing. I've spoken with Robbie Stamp, and I'm quite convinced that he will make an excellent Chairman. He has been thinking about how to make h2g2 and the Guide a success since before I had even read the books. As you might have seen (A85803384), I've volunteered to work as an editor for the Guide until elections are possible (which I don't believe I will be able to stand for).

I've seen several false dawns in my years here, when I believed that things were finally changing for the better. This is the first time that I don't just believe, but know, that we have an opportunity to make the Guide what we always knew it could be. F21537567?thread=8244219

Dare we hope that the Guide will allow more creativity, wit and general quirkiness?

What elections, Jordan? And why wouldn't you stand for them?

I hope so. Without speaking for anyone else, my biggest reason for joining the committee was to represent writers and to be a voice for positive change in the Guide. I think that we'll start to see more of that when we've settled into our new home.

Elections are tentatively planned for Editor posts after the rather-vaguely (but necessarily so) defined "interim period".

For me it's a timing conflict with RL. Plus I think there are lots of qualified, enthusiastic folks who will be able to do the Guide Editor very well.

I'm glad you're in the team now.

Possibly absurdly, I keep thinking I ought to do something to help with the transition - but I'm not very technical, nor artistic, nor am I heavily involved with the EG, or the community, and to cap it all off I don't know what my RL commitments will be for the forseeable future. Hmm.

(What exactly do I do here again...?)

You know, you really should join the Post Team again.

Well... we all know you can write Awix. If volunteering isn't your thing, then how about writing some entries? A85378297 might be a good start. We're going to need as many fine writers as possible.

We were rather hoping you would interview Robbie and Brian and Aly for the Post, Awix....

I've already said that'd be my pleasure, Ben, provided we can find a mutually agreeable time (my schedule at present is horrible what with my being in director-of-studies mode for the summer).

Bel, we both know that all I do for the Post is throw it the odd bone which has usually already appeared on my blog. My actual activity on h2g2 is minimal, when I turned up for the meet only about three people had any idea who I was!

I'll look again at the 'saved the best till last' concept, Jordan. My issue with contributing more to the EG is the same as it's ever been: whether my 'voice' is right for the EG and the prospect of battling through PR with my work being rewritten by a committee. Yeah, I am arrogant and lazy, but at least I'm honest...

>>Well... we all know you can write Awix<<

I couldn't have said it any better. And provided you could spare some time, I'm sure we could find you an editorial job at the Post.

Really, is going to need good people in noohootoo (I won't go on as editor, my time has come).

Yeah, I don't like having my work rewritten by committee either. I've long advocated changing the PR system (for a variety of reasons). That doesn't seem to have been popular or practical. I suspect that old assumptions may need to be reconsidered, though.

I don't think "voice" should be a concern now or in the future. If all voices can't be accommodated, then we're not doing our jobs very well.

Bel - well, the issue of a proper Post job is one I won't be able to talk about with any certainty until September or October. I start my diploma in September and - coupled to what's basically a full-time job - everyone is warning me how demanding it will be. I may not be able to guarantee the Post quality time on a regular basis.

As far as writing for the EG goes - well, I did it back in 2000, but that was pre-PR (and pre-open-source user-generated content reference websites). Anything I write that isn't flat-out fiction tends to have a lot of 'me' in it. I don't know whether the EG is meant to be neutral in tone or not. I can do neutral, I just wouldn't for recreational purposes, all things being equal...

That sounds as if you'll be more than busy come September, Awix.

I guess we'll be happy to get your contributions.

(And having just visited the Post page I am surprised - and amused - to see I am not listed as a Regular, Past, or Occasional Contributor to the Post, despite having been editor of the danmed thing for several months in 2005! )

I think it's important that we each put our own "me" into our EG writing. That takes different forms for different people, but if we got rid of the individuality, we'd have something not unlike wiki.

Sorry, Awix. I once edited the lists (during your hiatus), but it takes hours and is very unwieldy. Remind me to add you to the Regulars once I'm back next week.

And Jordan, I agree, we need different styles and the bit of 'me' in guide entries.

It's not a problem, Bel, I just think it's funny more than anything. Especially as I *am* listed as a quiz winner when I've never even entered one as far as I can recall!