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

I'm tired, and bereft of inspiration. I'm really sorry, Shazz, but I'm still working on that article! We all know that linking is good - it's one of the best features of the internet, and one of the things that makes information so quick to spread using this fabulous communication tool (which is what the 'net really is - h2g2 is rare among communication sites that it actually generates and preserves, rather than simply swaps, information), and one of the things that is the modern manifestation of the bibliographer's art, and being good at it is one of the best features of the best 'net writing - but how can you say so and be funny about it? Thucydides did not trust his own judgements on the events he reported, but relied on the documentary evidence, and linking is one of the most effective and soon to be critical ways of doing that. How to say so, though?

The 'net has generated so much information, that the best links often make the best writing for the medium. How to choose the best links? Those that represent the most authoritative sources. Those that represent the most authoritative sources, in this context, seem to be - but aren't necessarily - the ones with the most links to other sites, all of which support what they say. The cleverest 'net writers can link to sites which say something completely in opposition to what they have been writing, but can generate new onformation nonetheless. h2g2 writers haven't yet made the most of this art, which is really what it is because it hasn't yet been quantified into a science.

Links are good, but in using them you must be careful that they say what you think they need to. You must also consider those that say something other than that - good research considers as many sources as can be found, after all, and even Thucydides understood this.

Wednesday and Thursday have both been displaying apparently monsoonal weather patterns over Canberra: heavy rain in the late afternoon which stops before evening. I hope bubster's puppies are OK...

I've got work coming out my ears, more Christmas parties than I can poke a stick at, a load of new articles to edit [any time now, guys!], a computer to work on, a couple of web sites to design, people to see, workouts to do, a bicycle to ride: and all I can feel at the moment is tired and lacking love.

At this moment, a joke which ends with the line "I am deep in despair." - except said in a West Indian accent - comes vividly to mind...!

Hi Hypoman!

You want articles with links? I got your article right here:
http://www.h2g2.com/A201529

It's about my adopted hometown of Denver, Colorado, USA. Incidentally, it was the article I almost submitted to the never-ending edit before I realized what you were looking for.

Good luck with everything you've got going on right now. It's better to be busy than bored!

And nice blue badge, by the way

-TVF

That is a perfect example of what I'm talking about, Frinkamaniac. Would you mind particularly if I cited it in the POST article I've planned...?

It IS better to be busy than bored, but if you're busy doing boring things, the distinction is a bit of a technicality, I suspect...!

Nice orange/yellow badge on your page, to!

Thanks Hyp! Please feel free to mention it in the POST. I'm quite proud of it

The badge, or the article, or both...?

Er.....the article.......I think.......

The puppies love the rain, or, more accurately, the mud. They do, however, thank you for your concern!

Yes, definitely the article.