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The '''h2g2''' website is a British-based collaborative [[Internet encyclopedia project|online encyclopedia project]] engaged in the construction of, in its own words, "an unconventional guide to [[life]], the [[universe]], and [[everything]]", in the spirit of the [[fiction]]al publication ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (fictional)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' from the [[comic science fiction|science fiction comedy]] series of [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|the same name]] by [[Douglas Adams]].<ref name=sydneyherald>{{Cite news
The '''h2g2''' website is a British-based collaborative [[Internet encyclopedia project|online encyclopedia project]] engaged in the construction of, in its own words, "an unconventional guide to [[life]], the [[universe]], and [[everything]]", in the spirit of the [[fiction]]al publication ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (fictional)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' from the [[comic science fiction|science fiction comedy]] series of [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|the same name]] by [[Douglas Adams]].<ref name=sydneyherald>{{Cite news
| title = Web watch; New favourites | newspaper = Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) | pages = 5 | date = 7 May 2005
| title = Web watch; New favourites
| newspaper = Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
| pages = 5
| date = 7 May 2005
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> It was founded by Adams in 1999 and was run by the [[BBC]] between 2001 and 2011.<ref name=huddersfield>{{Cite news | last = Jackson | first = Andrew | title =Web wonder | newspaper =Huddersfield Daily Examiner | pages =19 | date =May 2009 | url = http://www.examiner.co.uk/leisure-and-entertainment/whats-on-west-yorkshire/2009/05/15/forum-web-wonder-86081-23628073/ | postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref><ref name=telecomworldwire /><ref name=independent /> It is often compared to [[Wikipedia]] but there are differences between the sites.
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> It was founded by Adams in 1999 and was run by the [[BBC]] between 2001 and 2011.<ref name=huddersfield>{{Cite news
| last = Jackson
| first = Andrew
| title =Web wonder
| newspaper =Huddersfield Daily Examiner
| pages =19
| date =May 2009
| url = http://www.examiner.co.uk/leisure-and-entertainment/whats-on-west-yorkshire/2009/05/15/forum-web-wonder-86081-23628073/
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref><ref name=telecomworldwire /><ref name=independent />.


The intent is to create an [[Earth]]-focused guide that allows members to share information about their geographic area and the local sites, activities and businesses, to help people decide where they want to go and what they may find when they get there. It has grown to contain subjects from restaurants and recipes, to [[Quantum mechanics|quantum theory]] and [[history]]. Explicit advertising of businesses was forbidden when the site was run by the BBC, but customer reviews were permitted.<ref name=houserules>{{cite web
The intent is to create an [[Earth]]-focused guide that allows members to share information about their geographic area and the local sites, activities and businesses, to help people decide where they want to go and what they may find when they get there. It has grown to contain subjects from restaurants and recipes, to [[Quantum mechanics|quantum theory]] and [[history]]. Explicit advertising of businesses was forbidden when the site was run by the BBC, but customer reviews were permitted.<ref name=houserules>{{cite web
| title = House Rules for h2g2 | date = 19 February 2001 | url = http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/HouseRules
| title = House Rules for h2g2
| date = 15 Jun 2012
| accessdate = 17 July 2009 }} – ''We've never allowed Researchers to advertise on h2g2, but being a part of the BBC makes it even more important that the editorial independence of the Guide is not threatened by people filling the Guide with adverts. Writing entries that review or criticise commercial products are obviously fine, as long as they're balanced, but adverts aren't.''</ref>
| updated = 28 Jun 2013
| url = http://h2g2.com/entry/A87523211
| accessdate = 21 April 2015 }} – ''No Spitting. The lawyers wanted to know what rules we needed, and we said 'The usual ones, plus "No spitting" please.' So there you go: no spitting. Many thanks. Oh, and beware of the Leopard.''</ref>


The content of the project is written by registered "Researchers" on its website.<ref name=campaign>{{Cite news
The content of the project is written by registered "Researchers" on its website.<ref name=campaign>{{Cite news
| last = Hurrell
⚫
| last = Hurrell | first = Nick | title = Nick Hurrell, the Chief Executive of M&C Saatchi and the Chairman of EMCSAATCHI, looks at the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Online | newspaper = Campaign | pages = 14 (Private Surf section) | date = 13 October 2000
| first = Nick
⚫
| title = Nick Hurrell, the Chief Executive of M&C Saatchi and the Chairman of EMCSAATCHI, looks at the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Online
| newspaper = Campaign
| pages = 14 (Private Surf section)
| date = 13 October 2000
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> Articles written by Researchers form the "Guide" as a whole, with an "Edited Guide" being steadily created out of factual articles that have been [[peer review]]ed via the "Peer Review" system.<ref name=times2005>{{Cite news
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> Articles written by Researchers form the "Guide" as a whole, with an "Edited Guide" being steadily created out of factual articles that have been [[peer review]]ed via the "Peer Review" system.<ref name=times2005>{{Cite news
| last =Sherwin | first =Adam | title =A galactic fund for fascinating facts for the mobile Earthling
| last =Sherwin
| first =Adam
| title =A galactic fund for fascinating facts for the mobile Earthling
| newspaper =The Times | pages =11 | date =April 2005 | url =http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article386709.ece | location=London
| newspaper =The Times
| pages =11
| date =April 2005
| url =http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article386709.ece
| location=London
| postscript =<!--None-->}}</ref> The Edited Guide includes both traditional encyclopaedic subjects and more [[idiosyncratic]] offerings, and while articles in the Edited Guide sometimes aim for a slightly humorous style,<ref name=toronto>{{Cite news | last = McMurray | first = Sandy | title = Sites for Beginners, Students and Clones
| postscript =<!--None-->}}</ref> The Edited Guide includes both traditional encyclopaedic subjects and more [[idiosyncratic]] offerings, and while articles in the Edited Guide sometimes aim for a slightly humorous style,<ref name=toronto>{{Cite news
| last = McMurray
| first = Sandy
| title = Sites for Beginners, Students and Clones
| newspaper = The Toronto Sun
⚫
| newspaper = The Toronto Sun | pages = 53 (Connect section) | date = 15 August 2001 | postscript = <!--None-->}} – ''Another site, created by Douglas Adams, comes at the encyclopedia idea from a different, funnier angle.''</ref> most are correct and well-written treatment of their subject matter by virtue of the Peer Review process. Every article has an associated discussion area which allows for multiple [[Threaded discussion|threads]], called "Conversations".<ref name=welcomepage>{{cite web
| pages = 53 (Connect section)
| title = Thanks for Registering with h2g2 – Welcome! | date = 14 October 2008 | url = http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/Welcome
| date = 15 August 2001
| accessdate = 17 July 2009 }} – ''At the bottom of most pages on h2g2 you'll find a conversation area.''</ref>
⚫
| postscript = <!--None-->}} – ''Another site, created by Douglas Adams, comes at the encyclopedia idea from a different, funnier angle.''</ref> most are correct and well-written treatment of their subject matter by virtue of the Peer Review process.


==History==
==History==
H2g2 was founded on 28 April 1999 as the [[Earth]] edition of ''[[The Guide (character)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' by the author of the series, [[Douglas Adams]], and his friends and colleagues at [[The Digital Village]].<ref name=pressassoc>{{Cite news
H2g2 was founded on 28 April 1999 as the [[Earth]] edition of ''[[The Guide (character)|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' by the author of the series, [[Douglas Adams]], and his friends and colleagues at [[The Digital Village]].<ref name=pressassoc>{{Cite news
| last = Turnbull | first = Giles | title = Sci-fi Guide Could Become Fact | newspaper = Press Association
| last = Turnbull
| first = Giles
| title = Sci-fi Guide Could Become Fact
| newspaper = Press Association
| date = 22 September 1999
| date = 22 September 1999
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> "H2g2" is an [[abbreviation]] for the title. The site was a runner-up for Best Community Site in the [[Yell.com]] awards in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> "h2g2" is an [[abbreviation]] for the title as well as part of the url. The site was a runner-up for Best Community Site in the [[Yell.com]] awards in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Kelly | first = Matt | title = The Yell.com Awards 2000 | newspaper = The Mirror (UK) | pages = 14
| last = Kelly
| first = Matt
| title = The Yell.com Awards 2000
| newspaper = The Mirror (UK)
| pages = 14
| date = 13 July 2000
| date = 13 July 2000
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref>
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref>
Like other [[dot-com companies]], Adams' company [[The Digital Village|TDV]] ran into financial difficulties towards the end of 2000 and eventually ceased operations.<ref name=independent>{{Cite news
Like other [[dot-com companies]], Adams' company [[The Digital Village|TDV]] ran into financial difficulties towards the end of 2000 and eventually ceased operations.<ref name=independent>{{Cite news
| last = Tomlinson | first = Heather | title = Hitchhiker's Website Goes Home To Auntie | newspaper = Independent (UK)
| last = Tomlinson
| first = Heather
| title = Hitchhiker's Website Goes Home To Auntie
| newspaper = Independent (UK)
| pages = 3 (Business section) | date = 4 March 2001 | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/hitchhikers-website-goes-home-to-auntie-694491.html
| pages = 3 (Business section)
| date = 4 March 2001
| url =
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/hitchhikers-website-goes-home-to-auntie-694491.html
| postscript = <!--None--> | location=London}}</ref> In January 2001, the management of the site was taken over by the [[BBC]], and moved to [[bbc.co.uk]] (then known as BBCi).<ref name=telecomworldwire>{{Cite news | title = Hitchhiker's Guide web site moves to BBC | newspaper = Telecomworldwire | date = 23 February 2001 | postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref>
| postscript = <!--None--> | location=London}}</ref> In January 2001, the management of the site was taken over by the [[BBC]], and moved to [[bbc.co.uk]] (then known as BBCi).<ref name=telecomworldwire>{{Cite news
| title = Hitchhiker's Guide web site moves to BBC
| newspaper = Telecomworldwire
| date = 23 February 2001
| postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref>


21 April 2005 marked the launch of h2g2 Mobile, an edition of the guide produced for [[Personal digital assistant|PDA]]s (Personal Digital Assistants) and [[mobile phones]] that could access the internet, so that people could read h2g2 entries while on the move.<ref name=times2005/><ref>{{cite web
21 April 2005 marked the launch of h2g2 Mobile, an edition of the guide produced for [[Personal digital assistant|PDA]]s (Personal Digital Assistants) and [[mobile phones]] that could access the internet, so that people could read h2g2 entries while on the move.<ref name=times2005/><ref>{{cite web
|title = h2g2 Mobile Information Centre
|title = h2g2 Mobile Information Centre
|url = http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/mobile-info
|url = http://h2g2.com/entry/mobile-info
|date = 10 March 2005
|date = 10 March 2005
|accessdate = 20 July 2009
|update = 17 Oct 2011
|accessdate = 21 April 2015
}}</ref> This was done because people wanted h2g2 to be much like the ''Hitchhiker's Guide'' described in the books — a mobile, electronic device that anyone could read from anywhere.<ref name=pressassoc /> An earlier attempt at a [[Wireless Application Protocol|WAP]] phone based version of h2g2 started in December 2000 only to end when the BBC took over the site in January 2001.<ref>{{cite web | title = Life, the Universe and Everything Mobile
}}</ref> This was done because people wanted h2g2 to be much like the ''Hitchhiker's Guide'' described in the books — a mobile, electronic device that anyone could read from anywhere.<ref name=pressassoc /> An earlier attempt at a [[Wireless Application Protocol|WAP]] phone based version of h2g2 started in December 2000 only to end when the BBC took over the site in January 2001.<ref>{{cite web
⚫
| publisher = The Digital Village | date = 22 December 1999 | url = http://www.tdv.com/html/news/19991222-0-n.html
| title = Life, the Universe and Everything Mobile
| publisher = The Digital Village
| date = 22 December 1999
⚫
| url = http://www.tdv.com/html/news/19991222-0-n.html
| accessdate = 17 July 2009}}</ref>
| accessdate = 17 July 2009}}</ref>


The site was redesigned for the BBC by Aerian Studios in 2011,<ref>{{cite web | title = H2G2 Refresh: design and technical challenges | date = 21 January 2011 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2011/01/h2g2_refresh_design_and_techni.html | accessdate = 21 January 2011}} – ''this week the refreshed version of the BBC's long running community site H2G2 was launched.''</ref> bringing it in line with the general appearance of other BBC websites, while maintaining a degree of the site's old character.<ref>{{cite web | title = Talking Point – h2g2 Redesign | date = 12 May 2009 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A51277773 | accessdate = 17 July 2009}} – ''As we've already mentioned we're now in the process of redesigning h2g2.''</ref>
The site was redesigned for the BBC by Aerian Studios in 2011,<ref>{{cite web
| title = H2G2 Refresh: design and technical challenges
| date = 21 January 2011
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2011/01/h2g2_refresh_design_and_techni.html
| accessdate = 21 January 2011}} – ''this week the refreshed version of the BBC's long running community site H2G2 was launched.''</ref> bringing it in line with the general appearance of other BBC websites, while maintaining a degree of the site's old character.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Talking Point – h2g2 Redesign
| date = 12 May 2009
| update = 24 Aug 2009
| url = http://h2g2.com/entry/A51277773
| accessdate = 21 April 2015}} – ''As we've already mentioned we're now in the process of redesigning h2g2.''</ref>


On 24 January 2011, the BBC announced cuts of 25% to its online budget, resulting in a £34 million less investment into the site. A number of sites were to be closed, including [[BBC Switch]], [[BBC Blast]] and [[6-0-6]]. As part of this exercise, the BBC chose to sell h2g2.<ref name="Cutback">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12265173|title=BBC News – BBC to cut online budget by 25%|work=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=24 January 2011|date=24 January 2011}}</ref> On 21 June 2011, it was announced the winning bid was a joint bid put together by three parties: [[Robbie Stamp]], h2g2c2 ('The h2g2 Community Consortium') and the owners of [[Noesis Systems Ltd]] (Brian Larholm and Alyson Larholm) <ref>{{cite web
On 24 January 2011, the BBC announced cuts of 25% to its online budget, resulting in a £34 million less investment into the site. A number of sites were to be closed, including [[BBC Switch]], [[BBC Blast]] and [[6-0-6]]. As part of this exercise, the BBC chose to sell h2g2.<ref name="Cutback">{{cite news
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12265173
| title = BBC News – BBC to cut online budget by 25%
| work = [[BBC Online]]
| accessdate= 24 January 2011
| date = 24 January 2011}}</ref> On 21 June 2011, it was announced the winning bid was a joint bid put together by three parties: [[Robbie Stamp]], h2g2c2 ('The h2g2 Community Consortium') and the owners of [[Noesis Systems Ltd]] (Brian Larholm and Alyson Larholm) <ref>{{cite web
|title = Tuesday 21 June 2011: The future of H2G2 – the Successful Bid
|title = Tuesday 21 June 2011: The future of H2G2 – the Successful Bid
|url = http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/F77636?thread=8243991
|url =
http://h2g2.com/entry/A639056/conversation/view/77636/8243991/page/1/
|date = 21 June 2011
|date = 21 June 2011
|accessdate = 28 June 2011
|accessdate = 15 April 2015
}}</ref> On 31 August 2011, it was announced h2g2 was sold to [[Not Panicking Ltd]], a company founded by [[Robbie Stamp]], Brian Larholm and Alyson Larholm, as well as The h2g2 Community Consortium.<ref>{{cite web
}}</ref> On 31 August 2011, it was announced h2g2 was sold to [[Not Panicking Ltd]], a company founded by [[Robbie Stamp]], Brian Larholm and Alyson Larholm, as well as The h2g2 Community Consortium.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Wednesday 31 June 2011: H2G2 Leaving The BBC Soon!
|title = Wednesday 31 June 2011: H2G2 Leaving The BBC Soon!
|url = http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A86945827
|url = http://h2g2.com/entry/A86945827
|date = 31 August 2011
|date = 23 August 2011
|accessdate = 31 August 2011
|update = 31 August 2011
|accessdate = 21 April 2015
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


On 3 October 2011, the BBC incarnation of h2g2 closed, leaving only an announcement reading "H2G2 has now left the BBC. The new owners of H2G2 are currently preparing the site for relaunch. Soon you will find The Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything at www.h2g2.com." The post-BBC version of the site went live on 16 October 2011.
On 3 October 2011, the BBC incarnation of h2g2 closed, leaving only an announcement reading "H2G2 has now left the BBC. The new owners of H2G2 are currently preparing the site for relaunch. Soon you will find The Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything at www.h2g2.com." The post-BBC version of the site went live on 16 October 2011.

=== Italics ===

During BBC ownership the in-house [[editing|editor]]s of h2g2 were the only people who were paid to work on the site. They monitored the content of the Edited Guide and oversaw the general development of community life.<ref>{{cite web | title = h2Jargon | date = 15 September 2001 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A632431 | accessdate = 17 July 2009 }}</ref>

=== Clubs and societies ===

H2g2 has numerous unofficial [[club]]s and societies, set up and maintained by Researchers.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Clubs and Societies | date = 21 November 2001 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A660340
| accessdate = 17 July 2009 }}</ref>


== Terms and conditions ==
== Terms and conditions ==
To contribute to the site it is necessary to register and to agree to the h2g2 "House Rules" and the general Not Panicking Ltd Terms and Conditions. Registered users are called ''Researchers''. Researchers retain the [[copyright]] to their articles, but grant Not Panicking Ltd a non-exclusive license to reproduce their work in all formats.
To contribute to the site it is necessary to register and to agree to the h2g2 "House Rules" and the general Not Panicking Ltd Terms and Conditions. Registered users are called ''Researchers''. Researchers retain the [[copyright]] to their articles, but grant Not Panicking Ltd a non-exclusive license to reproduce their work in all formats.

The House Rules prohibit various things, including [[racism]], "hard-core" [[profanity|swearing]], [[spamming]], flooding, "otherwise objectionable" material, and spitting.<ref name=houserules2>{{cite web
| title = House Rules for h2g2 | date = 19 February 2001 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/HouseRules
| accessdate = 17 July 2009 }}</ref>


== DNA ==
== DNA ==


The [[software]] for h2g2—and its related 'sister' communities in the BBC (now all closed), such as "606", "Film Network", "Action Network", "Comedy Soup", "Memoryshare" and "Collective"—was known as DNA, after the initials of author and site founder [[Douglas Adams]]. The DNA technology was introduced a few months after the BBC takeover and is still used for BBC blogs, messageboards and commenting systems.<ref>{{cite web
The [[software]] for h2g2 is known as DNA, after the initials of author and site founder [[Douglas Adams]]. The DNA technology was introduced a few months after the BBC takeover and is still used for BBC blogs, messageboards and commenting systems. Before that there was a technology which was written mostly in [[Perl]].

| title = DNA Version History | date = 19 July 2000 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/Versions
⚫
Adams was involved in the website in its early days.<ref>{{cite web
| accessdate = 17 July 2009}} – ''Since Ripley was a complete rewrite of h2g2 in C++, we felt this quote rather summed up what we were doing. It makes a great slogan, too: Ripley: It's the only way to be sure.''</ref> Before that there was a technology which was written mostly in [[Perl]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Douglas Adams 1952 – 2001
| title = DNA Version History | date = 19 July 2000 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/Versions
| date = 28 April 1999
| accessdate = 17 July 2009}} – ''The first versions of the h2g2 site were written in Perl, and the cover of O'Reilly's excellent book Learning Perl has a llama on the front.''</ref>
| url = http://www.h2g2.com/user/U42
⚫
| accessdate = 15 April 2015}}</ref> His account name was DNA, and his user number was 42, a reference to the joke in ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' that [[Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything|the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything]] is 42. Adams's legacy is still felt on h2g2, though it is not a fan site.<ref name=huddersfield/><ref name=times2005/>


== HooToo Community ==
⚫
Adams was involved in the website in its early days.<ref>{{cite web | title = Douglas Adams 1952 – 2001
The Guide is much more, just not in the news and probably also not in any academic paper. They are a family, as one will find out when visiting the site. When becoming Researcher, one will also be able to join the HooToo Birthday 28th April. Family matters will stay in the family as do the smilies, games and societies.
⚫
| date = 28 April 1999 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/U42 | accessdate = 17 July 2009}}</ref> His account name was DNA, and his user number was 42, a reference to the joke in ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' that [[Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything|the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything]] is 42. Adams's legacy is still felt on h2g2, though it is not a fan site.<ref name=huddersfield/><ref name=times2005/>


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Hitchhiker's|BBC}}
{{Portal|Hitchhiker's}}
* [[Collective (BBC)|Collective]]
*[[List of online encyclopedias]]
*[[List of online encyclopedias]]


Line 115: Line 168:
== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
*[http://www.h2g2.com h2g2 Website]
*[http://www.h2g2.com h2g2 Website]
*[http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A918434 h2g2's edited entry of Wikipedia]
*[http://www.notpanicking.com/ Not Panicking Ltd]
*[http://www.notpanicking.com/ Not Panicking Ltd]


Revision as of 18:36, 21 April 2015

h2h2 is an initialism for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
h2g2
File:H2g2 logo.png
h2g2's front page on 16 November 2013
Type of site
Internet encyclopedia project
Available inEnglish
OwnerNot Panicking Ltd
Created byDouglas Adams
URLwww.h2g2.com
CommercialNo
RegistrationOpen

The h2g2 website is a British-based collaborative online encyclopedia project engaged in the construction of, in its own words, "an unconventional guide to life, the universe, and everything", in the spirit of the fictional publication The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy from the science fiction comedy series of the same name by Douglas Adams.[1] It was founded by Adams in 1999 and was run by the BBC between 2001 and 2011.[2][3][4].

The intent is to create an Earth-focused guide that allows members to share information about their geographic area and the local sites, activities and businesses, to help people decide where they want to go and what they may find when they get there. It has grown to contain subjects from restaurants and recipes, to quantum theory and history. Explicit advertising of businesses was forbidden when the site was run by the BBC, but customer reviews were permitted.[5]

The content of the project is written by registered "Researchers" on its website.[6] Articles written by Researchers form the "Guide" as a whole, with an "Edited Guide" being steadily created out of factual articles that have been peer reviewed via the "Peer Review" system.[7] The Edited Guide includes both traditional encyclopaedic subjects and more idiosyncratic offerings, and while articles in the Edited Guide sometimes aim for a slightly humorous style,[8] most are correct and well-written treatment of their subject matter by virtue of the Peer Review process.

History

H2g2 was founded on 28 April 1999 as the Earth edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by the author of the series, Douglas Adams, and his friends and colleagues at The Digital Village.[9] "h2g2" is an abbreviation for the title as well as part of the url. The site was a runner-up for Best Community Site in the Yell.com awards in 2000.[10]

Like other dot-com companies, Adams' company TDV ran into financial difficulties towards the end of 2000 and eventually ceased operations.[4] In January 2001, the management of the site was taken over by the BBC, and moved to bbc.co.uk (then known as BBCi).[3]

21 April 2005 marked the launch of h2g2 Mobile, an edition of the guide produced for PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and mobile phones that could access the internet, so that people could read h2g2 entries while on the move.[7][11] This was done because people wanted h2g2 to be much like the Hitchhiker's Guide described in the books — a mobile, electronic device that anyone could read from anywhere.[9] An earlier attempt at a WAP phone based version of h2g2 started in December 2000 only to end when the BBC took over the site in January 2001.[12]

The site was redesigned for the BBC by Aerian Studios in 2011,[13] bringing it in line with the general appearance of other BBC websites, while maintaining a degree of the site's old character.[14]

On 24 January 2011, the BBC announced cuts of 25% to its online budget, resulting in a £34 million less investment into the site. A number of sites were to be closed, including BBC Switch, BBC Blast and 6-0-6. As part of this exercise, the BBC chose to sell h2g2.[15] On 21 June 2011, it was announced the winning bid was a joint bid put together by three parties: Robbie Stamp, h2g2c2 ('The h2g2 Community Consortium') and the owners of Noesis Systems Ltd (Brian Larholm and Alyson Larholm) [16] On 31 August 2011, it was announced h2g2 was sold to Not Panicking Ltd, a company founded by Robbie Stamp, Brian Larholm and Alyson Larholm, as well as The h2g2 Community Consortium.[17]

On 3 October 2011, the BBC incarnation of h2g2 closed, leaving only an announcement reading "H2G2 has now left the BBC. The new owners of H2G2 are currently preparing the site for relaunch. Soon you will find The Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything at www.h2g2.com." The post-BBC version of the site went live on 16 October 2011.

Terms and conditions

To contribute to the site it is necessary to register and to agree to the h2g2 "House Rules" and the general Not Panicking Ltd Terms and Conditions. Registered users are called Researchers. Researchers retain the copyright to their articles, but grant Not Panicking Ltd a non-exclusive license to reproduce their work in all formats.

DNA

The software for h2g2 is known as DNA, after the initials of author and site founder Douglas Adams. The DNA technology was introduced a few months after the BBC takeover and is still used for BBC blogs, messageboards and commenting systems. Before that there was a technology which was written mostly in Perl.

Adams was involved in the website in its early days.[18] His account name was DNA, and his user number was 42, a reference to the joke in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy that the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything is 42. Adams's legacy is still felt on h2g2, though it is not a fan site.[2][7]

HooToo Community

The Guide is much more, just not in the news and probably also not in any academic paper. They are a family, as one will find out when visiting the site. When becoming Researcher, one will also be able to join the HooToo Birthday 28th April. Family matters will stay in the family as do the smilies, games and societies.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Web watch; New favourites". Sydney Morning Herald (Australia). 7 May 2005. p. 5.
  2. ^ a b Jackson, Andrew (May 2009). "Web wonder". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. p. 19.
  3. ^ a b "Hitchhiker's Guide web site moves to BBC". Telecomworldwire. 23 February 2001.
  4. ^ a b Tomlinson, Heather (4 March 2001). "Hitchhiker's Website Goes Home To Auntie". Independent (UK). London. pp. 3 (Business section).
  5. ^ "House Rules for h2g2". 15 June 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |updated= ignored (help) – No Spitting. The lawyers wanted to know what rules we needed, and we said 'The usual ones, plus "No spitting" please.' So there you go: no spitting. Many thanks. Oh, and beware of the Leopard.
  6. ^ Hurrell, Nick (13 October 2000). "Nick Hurrell, the Chief Executive of M&C Saatchi and the Chairman of EMCSAATCHI, looks at the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Online". Campaign. pp. 14 (Private Surf section).
  7. ^ a b c Sherwin, Adam (April 2005). "A galactic fund for fascinating facts for the mobile Earthling". The Times. London. p. 11.
  8. ^ McMurray, Sandy (15 August 2001). "Sites for Beginners, Students and Clones". The Toronto Sun. pp. 53 (Connect section). – Another site, created by Douglas Adams, comes at the encyclopedia idea from a different, funnier angle.
  9. ^ a b Turnbull, Giles (22 September 1999). "Sci-fi Guide Could Become Fact". Press Association.
  10. ^ Kelly, Matt (13 July 2000). "The Yell.com Awards 2000". The Mirror (UK). p. 14.
  11. ^ "h2g2 Mobile Information Centre". 10 March 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |update= ignored (help)
  12. ^ "Life, the Universe and Everything Mobile". The Digital Village. 22 December 1999. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  13. ^ "H2G2 Refresh: design and technical challenges". 21 January 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011. – this week the refreshed version of the BBC's long running community site H2G2 was launched.
  14. ^ "Talking Point – h2g2 Redesign". 12 May 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |update= ignored (help) – As we've already mentioned we're now in the process of redesigning h2g2.
  15. ^ "BBC News – BBC to cut online budget by 25%". BBC Online. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  16. ^ "Tuesday 21 June 2011: The future of H2G2 – the Successful Bid". 21 June 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Wednesday 31 June 2011: H2G2 Leaving The BBC Soon!". 23 August 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |update= ignored (help)
  18. ^ "Douglas Adams 1952 – 2001". 28 April 1999. Retrieved 15 April 2015.

Further reading

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