Happy Birthday h2g2
Post categories: social
| 11:50 UK time, Tuesday, 28 April 2009
A tenth birthday is always worth celebrating.
So it's my pleasure today to say "Happy Tenth Birthday h2g2".
If you don't know what h2g2 is there's a useful summary here.
I'm old enough to remember the original Radio 4 series of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" with the late, lamented Peter Jones as the voice of the book.
But it wasn't until recently that I became aware that there was a whole community out there actually trying to write the definitive guide to 'Life, the Universe and Everything'.
As a newcomer, the most enjoyable part of h2g2 to me is the Edited Guide which produces quirky 'weird and wonderful entries' like these:
Malaysian Teapot Worship: The Ayah Pin Cult
Dave my coeditor enjoyed this one about memorable football press conferences.
But there's more to h2g2 than the Edited Guide. It's like a vast, sprawling virtual city where its community members try their hand at pretty much anything they fancy. For example there's a spin off group of h2g2 people called the Aviators making videos including this one:
One thing I do know is that h2g2 people really value - indeed, love - their community and its spirit.
Members of the h2g2 community Phil, Hypatia,Teuchter, Vip, Elentari, Acid Override, Matt and Metal Chicken at a Birmingham Mini-Meet on the 25th April, 2009. Photo by permission of Websailor on flickr.
So if you're a past or present member of the community I hope you'll join me in wishing h2g2 a happy birthday.
Nick Reynolds is editor, BBC Internet blog
Comment number 1.
At 12:33 28th Apr 2009, Jeremy Harris wrote:Happy Birthday h2g2!
I still remember h2g2 'arriving' at the BBC, and how much of a cultural challenge it was for the community and, evidently, for the Corporation. I'll write a longer comment when I'm not supposed to be doing something else, but suffice it to say that the progress in terms of the BBC's approach to its online users since the arrival of h2g2 at the Beeb has been quite something.
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Comment number 2.
At 13:25 28th Apr 2009, Opticalillusion- media mynx life would be boring without hiccups wrote:Well you've certainly put a smile on my face reading this. I first became a researcher in my first year of university and am pleased to say you've still got me addicted. Happy Birthday H2G2 may you long continue.
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Comment number 3.
At 13:43 28th Apr 2009, Icy North wrote:Thanks for mentioning us, Nick.
Above everything else, h2g2 is a lot of fun. Not only have I've learned how to write (and thanks for plugging a couple of my contributions up there) but I've made a lot of friends in doing so.
h2g2 isn't like other online communities - it has a purpose to it as you can see. New members are very welcome.
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Comment number 4.
At 14:04 28th Apr 2009, Bel - h2g2 4eva wrote:Wonderful article. Thanks for spreading the word. As an active member of the h2g2 AViators, I'm particularly grateful for the plug. :-)
h2g2 and its community open incredible chances for people like me: not only did I improve my English enormously during my nearly six years there (I'm not a native speaker of English), but I started to write and even to create audio/visual content (not to mention the various friends I've made).
Thanks, h2g2, and a very Happy Birthday to you!
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Comment number 5.
At 14:44 28th Apr 2009, echomikeromeo wrote:Happy birthday, h2g2! I'm delighted to see this post.
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Comment number 6.
At 15:47 28th Apr 2009, Linda wrote:Where's our pressie and cake?
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Comment number 7.
At 17:09 28th Apr 2009, Peta wrote:Happy Birthday h2g2!
A brilliant innovative friendly wonderful creative site - it's lovely to see so many familiar faces here too. Much love ~ Peta - h2g2 Community Editor 1999 version. :-)
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Comment number 8.
At 18:10 28th Apr 2009, MMF - Pleased at finally getting a diagnosis wrote:As a member of a number of years, I am very pleased to celebrate H2G2's 10th Birthday.
There have been many highs, meeting HooTooers online and in RL, especially at Meets, which are a very good place to meet new friends. Some may even become more than friends, more like family, if not family.
There have also been some lows, like almost losing my job... (Mea culpa!)
However I am still here, as are most of my friends, past and present, and so here's to the next ten years.
In the words of he song 'Things can only get better!'
MMF
o/~
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Comment number 9.
At 18:58 28th Apr 2009, Matt wrote:Wow, it's fantastic to get such nice birthday wishes for h2g2! And, as a 'hootoo' Researcher I thoroughly enjoyed both the birthday celebration in Birmingham, and being a part of the h2g2 community as a whole. Going out to another long running cult phenomenon, may we 'live long and prosper!'
Matt
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Comment number 10.
At 09:36 30th Apr 2009, parn3y wrote:My personal favourite is the queen speech bingo - I have never focused more on her speech then last christmas (https://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A43600330%29
Happy birthday h2g2 - looking forward to 10 more
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Comment number 11.
At 11:57 30th Apr 2009, Phil wrote:I think I recognise that face in the foreground! :-)
Nice to see that H2G2 is appreciated, not just for the technology behind it but for those people inside, creating the guide and the community around it.
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Comment number 12.
At 19:34 30th Apr 2009, Jimi X wrote:Hard to believe a decade has passed - that's what like a million years in the real world?
Well done to all who have contributed to the site and especially to Douglas for the brilliant notion in the first place.
Cheers!
- Jimi X (u53353)
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Comment number 13.
At 21:28 7th May 2009, Tufty wrote:Happy birthday h2g2!
Thanks for the mention - hopefully h2g2 qualifies as some significantly Interesting Stuff. You've mentioned a suspiciously large number entries by Mr North...
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Comment number 14.
At 19:53 13th May 2009, Clive the flying ostrich wrote:Happy Birthday h2g2! 10 years young.
Funny to think I've been here almost as long!
Thanks Nick for spreading the word!
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Comment number 15.
At 07:02 19th Mar 2010, U14390976 wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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