This article is classified "Real"
"The Real Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy" is a computer-based encyclopedia
which runs on David Hodges' ex-Atari. The entries to this guide have been
written by science fiction fans from all over the world over several years.
The entries are on topics humorous to the Hitchhiker / Doctor Who / Blake's 7
/ science fiction / fantasy / telefantasy fans. There is no restriction on
entry. As long as Dave thinks it is half-funny, and he can be bothered to
type it, it goes in. There are entries on Sex, Towels, Bugblatter Beasts of
Traal, Universities, Exams, and many other topics.
David takes his computer to science fiction conventions on invitation and
traditionally produces a printout of the guide for auction (proceeds go to
the convention charity). The convention goers can consult the (computer)
guide at their leisure, accompanied by sounds from the tv series. The
printout is, of course, yours to peruse at your leisure, in bed, in the
bath, during free fall sex, or whatever.
Over 20 printouts exist. Not bad considering that each one takes around a
day to print, on draft, on a standard micro printer. There are some 1000+
entries, each being a screen of text. Printouts are now done on a laser
printer.
Four printouts that I have heard about have sold for:
66 pounds at Leeds University.
30 pounds sterling -- bought by Imperial Science Fiction Society.
18 pounds.
42 pounds and 42 pence -- bought by Massy Harper, also of
Imperial College.
No electronic copies of the guide are produced as this would result in many
pirated copies, removing the exclusivity of the guide, and invalidating its
usefulness to charity.
Copyright:
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The occasional entry quoting material in the Hitchhikers' trilogy has been
allowed by Douglas Adams. There is a signed statement from DNA saying so
(It is displayed prominently, along with other signatures of famous people
who have read some of the Guide). The purpose of the Guide is only to raise
money for charity, and not to make oodles of money for anyone else. This
does not mean that the Guide is a version of any of these books/TV/radio
series. (It isn't.)
Send Mail To:
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David Hodges' Guide has, by the way, nothing to do with any Guide currently
on the internet such as those discussed in alt.galactic-guide. If you wish
to write an entry for the Guide (eg. the one you were about to send to
cleggp@aix.rpi.edu or swbaker@vela.acs.oakland.edu), please send it to Dave
at:
David Hodges
68 Gotch Rd
Barton Seagrave
Kettering
Northhants
NN15 6UQ
United Kingdom
Please note that no copies of this guide are sent out via post. This would
cost a fortune and be far too much trouble.
By the way, the computer was based on an Atari but has been moved into a
metal travelling case to protect the hard-disks and prototype hardware
supplied by various companies. It has been to the Ukraine in the former
USSR and back so it must be pretty tough.
The all new guide is Microsoft Windows based, and is looking for humourous
entries -- both text, graphics and sound. contact alexmc@biccdc.co.uk or
alex@arcfan.demon.co.uk for details of submission formats.