Thursday, June 23, 2005
h2g2

Was the late Douglas Adams visionary or flukey, or did he just think it was a neat idea?

When he wrote about the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, I guess computers were beginning to chat to each other, albeit in small numbers and through immensely complex systems, requiring a PhD in computer science to send through a tiny sprite (remember those?).

His idea, of a wireless networked, hyperlinked information system was the forerunner of the 3G mobile phone and the weblog. Why of why, has no one manufactured a mobile case with the words 'Don't Panic' written in large friendly letters on the front cover.

bbc.co.uk have kicked over their own version. Guest editors - budding Ford Prefects - can submit their recollections, tips and info to the site, from where global hitchhikers can download where the best place to eat is in that location.

The site is pretty funny, though will need studious editing (ahhh, the scurge of the world wide web!) to ensure it is not hijacked by roaming submitters marketing products and that it doesn't degenerate into a mass weblog.

Have a look, and tap in where you live. Find out where the nearest (geographically, if not temporally) place to eat is.

---