Welcome to the h2g2 Announcements page, where the Editors announce important news, such as new versions of the site, or changes to official areas of h2g2.
If you'd like to stay informed of all announcements, then you can subscribe to this entry by clicking here. Whenever anything is added to this page we will post a new Conversation to the Forum below, and it will then pop up on your Personal Space.
Please don't start new threads here, as we anticipate lots of subscriptions to this page. If you have a query about any of the announcements here, please visit the relevant Feedback Forum - thanks!
Latest Announcements
Tuesday, 17 June, 2008: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Wednesday, 18 June, 2008, 0700 - 1000BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Wednesday, 17 June, 2008 in order to enable a new release of DNA. The downtime will begin at 0700BST and should be complete by 1000BST.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Thursday, 15 May, 2008: Personal Spaces Bug
We have become aware of a bug that seems to have developed on some Personal Spaces. It manifests itself by hiding a Researcher's Personal Space when they save changes, and informs the Researcher that their space is 'pending moderation.'
We don't currently know why this is happening, but we have the tech team looking into it and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. In the meantime, if your Personal Space has been affected by this, please let us know and we will restore your page.
Wednesday, 30 April, 2008: Polling Day, Thursday, 1 May, 2008
Please note that in line with the political parties and other UK broadcasters, the BBC will not be reporting the election campaign or offering discussion about the campaign while the polls are open on 1 May on any of its outlets. Our messageboards will remain open on Polling Day; we're just asking all users to refrain from discussing the election while the polls are open. Usual BBC House Rules will resume once the polls are closed after 10pm on 1 May.
For more information please see http://www.bbc.co.uk/messageboards/newguide/elections.shtml
Friday, 28 March, 2008: Guidelines for Elections, 1 May, 2008
It has been confirmed that local elections for England and Wales, as well as the Greater London Authority elections (London Mayor and London Assembly) will take place on 1 May, 2008. The standard election guidelines are now in force.
In order to enable balanced and interesting debates, messageboards and discussion forums across the BBC will be operating under the BBC's agreed policies. This means there will be additional guidelines for members to abide by if they intend to discuss election issues.
In addition to the existing House Rules you must:
- Declare if you are a candidate
- Discuss the issues, not the personalities
- Avoid sloganeering
- Avoid campaigning
From time to time during the campaign it may be necessary to restrict or close certain discussions. More information on the BBC's guidelines during local elections can be found in the BBC's Editorial Guidelines.
If you wish to discuss the election guidelines with other Researchers, please use the 2008 Elections Forum.
Thursday, 13 March, 2008: Introducing the h2g2 Beeblecast
As a welcome break from a series of h2g2 Downtime Advance Warnings, it brings us great pleasure to announce the arrival of the h2g2 Beeblecast.
The Beeblecast is a selection of AViator video clips that compliment already-existing h2g2 Edited Guide Entries. It has been described as 'a bit like a podcast, but with h2g2's unique style.'
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank those involved for all their enthusiasm and effort. It's really heartening to see that our Community is as inventive and inspiring as ever.
Well done and a massive thanks to all involved. And do be sure to take a look at the Beeblecast!
Tuesday, 4 March, 2008: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Wednesday, 5 March, 2008, 0700 - 1000GMT
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Wednesday, 5 March, 2008 in order to enable a new release of DNA. The downtime will begin at 0700GMT and should be complete by 1000GMT.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
30 January, 2008: New 'Bookmarking' Feature
We're pleased to announce a new feature that is available to Edited Guide contributors. Users now have the ability to bookmark Edited Entries of interest to them.
In the right-hand margin of Entries (above the Entry Data box) you will now be able to choose the option 'Clip/Bookmark This Page'. If you click this link, the page will be added to your Bookmarks.
To see your bookmarks, please scroll down your Personal Space. On the 'My Friends' grey bar you will see an option that reads 'My Bookmarks'. Clicking this link will show which Entries you have bookmarked.
Please note: The feature will also show how many times a particular page has been bookmarked, but this will not update immediately (it's cached daily).
This feature was launched rather more prematurely than expected (hence the late notice!) and so it will not be perfect. However, please do post with your comments, positive or negative, at our Feedback area.
Thursday, 20 December, 2007: Staff Coverage Over Christmas and New Year
As usual, the h2g2 offices will be closed over the festive period, from 22 December - 2 January. We'll still be able to monitor the site and help out where possible, but messages sent to any of our feedback addresses may not be answered until 2 January.
Moderation will continue as normal, but if you email us directly during this time we'll get back to you on our return.
As ever, at the Towers we'd like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful h2g2 community for all its support this past year. Best wishes to you all for 2008 - hope it's the best year yet!
6 November, 2007: New 'Subscribed Articles' Feature
We're pleased to announce a new feature that is available to Edited Guide contributors. Users now have the ability to subscribe to others' Edited Entries. This enables them to keep informed of the work of other people on the site.
To see this feature, please scroll down your Personal Space. You'll see a new grey bar between 'My Friends' and 'My Guide Entries', entitled 'Subscribed Articles.'
For more information on the new feature, please visit A28647642
This feature was launched rather more prematurely than expected (hence the late notice!) and so it will not be perfect. However, please do post with your comments, positive or negative, at our Feedback area.
Monday, 5 November, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Tuesday, 6 November, 2007, 0700 - 1000GMT
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Tuesday, 6 November, 2007 in order to enable a new release of DNA, mainly involving under-the-bonnet changes, to be carried out. The downtime will begin at 0700GMT and should be complete by 1000GMT.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
Wednesday, 24 October, 2007: Yesterday's Disruption to BBC Internet Services
We'd like to apologise for the disruption to a number of BBC online services yesterday.
The technical issues experienced were caused by network issues across data centres in Docklands.
Areas affected were the message boards and community sites and the Single Sign On registration system, as well as search, iPlayer, radio streams and a number of database applications. The BBC homepage was also affected; visitors to the front page experienced a slow service.
Normal service was resumed just before midnight last night. We'd like to apologise for any inconvience and disruption caused.
Friday, 28 September, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Monday, 1 October, 2007, 0030 - 0330BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Monday, 1 October, 2007 in order to enable maintenance work to be completed on the SSO database. The downtime will begin at 0030BST and should be complete by 0330BST.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
Wednesday, 15 August, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Thursday, 16 August, 2007, 0400 - 0500BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Thursday, 16 August, 2007 in order to enable maintenance work to be completed on the SSO database. The downtime will begin at 0400BST and should be complete by 0500BST.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
Friday, 20 July, 2007: Server Problems and Delays
You may be experiencing problems accessing BBC website services, including the message boards.
There was a major power outage in Maidenhead, where the BBC servers are based - apparently because of extensive electrical storms and flooding in the area. See BBC News for more information.
The servers appear to be working normally right now, but further interruptions may be possible during the day. We'll do everything we can to attempt to keep the services running normally, but you may experience intermittent problems.
Tuesday, 10 July, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Wednesday, 11 July, 2007, 0700 - 1000BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Wednesday, 13 June, 2007 in order to enable a DNA upgrade. This will involve mainly 'under-the-bonnet' changes. The downtime will begin at 0700BST should be complete by 1000BST.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Monday, 11 June, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Wednesday, 13 June, 2007, 0700-0900BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Wednesday, 13 June, 2007 in order to enable a DNA upgrade. This will involve mainly 'under-the-bonnet' changes. The downtime will begin at 0700BST should be complete by 0900BST.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Friday, 8 June, 2007: Possible Server Downtime Advance Warning: Throughout June, 2007, 0200-0700BST
Due to load-testing taking place throughout June, it is possible that there will be downtime across DNA communities.
Testing will occur between 0200-0700 BST on the following dates:
- 11-15 June, 2007
- 18-21 June, 2007
h2g2 and other DNA communities may be unavailable during this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Tuesday, 8 May, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Wednesday, 9 May, 2007, 0700-0900BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Wednesday, 9 May, 2007 in order to enable a DNA upgrade. This will involve mainly 'under-the-bonnet' changes. The downtime will begin at 0700BST should be complete by 0900BST.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Wednesday, 2 May, 2007: Polling Day, Thursday, 3 May, 2007
Please note that in line with the political parties and other UK broadcasters, the BBC will not be reporting the election campaign or offering discussion about the campaign while the polls are open on May 3rd on any of its outlets.
Message boards will remain open on Polling Day, but we're just asking all users to refrain from discussing the election while the polls are open. Usual BBC House Rules will resume once the polls are closed after 10pm on May 3rd. For more information please see message board election information.
Friday, 13 April, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Saturday, 14 April, 2007, 2100 BST - Sunday, 15 April, 2007 1330 BST
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Saturday, 14 April, 2007 in order for the SSO team to carry out essential maintenance. The downtime will last 15 hours, but should be complete by 1330BST on Sunday, 15 April.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable during this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience, especially considering this is such a lengthy period of downtime.
Friday, 30 March, 2007: Guidelines for Elections, 3 May, 2007
It has been confirmed that elections for the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and local government in England and Scotland will take place on 3 May, 2007. The standard election guidelines are now in force.
In order to enable balanced and interesting debates, messageboards and discussion forums across the BBC will be operating under the BBC's agreed policies. This means there will be additional guidelines for members to abide by if they intend to discuss election issues.
In addition to the existing House Rules you must:
- Declare if you are a candidate
- Discuss the issues, not the personalities
- Avoid sloganeering
- Avoid campaigning
From time to time during the campaign it may be necessary to restrict or close certain discussions. More information on the BBC's guidelines during local elections can be found in the BBC's Editorial Guidelines.
If you wish to discuss the election guidelines with other Researchers, please use the 2007 Elections Forum.
Wednesday, 21 March, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Thursday, 22 March, 2007, 0700-0900 GMT
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Thursday, 22 March, 2007 in order for testing to take place on the SSO database (the registration system on all DNA sites).
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable from approximately 7am to 9am.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Thursday, 1 February, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Sunday, 4 February, 2007, 0600-0700 GMT
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Sunday, 4 February, 2007 for testing on the user database.
h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable from approximately 6am to 7am.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Thursday, 1 February, 2007: Guidelines for Elections, 2007
It has been confirmed that the election to the Northern Ireland Assembly will take place on 7 March, 2007 and as a consequence the standard election guidelines are now in force.
In order to enable balanced and interesting debates, messageboards and discussion forums across the BBC will be operating under the BBC's agreed policies. This means there will be additional guidelines for members to abide by if they intend to discuss election issues.
In addition to the existing House Rules you must:
- Declare if you are a candidate
- Discuss the issues, not the personalities
- Avoid sloganeering
- Avoid campaigning
From time to time during the campaign it may be necessary to restrict or close certain discussions. More information on the BBC's guidelines during local elections can be found in the BBC's Editorial Guidelines.
If you wish to discuss the election guidelines with other Researchers, please use the 2007 Elections Forum.
Thursday, 18 January, 2007: Server Downtime Advance Warning: Wednesday, 24 January, 2007, 0700-1000 GMT*
There will be a period of scheduled downtime on Wednesday, 24 January, 2007 for a DNA upgrade.
This concerns mainly under-the-bonnet changes. h2g2 and other DNA communities will be unavailable from approximately 7am to 10am.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
*NB: This is an estimate; we are hoping the site will be up and running again by 0900 GMT.
Older Announcements
If you want to see previous announcements, we've now created an Announcements Index, sorted by year.
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