I hadn’t even finished filling in the form, but I had already been rejected by the BBC’s awesome uber-Archive trial. Obviously too many tech-savvy young males in suburban areas are interested. Who would have thought it?

I have written before about this “trial” stuff the BBC always has to do. I hate the way the BBC has to tiptoe around everything, instead of actually getting on with it. Clearly the technology is there, and the demand is obviously there. But clearly making sure the commerical sector doesn’t piss its pants is more important.

The signup page itself says:

Demand for this trial is likely to be very high so, unfortunately, not everyone who signs up will get the chance to be part of it.

Demand for the service is very high! It is already a winner! But instead of just getting it out there, the BBC is putting it on trial. Not too long ago, the BBC had a slogan that said, “Cut the crap”. What has happened to that attitude?

I know the BBC’s hands are tied in this. It is not their fault. But it can’t be denied that there is something seriously wrong with the world when such demonstrably great things have to be held back for fear of offending a certain set of people in ivory towers.