Were the recordings of the first two series too horrible to make into a cd?

I'm not sure, as I don't have the CDs, but I suspect the re-recording in question may be the one produced for the LP set, which was different in some ways to the radio version. The Family (capital F for extended family) owns both LPs and taped copies of the radio series, so I've heard both as well as having read the books, but I wouldn't care to try and list the differences.

A geeklord adds - the CDs are actually rerecordings of the first 2 seasons of the radio show, but I dunno if there's a significant difference.

Maybe only the Collector's Edition CDs. I have The Primary Phase and The Secondary Phase on Audio CD, released in 1996 and purchased about 1998, and these are definitely the same as the radio broadcasts. I know because I taped the last 4 episodes on my little cassette player standing next to my wee radio at the time (this would be around 1980-81), and played them until I knew them forward, backwards, and inside out. The CDs are identical.

Am-Chau, I also remember hearing an LP recording of the books, using most of the same cast as the radio series, but following the plot of the first two novels. Just to add to the confusion.

Fiona, HHGttG is clearly a fandom with many, many versions of canon. I suspect that you're right, and the LPs I'm thinking of are the recordings of the books. That makes sense: radio series, later released on CD; book; book dramatised on LP. (Also television series, comic, and soon-to-be film, but let's not drag those in right now.)

I'm glad Port Adelaide won too. All else being equal, I will support whichever team does not contain Jason Akermanis.

1980-81?

Wow, WRUV was running the show pretty much at the same time. That's very cool.

I loved it on the radio. The other incarnations are good - - but the radioplay was just so amazing.

Hmmm, so The Primary Phase is only available on the special edition? Is that right?

I'm glad Port Adelaide won too. All else being equal, I will support whichever team does not contain Jason Akermanis.

Is that due to a general hatred of a wanker, or for a particular reason?

I'm not much of a footy fan, so I don't know much about any of the players. My support for Port was made with grinding teeth and comes simply from them being "hometown". On an ordinary day, my upbringing as a Central's fan makes me despise them. :)

A couple of comments in the online (Qld) Sunday Mail amused me:

"The loss means the South Australian flag will fly above Queensland Parliament this week, thanks to a bet between Premier Peter Beattie and his South Australian counterpart Mike Rann."

and let's hope this is an omen for the election:

Mr Latham had tipped a Port Adelaide win; the Prime Minister had hoped both he and the Lions would make it four in a row.

I have The Primary Phase and The Secondary Phase on Audio CD, released in 1996 and purchased about 1998, and these are definitely the same as the radio broadcasts.

Whoo-hoo! I bought these this year from amazon.co.uk.

I will support whichever team does not contain Jason Akermanis.

Is that due to a general hatred of a wanker, or for a particular reason?

I can't say I know the feller, but I mistook him for the mayor of Wank City.

He is without a doubt the least likeable person playing in the AFL today. (Since the retirement of Wayne Carey.) Just an insupportable showoff, and the trouble is he rarely suffers the bitter penalties of hubris because his team always wins! Hence, yesterday v. enjoyable.