The "real" Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is described as being a singularly unhelpful book. It "contains much that is apocryphal, or at least wildly inaccurate," but is profitable because of its affordability and the friendly words on the cover. It is as likely to lead you into danger as to help you out of it, which shouldn't be surprising since its editorial staff spend most of their time partying and making up facts to put in the book. Arthur (like the reader) is initially enamored of its space-age technology, but other characters refer to it as "oh, that thing". It's a tabloid rag-- more like a for-profit Encyclopedia Dramatica than Wikipedia.
I know, it's a silly nit to pick, but I often feel like people kind of miss the point of the series.