| Moderated by: Steve Adkins | Topic closed | |
| Author | Post | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Steve Adkins Member 
|
The NWO Newspaper website (Not the Town Forum) will be undergoing some drastic improvements in the near future to jazz it up in order to make it more useful to the NWO communities. We want your input on what you'd like to see on it. The word "useful" is subjective. A few disclaimers on what we already know, and don't need to hear again.
Thanks SMS Last edited on Feb 25th, 2006 03:18 am by Steve Adkins |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member 
|
I went back to the NWO website. Are you people aware of what is on there?? I was thinking about possible suggestions for this topic... hmmm maybe local weather... it's there... maybe a search engine.. it's there.. maybe a link to the schools... it's there... maybe a link to the towns... it's there. Wow. What's left?? Interactive Sudoko Puzzles? I challenge you forum posters to think of something useful that the site doesn't already offer. It's like a mall... one stop shopping. The question is, how do we get folks to access these sites through the NWO site. Will definitely have to ponder that some more. |
|||||||||||
|
StewartM Member 
|
We can only see the front page....would like to see all pages....just like reading the real thing.....scan it to the site... |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
OK, let me give y'all another "fer instance" There is a "photo gallery" there...........what if there were ability to buy photos from it, like the "winning touchdown of last weeks football game", or "Summerfield 6 year olds soccer team winning downstate". OK, these are stretches, but you get the idea.....ability to buy photos online to email to Grandma or Uncle Joe. Would this be of interest? There are more, but I'll just feed ya one at a time to get your juices going. |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote:
Fonts, I amended the wording to a bit in the topic posting!!! Are "we people" aware.............hmmmmmmm, Si Senora. If all this stuff worked properly, would that be enough to get you & others to use it? |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
I would have certainly bought a photo of "Ritz Bits" (my kid for those who don't know) when she was featured in the Valentine issue. That's a good idea. What about NWO merchandise? I'd shell out a couple of bucks to do some FREE advertising for you.... A nice BIG sweatshirt with the NWO logo on it (ONLY if the horse is on there too mugs, hats, keychains.... Can't be OVERLY expensive though.... I don't know if this is a plausible option or not... |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote: The question is, how do we get folks to access these sites through the NWO site. Will definitely have to ponder that some more. Exactly my point. It's all there. I know the NWO Staff knows it. Do the people surfing the www know it? And once we tell them, what's gonna keep them coming back? The archives would be a blast for me.... I'd cruise them often if I could figure out how to work them. Doubt I'd pay to do it though.... And thank you for the (creative?) insert SMS!!!! |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote:
Now you're clickin'. This is what we're looking for. Not just "get the stuff that's already there fired up". |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote:
Archives don't work today, Yahoo works better, need fixing, we know it. Have faith. Users aren't expected to pay, that's what advertisers are for on any website. |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote: what's gonna keep them coming back? People only come back if it's useful for them, gives them needed information, and saves them time. That's why we're asking....what will make you come back? what info do you need? Google is great, but folks don't need 1,824,000 hits to find out if schools are closed in GC. |
|||||||||||
|
FatPappy Member 
|
I think if you just fix the things you say you don't want to hear need fixing then I'd use it. Right now I don't go there much because I don't expect anything to be up to date or work right. I don't really want links to everything in the world and a bunch of things to buy and all that. There are plenty of good things on the site. I just want what's there to work, the archives especially. Maybe some kind of daily story or short feature just on the web site that everyone would want to look at every morning. Maybe updates only on the web site of stories from previous issues. How about a daily changing cartoon, like "Pearls before Swine"? Maybe a different feature on certain days of the week, like if it's Thursday we might expect Lacka's Yard Art Roundup with pictures or on Tuesday it's Mammy's Manhandler Menus or something. Maybe some kind of gardening almanac kind of thing. Maybe a bald eagle sighting feature (that was not a Howard Coble reference). Maybe a question of the week that folks could respond to and see their responses in the paper later, uh, edited for appropriate content of course. (You know how some people are.) Maybe a word of the day. Thanks for asking, by the way. Pappy will continue to ponder. Last edited on Feb 25th, 2006 01:35 pm by FatPappy |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
FatPappy wrote: I think if you just fix the things you say you don't want to hear need fixing then I'd use it. Excellent ideas Pappy, Thanks |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
Steve Adkins wrote: Cracker Jax wrote: I only said that because I have been to another local paper and tried to use the archives... anything older than a week old or so and you have to subscribe to use the archives... I don't think so!! Pappy, excellent insight..... I still want a hooded sweatshirt with a horse on it. |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote: Steve Adkins wrote: Amazing....with Yahoo & Googles abilities, it's surprising ANY website would try to get people to pay for archives. I'm in total agreement with y'all, archives need to be robust & free. |
|||||||||||
|
Kris McNeill Member
|
In order to comment on this, I asked myself, "Why do I visit a newspaper's website?" So here is what I come up with: I read the News & Record everyday from back to front (  ) but I RARELY go to their website. When I have it is because I'm really interested in something I read about in the paper and I want more info. So, if I read something in the NWO and at the end of the article it said, "for more info on this topic/issue, see http://www.nwobserver.com and I was really interested, I would visit the website. Also, if there were photos in the paper of an event and it said, "more photos at (website)" I would go take a look! And, if the price was right, I might purchase pictures especially if one of my younguns was in the picture  I agree about the archives - not going to pay for it. I'd love a comic, recipes,restuarant reviews, etc - something that changes weekly? or daily? that would keep me coming back. (Hmm, kind of like the forum!) Definitely something "light" and human interest, entertaining - not news. The paper has enough of that. My main point - I think the website needs to be an EXTENSION of the paper. The paper is what will lead people to the website. And the website has got to change regularly to keep people interested in coming back. One last thing - another audience for the website would be newcomers or people considering moving to the NW area. So, make sure newcomer info is easy to find on the website. Maybe a "newcomer" tab? And photos - a picture speaks a thousand words! so I still say, gotta get some photos on the homepage. |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Kris McNeill wrote: My main point - I think the website needs to be an EXTENSION of the paper. The paper is what will lead people to the website. And the website has got to change regularly to keep people interested in coming back. Agreed Kris - your main point hits the nail on the head..........all of your other points are great too !! Thank You |
|||||||||||
|
Waytago Member 
|
Kris McNeill wrote: something that changes weekly? or daily? that would keep me coming back. (Hmm, kind of like the forum!) Definitely something "light" and human interest, entertaining - not news. The "word for the day", that was in MAAN for awhile was interesting. Still remember that "hubricious" word. Need a hubricious word of the day posting. Could probably link it to a website for auto-updating. |
|||||||||||
|
Waytago Member
|
Steve Adkins wrote: Just a suggestion.......shut off the stuff that doesn't work until they're ready to use. Just don't shutoff the Town Forum........we'd miss that one !! Overall, I think the website is a great idea for this area, and will be a great asset once it's tidied up. Nice of y'all to ask for input, thanks !! Last edited on Feb 27th, 2006 02:50 am by Waytago |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Waytago wrote: Just don't shutoff the Town Forum........we'd miss that one !!Wouldn't dream of it, some things are sacred Last edited on Mar 1st, 2006 01:10 am by Steve Adkins |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Hmmmmmm..........starting to notice some subtle changes in the NWO website amigos??? |
|||||||||||
|
WHE Member 
|
Ahh, yes. But the list is long and the natives are restless... |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Yes my friend. However this is the NWO, not a big town publication. Resources are limited, as you might expect with a high quality once a week periodical that is no cost to the consumer. Therefore it is appreciated if all would be patient with the updates. You can expect a high quality product when completed. |
|||||||||||
|
FatPappy Member
|
Pappy noticed one them thar improvements, Steve! The articles an' the opinions have publication dates on 'em! At least, that's what the young'un that can cypher says them number things is for. |
|||||||||||
|
Waytago Member
|
I noticed the ad banner in the middle seems to come & go with ads. Yesterday it was a Bed & Breakfast, today it's gone. The B&B ad looked really good. Like Pappy, I also noticed the dates on the articles, which is a real plus. Now you can tell how old the article is. Continuous improvement is good. |
|||||||||||
|
Kris McNeill Member
|
I know the ads probably help pay the bills (?) but I don't really consider that an "improvement" to the website. Sorry, just my honest opinion. Now, the breaking news (like the info on the YMCA and the school meeting on March 2nd) - things that happened after that week's paper went to print - THAT is useful! That's something that will bring people back to the website if they know there will consistently be something new there.... Waiting patiently |
|||||||||||
|
Waytago Member
|
Yee Haa.............the horse is on the website banner !!!!!!!! Just wouldn't be complete without the horse. |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
YAY!!!!! Welcome back HORSE!!!! |
|||||||||||
|
DToney Member 
|
Like most have already posted, having the existing links working properly would be good.... and add a link from the forum to the main site would be great too! I would like to see more polls too! The Summerfield/Aqua Water poll was cool. We might could even sway our politicians! (yeah right!) A local job opening listing would be good... not that there are a lot up this way... but being without one and new to the area, it would be a good resouce for me! Keep up the good work... ya'll do a wonderful job already!  Last edited on Mar 10th, 2006 08:32 pm by DToney |
|||||||||||
|
Kris McNeill Member
|
There's a picture on the NWO homepage!!!
|
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
I am going to check it out now. I'm glad you're wish came true Kris!!! |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Kris McNeill wrote: wow, I saw that picture half a dozen times before reading Kris comment and saying "holy cow, that's never been there before". Looks great, really brings out the website !! |
|||||||||||
|
EditorPS Administrator 
|
Just wanted to let you all know that our Web site is being totally re-designed. I've been talking about doing this for the last year, and one of the main reasons for holding off is time - time to think about information and features that I want on the site, and time to think about how we'll restructure our writing staff so that we can update the site daily with the latest news but simultaneously not neglect the print version of our paper. Currently, the print version of our paper keeps our small staff hopping. Sandra Smith and I are inundated with emails, faxes, letters and phone calls from readers who make suggestions, want articles written, and want to respond to things already covered in our paper. It's a good problem to have, and certainly verifies how many people read our paper, pay attention to what they're reading, and depend on us to provide fresh news that's accurate and "homegrown." Our challenge with the Web site is that it will require even more of our time and attention, and readers will expect news and information updated throughout each day -- the technical part of uploading takes a minimal amount of time, but the news and information gathering and verifying on a short time schedule will add a whole other level of responsibility on our staff. We're in the process of figuring out how we can provide what readers want and respond to a population that is becoming accustomed to getting the latest information and getting it fast. Our new Web site should be ready for a sneak peek within the next few weeks, at which time we'll invite our Forum participants to privately view it and give us feedback. We plan to officially launch the new site in May - any suggestions you have about how we can get community participation in updating the site once it's "Live" are appreciated -- i.e. would any of you be willing to be volunteer photographers and provide photos of "Around Town" scenes and events versus us having to be everywhere at all times? Often Sandra and I find ourselvles trying to cover a lot of bases in a short amount of time and it can take its toll on us and our families. Would any of you be willing to provide news blurbs that we can quickly verify and upload to the site? Would any of you volunteer to consistently keep your ears to the ground for major and minor news tidbits and then relay them to us after doing some preliminary research? We don't expect you to do our work for us, but we're getting so much information coming at us now on a daily basis that it's all we can do to stay on top of it -- we could sure use some help, especially once we launch the new site. Are you up for it? Last edited on Apr 1st, 2006 01:31 pm by EditorPS |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
"Cub reporter" Cracker is excited about all of the changes! Going to dust off the digital camera right now. Not real good at digging up news even if it slaps me in the face, but I'll do my best! Summertime might be kind of slow for me though.... I don't do much "around town" stuff during the summer. I'm busy doing "around home" stuff! |
|||||||||||
|
EditorPS Administrator
|
I was hoping I could count you in, Cracker. Now, practice up on that photography and as for the news, we can train you on that. I think it must be like hunting -- you just have to learn what to look and listen for so that when it comes near, you'll recognize it and be ready. I didn't use to be able to spot news when it slapped me in the face either, but now I can't hardly have a conversation with anyone around town without pulling out my notebook and jotting down ideas, or at the least making mental notes of things I need to follow up on (it's no wonder I don't sleep well at night anymore, what with all that "stuff" swirling around in my head). I'll keep you posted about the site and invite you to take a peek soon.You let me know when you're ready for training and we'll get started. We can even make you an official "NWO Cub Reporter" badge if you'd like, just so you don't sneak up on people without them knowing you're sniffing around for news. Last edited on Apr 1st, 2006 11:19 pm by EditorPS |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
Free stuff! Yay!
You ARE aware that I know NOTHING about this line of work aren't you?? Also, I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I have a hard time typing without lots of these...(......) And, commas, are, my, friends. I, over, use, them,,, and, I, am, proud, of, it. Oh goodness. Stress-O-meter is on the rise. OK... what do I need to do?? Where do I sign up for this training? Are they gonna laugh at me when I show up with the bag on my head??
|
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
oh yea... one more post Patti and you'll hit 100. We'll throw ya a party on MAAN. |
|||||||||||
|
macca Member 
|
Cracker Jax wrote: OK... what do I need to do?? Where do I sign up for this training? Are they gonna laugh at me when I show up with the bag on my head??
CRACKAH! You gonna be a reporter? We'll have to watch what we tell you now.... might end up bein' reported .... oh, never mind, we tell you everything already and it ain't hurt us yet....Maybe more of us will volunteer if Patti needs us... ♥♥♥ |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
Ya'll had BETTER volunteer!!! I certainly don't know anything about kind of thing. Don't ya think an "Ask Lacka" column would be appropriate on the website macca?? LOL |
|||||||||||
|
FatPappy Member
|
I volunteer Lacka! |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
Uh... Pappy... that's not EXACTLY what I meant when I said for ya'll to volunteer!
|
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
EditorPS wrote: Just wanted to let you all know that our Web site is being totally re-designed.I've seen the prelim's.........it's going to be awesome !!!!! |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
Patti & BluDev... There may be no way to do this but I was wondering if in the forum header somewhere it would be possible to add a link to the paper's website.... I would have thought that clicking on the banner would take you back to the paper, but it actually takes you to the forum homepage.... That's not really necessary since you can click on the red letters that say "Northwest Observer Forums" and reach the same page... I think it'd be cool if you clicked on the banner and it took you to the NWO website. Might encourage some jumping back and forth to the website if it's possible to add a link.... Some of us are lazy... ok.. me.. I'm the lazy one.
|
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Cracker Jax wrote: Hmmmmmm |
|||||||||||
|
EditorPS Administrator
|
Cracker -- excellent suggestion -- I suspect that is our site designer's plan, but just in case it isn't, I'll pass it along. We definitely want to make it as easy as possible to navigate to our site. Keep Thinking! |
|||||||||||
|
macca Member
|
Well, it looks as though the forums have changed so that now what was at the end is now at the beginning..... I guess it's still in the changing phase because when you click on the link it takes you to the end still. If you click on the name of the forum, though, it takes you to where you need to be.... Also, the e-mail you get telling you there's been a new posting also takes you to the older postings, not to where the new one is..... ♥♥♥ |
|||||||||||
|
EditorPS Administrator
|
Yes, Macca, the Forum is changing -- keeps you on your toes, doesn't it? Hope it's not too unsettling -- I asked our Web designer if he could change the order of the comments on the Forum so that the most recent comments appear first, instead of having to click through to the end to see them. That's normally the way it is on blog sites, which makes sense to me. Make sense to you? |
|||||||||||
|
WHE Member
|
EditorPS wrote: Yes, Macca, the Forum is changing -- keeps you on your toes, doesn't it? Oh, Patti! Methinks what you are saying makes logical sense; however, the Forum isn't responding that way...perhaps it is still in...er, transition??? And no, it wasn't from my having too many brewskis, either. Clicking on a topic currently directs you to the oldest, not newest, posting. (If this is a keyboard dexterity test, I have flunked miserably). I figure you are just teasing us...or me. Pass me another brewski, please... Ok, I see that Firecracker Scott is diligently on the repair trail. I rescind my previous concerns, and all is well in Oak Ridge. Last edited on Apr 8th, 2006 11:48 pm by WHE |
|||||||||||
|
macca Member
|
HEY, WHY NOT??? IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE, RIGHT??? ♥♥♥ Dexterity test, huh??? Good one! If this had happened last week we would've all sworn it was an April Fool's Joke! |
|||||||||||
|
WHE Member
|
RIGHT! Well, being as it is 10:38 AM here, I suppose that it WAS meant figuratively. I DO have my standards...gulp. |
|||||||||||
|
Little Philly Member 
|
I'm a "Newby"...You make me laugh! The new web page is going to be awsome! It'll be a lot of work for somebody...But very worthwhile! |
|||||||||||
|
Cracker Jax Member
|
WELCOME TO THE FORUM LITTLE PHILLY!!!
Glad to have you on board! Feel free to jump in on any of the forums... If you want a giggle, be sure to visit the Much Ado About Nothing forum where random thoughts are welcome and sometimes we're just plain sillly. (We can't help ourselves!) If you have a question, just ask and one of us "oldies" will be glad to answer if we can! |
|||||||||||
|
Waytago Member
|
What's the latest with the NWO Website? Firecracker getting ready for a big boom? Suspense is killing us |
|||||||||||
|
EditorPS Administrator
|
Aaaahhhh, since you asked, WaytoGo, here's the "scoop." The new Web site will be officially launched on Friday, May 26. In the words of my teenagers, it's going to be "awesome!" Looking forward to your Web site feedback on this forum ... for those of you who would like to take a sneak peek prior to the 26th, please send me a private message and I'll add you to the list of "previewees." (Yes, I made that word up!). |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
Drum Roll....................................... Now we get to see what Firecracker has been up to for umpteen weeks. I heard a rumor he's been sitting in a dark room at the NWO, the other staffers periodically hear a maniacal laugh come from the room. OK, it's more like one of Pappy's Tee Hee's. Anyway, the boy has done some really fine work..........go take a look, you'll be impressed. Look how happy Monty is !!! Firecracker go Boom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
|||||||||||
|
FatPappy Member
|
Firecrackah go BOOM! Pappy go HEE HEE! Pappy like! The new site is plumb classy lookin' and is much easier to navvygate! Pappy might hafta dress up a little to use the new site...well, as soon as Calhoun is done takin' his nap on my good shirt. How's that RSS thang work? Pappy might want to make a comment from time to time. I'll go poke around some more an' give y'all some feedbback as soon's I can. Lookin' good! |
|||||||||||
|
EditorPS Administrator
|
Thanks for checking us out, Pappy, and no need to dress up before logging onto our new site! As with anything new, there's still lots of tweaking that needs to be done -- we sent Firecracker so many e-mails with change requests on Thursday that I think his computer was smoking. He's hard at work making modifications; once we think we've taken care of everything that we are aware of, we'll ask you all to come behind us and scrutinize to see what we've missed. Stay tuned! |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
I am totally impressed with the website. Wondering what Firecracker is going to do with all his free time now that the work is done? (notice I made that comment when I was a safe distance away) Website seems to fly, unlike many websites. Easy to navigate. And the archives seem to really work. Particular kudos to Firecracker (or maybe Patti standing over him with a match?) for resolution of issues brought to his attention (wonder when a firecracker sleeps?) Good Job to All !!!!! |
|||||||||||
|
WHE Member
|
My avatar is shrinking! My avatar is shrinking! (What can I do?) I promised to pay my dues... |
|||||||||||
|
Steve Adkins Member
|
WHE, your avatar is a forum issue, this topic is about the newspaper website........so you're "off topic"............just kidding. I continue to be impressed with the website and it's updated info each day. |
|||||||||||
Training??? 